The field of criminal justice is both diverse and vital to a well-functioning society. The Graduate Certificate in Criminal Justice offers current and aspiring professionals in the field an opportunity to develop and enhance problem-solving, managerial and leadership skills in the criminal justice context and their chances for career advancement. Students in this program will engage with dedicated faculty and practitioners in a stimulating university environment. This program offers an interim step between completion of an undergraduate degree and entering a graduate program. The Certificate is an important credential for persons pursuing a career in criminal justice.

This certificate focuses on the development of managerial skills for law enforcement, corrections, and other professionals in the field of criminal justice.

Graduate Certificate in Criminal Justice Brochure

A Graduate Certificate in Criminal Justice consists of four required classes. For descriptions of courses see UCCS Academic Catalog

Required Courses:

CJ 5001 Criminal Justice Systems, Policies & Practices
CJ 5002 Criminological Theory

Plus two of the following courses:

CJ 5005 Law & Society
CJ 5410 Victim Studies
CJ 5420 Violence in Society
CJ 5552 Criminal Justice Ethics
CJ 5560 Comparative Criminal Justice
CJ 5571 Social Organization of Crime
CJ 5572 Race, Crime and Justice
CJ 5573 Organized Crime
CJ 5574 White Collar Crime

Courses may be offered in the classroom or online. Students are not required to apply to a degree program to take these courses, but must have a bachelor's degree from an accredited university. Students must earn grades of B- or better in each course counted toward a certificate. Current Master of Public Administration (MPA) students may take these courses and earn the certificate in addition to the MPA as part of their degree plan. Students who complete the certificate only may apply these courses to the MPA degree if admitted within three years of taking the certificate courses.

These courses also may be used as electives toward the Master of Public Administration (MPA) degree at UCCS School of Public Affairs.

To enroll in the certificate program, all students must:
•submit a one-page certificate application and official transcripts to the School of Public Affairs

Students not currently admitted to the MPA or MCJ degree program must also:
•submit a brief application and a $25 processing fee to the UCCS admissions office to be admitted as a nondegree student
•submit official transcripts to the School of Public Affairs

Gainful Employment Disclosures:
The U.S. Department of Education requires us to provide the following information about each of our certificates.

Program Costs:
The total investment in the Graduate Certificate program will vary depending on a student's residency status (Colorado resident vs. non-resident) and delivery mode (on campus vs. online). Tuition and fees for the Graduate Certificate program are the same as listed here.

In general the total tuition and fees for a four (4) course certificate will be between $6898 and $12,592. Textbooks required for the certificate program typically cost between $100-$150 per course or $400-$600 for the program.

Related Occupations:

Related occupations for each certificate are listed below. Click the links below to view occupational profiles.

Protective Service:
First-Line Supervisors of Law Enforcement Workers
First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers
First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives
Miscellaneous First-Line Supervisors, Protective Service Workers

Law Enforcement Workers:
Correctional Officers and Jailers
Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers                                         

On-Time Completion & Median Loan Debt:

As these are newly-approved programs the on-time completion rates and median student loan debt of program graduates are not yet available.