Born to Serve, Dedicated to Justice
Fight crime, not student debt.
Launch your criminal justice career with two affordable years at Owens, followed by a four-year college or university to complete your bachelor’s degree. You’ll graduate ready to embark on career opportunities in local, state or federal criminal justice agencies.
Professional qualities that set you apart:
- Compassion: Developing an empathetic response to those in crisis and need.
- Attention to detail: Developing keen observation skills and using all resources to find an optimal solution to any criminal issue.
- Integrity and ethical judgement: Consistently upholding laws, policies and moral standards.
- Strong communication skills: Writing clear and concise reports, and speaking professionally with diverse populations.
- Problem solving and critical thinking: Assessing situations quickly and making sound, lawful decisions.
- Teamwork and collaboration: Working effectively with colleagues, supervisors and agencies.
Small Classes. Expert Guidance.
Our instructors are experts who take pride in your success. Combined with our small class sizes, you’ll get one-on-one mentorship and precise technical feedback tailored to your goals.
Award Type
Associate of Arts (AA)
Department
Department of Criminal Justice
Required Credit Hours
60-65
Tangible Progress
60
Credit hours, structured for a 2-year full-time program
0%
Loan default rate—significantly lower than the national average of 11%
$9,294
Average net price for students, below the national average for 2-year colleges
Career-Ready Skills: Crime Scene to Courtroom
Build expertise that opens doors across the criminal justice field—from law enforcement and corrections to the courts, private security and investigations. Additionally, your credits will transfer seamlessly to Ohio universities—giving you the flexibility you need to reach your goals faster.
The curriculum covers all critical areas:
- Law Enforcement: Policing practices, procedures and community relations
- Corrections: Prison systems, rehabilitation and offender management
- Criminal Law: Legal principles, court procedures and justice system operations
- Specialized Topics: Juvenile justice, victimology and intercultural communications
- General Education: Math, science, composition, art and humanities
Career Outcomes
Prepare to make a lasting impact. Transfer seamlessly to a four-year college or jump straight into high-demand roles. Whether you’re tracking digital evidence, defending victims’ rights or protecting your community, you’ll gain the training and credentials to excel from day one.
Explore the employment data to understand trends in our area.
In Their Words
“I was encouraged to get into my field a lot more than I ever was before. I was able to get different experiences like ride-alongs with local law enforcement agencies to give me a better understanding of my future career.”
Kaylee Gonyer, Criminal Justice, ’25
Getting Started at Owens
Begin your high-quality education at an affordable price today!
Enrollment is easy—just fill out an online admissions application to get started. We’ll ask you to submit your transcripts for course placement and college credit.
Upon acceptance, schedule a meeting with your admissions advisor to register for classes. Next, attend an on-campus orientation and meet with your student financial services advisor to discuss ways to pay for college.