Does a career in law enforcement sound exciting and exhilarating? If yes, then you might want to think about getting a criminal justice degree to head into that professional direction. The following list of the top criminal justice degrees in Columbus might be of interest to you.

Featured Programs and Schools

The Ohio State University

The Ohio State University offers a Criminology and Criminal Justice program at the undergraduate level under its college of Arts and Sciences. Criminology majors at the Ohio State have to complete four sociology core courses including Criminology, Research Methods in Sociology, Introduction to Sociological Theory and Statistics in Sociology. Students are also required to complete an education abroad, service-learning, research or education abroad experience. Once graduated, students can find work in a variety of settings – labor force in law enforcement, control services, corrections, criminal justice administration etc.

The Ohio Dominican University

ODU’s Criminology and Criminal Justice program covers areas such as law enforcement in the US court systems, juvenile justice and corrections along with research methods and criminological theory. The university also offers complementary minors in Nonprofit Management and Quantitative Methods & Data Management. The small class size at the Ohio Dominican University ensures a good student-teacher ratio with individualized attention. Graduates of this program are prepared to take up careers in the private and public sectors, social services and public policy.

The Columbus State Community College

The Columbus State Community College offers a variety of quick paths for entry into the realm of criminal justice. It offers a Basic Peace Officer Certificate program that prepares students for careers in state or local law enforcement. This degree includes the Ohio Peace Officer Training (OPOTA) Basic Peace Officer Certificate. In addition to this, Columbus State also offers an AAS program in criminal justice that teaches subjects such as Homeland Security, Crime Scene Investigations and Victim Advocacy. Other programs offered here include a Law Enforcement Major for currently employed officials, a Law Enforcement Major Academy Track, Probation and Supervision AAS and a Homeland Security Certificate.

The Daymar College, Columbus

The Daymar College in Columbus, OH, offers an updated curriculum in criminal justice, designed to prepare students to take up important roles in the law enforcement field. The curriculum deals with subject areas such as Loss Prevention, Court Corrections, Victim Assistance and Juvenile Justice etc. With an easy enrollment process and an affordable degree cost, the Daymar College is a popular option for those looking for entry or advancement in law enforcement careers.

The Franklin University

The Franklin University offers a top-of-the-line B.S. Criminal Justice Administration program in an online format. The online availability of this program makes it the ideal solution for those who want to advance their careers but cannot leave their jobs to do so. The transfer-friendly program equips you to launch or advance your career in a criminal justice field. The Franklin University offers an award-winning curriculum, a customizable program and real-world practitioners as teachers.

Careers With a Criminal Justice Degree

If you have a criminal justice degree, you can pick from multiple career options. The below list contains some great career options for you, depending on the field you select. The below data has been obtained from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics:

OccupationAnnual Mean Salary (2020)Growth Rate (2020-30)
Lawyers$148,9109%
Detectives and Criminal Investigators $89,3002%
Forensic Science Technicians$64,89016%
Correctional Officers and Jailers$52,340-7%
Paralegal and Legal Assistants$56,61012%

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