B.S. in Criminal Justice
The School of Behavioral Sciences’ bachelor of science in criminal justice is a natural fulfillment of the mission of Ohio Valley University, and it addresses in considerable depth each of the desired learning outcomes for the university. By nature, the program is multidisciplinary. As such, coursework includes topics from a variety of areas including law, law enforcement, psychology, and sociology. This major prepares students for entrance into careers such as probation/parole officers, federal/state/local law enforcement, detectives, private investigators, and paralegals. Student may also use this degree to prepare themselves for graduate studies in the behavioral sciences or entrance into law school.
Criminal justice progress tracking sheet (used by student and advisor to evaluate degree progress):
Explore your degree options below:
Requirements for B.S. in Criminal Justice
1) Satisfy all of the university’s requirements for a bachelor’s degree, including the following:
General Institutional Requirements for a Bachelor’s Degree
General Education Requirements
OVU Experience Requirements
Writing Competency Requirements
Bible Course Requirement
Diversity Requirement
2) Receive formal admission to the criminal justice program, preferably during the second semester of the sophomore year; the application is part of CRJ 299.
3) Meet the following grade requirements:
Earn at least a 2.5 GPA on all major-related course work.
Earn no more than 3 credit hours of D in major-related course work required for graduation.
Complete Humanities Senior Seminar (HUM 451) with a minimum grade of B
4) Required Courses (59 credit hours):
The follow courses (18 credit hours) are required:
CRJ 101 Introduction to Criminal Justice (3 credit hours)
CRJ 220 Criminal Law (3 credit hours)
CRJ 299 Criminal Justice Program Admission (0 credit hours)
CRJ 320 Criminal Procedures (3 credit hours)
CRJ 371 Ethics in Criminal Justice (3 credit hours)
HUM 451 Senior Seminar (3 credit hours)
HUM 489 Humanities Practicum (3 credit hours)
Students must chose six (18 credit hours) of the follow courses (with a minimum of nine hours of chosen from the 300- or 400-level courses):
CRJ 150 Police Operations (3 credit hours)
CRJ 200 Police Administration and Supervision (3 credit hours)
CRJ 230 Fundamentals of Criminal Investigation (3 credit hours)
CRJ 240 Laws of Evidence (3 credit hours)
CRJ 250 Introduction to Corrections (3 credit hours)
CRJ 290 Probation and Parole (3 credit hours)
CRJ 330 Principles of Private Security (3 credit hours)
CRJ 334 Constitutional Law (3 credit hours)
CRJ 340 Police Report Writing (3 credit hours)
CRJ 345 Forensic Psychology (3 credit hours)
CRJ 365 Organized Crime (3 credit hours)
CRJ 370 Court Systems in the Unitied States (3 credit hours)
CRJ 410 Victimology (3 credit hours)
CRJ 430 Financial Crimes (3 credit hours)
CRJ 440 Civil Rights and Liberties (3 credit hours)
CRJ 445 American Public Policy and Crime (3 credit hours)
CRJ 450 Law Enforcement in American Society (3 credit hours)
The follow courses (18 credit hours) are required:
PSY 229 Introduction to Statistics for the Behavioral Sciences (4 credit hours)
PSY 290 Research Design (4 credit hours)
SOC 381 Introduction to Alternative Dispute Resolution (3 credit hours)
SOC 382 Conflict Mediation (3 credit hours)
Students must chose one (3 credit hours) of the follow courses:
POL 231 Global Community Relations (3 credit hours)
SOC 351 Understanding Multicultural Diversity (3 credit hours)
SOC 383 Diversity Management (3 credit hours)
SOC 341 Cultural Anthropology (3 credit hours)
Students must chose one (3 credit hours) of the follow courses:
PSY 320 Abnormal Psychology (3 credit hours)
PSY 340 Personality Theories (3 credit hours)
Students must chose one (3 credit hours) of the follow courses:
PSY 242 Group Dynamics (3 credit hours)
PSY 350 Family Systems (3 credit hours)
PSY 360 Social Psychology (3 credit hours)
6) A minor area of study is recommended.
The following minors are recommended for criminal justice majors: Alternative Dispute Resolution, Bible, Communications, History, Human Services, Information Technology, Psychology, Religious Studies, Sociology, Wellness, and Youth and Family Ministry.
