Criminal Justice| Major

About the Criminal Justice Program at Lake Erie College

Lake Erie College’s Criminal Justice Program offers one of the most hands-on experiences in Ohio. Students gain valuable practical experience through internships and community service projects that help them better understand the field and contribute to their communities.

It is an interdisciplinary program that includes courses in criminal justice, legal studies, psychology, and social sciences. This comprehensive approach exposes students to diverse perspectives on law, justice, and human behavior. Many faculty members are experts in the field, including practicing lawyers and clinicians.

Program Overview

Lake Erie College’s Criminal Justice Degree combines theoretical knowledge with hands-on experience. Students engage in community projects, internships, and volunteer work, preparing them for successful careers in criminal justice.

Degree Requirements

To earn a Bachelor of Criminal Justice, students are required to complete 47 semester credits, including the following core courses:

• Introduction to Criminal Justice

• Criminal Law and Procedure

• Law Enforcement

• Corrections

• Criminology Theory

• Internship in Criminal Justice

• Senior Practicum

• Statistics

• Methods of Field Research

Criminal Justice Electives

Students must choose 18 semester credits from the following courses:

• Forensic Science

• Forensic Science Lab

• Investigative Techniques

• Juvenile Delinquency

• Landmark Cases in Mental Health and Law

• Death Penalty in America

• Judicial Process

• Psychology and Law

• Race and Crime

• Criminal Evidence

• Special Topics in Criminal Justice

• Social Issues

• Race, Ethnic, and Minority Relations

• Child Psychology

• Social Psychology

• Abnormal Psychology

Optional Concentration: Criminal Justice - Legal Studies

To declare this concentration, students must major in criminal justice. The concentration requires 18 semester credits from the following courses:

• Introduction to Legal Assisting

• Civil Litigation and Procedure

• Principles of Legal Research and Writing I

• Taxes and Culture Clinic I

• Landmark Cases in Mental Health and Law

• Legal Issues in Sports

• Business Law I

• Business Law II

• Death Penalty in America

• International Business Law

• Psychology and Law

• Judicial Process

Community Projects

Criminal Justice students have participated in various community engagement activities, including:

• Washing Patrol Cars for the Painesville Police Department

• Opioid Epidemic Awareness Campaigns

Internships

Internships are a crucial part of the Criminal Justice program, providing students with real-world experience in the field. Students have interned at local police departments, law firms, and government agencies, gaining valuable exposure to various criminal justice settings. Internship locations include:

• U.S. Marshal Service

• Lake Metroparks

• Juvenile Courts (Lake, Ashtabula, and Geauga Counties)

• Painesville Police Department

• Mentor Municipal Courts

Conference Presentations

Criminal Justice students at Lake Erie College have the opportunity to present their research at regional and national conferences, gaining exposure to experts in the field and networking with professionals. Conferences include:

• The Annual Conference of the American Society of Criminology

• Annual Conference of the Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences

• Midwestern Criminal Justice Association Annual Conference

• Northeastern Association of Criminal Justice Sciences Annual Conference

Job Opportunities for Criminal Justice Majors

Graduates with a Criminal Justice degree have a wide range of career options, including:

• Law Enforcement/Police Officer

• Courtroom Reporter or Bailiff

• Corrections Officer

• Probation Officer

• Parole Officer

• Juvenile Detention Officer

• Victim Advocate

• Attorney (with further education)