Program Overview

Program Overview

The Graduate Certificate in Criminal Justice Administration and Procedure is designed to provide students with a broad understanding of criminal justice systems, key legal procedures, and ethical considerations. This program can equip students with skills and knowledge that align with real-world challenges, whether they are already working in law enforcement, the courts, or corrections, or transitioning into the field.

Program Details

• The program is 100% online, allowing students to complete coursework at their own pace.
• The application deadline for the spring semester is December 1, with classes starting on January 12.
• The program consists of 9 credits, with a cost of $1,037 per credit.

Stackable Credential

• The Graduate Certificate in Criminal Justice Administration and Procedure can serve as a stand-alone credential and as a step on the journey toward the Penn State Master of Professional Studies in Criminal Justice Policy and Administration.
• The courses required for this certificate may also be applied to satisfy core requirements of the Master's degree, if the student applies and is accepted into the program.

Required Courses

• CJPA 501: Criminal Justice Institutions (3 credits)
• CJPA 820: Criminal Procedure (3 credits)
• CJPA 865: Criminal Justice Ethics in a Diverse Society (3 credits)

Career Opportunities

• The knowledge gained from this program can be used to pursue careers in a variety of fields, including law enforcement, court administration, corrections, and policy and advocacy.
• Graduates can be well-qualified for meaningful and rewarding work in the field of criminal justice, with potential occupations including police supervisor or commander, court administrator, corrections manager, public policy analyst, and community safety advocate.

Costs and Financial Aid

• Graduate tuition is calculated based on the number of credits for which the student registers.
• Tuition rates for the 2025-26 academic year are $1,037 per credit for 11 or fewer credits, and $12,448 per semester for 12 or more credits.
• Students pursuing a certificate are considered "nondegree" and are not eligible for federal student aid, including the Federal Direct Stafford Loan program.

Faculty

• The program is offered in partnership with the Penn State College of the Liberal Arts Department of Sociology and Criminology and the Penn State Harrisburg School of Public Affairs.
• Faculty members include:
  • Eileen M. Ahlin, associate professor of criminal justice
  • Ahmet Guler, associate teaching professor and director of graduate studies in criminal justice policy and administration
  • Siyu Liu, assistant teaching professor
  • Jennifer L. Schally, assistant teaching professor
  • Jeffrey T. Ulmer, professor of sociology and criminology

Admission Requirements

• Applicants must hold a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited U.S. institution or a tertiary degree that is deemed comparable to a four-year bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited U.S. institution.
• A junior/senior grade-point average of 3.0 or higher is required.
• Students who do not have an undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0 will be considered on a case-by-case basis depending on the quality of their overall application.
• Work experience will be considered for applicants who have more than two years of experience in a related field.

Application Instructions

• The application deadline for the spring semester is December 1.
• Applicants must submit official transcripts from each institution attended, regardless of the number of credits or semesters completed.
• Test scores, such as GRE and GMAT, are not required.
• English proficiency is required for international applicants, with minimum test scores and exceptions found in the English Proficiency section on the Fox Graduate School's "Requirements for Graduate Admission" page.