School of Criminal Justice

Welcome to the School of Criminal Justice, one of the top-ranked schools for criminal justice in the country. With a range of bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees; highly experienced faculty; impactful centers; and study abroad opportunities, University of Cincinnati’s School of Criminal Justice continues to make a positive impact on the world around us.

Empowering Leaders, Advancing Justice

At the School of Criminal Justice, we are committed to offering a comprehensive range of degree programs to help you build a successful career in the dynamic field of criminal justice. Our top-ranked school is home to highly experienced faculty, impactful research centers, and exciting study abroad opportunities that continue to make a positive impact on the world.

Where justice meets education, the University of Cincinnati School of Criminal Justice is a beacon of excellence, nurturing the leaders and scholars who shape a more equitable and fair society

The School of Criminal Justice offers degrees in:

As a premier institution for education in Criminal Justice, we take pride in providing a diverse array of degree programs designed to equip you with the knowledge and skills needed to excel in this dynamic profession. Our commitment to excellence extends to the following degree offerings:

With Bachelor's degrees in Criminal Justice and Paralegal Studies, as well as Minors and Certificates, we are dedicated to providing the knowledge to be a successful professional in the Criminal Justice field.

Bachelor's Degree:

Minor Programs:

Browse Undergraduate Programs

Offering a Master's Degree both online and on-campus, as well as a PhD program ranked 4th in the nation, our Graduate degrees will prepare you to make a difference in the exciting field of Criminal Justice.

Master's Degree:

Doctoral Degree:

Browse Graduate Programs

Discover our undergraduate and graduate certificate options designed to expand your expertise within your desired field. These programs provide valuable insights and specialized knowledge to enhance your career.

Undergraduate Certificates:

Graduate Certificates:

Browse Certificate Programs

Centers and Institutes

Criminal Justice Centers

Elevate your studies through engagement with our top-rated centers and programs. Our nationally renowned research center actively supports students and professionals in the Criminal Justice field. Our research excellence has a tangible impact on national criminal justice policy, making our institution a driving force for positive change.

Learn more about our centers.

Faculty and Staff

Criminal justice faculty member

The commitment of our Faculty and Staff to teaching and research excellence has earned them the ranking of 1st in Faculty Scholarship. Their dedication to student success ensures our school makes an impact around the world.

Learn more about our faculty.

News & Features

1

UC alum finds success in a career spanning military service,...

November 4, 2024

Chelsea Lovelace, manager of cyber threat intelligence at leading defense contractor RTX, didn't always know what she wanted to do. Grappling with family tragedy, she entered community college after high school, but upon visiting University of Cincinnati, she fell in love with the campus. Today, with an undergraduate degree in Criminal Justice and a master's in IT—both from UC—she's excelled in roles with the National Guard, Cincinnati Police Department and now in the corporate world.

2

CECH welcomes 25 new faculty members to the University of...

October 3, 2024

With the 2024-25 school year at University of Cincinnati underway, the College of Education, Criminal Justice, Human Services, and Information Technology (CECH) welcomes 25 new faculty members to the classrooms and hallways of the Teachers-Dyer Complex for the fall semester. The newly hired instructors are teaching within all of the college's four schools, preparing undergraduate and graduate students to be essential changemakers, impacting their communities and the world in a variety of fields.

3

Knowledge Nexus aims to empower new faculty with research...

September 26, 2024

Knowledge Nexus is a series of workshops—presented in partnership with the University of Cincinnati's Associate Dean of Education Innovations and Community Partnerships and Associate Dean of Academic Affairs (Dean’s Office, CECH)—that outline common intricacies of research development at CECH and UC, which, as an R1 institution, absolutely values research activity.

4

This UC student’s love of criminal justice led her to study in...

September 25, 2024

Gaby Ramos, a student in the University of Cincinnati's Criminal Justice program (part of the College of Education, Criminal Justice, Human Services, and Information Technology), has plans to become a criminal attorney in the future and recently took her passion for criminal justice overseas with a study abroad trip to Scotland.

5

Many juvenile ‘lifers’ freed

July 29, 2024

J.Z Bennett, a UC criminologist and champion of prison reform, is the lead author of a comprehensive study of incarcerated individuals under the age of 18 sentenced to life without parole. This first of its kind study, published in the Journal of Criminal Justice, looks at the demographics, sentencing, releases and life after incarceration for the juvenile offenders in the adult prison system.

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