Criminal Justice Certificate Program Online

Interactive Online Learning that Fits Your Schedule

Washington Technical Institute understands that you have a busy schedule and that you are looking for a school that will fit into your lifestyle. Our virtual classroom helps you fit your education into your life. Our synchronous sessions are designed to help provide additional instructor-led activities and interactions to help with some of the more complex topics. No need to worry, though…if you miss a session, they are all recorded! You can connect with your instructor on questions you have at any time. 

What You Get With This Program:

• Undergraduate Certificate in Criminal Justice
• Online Digital Textbook Access & Comprehensive Online Resources
• Access To Highly Qualified Instructors That Are Experts In Their Field
• Freedom To Complete Courses At Your Own Pace
• Personalized Career Counseling
• Access To MyPlan & Résumé Builder

Check out the video below for a walkthrough of our platform!

Program Starts

This program starts every day which means you do not have to wait to get started on your education! 

Technology Requirements

Students will need to have access to the internet as well as a computer or Chromebook to complete this class. Using a tablet, or phone will not be possible for this program given the nature of the material.

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Tuition Includes:

• 24/7 Access to WTI Interactive Online Classroom
• Hands-on Instruction by qualified instructors
• Audio Lectures (downloadable)
• Lifetime Career Development Guidance
• No Interest Installment Plans

Total Tuition: $2,900

Available Payment Options & Financing

• Pay in full
• Interest-free installment plan with payments as low as $125 per month.
• Employer Reimbursement (check with your employer)
• Private loans from our partners Meritize & Climb Credit

Learn More About Our Lending Partners

Meritize Financial Assistance

Click Here To Learn More About Meritize Financial Assistance

We have partnered with the Meritize Platform to provide our students with financing options to fund your education. With a Meritize Loan, you can get credit for your merit and potentially improve your loan options by sharing your academic history or military background, if approved, full deferment during school is available for certain products.

Climb Credit Financing Options

Climb Credit is a new kind of student lending company that focuses on financing career-building programs to help students get a high return-on-investment from their education.

Climb Offers:

• A quick online application - with the ability to add a cosigner - completed in as little as 5 minutes with no impact to credit score
• Prepay, in part or in whole, at any time without penalty
• Instant decisions 95% of the time, with the ability to accept and e-sign your documents in just a few clicks
• Friendly and responsive customer service available by email (hello@climbcredit.com), phone (888-510-0533), and instant chat from 9am to 9pm Eastern.

Click Here To Learn How To Submit Your Climb Credit Application

Course Syllabus

CJ-100: The American Criminal Justice System (3-credits)

This basic course covers the complex subject of criminal justice in America. The student is exposed to an analysis of such varied subjects as societal problems, determinants of individuals' behavior, government processes, and conceptions of morality and justice. This course draws from an interdisciplinary foundation of research, with contributions from criminology, law, history, sociology, psychology, and political science. This approach provided analytical tools to evaluate the varied institutions, processes, and social phenomena of criminal justice. Examples of subjects covered include: Victimization and Criminal Behavior, Criminal Justice System, the Rule of Law, Police and Law Enforcement Operations, Courts and Pretrial Processes, Prosecution and Defense, Incarceration, Corrections, Juvenile Justice and other vital contemporary issues that define Criminal Justice in 21st Century America.

CJ-200: Terrorism and Homeland Security (3-credits) 

This essential course is a clear and comprehensive introduction to the complex issues surrounding terrorism and homeland security, perhaps the most pressing major issue facing criminal justice professionals in the 21st century. Students will learn to think critically about the causes of terrorism, both domestic and international. No subject is off-limits. Students are encouraged to contemplate and understand the various religious, ideological, nationalistic, and ethnic terrorist movements taking place around the world, their origins, their outlook, their aims. Subjects examined in this exciting and fast-paced course include: suicide bombings, the specter of nuclear, biological and chemical terrorism, cyber-terrorism, Jihadism, the new economy of terrorism, and the organization, function, and bureaucracy of homeland security which is continuously evolving to counter the increasing threat of terrorism. The student is challenged to come to grips with the reality of terrorism and to be prepared to confront it as a criminal justice professional.

CJ-300: Criminology (3-credits)

The first part of this course provides a framework for studying criminology, including crime and crime theory, and various forms of criminal behavior. The course then moves from such basic, yet ever-controversial subjects and ranges into exciting topics including eco-terrorism, globalization, the international sex trade, cyber-crime, cultural diversity issues, and inmate re-entry into society. This course is perhaps the most comprehensive and penetrating course in the WTI Criminal Justice curriculum. This course covers a spectrum of literally hundreds of intriguing topics. No single point of view is advocated. Rather, many diverse views that are contained within criminology and characterize its interdisciplinary nature are presented. Very contemporary cases are studied. Examples: accusations of rape against basketball star Kobe Bryant, and the conviction of Dr. Sam Waksal in the Imclone insider trading case in 2003, among many other cases. Students are challenged on every front to confront the gripping issues facing criminal justice professionals in the 21st century.

CJ-400: Effective Communication for Criminal Justice Professionals (3-credits)

Perhaps the most important skill for any professional is the skill of communication. This course is designed to impart communication skills specifically geared toward the criminal justice professional. This course provides both a theoretical and practical study of the role of communication as it relates to law enforcement. Subjects include: thinking before speaking, oral and written communications, purposes of speech, public speaking including extemporaneous style speaking, non-verbal communication, grammar, making reports on the job, departmental records and record-keeping, proper communication in the courtroom, interviewing and interrogating witnesses and suspects, communication technology, communicating with ethnic groups, and much more.

CJ-500: Ethical Dilemmas and Decisions in Criminal Justice (3-credits)

This course examines the major ethical dilemmas that confront criminal justice professionals throughout their careers. Students are exposed to the philosophical principles of ethical decision-making. Students also examine issues-based, practical approaches to ethical issues found in all three branches of the criminal justice system-police, courts, and corrections. Policy issues are reviewed and students are encouraged to engage in discussions of key topics in professional ethics and the delicate balance between law and justice. Students enrolled in this course will begin to think about the impact and importance of ethical decision making as they explore such topics as: medical marijuana, police response to Hurricane Katrina, police subculture, systematic discrimination, racial profiling, terrorism and homeland security, the question of immoral laws and other issues which are both exciting and relevant to the Criminal Justice professional.

CJ-600: Substantive and Procedural Criminal Law (3-credits)

Every Criminal Justice professional should possess a fundamental understanding of the classic theories of American criminal law. This overview course reviews the basic concepts of both substantive and procedural criminal law. The course is based on leading criminal law courses taught at major law schools but condensed into a lively four-week session designed for the criminal justice professional. In addition to an overview of the critical concepts, the student is presented with thought-provoking examples from the annals of the criminal justice system. Crimes against the person, crimes against property, legal defenses (such as the insanity defense), as well as the theory and history of criminal justice are presented together with a practical skills exploration of the criminal justice process.