Foundations of Criminal Justice - Certificate

Crime is a complex subject that is heavily tied to issues of class, race, and gender. Societal response to crime should be nuanced and guided by evidence-based practices. The aim of this certificate is to foster a culture within local, state, and federal criminal justice institutions that embraces multiple perspectives and evidence-based practices.

One of the most important ways the School of Social Sciences can serve the public is by educating future criminal justice practitioners to be culturally aware in the maintenance of formal social control. In keeping with this aim, this certificate strategically integrates curriculum from the Department of Social Work to prepare professionals to individuals experiencing mental health crises while caring for their own wellbeing. Thus, students earning this certificate will have the socially informed education required to operate in modern criminal justice spaces.