How does a master's in criminal justice help my career?

BGSU built its program specifically for working professionals. Classes are:

• 100% online
• Asynchornous
• Offered in seven-week sessions

Students can complete coursework on their own schedule rather than logging in at specific times – which is invaluable for professionals who may have unusual or erratic schedules, or maintain family obligations that make being a 9-to-5 student unrealistic.

Lt. Ryan Sheedy from the Port Huron (Michigan) Police Department said he enrolled after a friend recommended the program for its flexibility.

"Everything he told me about the program is true," Sheedy said. "It's incredibly user-friendly, the faculty are helpful and responsive, and it fits into my schedule. So many of my worries coming into the program have already disappeared."

The BGSU Master of Science in criminal justice program recently was ranked by U.S. News & World Report as:

• No. 1 in Ohio
• No. 3 in the Midwest
• No. 13 nationally, making it one of the top options anywhere in the U.S.

But the best compliment it receives comes from its alumni. Adam Watkins, Ph.D., a BGSU criminal justice professor and chair of the Department of Health Services, said much of the program’s growth comes from graduates who have a great experience and then recommend it to others.

“It's not an exaggeration to say that our primary recruitment tool is word-of-mouth, which speaks volumes to the quality education we provide and the experiences students have in our program,” he said. “There is no greater compliment than BGSU alumni recommending our program to their friends and coworkers."

Bowling Green's master's in criminal justice program is affordable, especially when compared with other graduate programs. Criminal justice master’s students have to complete at least 30 credit hours to earn their degree, but they can do so at their own pace.

BGSU also offers an estimated cost-of-attendance calculator for prospective graduate students.

Laura Peterson, a victim advocate for the Crime Victim Center of Erie (Pennsylvania) County, said affordability was one of the key factors in choosing BGSU.

"BGSU had everything I sought in an online master's program: a manageable course load, accessible faculty members and affordability,” she said.

The program’s curriculum focuses on theory and research to help you develop evidence-based responses to challenges facing the criminal justice system. You'll gain the knowledge and skills to move into leadership positions across various law enforcement agencies and disciplines. 

Graduates are prepared to:

• Advance within their current agency
• Transition into leadership roles
• Influence policy and organizational change

You'll learn from the same full-time professors who teach on campus, just like a student who takes in-person classes. 

Not only do faculty members have professional backgrounds, many consult with leading organizations like the National Institute of Justice, the FBI, court systems, corrections agencies and local police forces in addition to being experts in the field of criminal justice research.

A guiding light of the program is producing graduates who understand both the academic theory and the practical realities of working in criminal justice.

One of the things students consistently mention is how supportive and responsive the faculty are, and Watkins said that the program is committed to "supporting students from start to finish."

At BGSU, the difference is the complete portrait:

• National rankings
• Expert faculty with real-world experience
• Flexible course design
• Affordability
• Personalized support

"Being recognized as one of the top graduate criminal justice programs in the state and nation is a testament to our expert faculty, flexibility, affordability and commitment to supporting students from start to finish," Watkins said.