The online Criminal Behavior Certificate Program represents an engaging series of courses exploring the complex nature of crime and the factors that contribute to criminal behavior among different groups. This online certificate program introduces students to different perspectives on the pathways and motivations that lead to crime, as well as approaches to reducing criminal behavior.
The online Criminal Behavior Certificate program focuses on the major theories that explain what causes crime, including the social, psychological, and economic factors related to individual criminality and to the places where crime happens. In addition, the certificate focuses on various criminal behavior within specific groups. Women and crime is explored, focusing on women involved in crime as criminals, victims, and as professionals in the criminal justice system. Special topics include female gang members, mothers behind bars, domestic violence, pregnancy and drug use. The origin and offending patterns among adolescents is another central focus. This includes the treatment and management of juvenile offenders, as well as delinquency theories, substance use, and school violence.
Focusing on crimes committed by traditionally respectable people with high social status, the history and current state of white collar crime is explored. Students will explore how the causes and consequences of “crimes of the powerful” (such as finance crimes, abuses of power, fraud and economic exploitation) compare to the violent and property crimes more typically processed through the criminal justice system.
Taken together, the online Criminal Behavior Certificate provide students with an understanding of how factors like community, culture, poverty, race, history, family, personality, mental illness, psychopathy, and biological factors contribute to the complexities of criminal behavior. This foundation helps equip students with the knowledge needed to support the development of crime control and prevention policy and practice innovations.
Criminal Behavior Certificate Curriculum
Students complete all 6 courses (24 credits).
- CCJ 303 Punishment and Corrections (4 credits)
- CCJ 305 Juvenile Justice Reform (4 credits)
- CCJ 312 Criminal Behavior (4 credits)
- CCJ 320 Theories of Crime and Justice (4 credits)
- CCJ 370 Women, Crime, and Justice (4 credits)
- CCJ 390 Crimes of the Powerful (4 credits)
Up to 4 transfer credits from a regionally accredited institution may be applied to towards the course requirements of the Criminal Behavior Certificate. Transfer courses must have been taken for a letter grade, and the grade received must have been a “C” (2.0) or better. For all Oregon and some Washington community colleges, Criminology and Criminal Justice has pre-approved a set of courses that automatically substitute for specific Criminology & Criminal Justice online program courses. Find the list of pre‐approved substitution courses from your Oregon or Washington community college.
This Criminology and Criminal Justice Online certificate is issued by PSU’s College of Urban and Public Affairs, representing successful completion of the curriculum through CCJ Online.