Bachelor of Criminal Justice
Criminal Behavior
Examine why people commit crimes and how psychology and the justice system work together to understand and respond to criminal behavior.
Explore the Mind Behind Crime in Criminal Behavior
Connect Psychology and the Justice System
Study the causes of crime, offender motivation and patterns of violence through psychology and criminology.
Prepare for Careers that Address Crime
Explore forensic psychology, criminology and correctional strategies for roles in law enforcement, corrections, security and rehabilitation settings.
Apply Behavioral Insight to Real Cases
Strengthen your ability to connect theory to investigations, justice work and other professional settings.
Program Highlights
The Bachelor of Criminal Justice in Criminal Behavior is designed to provide you with an understanding of why people commit crime. The major is designed for students interested in examining the relationship between psychology and the criminal justice system. You’ll study diverse areas of criminal behavior and come to understand common traits among offenders and how the justice system manages such individuals.
With a basis in forensic psychology, the program focuses on criminal justice and criminal behavior. Some universities offer online forensic psychology courses or criminal justice programs, but very few merge the two into a program geared toward developing a better understanding of criminal behavior. The program is intended for students who intend to work in fields such as law enforcement, institutional or community corrections, and public or private security.
- The major is well suited for those who desire to help people or make a difference in the world.
- Tiffin University has a reputation for being a leading institution in the field of forensic psychology.
- The program will prepare you to work in fields such as prison systems, rehabilitation centers, police departments, courthouses, law firms, schools, government agencies or the private sector.
- The program offers courses focused on criminal justice and criminal behavior, such as Psychology of Violence and Aggression, Threat Assessment, Correctional Strategies, and Applied Criminal Investigation and Criminalistics.
Preparing You for the Real World
Most of our professors who teach online are working professionals in the field, either previously or currently. They bring professional experience in law enforcement, law, probation and parole, psychology, counseling, forensic psychology, government and federal and national security. Their real-world field experience greatly enhances content offered in courses.
Courses in the program are created and updated to reflect the most current, relevant theory in the field. You’ll acquire career-ready knowledge and the latest perspectives on criminal behavior, including:
- Ethical principles of the field
- The nature and causes of crime
- Psychological causes of crime and criminal behavior
- Psychology of violence and threat assessment
- Trends and major crime problems and statistics
- The changing features of the American legal system
- Justice agencies and personnel
- Criminal justice agency management
- Agency and case management
- Correctional strategies
- Population management strategies
- Offender reentry
- Offender motivation, theory and policy
To be a sworn police officer in Ohio, you must successfully complete the Ohio Police Officer Training Academy (OPOTA). Tiffin University partners with Terra State Community College to include the cost of the academy in tuition and can be earned in just one semester.
This unique training academy is state mandated for all police officers and covers firearms, legal administration, human relations, traffic, patrol, driving, subject control, investigations, civil disorder, physical conditioning and other aspects of law enforcement. Students apply direct, hands-on practice in the crime lab, firing range and police cruisers. With experienced, certified instructors and hands-on application, our students consistently achieve passing rates on the state-certified exam. Once graduates of the program earn the certification, they are immediately eligible for full-time employment.
This accelerated pathway allows you to take classes that count as dual credit towards both your BCJ and MSCJ degrees, giving you the ability to earn a bachelor’s and master’s in just five years, saving you both time and money. Learn about our Master of Science in Criminal Justice programs.
Active, Experiential Learning
While ours is an online program, you’ll actively engage in discussion forums with classmates and instructors, and some courses involve outside assignments where you’ll visit criminal justice system sites or interview people in the community.
In the final year of coursework, you’ll complete an internship in the field and you can choose a setting where you can focus on the area in which you’d like to specialize. Students complete an internship usually at a community or social service agency in Tiffin or the surrounding community.
A semester-long course is devoted to cultural awareness and multicultural issues. You’ll engage in experiential learning activities as well as research to learn more about various groups and cultures, and they learn skills for engaging with diverse populations. Case examples, cultural issues, and information about working with diverse populations is woven throughout various other courses and assignments within the program.
Format & Sample Courses
FORMAT
Online – Offered in two terms per semester starting in January, March, May, July, August and October
SAMPLE COURSES
Agency Management (COR420) – This course analyzes some of the distinct differences between public and private management. The theory of controlling, organizing, planning, directing and assembling resources is covered. Students will develop a course project designed to cover the concepts explored in this course.
Applied Criminal Investigation and Criminalistics (ENF239) – Emphasis on the investigation of specific crimes including, but not limited to, homicide, sexual assault, aggravated assault, robbery, burglary, theft, auto theft and arson. Students will be required to investigate a “mock” crime scene, collect and analyze evidence obtained and present their investigation in a “moot” court.
Psychology of Violence and Aggression (FOR344) – Course examines the changes in the methods, patterns, and meanings of violence. Special attention is paid to individual and collective violence in the streets, in schools, at home, within the media, by the police, by terrorists and by the military. The major theories explaining the causes of violence, and important research about attitudes toward violence and the showing of force to bring about change are reviewed.
Drugs and Society (FOR365) – Considers various types of drugs, dynamics of use, abuse, addiction, and recovery; social, legal, economic, and psychological impact on structure and function of society; current trends; diagnosis and treatment; prevention strategies.
Concentrations
Career Opportunities
The Bachelor of Criminal Justice in Criminal Behavior is designed for those who desire to work in the field of criminal justice, forensic psychology, law, corrections, mental health and more.
CAREERS
- Community Corrections
- Courthouses
- Government Agencies
- Institutional Corrections
- Law Firms
- Police Departments
- Prison Systems
- Private or Public Security
- Rehabilitation Centers
- Schools
Many law enforcement students that enter the field do not return to graduate school because a bachelor’s degree is more than sufficient to reach the top ranks of a majority of law enforcement agencies in the country.
If graduate school becomes part of your career plan, however, Tiffin University has a large online graduate program in criminal justice with a variety of concentrations. Our students in these graduate programs often have decades of experience in the field and come to us to get their master’s degrees to attain top administrative positions, such as Chief of Police.
Take your knowledge to the next level and pursue your Master of Science in Criminal Justice through our undergraduate to graduate pathway. Take up to two classes to apply towards the MSCJ program during your undergrad to get started with your second degree before you even finish your first. That’s six credit hours already completed out of the 30 needed to earn your master’s. Follow the pathway and build on what you learn through the Contemporary Justice program to set yourself apart and further your career.
BCJ Criminal Behavior FAQ
What is criminal behavior?
Criminal behavior refers to the conduct of an offender that leads to the commission of an unlawful act. An unlawful act occurs when there is a motive, a mean and an opportunity.
What is a bachelor’s in criminal behavior?
A bachelor’s in criminal behavior provides students with an understanding of why people commit crime. The degree is designed for students interested in examining the relationship between psychology and the criminal justice system. Students will study diverse areas of criminal behavior and come to understand common traits among offenders and how the justice system manages such individuals.
What can i do with a degree in criminal behavior?
With a degree in criminal behavior, you will be qualified for a variety of career opportunities, including positions in community corrections, courthouses, government agencies, institutional corrections, law firms, police departments, prison systems, private or public security, rehabilitation centers, schools and more.