Bachelor of Criminal Justice
Justice Advocacy
Prepare to impact the future with TU’s justice advocacy program.
Especially for those interested in social, legal and political issues who want to make a difference, the justice advocacy program at Tiffin University focuses on creating research methods, comprehensive analyses and responsive evidence -based practices in the criminal justice field.
Program Highlights
Tiffin University’s justice advocacy program was created especially for students that want to address the need for change in the criminal justice system and its associated organizations, but not necessarily be in the law enforcement field. The program addresses the social, legal and political issues that impact the future of the criminal justice system – and all those who are affected by it. The program focuses on creating improved policies and practices for historically neglected groups, using evolving research methods to facilitate more comprehensive analyses of the social and political determinants of crime and designing responsive evidence- based practices, focused on justice interventions to improve outcomes.
With a focus on advocacy, the justice advocacy program brings together several pillars of the criminal justice system. Students are taught about the courts, politics, law enforcement, corrections, psychology and sociology needed to pursue careers involving policy reform, working with vulnerable populations, child welfare, all while using restorative and client-centered approaches. Students also focus on understanding the judicial system and developing knowledge and skills in advocacy and equity.
The major focuses on the intersection of criminal justice, law, sociology, psychology, social justice and political science. The major is designed for students that are interested in criminal justice equity and advocacy, humane laws and human rights, social justice, victim advocacy, social work, community outreach, community corrections, prison advocacy, human services, youth services/child welfare, policy advocacy and community organizations.
Preparing You for the Real World
The justice advocacy major is designed to prepare students for post-baccalaureate employment in the criminal justice field, social justice and advocacy field: for-profit and non-profit organizations, research based organizations, child protective and advocacy organizations and for entry into graduate-level education and law school. These skills are directly applicable (and desired) in a wide variety of careers, including:
- Analysis of criminal law
- Critical thinking
- De-escalation
- Evidence evaluation
- Ethics
- Communication skills (verbal, written)
- Cultural competence
Active, Experiential Learning
Justice advocacy students will take part in mock trials during their studies at TU. Mock trials are an innovative approach to learning the law and how our legal system functions, guided by teachers and volunteer legal advisors. Mock trials help students in developing critical thinking and public speaking skills and to provide a knowledge of legal practices and procedures by engaging in trial simulations.
Courses & Format
CURRICULUM
Criminal Justice Core
- JUS110 Intro to Criminal Justice
- JUS201 Criminal Law
- JUS202 Criminal Procedures
- JUS361 Ethics in Criminal Justice
- SCS 300 Research Design
- SCS470 Internship I
Total hours – 18
Justice Advocacy Concentration
- POL101 Introduction American Political Process
- PSY 101 Introduction Psychology
- SOC101 Introduction Sociology
- FOR105 Victimology
- ENF150 Police and Society
- ENF293 Criminology
- SOC265 Peace and Social Justice
- COR231 Juvenile Justice Systems
- COR245 Parole Probation and Community Corrections
- POL207 The Courts
- SOC320 Community Sociology
- SOC360 Multicultural Issues in Society
- SOC380 Social Movements and Ideology
- POL400 Constitution, Liberty, and Order
- FOR423 Case Management
- JUS4XX Evidence Based Child Advocacy
Total Hours – 48
Course Descriptions
SOC360 Multicultural Issues in Society – An analysis of the issues relating to the economic, political, and social positions of minority groups within the United States will be presented. Interactions among historical and current social forces and institutions that influence groups and individual behaviors will be examined. New trends in inter-group relations, emergence of new minorities and the contesting for program funding and services will be explored. The struggles over income, property, and power on the
interpersonal, community, national and international levels will be presented. This is a writing intensive course.
SOC265 Peace and Social Justice – This course is designed to provide an introduction and importance of social justice in the helping professions via case studies of relevant world events. Students will understand how social justice has informed society through peace and justice studies; restorative justice; and reconciliations practices. An exploration of hunger, poverty, and economic/ resource inequity will be included as foundational to the study of violence and aggression. This course is intended to offer students a well-rounded view of conflict and alternative means of resolution.
POL400 Constitution, Liberty, and Order – This course examines inherent conflicts between individual liberties and social order under our constitutional system. It uses the case study approach to analyze issues including freedom of speech, assembly, press, and religion; due process; equal protection; voting rights; and privacy rights.
Career Opportunities
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, overall employment in community and social service occupations is projected to grow 10% from 2021 to 2031, faster than the average for all occupations; this increase is expected to result in about 294,600 new jobs over the decade. In addition to new jobs from growth, opportunities arise from the need to replace workers who leave their occupations permanently. In 2021, the media pay for police officers and detectives was $66,020 per year and social and human service assistants was $37,610.
Other career opportunities include:
- Law School Preparation: The justice advocacy major may be considered a viable pre-law program for students interested in attending law school.
- State’s Attorney’s Offices
- Public Defender
- Paralegal
- Private Law Practice
- Human Service Agencies / Non-Profit Organizations – working in various roles in the following environments:
- CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate)
- Victims’ Assistance
- Oriana House
- Sisters in Shelter (Human trafficking)
- Domestic Violence Shelters
- Child Protective Services
- Law Enforcement and Corrections: working as a professional law enforcement or correctional officer:
- Police Officer
- Federal Law Enforcement Agent or Officer
- Criminal Investigator
- School Resource Officer
- Corrections Officer
- Private Investigator
- Probation and Parole: various roles in the field of state or federal probation and parole:
- Adult Probation Officer
- Juvenile Probation Officer
- Parole Officer
- Case Worker
Where our instructors come from
Tiffin University brings in instructors that have the education and the experience to pass on to our students. Our instructors come from departments in Ohio: Toledo Police Department, Perrysburg Police Division, Norwalk Police Department, Ottawa County Sheriff’s Office, Wayne County Sheriff’s Office, Lucas County Sheriff’s Office; as well as Weirton Police Department (West Virginia), United States Secret Service, United States Army, United States Navy, United States Air Force, Ohio Army National Guard and Ohio Air National Guard.
Our instructors have held roles as homicide detectives, crimes against person detectives, internet child pornography detectives, command officers, general detectives, chiefs of police, special agents, undercover narcotics agents, military police officers, road patrol officers, federal task force members and homeland security agents.
Have a Question?
