Welcome to the School of Criminal Justice, one of the best programs of its kind in the country. The University of Cincinnati offers many degrees you can earn, from bachelor’s to master’s to doctoral programs. Our teachers have a lot of experience, our research centers make a real difference, and students can even study in other countries. The School of Criminal Justice works hard to make the world a safer and better place.
My wonderful experience in the Criminal Justice program, and in the CECH community as a whole, is thanks to its welcoming atmosphere of togetherness, which has greatly reduced the stress and loneliness I might have felt otherwise.
Haley Rigg Criminal Justice - Undergraduate Program
Empowering Leaders, Advancing Justice
The School of Criminal Justice encourages new ideas, strong leadership, and a clear understanding of how justice systems work. We value learning, helping our community, and using real‑world experience to solve important problems in society.
As a leading school for Criminal Justice, we are proud to offer many different degree programs that help you build the knowledge and skills you need to succeed in this field.
Explore the School of Criminal Justice and find programs that prepare you for a rewarding career.
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.
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.
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.
Improve your learning by getting involved with our high‑quality centers and programs. Our well‑known research center helps students and professionals in the Criminal Justice field. The work we do influences criminal justice policy across the country, making our institution a strong force for positive change.
Our Faculty and Staff work hard to be great teachers and researchers, and their efforts have earned them the top ranking in Faculty Scholarship. Their dedication to helping students succeed makes our school known and respected around the world.
May 12, 2026
John Leverso, an assistant professor in the UC School of Criminal Justice, is lead author of the research, 'GangTok: Street gang content, culture, and roleplay on TikTok' published recently in Crime, Media, Culture: An International Journal.
April 16, 2026
While law enforcement is a common career path for criminal justice alums, it's hardly the only option after graduation. Asset protection and loss prevention, for example, are closely related career paths that allow criminal justice graduates to bring their education and experience to the private sector. Corporations value the academic depth and practical experience UC criminal justice alums bring to their roles within an organization.
January 29, 2026
U.S. News and World Report (the global authority in education rankings) published its 2026 Best Online Programs rankings on January 27, 2026, recognizing the University of Cincinnati with 16 spots in the list of degree-granting university programs that affordably serve the educational needs of distance learners in a reasonable timeframe. Programs within the College of Education, Criminal Justice, Human Services, and Information Technology (CECH) represent seven of these rankings.
January 9, 2026
Professor Cory Habermann speaks to Spectrum News 1 on car theft.
January 2, 2026
J.C. Barnes, a University of Cincinnati professor, is interviewed by Spectrum News about new research showing that the physical and psychological demands of law enforcement can contribute to earlier deaths.
December 19, 2025
The two-time UC alum – he has a master's and PhD in criminal justice – was promoted to Assistant Chief in early 2025 and reflects on a challenging year in Cincinnati, his 26 years on the force, what led him to UC for graduate and postgraduate studies, and the learnings in place-based violence he's been able to apply to his work serving and protecting the people of Cincinnati.