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 admissions to the MSCJ program, you must have a minimum undergraduate grade point average of
3.00 (on a four point scale), and an undergraduate degree in criminal justice, criminology, or closely related field. Students
with a GPA below 3.00 or holding a different undergraduate degree may be considered for conditional admission. Students admitted under conditional status will be required to achieve an overall 3.00 GPA on the first 12 credit
hours of graduate study. Failure to meet this requirement will result in dismissal from the program. Bowling Green State University
also requires all graduate students submit scores from the Graduate Record Examination (GRE).
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:
