UMass Amherst Criminal Justice Certificate Program

Home
United States
Amherst, MA
UMass Amherst Criminal Justice Certificate Program

The Criminal Justice Certificate program is offered by the UMass Amherst Sociology Department in partnership with CPE (Continuing & Professional Education)

Criminal Justice Certificate For more than three decades, the nationally-ranked Sociology Department at UMass Amherst, through its Criminal Justice (CJ) Certificate, has taken pride in providing the best and broadest traditional liberal arts education to students. The demand for public safety and security professionals with superior education and training has never been greater. Additionally, in partnership with Continuing and Professional Education (CPE), the certificate offers distance-learning courses that can be taken online anywhere in the world and all year round. Our students therefore have a wider choice of courses than ever before. Our innovative online certificate allows you to keep working while you build cutting-edge skills in domestic violence, criminal forensics, white-collar crime and other specialties tailored to your career objectives. Our courses are taught by experienced UMass and adjunct faculty—many of whom are nationally and internationally recognized experts engaged in cutting-edge research and professional experience. Gain a solid foundation in criminal justice—and/or valuable credit toward your Bachelor’s degree—as you prepare for positions in the judiciary, corrections, policing, homeland security, victim services, and social services fields through this flexible program that draws upon the resources of UMass Amherst’s nationally ranked Department of Sociology. Who the certificate is for: The CJ 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. Course Expectations and Certificate Completion: Degree-seeking UMass students pursuing the certificate should expect to take three or more of the required courses online through Continuing and Professional Education. Certificate students not matriculated at the University of Massachusetts normally take all of their courses online through CPE. Upon completion of the certificate, students must fill out a Completion Form and submit an unofficial transcript. Questions about the certificate should call 413‑545‑4059 or send an e-mail to [email protected]. Criminal Justice Certificate Requirements: Recommended: _____ Sociol 103, Sociol Problems Required: _____ Sociol 241, Criminology _____ Sociol 248, Conformity and Deviance —OR— Sociol 323, Sociology of Law _____ Three upper-level (200+) Sociology / CJ courses, one of which may be taken in a department other than Sociology and approved on a case-by-case basis by the Chief Undergraduate Advisor. Courses offered vary by semester; relevant courses not listed here can be petitioned for approval by the Sociology Chief Undergraduate Advisor. Many courses for the certificate are offered only online. Examples include: Sociol 242, Drugs and Society Sociol 248, Conformity and Deviance Sociol 293M, Intro to Human Rights Sociol 328, Intro to Social Work Sociol 342, Deviance and Social Order Sociol 343, Hate Crime in America Sociol 344, Gender Crime Sociol 345, Juvenile Delinquency Sociol 346, Communities and Crime Sociol 347, Corporate Crime Sociol 391M, Serial and Mass Murder Sociol 392A, Race, Class, and Crime Sociol 392J, Race and Policing Sociol 394F, Crime and Forensics Sociol 394S, White Collar Crime Sociol 395A, Probation and Parole Sociol 395K, Domestic Violence Sociol 397D, Delinquency and Juvenile Justice Sociol 397S, Crime and Inequality Sociol 481, Sociology of Mental Health Sociol 497C, Survey of Criminal Justice Fields One of the courses below can be substituted for a Sociology / CJ course: Legal 250, Introduction to Legal Studies Legal 333, Law and Culture in America Polsci 163, Introduction to Civil Liberties Polsci 360, Constitutional Law Psych 355, Adolescent Psychology Psych 380, Abnormal Psychology

09/11/2017

Looking for advising for the Criminology and Criminal Justice System Certificate? Drop in to see Robert Ryan, Director of the Criminal Justice Internship Program, Wednesdays from 5:30–7:30 pm in Thompson 1014.

05/12/2017

Our final spotlight this week, when are featuring some of the CJ summer classes that still have seats open, is Crime & Forensics!

See what instructor Patrick Grove has to say about the course:
Good day folks.

I am Pat Grove, an online/adjunct instructor for one of the most interesting classes in criminal justice you will take. As a 37 yer veteran of law enforcement, and a retired commanding officer from the Kansas City, MO Police Department, I have had the opportunity to see many aspects of policing. I have commanded SWAT, Federal drug intelligence task force for a 6 state area, Bomb and Arson, K-9, Mounted Patrol and Helicopter Operations where I served as a sergeant and commander. I have a commercial rotor craft license and private fixed wing license issued by the Federal Aviation Administration. I attended undergraduate and graduate school in Missouri attaining degrees in Law Enforcement, Criminal Justice and Public Administration where I specialized in Organizational Behavior.

