Earning a criminal justice degree or completing a certificate program in criminal justice allows students to fulfill their goal of working in criminal justice.
The need for criminal justice professionals exists throughout the U.S., including in the State of Ohio.
Many Ohio schools allow students to transfer part of their credits from other criminal justice programs to a more advanced program.
Did you complete an associate degree and now want to earn a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice?
Perhaps you hold a master’s degree and want to advance your career options by earning a master’s degree in criminal justice.
These best criminal justice programs can help you, wherever you are right now in your criminal justice career.
1 Sinclair College
About the School
Sinclair College started as a small community college in Downtown Dayton, Ohio.
The school grew and expanded its program offerings.
Sinclair College now holds classes at several locations and in an online format.
The school offers several criminal justice program options, including the Associate of Applied Science in Law Enforcement program.
Courses Offered
Entry-level criminal justice professionals learn the knowledge and skills that they need to start their careers or to continue their studies after earning their associate degree.
The program also has an embedded certificate that students earn while completing the associate degree program.
Some courses in the program include Criminal Law, Introduction to Criminal Justice Science, Homeland Security Issues and Administration, Policing, and Constitutional Law and Evidentiary Procedures.
The program prepares students to apply for the Ohio Peace Officer Training Academy.
Contact Information
- Address: 444 West third St., Dayton, Ohio, 45402
- Phone: 800-315-3000
- Website: Visit School Website
2 Ohio University
About the School
Ohio University offers a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice program.
The program is designed for students who have already completed an associate degree program in criminal justice.
The school points to the fact that a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice is quickly becoming a minimum requirement for criminal justice professionals.
Courses Offered
Courses offered in the program prepare students to work in entry-level or advanced criminal justice career positions.
Work in corrections, law enforcement, and security, at local, state, or federal law enforcement or government agencies.
Some courses include Police and Society, Civil Liberties, Criminal Justice Research Methods, and International Peace.
Program courses also include Law and Society, Ethics, and Courtroom Rhetoric.
Contact Information
- Address: 110 Chubb Hall, Athens, Ohio, 45701
- Phone: 740-593-1000
- Website: Visit School Website
3 Ohio State University
About the School
Ohio State University has a reputation for providing students with a high-quality education that leads to many career opportunities.
The Columbus, Ohio school offers students who want to work in criminal justice the Bachelor of Arts in Criminology and Criminal Justice Studies program.
Ohio State offers the program at three campus locations.
Courses Offered
The program combines concepts and dimensions of criminology and criminology.
Students learn about the prevalence of crime in society, types of crimes, and special topics in criminal justice.
Students who complete the Bachelor of Arts in Criminology and Criminal Justice Studies program gain the knowledge to continue their studies and earn an advanced degree or to work in the field immediately after graduation.
Courses in the bachelor’s degree program include Criminology, Introduction to Criminal Justice, Criminal Investigations, Gender, Crime and the Legal System, and Global Criminology.
Contact Information
- Address: 281 W. Lane Ave., Columbus, Ohio 43210
- Phone: 614-292-6681
- Website: Visit School Website
4 University of Cincinnati Online
About the School
The University of Cincinnati offers online criminal justice programs that allow students to take charge of their career, and to choose the program that is best for their goals.
The Online Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice is one program option.
Courses Offered
Students who enroll in the Online Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice program at the University of Cincinnati can achieve their goals to start working in criminal justice or to advance their careers.
The highly ranked criminal justice program features courses that provide students with the knowledge and skills to become leaders in their chosen field.
Some courses include Introduction to Courts, Juvenile Justice System, Legal Issues in Corrections, Kids Who Kill, and Politics of Criminal Justice.
Students also complete courses such as Criminal Justice Research Methods, Drugs and Crime, and Police Organization and Management.
The school also offers a Master of Science in Criminal Justice program.
Many students who earn their bachelor’s degree at the University of Cincinnati continue their studies by enrolling in the online master’s degree program in criminal justice.
Contact Information
- Address: 2600 Clifton Ave., Cincinnati, Ohio, 45220
- Phone: 866-463-7187
- Website: Visit School Website
5 North Central State College
About the School
North Central State College provides students with the opportunity to learn where there is a small-town atmosphere.
The school is the largest public school in the area.
One degree offered at North Central State College is the Associate of Applied Science in Criminal Justice program.
Courses Offered
Consider enrolling in the Associate of Applied Science in Criminal Justice program to start a career in criminal justice.
Some students continue their education to earn a bachelor’s degree or a graduate degree.
Some courses in the program include Introduction to Criminal Justice and U.S. Judicial Systems, Criminal Investigation, Criminal and Constitutional Law, and Report Writing for Criminal Justice Professionals.
Elective courses include Gangs, Cults, and Terrorism, Forensic Science/Criminalistics, and Success Skills for Criminal Justice Professionals.
Contact Information
- Address: 2441 Kenwood Circle, Mansfield, Ohio, 44906
- Phone: 419-755-4800
- Website: Visit School Website
6 University of Toledo
About the School
The University of Toledo has been educating students since 1872.
The school offers more than 300 undergraduate and graduate programs.
One program offered at the school is the Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice program.
Courses Offered
The criminal justice program at the University of Toledo prepares students for career employment or for graduate studies.
Courses in the program span all aspects of criminal justice.
Some courses that students complete in the Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice program include Criminal Law, Criminal Procedure, Human Relations and Diversity in Criminal Justice, Criminal Justice Research Methods, and Ethics in Criminal Justice.
Juniors or seniors in the program can participate in the Accelerated Police Academy option.
