See list of Department Chairs on the Personnel page.
Program Description
The Criminal Justice Certificate offers a foundational introduction to the American criminal justice system, ideal for individuals seeking to begin a career in law enforcement, corrections, or legal support. The 12-credit program provides a broad understanding of the criminal justice process, criminal law, corrections, and the sociological study of crime.
Career Information
This certificate serves as a valuable stepping stone for entry-level employment or further study in the criminal justice field. While it may not independently qualify students for sworn law enforcement roles, it provides a strong foundation for positions such as correctional officer (local, state, or federal), probation or parole aide, court clerk or court support staff, security guard or private security officer, police records clerk or dispatcher, juvenile services assistant, and crime analyst assistant (support role). It also offers a pathway to advanced education, including an Associate of Arts (AA) in Criminal Justice or Criminology, a Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice, Criminology, or Legal Studies, academy-based training (Police, Corrections, or Probation Academy), and programs such as paralegal or pre-law tracks.
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