| Person-in-Charge | Ahmet Guler |
|---|---|
| Program Code | CTHRCH_GCT |
| Campus(es) | World Campus |
The Graduate Certificate in Criminological Theory and Research is designed to provide students with knowledge of criminological theories, an overview of social science research methods and statistics, and their application to the study of criminal justice topics and the evaluation of criminal justice policies. The certificate program teaches advanced statistical techniques in criminal justice and criminology, focusing on the theory behind these methods, analyzing computer-generated data, and applying the techniques to research questions, with hands-on experience using statistical software. This 9-credit graduate certificate consists of three required courses from the Master of Professional Studies in Criminal Justice Policy and Administration (MPS CJPA) program.
Courses taken in the certificate program may be applied toward the M.P.S. in Criminal Justice Policy and Administration, subject to restrictions outlined in GCAC-309 Transfer Credit. Certificate students who wish to have certificate courses applied towards a graduate degree must apply and be admitted to that degree program. Admission to the graduate degree program is a separate step and is not guaranteed.
Admission Requirements
Applicants apply for admission to the program via the Graduate School application for admission. Requirements listed here are in addition to Graduate Council policies listed under GCAC-300 Admissions Policies. International applicants may be required to satisfy an English proficiency requirement; see GCAC-305 Admission Requirements for International Students for more information.
Applicants to a postbaccalaureate (including graduate) credit certificate program must have received either (1) a bachelor's degree from a U.S. institution accredited by an accepted agency or (2) a postsecondary degree that is equivalent to a U.S. baccalaureate degree from an officially recognized degree-granting international institution.
Certificate Requirements
Requirements listed here are in addition to requirements listed in Graduate Council policy GCAC-212 Postbaccalaureate Credit Certificate Programs.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| CJPA 502 | Theories of Crime | 3 |
| CJPA 803 | Applied Research Methods | 3 |
| CRIMJ 503 | Advanced Statistics in Criminal Justice | 3 |
| Total Credits | 9 | |
Courses
Graduate courses carry numbers from 500 to 699 and 800 to 899. Advanced undergraduate courses numbered between 400 and 499 may be used to meet some graduate degree requirements when taken by graduate students. Courses below the 400 level may not. A graduate student may register for or audit these courses in order to make up deficiencies or to fill in gaps in previous education but not to meet requirements for an advanced degree.
Learning Outcomes
- Students will be able to explain the goals of criminological theories and how they are assessed and explain sources of empirical knowledge about crime.
- Students will be able to describe the major different research methods used in criminal justice research and how they are used.
- Students will be able to evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of the different research methods for different criminal justice research purposes.
- Students will be able to understand the theory behind advanced statistical techniques in criminal justice and criminology.
- Students will be able to apply the appropriate use of statistical procedures based on research hypotheses and variable measurement levels.