Criminal Justice Administration Graduate Certificate

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Next Application Deadline:
November 1, 2025
Credit hours: 15
Next Term Start Date:
January 12, 2026

Master the skills needed to lead in criminal justice administration

Advance your career in criminal justice administration with our online graduate certificate. Designed for working professionals, this 15-credit program offers flexible learning to fit your busy schedule. Whether you’re looking to climb the career ladder or transition into the field, our curriculum provides the essential skills and knowledge to succeed.

Why choose Ohio State for the online Criminal Justice Administration Certificate?

The Online Graduate Certificate in Criminal Justice Administration is taught in collaboration between the John Glenn College of Public Affairs and the College of Arts and Sciences, Department of Sociology, to deliver a high-quality education that prepares you for leadership roles in criminal justice organizations. One of the benefits of completing this online certificate is that your journey can continue with the online Master of Public Administration (MPA) or the Master of Public Administration Leadership (MPAL). 100% of the certificate’s credits can be applied into one of these master’s degree programs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Related Programs

Accelerate your career with one of our other public affairs programs. All certificate credits transfer into either the Master of Public Administration or the Master of Public Administration and Leadership program. Whether you’re exploring professional development opportunities or building a strong foundation for a master’s degree, our programs offer in-demand skills in a flexible format.

Related Programs

Accelerate your career with one of our other public affairs programs. All certificate credits transfer into either the Master of Public Administration or the Master of Public Administration and Leadership program. Whether you’re exploring professional development opportunities or building a strong foundation for a master’s degree, our programs offer in-demand skills in a flexible format.

Academic Calendar

You can enroll in the Criminal Justice Administration Certificate year-round. Start your program in Spring, Summer, or Autumn with application deadlines in November, March, and June.

Academic Calendar

You can enroll in the Criminal Justice Administration Certificate year-round. Start your program in Spring, Summer, or Autumn with application deadlines in November, March, and June.

Admission Criteria

To qualify for the Online Criminal Justice Administration Graduate Certificate, you must meet the following requirements:

  • Bachelor’s or advanced degree
  • Minimum 3.0 GPA highly recommended

For your application, you will be required to submit:

  • College transcript(s)
  • If your GPA is below a 3.0, then one letter of recommendation is required for consideration
  • Statement of purpose
  • Resume or CV
NC-SARA Participating Institution logo

The Ohio State University participates in the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (SARA).

SARA is a national initiative that increases student access to distance education courses and programs while maintaining compliance with state regulations. Institutions participating in SARA can offer educational opportunities in all 49 SARA member states, the District of Columbia, the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico without seeking individual approval in each state.

California is not a SARA member state, however, OSU may offer online courses and programs to students located in California under the California Private Post-Secondary Act of 2009.

The Application Process

Once you understand your program’s admission criteria, please note the application deadline. You’ll need a quiet space and a variety of materials for your application. To learn more, please see our Admissions page for the full process. Ready to Apply? Find your application here.

Career Outlook

With a strong job outlook for criminal justice administrators, this program provides specialized training to help you stand out for leadership roles within law enforcement agencies, correctional facilities, court systems, or government organizations. This certificate also serves as a solid foundation for continued professional development.

Top Occupations by Median Income

National occupational information in Ohio State Online’s Career Outlook tool is sourced from O*NET Online and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The median annual wage displayed to the right of each occupational title above is based on the BLS Employment Projections program. Outlook and percent change indicate projected growth or decline over the next 10 years.

Curriculum

Our curriculum emphasizes practical skills and real-world applications, ensuring you’re ready to excel in criminal justice administration roles. By gaining a deeper understanding of the criminal justice system, you will be well-prepared to take on leadership positions and make a positive impact on your community. Twelve credits will be in core courses, and three credits will be elective.

Electives

Understanding Online Course Types

As you research the right online program for you, you likely will come across the terms “asynchronous” and “synchronous.” Learn what these terms mean and how they’re important to consider when understanding how a program will fit into your life.

Learn More

Diagram explaining the differences between synchronous and asynchronous online courses.

Dr. Megan LePere-Schloop

Assistant Professor
Dr. Megan LePere-Schloop is an Assistant Professor within the Criminal Justice Administration Certificate program.

Brian Kowalski

Lecturer, Department of Sociology
Brian is a lecturer within the Department of Sociology for the Criminal Justice Administration Certificate.

Paul Bellair

Professor and Director of Criminal Justice Research Center, Department of Sociology
Paul is a Professor and Director of Criminal Justice Research Center.

Testimonials

See what our students and alumni have to say about their experience at The Ohio State University.

Headshot of Cara North, Master of Learning Technologies Grad

“Ohio State is a large institution with a lot of possibilities and opportunities. You will meet people who you can connect with and who will connect you with others.”

Cara North Ohio State Online Grad
Headshot of Darek Danek, MLT Grad

“Being able to apply everything I was working on for school immediately to my work was my favorite part of the program.”

Derek Danek Ohio State Online Grad
Headshot of Tomitha Zimmerman, MSW Grad

“I could not have faced so many obstacles without the support, strength and guidance from the faculty and staff. Even when times were tough, they believed in me, so I believed in me.”

Tomitha Zimmerman Ohio State Online Grad

Tuition Fee Overview

Investing in your future with a higher education degree is one of the best investments you can make for your future success. At Ohio State, we know understanding your program’s cost is an important part of your decision-making process. Below are the tuition fees you can expect with your program. Estimates are based on the expenses typical of an Ohio State Online student who would take 6 credit hours each semester as a part-time student. Actual costs may vary.

Tuition Fees Part-Time – Per Credit Hour (unless otherwise noted)
Instructional Fee $829.75
General Fee $32.63
Distance Learning Fee $100.00 (per semester)
Non-Resident Surcharge (if applicable) $200.00 (per semester)

Tuition fees are subject to change. The table above serves as a guide and not an official bursar’s bill. Full-Time costs are total tuition costs per semester. 

Get Started

Connect with a knowledgeable Enrollment Advisor who can help answer your questions and explain different aspects of the more than 80 online degrees and certificates offered at Ohio State. They are here to help you on your education journey.

Contact an Enrollment Advisor
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