CERTIFICATE PROGRAMS
The School of Criminal Justice offers graduate level certificate programs for students seeking continued education in the field of criminal justice and for those who may wish to eventually pursue a master’s degree in Criminal Justice at MSU.
Each certificate program consists of three 3-credit courses, with the exception of Judicial Administration, which requires four 3-credit courses. Participants who are admitted to the master’s program may use the graduate level credits toward elective requirements.
To complete the certificate program as a Lifelong Education student, please submit a Lifelong Education application here.
ANTI-COUNTERFEITING AND PRODUCT PROTECTION PROGRAM (A-CAPPP)
The certificate is an expanded program to assist working professionals and graduate students who are seeking a well-rounded foundation in anti-counterfeit and product protection. The topics expand from intellectual infringement counterfeiting to focus on the underlying criminology theories, but also cover the broad product protection field including diversion, tamper-resistance, child-resistance, cargo theft, shoplifting, return and warranty fraud.
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CONSERVATION CRIMINOLOGY
Conservation criminology is an approach to research, teaching and outreach currently under development at MSU. With the goal of improving evidence-based practices related to environmental crimes and risks, conservation criminology offers a conceptual framework that integrates criminology and criminal justice, conservation and natural resource management and risk and decision science. Research projects examining a diverse set of crimes and risks created by multiple actors are being used to refine the conceptual model.
A Master’s level certificate program that examines the practical and theoretical implications of the conservation criminology framework is currently available to traditional and professional students. It consists of three online courses that examine environmental crimes and risks at the individual, corporate and global levels. The program is jointly offered by Michigan State University's Department of Fisheries & Wildlife, the School of Criminal Justice, and Environmental Science & Policy Program
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HOMELAND SECURITY
Michigan State University 's School of Criminal Justice, in collaboration with colleges across campus, has created a three-course online certificate program that allows working professionals and graduate students to add a focus in homeland security to their career or academic plans.
This innovative and challenging program from one of the nation's top schools of criminal justice is meant for practitioners and others interested in updating their skills.
Courses include:
- Homeland Security
- Terrorism
- Public-Private Partnerships in Emergency Preparedness and Homeland Security
Certificates in information security, food security and related areas are currently being developed.
Participants can apply class credit toward a degree program at MSU or at another institution, or toward a Certificate in Homeland Security Studies offered by the MSU School of Criminal Justice.
The School of Criminal Justice is a national leader in criminal justice scholarship, integrating security and public safety issues with an understanding of the legal system
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LAW ENFORCEMENT INTELLIGENCE AND ANALYSIS (LEIA)
Each class in the certificate program is 3 semester credits, which translates to 45 contact hours per semester. Each class will explore 10 – 15 different explicit topics.
Students may choose three of the following four classes to help provide some degree of focus for each individual’s interest as well as to add some flexibility for the enrollment schedule.
Courses are available to:
- Current MSU graduate students who are enrolled in on campus or online programs
- Practitioners and others who wish to earn credits toward a related degree program at MSU or another institution (Lifelong Education)
- Anyone who wishes to earn a certificate for professional development and career enhancement (Lifelong Education)
CJ 433 Law Enforcement Intelligence Operations
This provides an overview of the intelligence process including current issues and trends. The course examines intelligence as a tool for law enforcement management as well as relationship to operational responsibilities. It is designed as a broad-ranging course to provide the student with comprehensive knowledge about different aspects of the law enforcement intelligence function.
CJ 809 Public/Private Partnerships for Emergency Preparedness and Homeland Security
This particular class is driven largely by the mandate of Homeland Security Presidential Directive (HSPD) 8 and the National Preparedness Goal, both of which mandate the ability to have mechanisms in police to prevent and recover from terrorist attacks. In addition, the concept of Intelligence-Led Policing, the National Criminal Intelligence Sharing Plan, and the Office of Domestic Preparedness Guidelines for Homeland Security all express the need to establish effective public-private relationships as a means to counter terrorism. The course examines the issues, opportunities, and processes to accomplish this.
CJ 837 Counterterrorism and Intelligence
The intent of intelligence is to prevent crime and terrorism. Thus, the goal of this class is to integrate knowledge about both intelligence and terrorism and examine what strategies – both tactical and strategic – can be used to counter the different types of terrorism. Included is an examination of the nexus between terrorism and organized crime; challenges of counterterrorism initiatives; and threat assessment.
CJ 838 Terrorism
The course examines the meaning of terrorism, its effects, the different types of terrorism, and the motivating factors in various international and domestic terrorism ideologies. The course is designed to provide the student with the motives, methods and targets of different ideological groups.