The students who complete the accelerated program receive the Ohio Peace Officer Training Academy certification as an Ohio police officer.
Contact Information
- Address: 2801 W. Bancroft St., Toledo, Ohio, 43606
- Phone: 800-586-5336
- Website: Visit School Website
7 Miami University
About the School
Miami University ranks among the top 10 public colleges in Ohio.
The school describes students as “an eclectic mix of thinkers, doers, leaders, and followers.
The Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice program provides students with the opportunity to achieve their goals to work in criminal justice.
Courses Offered
The Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice program at Miami University provides students with a comprehensive understanding of the criminal justice system.
Students learn about the complex nature of the legal system.
They gain knowledge about crime, policing, and justice.
Program courses include Criminal Procedure, Introduction to Criminal Behavior, Corrections in America, Law and the Courts, and Applied Research Methods in Criminal Justice.
Students complete the capstone Seminar in Criminal Justice.
Contact Information
- Address: 301 S. Campus Ave., Oxford, Ohio, 45056
- Phone: 513-529-8703
- Website: Visit School Website
8 Ohio Northern University
About the School
Ohio Northern University offers the Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice program for students who want to start their career or advance their criminal justice career.
Students who want to work in leadership positions in criminal justice often continue their studies and earn a graduate degree.
Courses Offered
The Ohio Northern University Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice program prepares students to excel in their area of interest by offering the optional investigative accounting concentration or the optional forensic science concentration.
Courses that students complete prepare them to work across a variety of criminal justice specializations.
Some courses in the program include Introduction to Criminal Justice, Criminal Justice Systems, Criminology, Data Analysis, and Crime Scene Investigation.
Students also complete an internship.
Contact Information
- Address: 525 South Main St., Ada, Ohio, 45810
- Phone: 419-772-2000
- Website: Visit School Website
9 University of Akron
About the School
The University of Akron offers several criminal justice programs.
Students choose to enroll in the Certificate in Police Ethics Certificate program, the Associate of Applied Science in Criminal Justice program, or the Bachelor of Science in Criminal Intelligence Analysis.
Another criminal justice program option at the school is the Bachelor of Science in Criminology and Criminal Justice program.
Courses Offered
Students who enroll in the Bachelor of Science in Criminology and Criminal Justice program at the University of Akron have the option of completing their courses in a 100 percent online format or in a hybrid format.
Students choose a concentration based on their interests.
The concentrations include Courts and Law, Policing, Criminology, and Corrections.
Courses in the program include Principles of Criminal Law, Police Studies, Legal Research and Writing, and Statistical Investigations.
Students also complete Professional Pathways in Criminal Justice.
Contact Information
- Address: 302 Buchtel Mall, Akron, Ohio, 44325
- Phone: 330-972-7111
- Website: Visit School Website
10 Cuyahoga Community College
About the School
Cuyahoga Community College offers more than 200 programs.
The school offers the Certificate of Proficiency in Criminal Justice: Basic Police Academy program for students who want to become Ohio Peace officers.
Cuyahoga Community College has an Associate of Applied Science in Criminal Justice program.
Courses Offered
The Associate of Applied Science in Criminal Justice program prepares students for entry-level positions.
Students complete 60 credit hours to earn their degree.
Some courses are offered based on the student’s concentration.
The concentration options include Basic Police Academy, Corrections, or Security Administration.
Program courses include Criminal Court Procedures, Criminal Evidence, The Investigative Process, Constitutional Law for Police, and Issues in Supervision.
Contact Information
- Address: 700 Carnegie Ave., Cleveland, Ohio, 44115
- Phone: 216-987-6000
- Website: Visit School Website
Schools Summary Table
Criminal Justice Salary Information
The median salary for an Ohio criminal justice specialist is $49,367.
The salary that a person earns depends on the person’s education level, their experience, and their work setting.
The city where a criminal justice specialist works also affects the salary earned in Ohio.
The median salary for a criminal justice professional who works in Akron is $48,327.
The salary for a criminal justice professional who works in Cincinnati is $49,223. It is $47,119 in Tuscarawas, Ohio.
| Item | Percent |
|---|---|
$56K |
|
$74K |
|
$82K |
Average Salary in Ohio
| City Name | Salary |
|---|---|
| Columbus | $74,856 |
| Cleveland | $75,259 |
| Cincinnati | $74,554 |
| Toledo | $73,669 |
| Akron | $73,197 |
| Dayton | $73,959 |
| Portsmouth | $69,606 |
| Youngstown | $71,801 |
| Canton | $78,010 |
| Lorain | $74,462 |
Regional Salary
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Akron, OH | 110 | $85,000 | $40.87 | $145,750 | $49,410 |
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | 340 | $92,910 | $44.67 | $149,610 | $53,560 |
| Cleveland-Elyria, OH | 400 | $97,960 | $47.1 | $158,600 | $56,610 |
| Columbus, OH | 500 | $88,910 | $42.74 | $141,150 | $56,220 |
| Dayton, OH | 140 | $96,980 | $46.63 | $157,160 | $59,110 |
| Toledo, OH | 130 | $78,260 | $37.62 | $103,650 | $54,450 |
| Youngstown-Warren-Boardman, OH-PA | 110 | $76,910 | $36.98 | $105,100 | $51,900 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Criminal Justice Schools by State
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
I would recommend OSU because it is known for its comprehensive curriculum, research opportunities, and experienced faculty.
When evaluating criminal justice programs, students should consider factors such as accreditation, faculty qualifications, internship opportunities, job placement rates, and alumni success. Additionally, visiting campuses, talking to current students and faculty, and researching program outcomes can provide valuable insights into the quality of education offered by each institution.