Home Academics Humanities, Social Sciences & Arts Sociology & Criminal Justice Programs Criminal Justice Studies Graduate Certificate

Become a Better Citizen

Take a closer look at the challenges and complexities of the American criminal justice system. Our fully online certificate equips you with the knowledge and expertise to advance your career. Designed for students and working professionals, our flexible program lets you study what interests you. Enroll in specialized courses that examine criminal causality, criminal law, police management, policy, correctional settings and national security. Earning a graduate certificate from A&M-Commerce opens doors to jobs in law enforcement, criminology and more.

Where It Is Offered Online
Duration 1 Year
Foreign Language No foreign language requirements
Delivery Fully Online, Only Offered Online (100% Online)
Total Credit Hours 12 Hours
Thesis Requirements No thesis required
Businesswomen Lawyer outside the Courthouse.
Anchor Copied! Copy a link to this section of the page

Criminal Justice Studies Graduate Certificate:: Feature Courses

Featured Courses

Seminar in Policing and Law Enforcement CJ 501

This course is an advanced approach to policing and law enforcement. The focus of the class will be on the operations and functioning of policing and law enforcement departments at the local, state and federal levels. The course will examine related areas such as personnel, practices, procedures and issues in policing and law enforcement. This course will investigate additional areas such as use of technology in policing, police subculture and community policing.

Seminar in Criminology CJ 530

This course examines crime and delinquency in America from several theoretical perspectives. The course provides an in-depth investigation into major criminological theories that explain the causation, occurrence and development of criminal behavior. A wide spectrum of criminological theories is introduced, applied and critiqued in this course.

Issues in Criminal Law and Courts CJ 531

The course will focus on critical thinking related to issues concerning principles of criminal law and court procedures as well as selected practices particularly relevant to the United States. Issues will include: justice for all, freedom and privacy of the individual, cruel and unusual punishment, use of deadly force in law enforcement, trial by jury, election of judges and morality and the law.

Seminar in Corrections CJ 568

A study of popular issues in community-based and institutional corrections with emphasis on organizational goal setting and achievement, program evaluation, client supervision, agency administration, and problem-solving. An analysis of current research and its applicability to the criminal justice system and society will be performed.

View Full Curriculum In The University Catalog
Back to menu
Anchor Copied! Copy a link to this section of the page

ADMISSIONS DOMESTIC/Current Tabs

Admission

Back to menu
Anchor Copied! Copy a link to this section of the page

Criminal Justice Studies Graduate Certificate:: Domestic Application section

Deadlines

Applications are accepted throughout the year.

Your Path to Becoming a Lion

Step 1. Submit Application

Submit your application through ApplyTexas.

  • Select “Create a new graduate school admissions application.”
  • Select “Texas A&M University-Commerce (Commerce)” as your “Target University.”

  • Select “Criminal Justice Studies, Graduate Certificate” as your “Major.”
  • Pay the $50 application fee.

Wait to receive an application confirmation email before proceeding to the next step.

  • After you submit your application, the Graduate School will send a confirmation email within two business days to the personal email account you used for ApplyTexas.

Provisional Status

After you submit your application, you may be granted provisional status, which means you can enroll in one semester of courses.

Step 2. Submit Documents

Submit the following documents after you receive an application confirmation email.

Official Transcripts

Contact your previous institution(s) and request that they send your official transcripts to [email protected].

  • We recommend that you request transcripts for all of your academic work.

Postal Alternative

If your institution is unable to submit a digital copy, hard copies may be mailed to:

Texas A&M University-Commerce
Attn: Graduate School
PO Box 3011
Commerce, Texas 75429-3011

We will need official/original documents. If those documents are the only copies you have, the Graduate School can mail them back to you upon request. Contact [email protected] for more information.

Look for application updates in myLeo > Apps > Check Application Status

  • Once an admission decision has been made, you will receive an email to your student email account at myLeo > Apps > Leomail.
Rebecca Stevens Graduate Student Services Coordinator

Step 3. Apply for Financial Assistance

  • Apply for scholarships and graduate assistantships once you are admitted.
  • Apply for financial aid by submitting a FAFSA and sending it to school code 003565.
  • Contact your financial aid advisor with any questions.

Step 4. Register for Classes

Once registration opens and you are eligible to enroll, your graduate enrollment specialist is here to help you complete registration.

Contact your graduate enrollment specialist if you have any questions regarding your degree plan and registration.

Louis Lufkin Graduate Enrollment Specialist
Back to menu
Anchor Copied! Copy a link to this section of the page

Criminal Justice Studies Graduate Certificate:: International Application section

Deadlines

Applications are accepted throughout the year.

*International applicants must be admitted to a master’s or doctoral program at A&M-Commerce to pursue a graduate certificate.

Your Path to Becoming a Lion

Step 1. Submit Application

Submit your application through ApplyTexas.

  • Select “Create a new graduate school admissions application.”
  • Select “Texas A&M University-Commerce (Commerce)” as your “Target University.”

  • Select “Criminal Justice Studies Graduate Certificate” as your “Major.”
  • Pay the $75 application fee.

Wait to receive an application confirmation email before proceeding to the next step.

  • After you submit your application, the Graduate School will send a confirmation email within two business days to the personal email account you used for ApplyTexas.

Step 2. Submit Documents

Submit the following documents after you receive an application confirmation email.

Official Transcripts

  • Contact your previous institution(s) and request that they send your official transcripts to:
    Texas A&M University-Commerce
    Attn: Graduate School
    2600 S. Neal St.
    Commerce, Texas 75428

We will need official/original documents. If those documents are the only copies you have, the Graduate School can mail them back to you upon request. Contact [email protected] for more information.

Look for application updates in myLeo > Apps > Check Application Status

  • Once an admission decision has been made, you will receive an email to your student email account at myLeo > Apps > Leomail.
Rebecca Stevens Graduate Student Services Coordinator

Step 3. Apply for Financial Assistance

Step 4. Register For Classes

Once registration opens and you are eligible to enroll, your graduate enrollment specialist is here to help you complete registration.

Contact your graduate enrollment specialist if you have any questions regarding your degree plan and registration.

Louis Lufkin Graduate Enrollment Specialist
Back to menu
Anchor Copied! Copy a link to this section of the page

Criminal Justice Studies Graduate Certificate:: Program Requirements and Plan Ahead

Program Requirements

Once admitted, you must:

Plan Ahead

Upon completion of the certificate program, courses will count towards a Master of Science in Applied Criminology (MSAC), and newly declared graduate students can lock in their tuition rates for two years.

Back to menu
Anchor Copied! Copy a link to this section of the page

Criminal Certificates :: Connect With Us

WE ARE HERE TO HELP!

Louis Lufkin Graduate Enrollment Specialist
Rebecca Stevens Graduate Student Services Coordinator
Elvira White-Lewis, J.D., Ph.D. Department Head and Associate Professor
Amny Shuraydi, Ph.D. Assistant Professor
Back to menu
Anchor Copied! Copy a link to this section of the page

Criminal Studies :: Request More Information

Back to menu
Anchor Copied! Copy a link to this section of the page

College of Humanities, Social Sciences and Arts :: Contact

Contact Us

Back to menu
Anchor Copied! Copy a link to this section of the page

Criminal :: Related Degrees

Related Degree Programs

Back to menu
Loading
Navigate This Page