Criminal Justice Learning Community
The BGSU Criminal Justice Learning Community (CJLC) supports criminal justice students through enhanced academic engagement, leadership development and experiential learning. The CJLC helps students access career readiness opportunities that foster student success and retention
What is the Criminal Justice Learning Community?
The BGSU Criminal Justice Learning Community is the only four-year cohort-style learning community for criminal justice in the country
Maximize Academic Expereince
Take required courses for criminal justice that are designed to enhance the academic experience through facility tours, field trips, guest speakers and other hands-on learning opportunities.
Prepare for a Meaningful Career
Enhance career readiness by participating in an optional CJLC-run program called The Hire Flyers. Through the program, students have the opportunity to complete 50 shadow day hours and 20 experiential learning opportunities. Students who complete the program are eligible for an academic cord at graduation.
Early Internship Expereince
Students are elligble for an early internship experiences to be completed during the summer between their sophomore and junior years.
Life Design Integration
Students within the CJLC have the opportunity to take additional courses to build on the foundation sett by CRJU 1910: Criminal Justice Careers & Life Design. This opportunity allows students to continuously refine their career aspirations throughout their undergardaute education.
Additional Opportunities within the CJLC
CJLC members can apply for early housing selection in Offenhauer Towers, the designated CJLC residence hall. Living in the CJLC space is optional, but students who choose this option must room with another CJLC member. Living alongside fellow criminal justice majors provides opportunities to build friendships, connect with their cohort and ease the transition to college life.
Travel
Members have the opportunity to study abroad and study away. We have trips to New York City, Philadelphia, Boston, Washington D.C., the FBI Academy in Quantico VA. and abroad to England, Germany, Austria, and the Czech Republic.
Behind the Scenes
We take learning beyond the classroom and into the field! CJLC students have opportunities to tour criminal justice agencies including police departments, courthouses, correctional facilities and more. By engaging directly with professionals and observing the criminal justice system in action, students gain valuable real-world insights into the many career paths available in the field.
Alumni Network
Many of our guest speakers and adjunct instructors are BGSU Criminal Justice alumni! Connect with professionals in the field, learn about their career experiences and build valuable connections that can lead to job shadowing opportunities and future careers prospects.
Research and Coferences
Students in the CJLC have opportunities to engage in criminal justice research and present their findings at professional confereneces across the country. Past conferences locations include Chicago, Orlando, Philadelphia and Denver.
Important Information
- Fee | $300
- Home | Offenhauer Towers
Contact Us
Catherine Pape
Learning Community Director
cpape@bgsu.edu
419-372-9177
"Without the CJLC, I don't think I would have developed the same confidence in my ability to network, build connections, and pursue opportunities that align with my career goals." Charlotte Stephan | Senior
How to Apply
Each community has a set of residence hall rooms specifically designated for them. To sign up for one of these rooms, you must apply and be accepted into the community. To ensure your chance to live in the community, please complete the following steps:
- Complete your housing application
- Apply here and login with your BGSU username and password
- Click on Add a New Community Enrollment Request and choose your desired community and academic year/term
Please Note: Students can apply only for two communities on their own. If you want to apply to more than two communities, please contact the additional communities you are interested in so they can apply for you. If you have applied for two and change your mind, go into the system and withdraw yourself from the one(s) you are no longer interested in. This will open up a space for you again.
After you have submitted your request to join a community, you will receive an email from the community director approving your request. When it’s time for you to select your room in the next phase, you will be able to view and select rooms within the designated community space in the community’s residence hall. For example, if you choose to join the Chapman Learning Community, you will select a room in Kohl Hall.
Live and Learn with Students who share your passion!
Join one of our residential Learning Communities and take advantage of unique opportunities designed to help you succeed in your personal, professional and academic lives. These communities are comprised of students who share a major or common interest and have a block of rooms inside a residence hall.
Updated: 10/24/2026 05:08AM