Program Overview

Graduate Certificates

The John Jay College of Criminal Justice offers several graduate certificate programs designed to provide advanced instruction and training in specific areas of criminal justice.

Advanced Certificate in Criminal Investigation

This program is designed for students who wish to conduct research, join agencies concerned with criminal investigation at the local, state, or federal levels, or become members of agencies concerned with methods and ethical obligations for the gathering of evidence and the interpretation of Constitutional guarantees. Upon successful completion, students will be able to:

• Demonstrate knowledge of the Constitution as it relates to criminal investigations
• Apply the rules and ethics of evidence to case studies
• Use the rules and ethics of crime scene investigation to analyze diverse examples of crime scenes Features of the Program:
• Graduate level stand-alone certificate
• Requires 12 credits to complete
• Offered in-person or fully online
• New York State Education Department certificate awarded upon completion Required Courses:
  • Core Courses (9 Credits)
    • CRJ 708 Law, Evidence and Ethics
    • CRJ 733 The Constitution & Criminal Justice
    • CRJ 751 Crime Scene Investigation
  • Electives (3 Credits)
    • CRJ 753 Investigating Cybercrime
    • PAD/CRJ 754 Investigative Techniques
    • CRJ 762 Investigating Violent Crime
    • CRJ 745 Legal Aspects of Undercover Activity Total: 12 Credits

Advanced Certificate in Terrorism Studies

This advanced certificate program provides students with advanced instruction related to the causes and prevention of terrorist activities. This certificate is appropriate for students who wish to conduct research, become homeland security professionals at local, state or federal levels, or join American and/or international agencies focused on counter-terrorism. Features of the Program:

• Graduate level stand-alone certificate
• Requires 12 credits to complete
• Offered in-person or fully online
• New York State Education Department certificate awarded upon completion Required Courses:
  • Core Courses (6 Credits)
    • CRJ 744 Terrorism and Politics
    • CRJ 772 Seminar in Terrorism Studies
    • CRJ 776 Intensive Seminar in Terrorism Studies (online students only)
  • Electives (6 Credits)
    • CRJ 746 Terrorism and Apocalyptic Violence
    • CRJ 748 Counter-Terrorism for Law Enforcement
    • CRJ 765 Social Movements, Revolution, and Terrorism
    • CRJ 784 Organized Crime
    • CRJ 789 Violence Across the Globe
    • CRJ 797 Homeland Security and International Relations
    • CRJ 798 Homeland Security and Terrorism
    • PSY 729 Terrorism Total: 12 Credits

Advanced Certificate in Crime Prevention & Analysis

This advanced certificate program provides advanced instruction in techniques for deterring crime. The program also offers instruction in quantitative, computer-based skills needed to analyze crime patterns to develop strategies that can be employed in reducing crime. Features of the Program:

• Graduate level stand-alone certificate
• Requires 15 credits to complete
• Offered each Fall and Spring semester
• New York State Education Department certificate awarded upon completion Required Courses:
  • CRJ 7001 The Science and Practice of Public Safety
  • CRJ 739 Crime Mapping
  • CRJ 786 Problem-Oriented Policing
  • CRJ 787 Seminar in Crime Analysis and Crime Prevention Total: 12 Credits

Advanced Certificate in Race and Criminal Justice

This program offers advanced instruction on contemporary law and history of race relations in four critical areas of expertise: law, criminology, policing, and penology. The Advanced Certificate in Race and Criminal Justice is appropriate for students who wish to engage in research, become public or private security professionals at local, state or federal levels, or join U.S. agencies concerned with civil rights and criminal justice. Features of the Program:

• Graduate level stand-alone certificate
• Requires 12 credits to complete
• Offered each Fall and Spring semester
• New York State Education Department certificate awarded upon completion Required Courses:
  • CRJ 736 Seminar in Civil Rights and Civil Liberties
  • CRJ 737 Race, Punishment, and Prison
  • CRJ 738 Perspectives on Race and Crime in America
  • CRJ 757 Police and the Community Total: 12 Credits

Admissions Requirements

Admission to the advanced certificate programs will be based upon the following criteria:

• A bachelor's degree with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher
• Appropriate letters of recommendation