Criminal Justice Studies Graduate Certificate

Advance your career with a Criminal Justice Studies Graduate Certificate, honing the skills and knowledge needed to pursue rewarding roles in law enforcement, criminology and criminal justice management.

  • Offered 100% Online.
  • 1 year
  • 12 credit hours
  • No thesis required
  • No foreign language credits required

Justice For All

Explore the complexities and challenges of the American criminal justice system with our fully online certificate program. Tailored for both students and professionals, this flexible course structure allows you to focus on areas that matter most to your career. Dive into specialized topics like criminal causality, law enforcement, criminal law, policy development, corrections and national security. Earning a graduate certificate from East Texas A&M can equip you with the expertise to unlock career opportunities in law enforcement, criminology and beyond.

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What Are My Job Opportunities?

A Criminal Justice Studies Graduate Certificate can open doors to a wide range of career opportunities in law enforcement, criminology, policy-making and more.

Careers Possibilities

Law Enforcement Officer
$ 74,910
Corrections Officer
$ 53,290
Probation Officer
$ 61,800

Current Median Salaries from US DOL Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2023

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Program Details

Our Criminal Justice Studies Graduate Certificate is designed to equip professionals with critical insights into criminal justice systems.

What Might I Learn?

You will have the opportunity to gain experience in a number of key areas.

Criminal Justice Systems

Understand the structure and functions of law enforcement, the judiciary and correctional systems and how they interact to uphold justice.

Criminal Behavior Theories

Examine theories behind criminal behavior and explore practical strategies for crime prevention and intervention.

Research and Analysis

Develop strong research skills to assess criminal justice programs, analyze crime trends and evaluate the effectiveness of policies and interventions.

Emerging Technologies

Understand how modern technologies like data analytics, surveillance tools and cybersecurity shape law enforcement and criminal justice practices.

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Taking Classes

Our fully online graduate certificate in criminal justice studies is tailored for students and working professionals looking to enhance their careers. You can complete our online program by taking 16 week courses in the fall and spring semesters, or accelerate your progress through 8 week courses during the fall and spring semesters or 5 week courses during the summer.

Please refer to the schedule of classes for course offerings and meeting times, which are subject to change.

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Curriculum

Our graduate certificate provides a well-rounded curriculum focused on key areas such as criminal law, law enforcement, criminology and criminal justice policy. Through flexible, self-paced online courses, you can gain the expertise needed to tackle complex issues in the criminal justice system and advance your career in law enforcement, criminology or related fields.

Courses Offerings

  • CJ 501 Sem in Police and Law Enf
  • CJ 530 Seminar in Criminology
  • CJ 531 Issues in Crim Law and Courts
  • CJ 568 Seminar in Corrections
Degree Plan
Schedule of Classes
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Adding Value with Certificates

Enhance your career with the Criminal Justice Studies Graduate Certificate and additional certifications to broaden your expertise and leadership in the criminal justice field.

Criminal Justice Management Graduate Certificate

This certificate is designed to attract student practitioners seeking to advance within the decision-making and leadership roles within their field. The courses in this plan focus on management and policy issues. This certificate is ideal for you if you wish to specialize in management issues, such as evaluating, planning, organizing, staffing, directing, coordinating, reporting and budgeting.

Read more about Criminal Justice Management Graduate Certificate

Homeland Security Graduate Certificate

This certificate is designed to attract members outside traditional criminal justice fields. Through this program, you will gain a broad understanding of homeland security issues while enhancing leadership capabilities among those who currently work in local, state and federal government and others who are interested in gaining greater knowledge about the field of homeland security. This certificate focuses on homeland security concepts, applicable management principles, policy analysis and the enhancement of critical thinking skills necessary to successfully address security challenges within the United States.

Read more about Homeland Security Graduate Certificate

Finding My Community

We believe that education thrives in an environment where collaboration, support and mutual respect flourish. Our community of students and professors embodies these values, creating an enriching and dynamic atmosphere for learning and growth. Our students come from a variety of backgrounds and bring a wide range of experiences and perspectives to the table. Our professors are not only experts in their respective fields but also dedicated mentors who are committed to guiding and nurturing the next generation of scholars.

Nicole Farris, Ph.D.

