UMA Undergraduate Guide 2019-2020 Certificate Programs Criminal Justice Certificate Program The Program
The ProgramThe Criminology and the Criminal Justice System Certificate attracts students planning or continuing careers in the criminal justice system—from law enforcement to probation, courts, or corrections. Our graduates and certificate holders have served the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, the Federal government, and other agencies as police officers, probation or parole officers, special agents, paralegals, criminal defense lawyers, and district attorneys. Declaring Completion of the CertificateWhen a student has enrolled in the final class for the certificate, they must fill out a Completion Form and submit an unofficial transcript. These forms are available online or via email (advising@soc.umass.edu) and may be submitted by e-mail (advising@soc.umass.edu), or mail CJ Certificate Program, Sociology Department, 200 Hicks Way, Amherst, MA 01003. Degree-seeking University of Massachusetts students should expect to possibly take 2 or more CJ content courses on-line through Continuing and Professional Education (CPE): https://www.umass.edu/cpe/. Certificate students who are not currently matriculated at the University of Massachusetts Amherst normally take all of their courses online through CPE. Note: To receive the Criminal Justice Certificate, a minimum 2.0 GPA must be maintained across courses applied to certificate requirements. Criminology and the Criminal Justice System Certificate Courses (Five required)Recommended (though not required):
Required:
Choose one course from the following:
Choose three upper-level (200+) Sociology / CJ electives: (Courses offered vary by semester; some are offered only online.)
One course from a department outside of Sociology may be used toward the certificate: (Alternative courses may be substituted but must be approved by the Sociology Chief Undergraduate Advisor.)
Students are strongly encouraged to pursue a Criminal Justice-based internship or practicum in order to apply the skills they will develop in their coursework. Practica credits do not count toward total certificate credits/requirements. |