Program Overview

---

Program Overview

The Criminal Sentencing and Sentencing Advocacy Graduate Certificate program is designed to provide students with advanced expertise in the field of criminal justice, focusing on sentencing and sentencing advocacy. This program is highly recommended for social workers, forensic psychologists, and other criminal justice professionals seeking specialized knowledge and skills.

Program Description

The certificate program assumes that professionals must have a fundamental knowledge of the roles that sentencing professionals play during various phases of the criminal justice process. Students are required to take courses for practice as both a presentence investigator and a sentencing advocate, including seminars in courts and sentencing, presentence investigations, and alternatives to penal sanctions. After completing these required courses, students select an area of specialization to further their expertise as a probation professional, sentencing advocate, mitigation specialist, or victim advocate.

At a Glance

• College/School: Watts College of Public Service & Community Solutions
• Location: Online
• STEM-OPT extension eligible: No

Degree Requirements

The program requires 15 credit hours, consisting of:

• Required Core (9 credit hours)
  • CRJ 513 Seminar in Courts and Sentencing (3)
  • SWG 528 Presentence Investigations (3)
  • SWG 529 Alternatives Penal Sanctions (3)
• Electives (6 credit hours)
  • Students should see the academic unit for the approved course list.

Admission Requirements

• General university admission requirements: All students must meet general university admission requirements.
• Applicant eligibility: Applicants must have earned a bachelor's or master's degree in social work, criminology, criminal justice, or a related field, or be currently enrolled in the master of criminal justice program.
• Minimum cumulative GPA: 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in the last 60 hours of their first bachelor's degree program or a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in an applicable master's degree program.
• Application materials:
  1. Graduate admission application and application fee
  2. Official transcripts
  3. Proof of English proficiency

Tuition Information

Students can learn about ASU tuition and financial aid options to find out which will work best for them.

Attend Online

The program is offered in an online format with multiple enrollment sessions throughout the year.

Application Deadlines

• Fall:
  • Session A/C: 07/01 (Final)
  • Session B: 09/01 (Final)
• Spring:
  • Session A/C: 12/05 (Final)
  • Session B: 02/01 (Final)
• Summer:
  • Session A/C: 04/01 (Final)

Program Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the program, students will be able to:

• Apply professional evidence-based interventions when working with offenders in the criminal justice system.
• Demonstrate ability to write a Presentence Report from information provided, including police reports, victim statements, and interested parties.

Career Opportunities

Graduates of the program can pursue careers as:

• Mitigation specialist
• Presentence investigator
• Probation professional
• Sentencing advocate
• Victim advocate