What you can expect in this class is an overview of forensics, from fingerprints to computer analysis, blood drop analysis to drug compositions and inhibitors. These will all be highlighted in weekly case studies about OJ Simpson, Lindberg Kidnapping, Ted Bundy and other notable cases from throughout time. I have taught this class for the past 20+ years and have consistently received high marks from the students about their interest level during the class. I hope I 'see' you in the next session. I know that it will titillate your brain like never before.

05/10/2017

This week we are featuring some of the CJ summer classes that still have seats open. Today's spotlight: Drugs & Society

Here's what the instructor, Lee Blackstone, wants you to know about his approach to the course:

I have been teaching SOC 242 Drugs & Society online through UMass Amherst for many years (actually, well over a decade!). The class is not only suitable for Criminal Justice Certificate students; students from all disciplines are welcomed, as I take a very interdisciplinary approach to the material, but keep the class rooted in sociology. The class also has something akin to an 'Introduction to Sociology' course embedded within it, so students need not fear if they have not taken a sociology class before. Finally, my SOC 242 Drugs & Society course has consistently been rated one of the top on-line classes not only in the Sociology Department, but also at UMass Amherst.

Consider signing up today! http://www.umassulearn.net/classes/summer-2017?view=listing&sids=116

05/09/2017

UMass Amherst: Continuing and Professional Education - Summer 2017 - Summer 2017 CPE Classes - SOCIOL 323

This week we are featuring some of the CJ summer classes that still have seats open. First up: Sociology of Law!

Here's what Prof. Boutcher has to say about this Summer Session 2 course:

Law is everywhere. It structures our relationship to the state, the economy, and to each other. Often, we think about law in terms of formal rules and regulations; for example, Congress passes a piece of legislation or the Supreme Court hands down an important decision. However, law is also much broader than these examples suggest. Law structures society—our norms, values, and behavior—in subtle ways that most of us never question or even notice. In this regard, law is a powerful institution in contemporary society that both shapes social life and is, in turn, shaped by social processes and actors.

In this course, we will examine the different ways that socio-legal scholars theorize and study law, legal actors, and legal institutions. We will examine a variety of topics including the disputing process, access to justice, inequality, legal consciousness, the courts, the legal profession, and the relationship between law and social change. Additionally, a major focus of this class will be to analyze the important gap between “law on the books” and “law in action.” This course has two main objectives: 1) to provide a theoretical and empirical foundation for the sociological study of law, legal institutions, and legal actors and 2) to enhance critical thinking about the role of law and legal institutions in social life.

http://www.umassulearn.net/classes/summer-2017?view=class&clid=16482

University of Massachusetts Amherst Continuing & Professional Education

05/08/2017

UMass SBS Career and Professional Development

Still searching for a summer internship, or a post-grad job? Make sure to try our awesome job search database Career Shift!

Need a brief tutorial? Go here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UX0a39wf46Q#action=share

05/03/2017

Robert Ryan will NOT be holding his regularly scheduled office hours today. He will have office hours next week (May 10th).

04/24/2017

Spotlight on Summer CJ courses

Special newsletter out now:
Spotlight on Summer CJ courses!

This summer we have SEVEN course that are relevant to your Criminal Justice interests Enrollment is open NOW! Remember, you need an enrollment appointment to register Summer Session 1 (CS1) runs May 22nd - June 30th Summer Session 2 (CS2) runs July 10th - August 18th

04/12/2017

Need to make progress on your certificate this summer? Didn't get into a fall course you wanted? Sign up for one of the summer online Sociology courses that will count toward your CJ Certificate! See the list below and sign up today!

04/12/2017

UMass Amherst Pre-Law Advising

Happening NOW!

UMass Law School is here! Okay, not the whole school, but the chief admissions officer, Assistant Dean Dan Fitzpatrick, is here to answer your questions. Find him in the lobby of Thompson Tower any time between now and 2 pm.

04/04/2017

SPIRE

Fall registration is in full swing! Make sure you check SPIRE https://spire.umass.edu/ for your registration appointment. Please note that CJ courses for Fall have changed slightly. In-person options are:
241: Criminology
248: Conformity and Deviance
342: Deviance and Social Order
**NEW** 392J: Race and Policing

Are you doing a summer CJ internship? Help your wallet out and apply for some SBS funding. Deadline is March 31st (nex...

03/23/2017

UMass SBS Career and Professional Development

Are you doing a summer CJ internship? Help your wallet out and apply for some SBS funding. Deadline is March 31st (next Friday!)

03/19/2017

UMass Sociology Newsletter 3/19/17 - 3/25/17

The Center for Women and Community is hiring for the 2017-2018 academic year, with the priority deadline as March 24th (applications will be accepted until all positions are filled). For more information and apply, click here.

Don't forget to register for summer classes! We have SEVEN classes that are of interest to CJ students:Social Problems ...

