Criminalist in blue gloves examines fingerprint cards with magnifying glass close-up

Certificate in Forensic Criminal Justice

This certificate is for current or future professionals in the field of criminal justice, practitioner, administrative, or otherwise to gain an understanding in the scientific realm of crime and criminality.

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The certificate in Forensic Criminal Justice is designed for those interested in applying the “magic of science” to the justice enterprise. Students are provided with the unique knowledge and skills afforded by the laboratory sciences in understanding both why and how a criminal event occurred. Students develop a sound comprehension of the structure and operation of the police and the courtroom where the evidentiary impact of laboratory efforts has practical consequences. This certificate is meant especially for people in the field of Criminal Justice or Psychology.

Cost Per 3 Credit Course: $1,245 tuition
Total Program Credits: 12 college credits

Program Fast Facts:

Promotions in addition to thorough understanding of the forensic side of criminal justice system will allow those who earn the certificate to:

  • 100% online program
  • An asynchronous learning model providing flexibility of schedule
  • Understand major branches of the criminal justice system and discuss how
    they are interrelated and interdependent
  • Major steps a criminal case goes through from arrest to incarceration

Program Outcomes:

  1. Identify and explain major legal concepts or terms used to characterize various types of crimes and criminal procedures.
  2. Identify and explain basic crime scene procedures of investigation.
  3. Identify, explain, and implement some of the scientific tests used in criminal case investigations, their limits and related legal issues.

Career Landscape:

Earning the certificate in Forensic Criminal Justice will allow those have gone through the courses to apply for promotions if already in the field or criminal justice, or switch to the forensic side of criminal justice and the scientific investigation realm

In the Classroom:

In the classroom students will get a fresh look at the sciences and equipment used by crime scene investigators. In addition, they will gain the knowledge from professors who are or have been working in different fields of criminal justice, law enforcement, courts, corrections, and juvenile system.

Courses

  1. Introduction to Criminal Justice (CCJ 1020)
    A comprehensive overview of the philosophies and history of the three major areas in
    the criminal justice system: law enforcement, the judiciary and corrections. Included
    will be an assessment of the extent of crime and an evaluation of career opportunities.
  2. Law Enforcement Systems (CJE 3110)
    A study of the American police system that examines the origins, functions, and
    operations of policing a modern society. The course focuses on different models of
    policing and the interrelationship of various components of the system.
  3. Courts and the Criminal Justice System (CJL 3510)
    An introduction to courts and administrative procedures, due process, legislative power,
    regulatory administration, conflict of interest statutes, torts, etc.
  4. Criminal Procedures (CJL 4407)
    A course that deals with the methods which police detect whether a criminal offense
    has been committed, the methods in which they gather evidence against the suspect,
    the way the evidence is presented to and evaluated by the guilt-determining body, and, if guilt is determined, the manner in which punishment is imposed.
  5. Introduction to Forensic Science (CHS 2500)
    An introduction to Forensic Science. Students employ a limited scientific approach. This
    course is descriptive in nature. Course content includes the interdisciplinary nature of
    forensic science, discussions on evidence, instrumentation and scientific methods used
    to evaluate crime scenes and evidence. The course indicates new developments in
    forensic science and essential needs for future improvements in evidence analysis.
    Students evaluate and explain various career options and educational preparations in
    forensic science, law enforcement and court-related professions.

Start and Deadline dates

Fall One Start Date: August 19th Deadline to Register: August 14th
Fall Two Start Date: October 14th  Deadline to Register: October 9th
Spring One Start Date: January 13th Deadline to Register: January 8th
Spring Two Start Date: March 17th Deadline to Register: March 12th

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For more information about this program, contact:

Dr. Abdy Javadzadeh
Associate Professor/Director of MA program in Criminology
ajavadzadeh@stu.edu