Criminal Justice Certificate

One-Year Certificate of Completion

This certificate is designed to develop students’ knowledge and skills in the areas of law enforcement, courts, and corrections. Students gain an appreciation of the various parts of the criminal justice system and how they function as a whole. The coursework includes cooperative work experience, which affords the student an opportunity for hands-on experience with local, federal, and state law enforcement agencies. This program may serve as a fast track leading to entry-level employment in the field of criminal justice and administration or as a ladder to a two-year AAS degree program in this rapidly growing field.

Program Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of the certificate, students will be able to:

• Explain the criminal justice system in terms of how various elements interact to accomplish the mission of the criminal justice system.
• Interpret case law and statutes pertaining to specific criminal justice roles.
• Describe the constitutional rights of citizens, offenders, and victims as they apply to state, federal, and procedural laws.
• Identify legal and moral responsibilities of criminal justice professionals as they relate to cultural diversity and establishing positive community relationships.
• Describe the dynamics of interviews and interrogations to as they relate to conducting effective investigations.
• Recognize behaviors that indicate substance abuse and/or mental health issues during encounters with individuals.