03/16/2017

UMass Amherst: Continuing and Professional Education - Summer 2017 Classes - Summer 2017 CPE Classes

Don't forget to register for summer classes! We have SEVEN classes that are of interest to CJ students:

Social Problems (SOCIOL 103) with Yalcin Ozkan
Criminology (SOCIOL 241) with Armanthia Duncan
Drugs & Society (SOCIOL 342) with Lee Blackstone
Soc of Law (SOCIOL 323) with Steve Boucher
Juvenile Delinquency (SOCIOL 345) with Kenneth Sanchagrin
Crime and Forensics (SOCIOL 394F) with Patrick Grove
White Collar Crime (SOCIOL 394S) with Thomas Bazley

http://www.umassulearn.net/classes/summer-2017?view=listing&sids=116

University of Massachusetts Amherst Continuing & Professional Education

03/12/2017

This March, Forbes Library, Historic Northampton and Wistariahurst partner with the Feinberg Family Distinguished Lecture Series and the UMass Amherst Public History Program to present States of Incarceration, the first national traveling multi-media exhibition and coordinated public dialogue to explore the history and future of mass incarceration in the United States.

The exhibition will be on view March 1-12 in Holyoke at the The Wauregan (420 Dwight St), hosted by Wistariahurst. It will then travel to Northampton, where it will be on view March 13-30 at Forbes Library (20 West St) and Historic Northampton (46 Bridge St), with a portion on display at each site.

For complete information see https://pv-soi.org/

Hampshire County Jailers Book 1811-1823. The Sheriff of Hampshire County kept an account book of prisoners with descriptions of court costs and fees for their incarceration. The jail at the time was called the Stone Jail and was on what is now Pleasant Street, then called Prison Lane.

Forbes Library and Historic Northampton are partnering to present States of Incarceration, the first national traveling multi-media exhibition and coordinated public dialogue to explore the history and future of mass incarceration in the United States. Opening reception: March 13, 5-8 PM; featuring a guided tour of the exhibit at 6pm at Forbes, led by local residents who are featured in the exhibit, and a public reading by Voices from Inside at 7pm at Historic Northampton. More info at: https://pv-soi.org/

UMass Criminal Justice News Spring Issue 2 is out. Read on for information on upcoming events and courses!

03/07/2017

UMass Criminal Justice News Spring Break Edition

UMass Criminal Justice News Spring Issue 2 is out. Read on for information on upcoming events and courses!

Have you written an awesome paper for one of your Sociology classes in Spring 2016 or Fall 2016? Submit it for a chance to win!

03/07/2017

College of Social & Behavioral Sciences UMass Amherst

Deadlines approaching! Apply now!

Did you know that SBS awards dozens of students scholarships every year for internships, study abroad, research, and financial need? Apply before the two upcoming deadlines of March 10th and 31st, and one of them could be you!

03/06/2017

Tomorrow! Open to all majors!

02/27/2017

UMass Police Cadet Program

The Umass Police cadet program is recruiting now!

02/14/2017

UMass Criminal Justice News Spring Issue 1

Have you written an awesome paper for one of your Sociology classes in Spring 2016 or Fall 2016? Submit it for a chance to win!

Very interesting article that applies social science analysis to the growing trend of data-driven CJ work

02/12/2017

Opinion | Big data may be reinforcing racial bias in the criminal justice system

Very interesting article that applies social science analysis to the growing trend of data-driven CJ work

Until the companies creating risk-assessment tools make their algorithms public, we can’t know if these tools are removing human bias or recycling it.

02/12/2017

UMass SBS Career and Professional Development

SBS students: Register now for this great opportunity in Boston over spring break! Meet alumni, hear about their career paths and get advice, and build your professional network! No experience required. :-)

02/06/2017

Mark your calendars! Our new Criminal Justice Internship Program Director, Bob Ryan, will be having his office hours on Wednesdays from 5:30-7:30 PM.
It's not too early to come discuss summer and fall internships!
UMass Amherst Sociology

02/03/2017

Law Schools of New England Law Fair : Events : UMass Amherst Pre-Law Advising Office

Interested in Law School?
Law Schools of New England Law Fair
Tues, Feb. 7, 6pm to 8pm, Cape Cod Lounge, for all majors

Join law schools from across New England for a discussion on choosing the right fit, insight into application review, financing your legal education, and understanding if law school is right for you, with a special presentation by Access Group on financing your legal education. After the panel, you’ll have a chance to meet one-on-one with admissions representatives. Light refreshments will be available.