ENROLLMENT
Students who are not already enrolled in a degree program at MSU will need to fill out the Lifelong Education application. Lifelong Education students may need assistance enrolling, and can contact Melissa Christle at 517-353-7133 or burrier@msu.edu for help.
PROGRAM COSTS
Tuition rates and billing information may be found at the Controller's Office website under Online Program Rates
MINIMUM EQUIPMENT REQUIREMENTS
To participate in the certificate program, students must have access to and be comfortable with a computer with an Internet connection. See the Virtual University Home Page and the appropriate course previews for current minimum equipment requirements for specific courses.
At a minimum, each student needs access to:
- A browser that meets the ANGEL minimum requirements.
- Minimum screen resolution of 800x600 (1024x768 recommended).
- 56K modem or direct connection to the Internet. A broadband (high-speed) Internet connection is recommended (and required for some courses).
- Adequate responsiveness and performance from your computer. Most computers manufactured within the last four years will meet your needs.
CLICK HERE FOR APPLICATION
INTERNATIONAL FOCUS
The School of Criminal Justice has created a three-course online certificate program that allows working professionals and graduate students to enhance their knowledge base and further their career or academic plans.
Courses are offered entirely online, and are taught by the same faculty members that are involved in the on-campus program. A number of online support services are available to assist students.
Courses are available to:
- Current MSU graduate students who are enrolled in on campus or online programs
- Practitioners and others who wish to earn credits toward a related degree program at MSU or another institution (Lifelong Education)
- Anyone who wishes to earn a certificate for professional development and career enhancement (Lifelong Education)
Course Requirements
CJ 822 - Comparative Criminal Justice
Globalization, crime causation, measurement, and control in comparative and cross-national contexts. Nature of policing, courts, and corrections in select countries.
CJ 823 - Globalization of Crime
International crimes and organized crime. Trafficking in women, children, and body parts. Related problems such as firearm violence, money laundering, and corruption that transcend national boundaries.
One of the following:
CJ 809 - International Environmental Risk
Special issues in criminal justice research and management.
CJ 838 - Terrorism
An in-depth overview of terrorism, both domestic and international. The course will touch on the causes and motives that drive terrorists, their methods of operation, and the impact of terrorism on the United States and abroad.
Program Costs
Tuition rates and billing information may be found at the Controller's Office website under Online Program Rates
MINIMUM EQUIPMENT REQUIREMENTS
To participate in the certificate program, students must have access to and be comfortable with a computer with an Internet connection. See the Virtual University Home Page and the appropriate course previews for current minimum equipment requirements for specific courses.
At a minimum, each student needs access to:
- A browser that meets the ANGEL minimum requirements.
- Minimum screen resolution of 800x600 (1024x768 recommended).
- 56K modem or direct connection to the Internet. A broadband (high-speed) Internet connection is recommended (and required for some courses).
- Adequate responsiveness and performance from your computer. Most computers manufactured within the last four years will meet your needs.
CLICK HERE FOR APPLICATION
JUDICIAL ADMINISTRATION
The Graduate Certificate in Judicial Administration allows individuals the opportunity to explore and deepen their knowledge and practice of judicial administration without enrolling in a degree-granting program.
Course Requirements
Students must complete twelve (12) graduate level credits within six years of their first course.
CJ 812 Criminal Justice Management Seminar
Preparing to Lead: Analyzing and Developing Organization and Personal Leadership
This course immerses students in leadership development for the purpose of preparing them to lead the courts and other justice system organizations. It identifies the complexities of developing leadership acumen that is personally authentic and prepares them to assume increasingly more responsible leadership roles within their organizations. Both leaders and managers must think and act strategically, systemically, and collaboratively. Such action requires sound judgment predicated on critical thinking; activating and using personal values and integrity in service to the organization; gaining skills suitable for leading during times of stability and instability; and developing communication skills that compel people and organizations to chart the future while also thriving in the present. Students will engage with each other, the instructor, and the subject matter through a variety of learning opportunities: readings, self-reflection, critical thinking, assessment and analysis, individual writings, and group assignments.
CJ 829 National and Global Trends in Court Planning
This course focuses on the role of emerging trends and the changing expectations of key stakeholders in the strategic planning process. The basic premise of the course is that planning is not a linear process whereby today’s realities can be used as an accurate and dependable marker for making prudent decisions regarding the future. The goal is to help those working in the justice system, and those preparing for such careers, to learn how to analyze the “discontinuous” world in which they live and must function, so they can identify the strategic issues which will frame a meaningful planning process for their organization. Students will analyze and write from the context of their respective organizations, but with an understanding of regional, national and global issues that influence their organizations. Each student will interact with the instructor through written assignments and through group discussions with the instructor and with the other members of the class.
