Criminology and Justice Studies Certificate

The Sociology Department has a strong emphasis in multiple aspects of the criminal justice system, highlighting the impact of law and society, corrections systems, and structures of deviance in the social order.

For students wishing to concentrate in these areas, we offer a certificate of specialization. Completion of the certificate provides evidence of specialized study, which can be beneficial for enhancing future career options and interests. The certificate is marketable to a wide variety of employers and educational institutions, including the Department of Corrections, law enforcement, law school, social work, graduate and professional schools, and social services. Participation in the certification program also provides students with opportunities for networking and mentoring.

Dr. Michèle Companion is the coordinator of the Certificate in Criminology and Justice Studies.

General Requirements

Minimum requirement for completion: four courses, for a total of twelve credits.
A minimum grade of 3.3 is required for each course applied toward the certificate.
All courses must be at 300 level or above in Sociology; independent studies may not be used to earn this certificate.

All courses must be offered through the Sociology department upon approval of the Certificate Coordinator. Upon approval by Certificate Coordinator, up to three Sociology transfer credits may be applied to the certificate.

Course Requirements

Additional Courses

Courses eligible to fulfill this requirement include, but are not limited to, the following:

Note:

Additional special topic courses may be offered in a given semester that can be counted toward the certificate. These courses must be approved in advance by the Certificate Coordinator or the Sociology Department Chair.

Certification Process

Students wishing to enroll in this certificate program must turn in an application to the Certificate Coordinator, ideally when they declare their major. Students are strongly encouraged to enroll by their junior year to ensure that certificate requirements are met. Students that are not sociology majors or minors must complete three (3) credit hours of additional lower division sociology credit before enrolling in the certificate program.

Students must submit their transcript to the coordinator to verify that they have met the requirements for the certificate at the beginning of their final semester. To complete the certificate program, students are required to submit a five-page, typewritten self-statement, evaluating changes in their perceptions of criminology and justice studies as a result of program participation and the implication for future scholarly and professional work. The certificate will be mailed to recipients upon completion of a certificate audit and graduation.