Get Into or Ahead in Law Enforcement with a Justice Studies Certificate
If you're interested in pursuing an entry-level position in law enforcement or if you're currently working in the field and looking to upgrade your skills, the justice studies certificate in police and law enforcement at Southern New Hampshire University is an ideal option. The Police & Law Enforcement Certificate delivers the essential training and knowledge you need to build a career in this rewarding, fast-growing field.
This certificate is available to those not enrolled in our AS or BS in Justice Studies, non-matriculated students, part-time students and other students as approved by the Department Chair.
See Yourself Succeed in Law Enforcement
Unlike traditional criminal justice programs, our interdisciplinary approach goes beyond courses in criminology and law enforcement. Our police & law enforcement certificate provides a broader list of course options that offer students a sweeping overview of the American justice system.
As a private, nonprofit university, SNHU has one mission - to help you see yourself succeed. The benefits of earning your justice studies certificate at SNHU include:
- Supportive community. Join the SNHU campus community of students who are closely connected with faculty and staff dedicated to your success.
- Affordability. It’s our mission to make higher education more accessible. That’s why, SNHU is one of the most affordable private, nonprofit universities in New Hampshire.
- Accomplished faculty. Learn from highly credentialed faculty who are experts in their fields and bring their professional experience directly to you in the classroom.
- Opportunity. Tap into our nationwide network of alumni and strong connections with employers for internship and career opportunities.
- Campus experience. Enjoy more than 50 student clubs, champion Division II athletics and fun events on our 300-acre campus in Manchester, NH, named a "Best Place to Live" by Money magazine.
Internships & Outcomes
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, opportunities for professionals seeking to become private detectives and investigators is expected to grow 11% through 2022. Graduates of the Justice Studies certificate programs can complete their AA or BA in Justice Studies. Those already in the workforce are better prepared for career advancement in policing, law enforcement, federal service agencies, terrorism prevention, the courts, corrections, dispute resolution, victim advocacy, the military and more. Students seeking a career in law enforcement should realize that additional training may be required depending on the desired role.
Curriculum
Our unique police and law enforcement certificate curriculum is taught by knowledgeable faculty members with years of real-world, hands-on experience.
| View Full Curriculum in the Catalog |
|---|
| Certificate in Policing and Law Enforcement |
| Courses May Include | ||
|---|---|---|
| Certificate in Policing and Law and Enforcement Campus | ||
| JUS 101 | Introduction to Criminal Justice | This course covers the nature, scope and impact of crime in the United States, independent and interdependent operations and procedures of police, courts and corrections, and introductory theories of crime and delinquency. The course introduces the justice model in a systematic way whereby students delve into the numerous components of the justice system including law enforcement, legal and judicial process and correctional operations. Career opportunities will be fully covered throughout the course. |
| JUS 102 | American Policing | An introduction to the police system in America, which is the gateway to the criminal justice process. Topics considered include the historical foundations of police processes, occupational roles and tasks of law enforcement, and the nature and designs of typical, as well as innovative, police systems. Perennial problems of policing, particularly as it relates to community interaction, are also essential components of the course. |
| POL 306 | The American Legal Tradition | This course offers a broad introduction to the American legal tradition, including the structure and function of the courts, the legal profession, legal education, and the politics of judicial selection. As an introduction to what it means to "think like a lawyer" in the United States, students learn how to write parts of a predictive legal memorandum of the type that first-year law students learn how to write, in which they analyze a legal issue of concern to hypothetical clients by applying the reasoning and conclusions in selected judicial opinions to the facts of the clients' case. |
| Total Credits: 12 | ||
Campus Undergraduate Tuition
Our Manchester campus aims to keep tuition and related costs low for our students so that you can pursue your degree and your goals.
Beyond low tuition rates, we help our students save through transfer credits, credit for prior learning, grants and scholarships, tuition assistance and more.
This certificate is not eligible for federal financial aid. Students seeking alternatives to federal financial aid can explore tuition assistance, grants and scholarships, as well as private loans. To learn more about private loans, visit our Funding Your Education with Student Loans page.
University Accreditation
Southern New Hampshire University is a private, nonprofit institution accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE) as well as several other accrediting bodies.
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