Who are criminals? How do they think? Why do they do what they do? Fully understanding criminal behavior, how to prevent the crime, predict future actions and assist in investigation, is the key to furthering your career in criminology. With TU’s criminal behavior program, you will be prepared to answer questions among offenders and how best the justice system can manage them.
The Bachelor of Criminal Justice in Criminal Behavior is designed to provide students with an understanding of unlawful behavior that extends beyond the yellow police tape. Students will be provided the education to work in fields such as prison systems, rehabilitation centers, police departments, courthouses, law firms, schools, government agencies or the private sector.
Individuals with this degree may also work in areas dealing with important legal activities that involve adults and minors. Students will study diverse areas of criminal behavior and come to understand common traits among offenders and how the justice system manages such individuals.
The major has a basis of forensic psychology, with a greater emphasis on the criminal justice system, especially for students who intend to work in fields such as law enforcement, institutional or community corrections, and public or private security.
Ohio Police Officer Training Academy (OPOTA)
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.
Testimonial
“Tiffin University gave me my best friend and pushed me to my highest potential. The OPOTA program put me ahead in the hiring process and my bachelor’s degree set me apart from other candidates.”
Cassidy Ralph
Hometown: Marion, Ohio
Graduation: Spring, 2019
Major: Bachelor of Criminal Justice in Law Enforcement
Position: Police Officer with the City of Marysville Division of Police
Core Curriculum of the School of Criminal Justice 18 hours
Criminal Behavior Major 45 hours
Total Bachelor of Criminal Justice hours 121
This is a sample course sequence to illustrate course offerings for this major. Consult the official Academic Bulletin for detailed registration and advising information.
Online - Offered in two terms per semester starting in January, March, May, July, August and October
There are no related concentrations available.
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.
This program is still new, but we will update with new graduate information once available.
If you want to learn more about our online or on-campus programs for working adults, click here.
TU helped grow my network and give me experience by meeting students from other cultures and countries, and learning from a range of professors. Anyone who wants to feel connected to their fellow students, to their personable professors, and the community, then TU is place for you.
-Alexis Mohr '06
“There is always gonna be a little doubt in any person's mind when it comes to new things. But for me, I think proving people, who said I couldn't do it, wrong is my biggest motivation. There's really nothing that seems impossible to me anymore, the world is constantly changing and I feel like I am much more capable of adapting to those changes now compared to when I was walking on to TU's campus for the first time.”
Alexandra Tozzie
Class of 2018
Louisville, Colorado
"TU wasn’t just the place I went to get my degree. It was the place I grew up and I am forever thankful for my Dragon family. It’s always a great day to be a Dragon.”
– Allison Marie Staunton, Class of 2016
– Jessica Paule, Class of 2015
- Omar Alfehri, Saudi Arabia
