__University__ 2024-2025 Bulletin

Criminal Law & Justice Undergraduate Certificate

This certificate is designed for students who have a specific interest in understanding criminal law and in developing legal skills for careers within and related to the criminal justice system. It provides an opportunity for students to focus on how the content, practice and enforcement of criminal law impacts individuals and society, particularly though the structure and function of the criminal justice system. Students will gain insights into the practical application of both research and criminological theory to the law and criminal justice policy and practice. Throughout the program, the concept of “equal justice under the law” will be examined from diverse perspectives in the context of the criminal law-making, enforcement, and imposition of criminal punishments. Students are able to tailor the electives to focus on specific subject areas within criminal justice policy and practice that is most relevant to their career goals and interests.

Requirements

The Criminal Law & Justice certificate is made up of 24 credits, consisting of three Criminal Law & Practice courses and three Criminal Justice System courses. No more than one certificate course (4 credits) may be satisfied by transfer credit.

All core and elective courses submitted to satisfy the requirements for the certificate, whether taken at PSU or elsewhere, must be passed with a grade of “C-” or above. Courses taken under the undifferentiated grading option (pass/no pass) will not be accepted toward fulfilling department major requirements. The certificate requirements are:

Criminal Law & Practice (12 credits)

Required Courses (8 credits)

CCJ 310American Courts

4
CCJ 420Criminal Law

4

Electives (4 credits)

One upper division course:
CCJ 311Defense, Prosecution, & Justice

4
CCJ 317Race, Crime, and Criminal Justice

4
CCJ 345Human Behavior and the Law

4
CCJ 360Victims of Crime

4
CCJ 390UCrimes of the Powerful

4
CCJ Majors seeking this certificate may not choose CCJ 317 as an elective toward this certificate because this course is already required for the CCJ bachelor’s degree.

Criminal Justice System (12 credits)

Required Course (4 credits)

CCJ 200Criminology and Criminal Justice

4

Electives (8 credits)

Two upper or lower division courses:
CCJ 210Introduction to Juvenile Justice Process

4
CCJ 230Policing in America

4
CCJ 240Punishment and Corrections

4
CCJ 312Criminal Behavior

4
CCJ 315Crime Myths

4
CCJ 320UTheories of Crime & Justice

4
CCJ 330UCrime Control Strategies

4
CCJ 350UEthical Leadership in Criminal Justice

4
CCJ 365UCrime and Social Justice

4
CCJ 370UWomen, Crime, and Justice

4
CCJ Majors seeking this certificate may not choose CCJ 230, CCJ 240, CCJ 320U, CCJ 330U as an electives toward this certificate because these courses are required for the CCJ bachelor’s degree.

Total Credit Hours: 24