Representatives from the following law schools will be in attendance:
Northeastern University School of Law
University of Connecticut School of Law
University of Maine School of Law
University of Massachusetts School of Law – Dartmouth
University of New Hampshire School of Law
Vermont Law School

The event is free, but advance registration is requested. Link to listing on UMass Prelaw Advising page:

http://prelaw.umass.edu/events/law_schools_of_new_england_law_fair

Join law schools from across New England for a discussion on choosing the right fit, insight into application review, financing your legal education, and understanding if law school is right for you, with a special presentation by Access Group on financing your legal education. After the panel, you’...

01/30/2017

UMass Sociology Newsletter 1/30 - 2/5/2017

01/23/2017

Welcome back to campus! We have two in-person classes that are useful for CJ that still have openings:

SOCIOL 397MC, Mass Incarceration, has ONE SEAT LEFT!
SOCIOL 397PA, Probation and Parole, has THREE SEATS LEFT!

We also have many CPE classes still open, including Criminology, Drugs & Society, and Race & Policing (check course listing for start and end dates)

Take advantage of the time before add/drop to get the best schedule you can, and remember to come into advising if you have any questions.

01/23/2017

UMass Sociology Newsletter 1/23 - 1/29/2017

The Spring semester begins! Our first newsletter for the new semester.

II. Upcoming EventsSpring Semester Community Talks of Interest Amherst College has announced their Spring speaker series, some of which you should try to attend:

12/19/2016

The semester is winding down this week, but Sheriff Garvey WILL be in for his regular office hours Tuesday from 3-5. This is your last chance to come see him!
Stay tuned for info on our new CJ Director's schedule for the Spring.

Great opportunity right here on campus for students interested in careers in policing or who just want to know more abou...

12/04/2016

UMass SBS Career and Professional Development

Great opportunity right here on campus for students interested in careers in policing or who just want to know more about what our campus police do. Open to the public as well. See link for application details

Students interested in criminal justice are invited to apply for the UMass Police Department FALL 2017 Citizens Police Academy - an 11-week course that meets one evening a week for three hours.

Submit your applications now so you don't miss this opportunity.

It's Tuesday which means it's once again time to come see Sheriff Garvey to discuss internships and careers in CJ! 3-5 ...

11/29/2016

Sheriff Garvey goodbye

It's Tuesday which means it's once again time to come see Sheriff Garvey to discuss internships and careers in CJ! 3-5 PM, Thompson 732
Also make sure you share your thoughts and well wishes for his retirement at https://goo.gl/forms/Yb52ZOUQWUEZz1013 if you haven't done so already

Sheriff Garvey, our beloved Criminal Justice Internship Coordinator, is retiring at the end of this semester! Please help us commemorate his many years of service to the department by submitting memories of your work with him and best wishes. We will be putting them together to present to him as a g...

11/20/2016

UMass Criminal Justice News Fall Issue 4

The Feinberg Lecture Series continues on with another event today at 5PM in Herter, "Historicizing the Carceral State: R...

11/14/2016

Lecture: Historicizing the Carceral State: Race, Sex and Power in Early America | Giving

The Feinberg Lecture Series continues on with another event today at 5PM in Herter, "Historicizing the Carceral State: Race, Sex and Power in Early America"

https://www.umass.edu/giving/events/lecture-historicizing-carceral-state-race-sex-and-power-early-america

The penitentiary system in early America exploited racist ideologies, gender norms, sexual desire, and antipathy towards the poor to justify its existence and expansion.

11/08/2016

Do you know what today is? Election day, of course, but also Tuesday, which means Sheriff Garvey is in from 3-5 to discuss CJ internships and careers. Don't delay, he's only here a few more times!

10/26/2016

Are you thinking about doing a spring CJ internship? The time to set that up is almost gone. Get in to see Sheriff Garvey next Tuesday (3-5) before it's too late! You need time to discuss your options, contact your desired placement, and complete all the paperwork. Don't delay!

Sheriff Garvey, our beloved Criminal Justice Internship Coordinator, is retiring at the end of this semester! Please he...

10/25/2016

Sheriff Garvey goodbye

10/25/2016

October 2016 | UMass Calendar of Events

TOMORROW The Feinberg Series continues with a special event in Springfield, “Resisting Police Violence in Springfield and Beyond: Mothers, Scholars, and Queer People of Color Speak Out”
The panel includes the mother of Delano Walker, a member of BLM, an attorney, and a history professor.
See the link for information on free bus transportation from UMass or Mt. Holyoke
https://www.umass.edu/events/panel-resisting-police

The History Department's Feinberg Family Distinguished Lecture Series presents “Resisting Police Violence in Springfield and Beyond: Mothers, Scholars, and Queer People of Color Speak Out,” an evening of conversation with local and national voices:

Address

Amherst, MA
01003

Telephone

(413) 545-0577

Website

http://www.umass.edu/sociol/undergraduate/Certificates/CertCrimJustice.html

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when UMass Amherst Criminal Justice Certificate Program posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.