CJ 860 Historical Foundations/Contemporary Frameworks of Judicial Administration
The purpose of this course is to provide students with knowledge about the historical foundations of the judicial branch and the formation of judicial administration, thus providing the context for the role and responsibilities of the courts in contemporary society, as well as rule of law globally. The historical foundations will address the question of why courts exist, how they continue to evolve, and how courts are guided from legal mandates to public perceptions. Tracing the historical foundations will expose students to the development of a new profession—court management. The role of the court manager will be analyzed in the context of judicial branch mores, ethical codes, and culture. The business of the courts—caseflow management—will be explored and analyzed. The course will also investigate the court culture and how it affects governance and leadership. Students will be engaged in the subject matter through readings, group discussions, writing assignments, and analysis of case data.
CJ 864 Elements of Essential Court Operations
The purpose of this course is to provide students with an opportunity to study the essential management infrastructure of court operations; to analyze the intersections of court operations and constitutional mandates related to issues of judicial independence, interdependence, and accountability; and to situate the role of the courts within the communities they serve. Students will be exposed to contemporary issues in judicial systems including: judicial independence, interdependence, transparency, and accountability challenges to separation of powers, due process, and privacy rights; societal changes and demands that impact court operations and the concept of justice, such as problem solving courts, self-represented litigants, courts as collection agencies, alternative dispute resolution, restorative justice, and the establishment of specialty courts; systems analysis for electronic courts and records management; and project management applied to operating diverse court services with competing priorities. Students will be engaged in the subject matter through readings, group discussions, writing assignments, and analysis.
Moving the graduate certificate forward
After completing the graduate certificate, students may transfer their credits to another university or apply them toward the Masters of Science in Judicial Administration if they apply and are admitted to the program.
ENROLLMENT
Students who are not already enrolled in a degree program at MSU will need to fill out the Lifelong Education application. Lifelong Education students may need assistance enrolling, and can contact Melissa Christle at 517-353-7133 or burrier@msu.edu for help.
PROGRAM COSTS
Tuition rates and billing information may be found at the Controller's Office website under Online Program Rates. Non-tuition related fees include a $20 non-refundable application fee for the Judicial Administration Graduate Certificate program.
additional information
To further discuss your interest in the graduate certificate or a career in judicial administration, please contact Catharine White at gamperca@msu.edu.
SECURITY MANAGEMENT
Courses are offered entirely online, and are taught by the same faculty members that are involved in the on-campus program. A number of online support services are available to assist students.
Courses are available to:
- Current MSU graduate students who are enrolled in on campus or online programs
- Practitioners and others who wish to earn credits toward a related degree program at MSU or another institution (Lifelong Education)
- Anyone who wishes to earn a certificate for professional development and career enhancement (Lifelong Education)
Course Requirements
CJ 885 - Security Management
Organization and management of security operations in business, industry and government.
CJ 886 - Security Administration
Administrative and quantitative techniques for security operations. Statistical analysis. Analysis of financial statements. Operations research and computer techniques.
One of the following:
CJ 809 - Public/Private Partnerships in Emergency Preparedness and Homeland Security
Explores the interdependence between the public and private sectors in protecting communities and national security. Students will be exposed to specific guidelines and lessons learned for effective public and private partnerships, with emphasis on critical infrastructure protection, risk management, contingency planning, and supply-chain security.
CJ 890 - Independent Study
Please contact Dr. Mahesh Nalla at nalla@msu.edu.
ENROLLMENT
Students who are not already enrolled in a degree program at MSU will need to fill out the Lifelong Education application. Lifelong Education students may need assistance enrolling, and can contact Melissa Christle at 517-353-7133 or burrier@msu.edu for help.
PROGRAM COSTS
Tuition rates and billing information may be found at the Controller's Office website under Online Program Rates
MINIMUM EQUIPMENT REQUIREMENTS
To participate in the certificate program, students must have access to and be comfortable with a computer with an Internet connection. See the Virtual University Home Page and the appropriate course previews for current minimum equipment requirements for specific courses.
At a minimum, each student needs access to:
- A browser that meets the ANGEL minimum requirements.
- Minimum screen resolution of 800x600 (1024x768 recommended).
- 56K modem or direct connection to the Internet. A broadband (high-speed) Internet connection is recommended (and required for some courses).
- Adequate responsiveness and performance from your computer. Most computers manufactured within the last four years will meet your needs.