Prepare to lead
Take the next step in your criminal justice career with BGSU"s Master's of Science in Criminal Justice. This high-caliber program will equip you for leadership roles in criminal justice agencies, as well as provide a solid base for the pursuit of a doctoral degree.
Learn from the best
Bowling Green's highly qualified faculty are well respected nationally in their field and bring real-world experience to their teaching. Their areas of specialization include victimology, police organizations, corrections, juvenile justice, criminal law, crime prevention, and more. The program's small class settings foster a dynamic relationship with these professionals. 

Expect quality and flexibility

• Nationally recognized faculty
• Courses timed to fit your schedule
• Part-time or full-time study
• A 33 semester-hour program
• The choice of completing a thesis or comprehensive exam for graduation
• The flexibility to complete the program in one calendar year full-time or two calendar years part-time

Required courses

• Criminal Justice Processes and Institutions
• The Nature of Crime
• Research Methods in Criminal Justice
• Data and Statistical Analysis in Criminal Justice
• The Organization and Management of Justice

Elective Courses

• Seminar in Contemporary Policing
• Seminar in Contemporary Juvenile Justice
• Seminar in Contemporary Corrections
• Intermediate Sanctions and the Community
• Seminar in Court Administration
• Criminal Justice Policy Analysis
• Race, Gender and Diversity Issues in Criminal Justice
• Seminar in Criminal Justice Ethics
• Deviant Behavior
• Theories of Juvenile Delinquency
• Sociology of Violence
• Sociology of Law
• Public Administration and Public Policy
• Public Personnel Administration
  

Or choose other courses in consultation with the faculty

Admission Requirements

Undergraduate study: To gain regular status admission to the MSCJ program, you must have a minimum undergraduate grade point average of 3.00* (on a four-point scale) or 3.00 in at least nine credit hours of graduate-level courses.

* Students with undergraduate GPA between 2.70 and 2.99 are eligible for regular status admission but not funding through assistantships.  Students with an undergraduate cumulative GPA between 2.50 and 2.69 may be considered for conditional admission and no funding through assistantships.  Students admitted under conditional status will be required to achieve an overall 3.00 GPA in the first 12 credit hours of graduate study.  Failure to meet this requirement will result in dismissal from the program.

GRE:  Applicants who meet ONE of the following criteria do not need to take the Graduate Record Exam (GRE):

• GPA of 3.0 in the last 60 semester hours of undergraduate study
• Overall undergraduate GPA of 2.75
• 2.5 GPA in the last 60 semester hours of undergraduate study AND 5 or more years of work experience in the criminal justice field
• 3.0 GPA in 9 credit hours of graduate credit

For applicants who do not meet any of the above criteria, a GRE combined score of 900 on the Verbal and Quantitative sections will be required.

Letters of recommendation: Students must also submit three letters of recommendation from individuals with knowledge of the applicant's qualifications and ability to successfully complete graduate study. Examples of individuals typically asked to write letters of recommendation are past professors, supervisors, or colleagues holding a graduate degree.

Personal Letter of Application: Applicants must supply a written statement outlining their interests in graduate study, and their expectations and future goals. This letter is extremely important since the Graduate Admissions Committee will base many decisions on its content and quality.

Application deadline: Review of applications begins as soon as completed applications are received and continues until all positions are filled. We cannot process your application until we receive ALL supporting materials. We urge you to send them promptly. We will begin notifying students of admissions decisions immediately.

Contact us: If you are not familiar with our campus, please consider a visit so we can become acquainted. This will give you the opportunity to meet our faculty and see our facilities. If a visit is not practical, we invite you to call, write, or e-mail us if you have any questions (see below).

For an application packet and full application instructions, please use our online form or contact: