Criminal Justice
Benefits
Career Options
A degree in criminal justice can pave the way for a wide range of career options in law enforcement officer, crime and intelligence analyst, criminal and arson investigator, crime scene technician, correctional security officer and probation officer, private security and private investigator, crime victims’ advocates, and public policy specialist.
A degree in criminal justice also provides an excellent foundation for graduate and professional studies in criminal justice and criminology, forensic science, emergency management, homeland security, forensic accounting and fraud examination, psychology and forensic psychology, public administration and management, leadership studies, social work, and the law.
Transferable Skills
- Thinking and decision making
- Leadership
- Communications
- Non-verbal communication (Public speaking)
- Listening
- Management
Degree Courses
- Criminal Justice
- Law Enforcement
- Juvenile Justice
- Alternatives to Incarceration
- Criminal Law
- Criminal Procedures
- Criminology
- Ethical Issues in Criminal Justice
- Terrorism
- Conflict Management
- Psychology
- Sociology
- State & Local Governments
Other Criminal Justice Programs
Criminal Justice (AS)
The Associate of Science degree in Criminal Justice prepares the student for future employment in the criminal justice area. The student is to complete the required twenty-four (24) semester hours in Foundational Core courses for the associate degree and thirty-three (33) semester hours in Criminal Justice.
The Associate of Science in Criminal Justice offers a gateway to careers in law enforcement, public safety, or the legal system at the local, state and federal level. Graduates of this 60-61 credit program gain skills that prepare them to go straight into the workforce or gain a transferable degree that will allow them to enter a baccalaureate program to further their education.
Benefits
Variety in Criminal Justice Studies
The Criminal Justice Program is designed to produce graduates who can excel in various aspects of the field in leadership, service, research, and innovation. The program offers classes that cover focus on alternatives to corrections, Crime scene investigation, conflict management in corrections, criminal law, criminology, drugs and criminal justice, juvenile justice, victimology, and much more.
Hands-on Experience
OCU’s Criminal Justice majors and minors are exposed to a variety of hands-on experiences in the classroom, as well as being provided the opportunity to participate in field trips and out-of-classroom experiences. The Criminal Justice faculty encourage all of their students to participate in internships in such fields as law enforcement, corrections, and juvenile justice or a research practicum where they can apply theoretical information in the real world. Students are also urged to attend academic conferences and workshops, as well as complete specific training courses offered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Domestic Emergency Preparedness Consortium.
Dedication to Academic Excellence
The Criminal Justice curriculum provides students with two concentrations along with a well-rounded education by viewing the study of Criminal Justice in two ways: 1) as scientific in nature and 2) including human interaction and societal reaction.
Faculty and Class Size
The OCU criminal justice faculty hold appropriate academic qualifications in their field of expertise, as well as many years of professional experience in law enforcement or corrections. Most classes range between 10 and 20 students.
Degree Courses
- Criminal Justice
- Law Enforcement
- Community Policing
- Juvenile Justice
- Alternatives to Incarceration
- Criminal Law
- Criminology
- Ethical Issues in Criminal Justice
- Terrorism
- Sociology
Criminal Justice (Minors)
Criminal Justice, Corrections, Investigative Forensics
As a Criminal Justice minor, students will complete six courses (18 credits) that focus on the criminal justice system and its many component parts. Students are familiarized with the U.S. criminal justice system’s foundations with a particular focus on law enforcement. Emphasis is placed on helping students become critical thinkers and understanding the role that the criminal justice systems play in society. Students will be exposed to such important topics as the past, present, and future of the U.S. criminal justice system, criminal and constitutional law, the practical application of ethical practices, criminal investigative skills and techniques, and conflict management.
As a Corrections minor, students will complete six courses (18 credits) that focus on a combination of classical theories of penology along with developing ideas, approaches, and strategies for dealing with offenders after they have been convicted and while awaiting trial. Emphasis is placed on helping students to become critical thinkers in general and about corrections in particular. A primary goal of the minor is to help students focus on the end process of the criminal justice system by helping them understand the nature and consequences of processing offenders through the system. Students will be exposed to such important topics as incarceration, community supervision, treatment of offenders, rehabilitation, and the offender reintegration process.
As an Investigative Forensics minor, students will be exposed to important concepts in criminal investigation and crime scene investigation and processing. The Investigative Forensics minor combines a focus on classical theories of criminal investigation with developing ideas and approaches, as well as with contemporary strategies for investigating and processing crime scenes. Emphasis is placed on helping students to become critical thinkers about criminal and crime scene investigations. Proficiency in crime scene investigation and mastery of the techniques used to collect evidence are essential to success in the field. To foster this expertise, students pursue coursework including criminal investigation, investigative photography, basic and advanced crime scene investigation, as well as foundations in the study of criminal justice. A primary goal of the minor is to help students focus on becoming proficient in basic criminal investigative techniques and basic and advanced crime scene techniques.
Concentration Requirements
Criminal Justice Minor-Students
Criminal Justice Minor-Students majoring in biology, business administration, communications, computer science, history, psychology, and university studies will find a criminal justice minor connects well with their studies at Oakland City University.
Corrections Minor-Students
Corrections Minor-Students majoring in business administration, communications, education, history, psychology, and university studies will find a criminal justice minor connects well with their studies at Oakland City University.
Investigative Forensics Minor-Students
Investigative Forensics Minor-Students majoring in biology, business administration, communications, computer science, history, psychology, and university studies will find a criminal justice minor connects well with their studies at Oakland City University.
Degree Courses
- Criminal Justice
- Criminal Law
- Ethical Issues in Criminal Justice
- Criminal Investigation
- Conflict Management