Faculty
One of my favorite things to tell my students is ‘by the time you finish this course, you won't be…
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Willie Edwards

Alum Faculty
The atmosphere here at the East Texas A&M is one in which a student can grow professionally, find as…
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Zachary Palmer, Ph.D.

Faculty
The campus community is very welcoming and is a place where people can come together and learn from …
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Andrew Garcia, J.D., Ph.D.

Faculty
ETAMU is a wonderful place to seek out new experiences, cultivate empathy, and develop critical thin…
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Student Organizations

Our campus has many ways to engage and get involved.

Student organizations at East Texas A&M University can offer valuable opportunities for networking, leadership and professional development in the criminal justice field. Organizations like the Criminal Justice Association and the Homeland Security Student Organization aim to provide platforms for students to connect with industry professionals, participate in events and gain real-world insights, enhancing both their academic and career growth.

I’m Looking For Something Different

Is this program close, but still not right for you? Check out our related degrees!

How Do I Get Started?

If you have not already done so, complete the Request Information form. You will be connected with your enrollment specialist, who can answer your questions. When you’re ready, go ahead and follow the steps below to apply.

Admissions Requirements

To be considered for admission, you must first meet the following criteria.

Plan Ahead

Upon completion of the certificate program, courses will count towards a Master of Science in Applied Criminology (MSAC), and newly declared graduate students can lock in their tuition rates for two years.

Admission Process

Domestic International

Submit Application

  • Create an account or login if you already have one
  • Complete your profile section first once you log into your account
  • Select “School Search” and select East Texas A&M
  • Choose the semester you wish to begin
  • Select “Criminal Justice Studies, Graduate Certificate” as your “Program.”
  • Pay the $50 application fee.

Wait to receive an application confirmation email before proceeding to the next step.

  • Within two business days of your application, the Graduate School will send a confirmation email to the personal email account you used for ApplyTexas.

Provisional Status

After you submit your application, you may be granted provisional status, which means you can enroll in one semester of courses.

Submit the following documents to your graduate coordinator after you receive an application confirmation email.

Your Graduate Coordinator

Look for application updates in myLeo > Apps > Check Application Status

  • Once an admission decision has been made, you will receive an email to your student email account at myLeo > Apps > Leomail.

  • Apply for scholarships and graduate assistantships once you are admitted.
  • Apply for financial aid by submitting a FAFSA and sending it to school code 003565.
  • Contact your financial aid advisor with any questions.

Once registration opens and you are eligible to enroll, your graduate enrollment specialist will contact you to complete registration.

  • View your degree plan in DegreeWorks.
  • To register for classes, go to myLeo > Student Resources > Registration Menu.

Contact your graduate enrollment specialist if you have any questions regarding your degree plan and registration.

Your Graduate Enrollment Specialist

Note: International students interested in graduate certificates must do so in conjunction with a graduate degree.

Submit Application

  • Create an account or login if you already have one
  • Complete your profile section first once you log into your account
  • Select “School Search” and select East Texas A&M
  • Choose the semester you wish to begin
  • Select “Criminal Justice Studies Graduate Certificate” as your “Program.”
  • Pay the $75 application fee

Wait to receive an application confirmation email before proceeding to the next step.

  • After you submit your application, the Graduate School will send a confirmation email within two business days to the personal email account you used for ApplyTexas.

Submit the following documents to your graduate coordinator after you receive an application confirmation email.

Your Graduate Coordinator

Look for application updates in myLeo > Apps > Check Application Status

  • Once an admission decision has been made, you will receive an email to your student email account at myLeo > Apps > Leomail.

Once registration opens and you are eligible to enroll, your graduate enrollment specialist will contact you to complete registration.

  • View your degree plan in DegreeWorks.
  • To register for classes, go to myLeo > Student Resources > Registration Menu.

Contact your graduate enrollment specialist if you have any questions regarding your degree plan and registration.

Your Graduate Enrollment Specialist

I Still Have Questions

We are here to help! Send us an email. We can answer your questions and assist you in the application process.

Madison Neal Graduate Student Services Coordinator: College of Business, College of Humanities Social Sciences and Arts, and Non-Degree
Alum Jennifer Faunce Director of Graduate Enrollment Management/Graduate Enrollment Specialist for Doctoral Programs

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