Various aspects of law enforcement and criminal justice are covered, including policing, the judicial system, criminal investigations, industrial/corporate security and juvenile delinquency. The course sequence offers a balanced and broad education to students who plan to enter law enforcement as a career. It helps in-service police officers upgrade themselves for advancement within the ranks. Many students join a municipal force but career opportunities also are available in county, state and federal governments.

Program contact: Learn more

Learn more about related degrees and training programs.

Related Degrees and Certificates

Related Training and Credentials

Program Admissions Requirements

  • High school diploma or GED highly recommended.

Program Learning Outcomes

This program is designed to prepare students to demonstrate the following learning outcomes:

  1. Recognize and practice ethical behavior associated with the criminal justice and public safety professions.
  2. Apply local, state, and federal legal standards, including statutory and case law, to adults and juveniles in civil and criminal matters, in both public and private sectors.
  3. Purposefully adapt oral, written and non-verbal styles and techniques to communicate effectively in diverse professional roles and environments.
  4. Maintain personal health and well-being in carrying out professional responsibilities.
  5. Apply law enforcement culture and theory to develop and refine skill sets essential to specific law enforcement positions.

Suggested Semester Sequence

Plan of Study Grid
First SemesterCredit Hours
CJ-1000 Introduction to Criminal Justice 3
CJ-1120 Criminal Court Procedures 2
CJ-1130 Criminal Evidence 2
CJ-1320 Ethics in Criminal Justice 2
Select one of the following: 3
College Composition I
Honors College Composition I
Select one of the following: 3
Computer Applications
Honors Computer Applications
 Credit Hours15
Second Semester
CJ-1111 Constitutional Law for Police 3
CJ-1330 Criminal Law 3
CJ-xxxxCriminal Justice Elective 3
MATH-1xxx1000-level MATH course or higher 3
Select one of the following: 3
College Composition II
Honors College Composition II
Fundamentals of Speech Communication
Honors Speech Communication
 Credit Hours15
Third Semester
CJ-2300 Juvenile Delinquency 2
CJ-2390 The Investigative Process 4
CJ-xxxxCriminal Justice Elective 3
Arts and Humanities 3
Select one of the following: 3
American National Government
Honors American National Government
General Psychology
Honors General Psychology
Introductory Sociology
Honors Introductory Sociology
Introduction to Urban Studies
 Credit Hours15
Fourth Semester
CJ-1010 Computers in Criminal Justice 2
CJ-2360 Community Oriented Policing 3
CJ-2990 Issues in Supervision 4
CJ-xxxxCriminal Justice Elective 3
CJ-xxxxCriminal Justice Elective 3
 Credit Hours15
 Total Credit Hours60

MATH-1140, MATH-1141, MATH-1200, MATH-1270, and MATH-1280 can no longer count towards fulfilling the college-level mathematics requirement.  These courses were re-classified as developmental mathematics by the state of Ohio in 2016.  Tri-C established a 5-year transitioning window for students who had completed these courses prior to 2016 to apply them towards meeting graduation requirements, which expired in Summer 2021. It is highly recommended to see a counselor to determine the appropriate math required for your current major.