The University of Massachusetts Lowell is pleased to announce that its graduate-level Certificate Program in Forensic Criminology is now available entirely online. Offered by the University's Department of Criminal Justice and the Division of Continuing Studies and Corporate Education, this certificate is designed for full time graduate students as well as professionals seeking only this concentration.
Interest is expected from people in the fields of criminal justice, nursing/public health, law and paralegal studies, psychology, and social work who wish to expand their expertise in forensic criminology including mental health applications.
Students in this program focus on populations being served by state and federal court systems, state and federal correctional systems, law enforcement agencies, mental health facilities, and juvenile facilities.
Intended Audience
This certificate is appropriate for the fields of criminal justice, nursing/public health, law and paralegal studies, psychology, and social work. Applicants must have received a baccalaureate degree with at least a 2.8 GPA, for acceptance into the certificate program.
Required Courses (Choose 2 of the following 4 courses):
- 44.542 Criminal Profiling - Available Spring 2012!
- 44.543 Forensic Psychology - Available Spring 2012!
- 44.545 Criminal Mind and Behavior - Available Spring 2012!
- 44.546 Mental Health and Criminal Justice - Available Spring 2012!
Elective Courses (Choose 2):*
- 44.624 Violence in America - Available Spring 2012!
- 44.521 Criminological Theory - Available Spring 2012!
- 44.522 Victimology - Available Spring 2012!
- 44.526 Domestic Terrorism and Hate Crimes - Available Spring 2012!
- 44.563 Substance Abuse
- 44.575 Criminal Homicide - Available Spring 2012!
- 44.622 Intimate Partner Violence - Available Spring 2012!
- 44.623 Responding to Child Maltreatment - Available Spring 2012!
- 44.646 Sex Offenses and Offenders
*Please note that not all elective courses are available online
For Additional Information on this program:
See the Graduate Course Catalog online or email cjgradadvisor@uml.edu
To Register for a Course:
Call UMass Lowell Continuing Studies at 1 (800) 480-3190
To Apply into the Certificate Program
To apply into this certificate program, download the Application Form in .pdf file format. You do not have to be accepted into the program prior to registering for your first course.
Please note: Graduate students will be assessed a "First Year Student Services Fee" upon matriculation into a graduate degree or certificate program. Please see the Accounts Receivable website.
Course Descriptions
44.521 Criminological Theory
A detailed examination of the best known and most influential theories of crime causation. Topics include: (1) theory construction, (2) hypothesis testing, (3) theory integration, and (4) the links among theory, research, and policy. 3 credits.
44.522 Victimology
An examination of the characteristics and life styles of crime victims and the impact of their victimization. The treatment of victims by the criminal justice system is examined along with possible reforms in approach. 3 credits.
44.526 Domestic Terrorism and Hate Crimes
This course examines bigotry and hate and how they are manifested in criminal behavior. Various groups who have been labeled as supporting or engaging in domestic terrorism are studied. Focus is placed on federal and state statutory laws and the dynamics of police, court, and corrections based responses to hate crimes and domestic terrorism. 3 credits.
44.542 Criminal Profiling
This course provides an overview of the development and characteristics of violent offenders, some of whom will evolve to be criminal psychopaths. The class will provide an analytical understanding of the unique characteristics of serial type criminals and the methodologies utilized to perpetrate their crimes. 3 credits.
44.543 Forensic Psychology
This course applies psychological theories, principles, and research to issues of concern to the criminal justice system. Specific attention is paid to the intersection of the mental health and criminal justice systems. 3 credits.
44.545 Criminal Mind and Behavior
This course is designed to address a broad range of topics relevant to criminal behavior and the development of the so called criminal personality. Factors that are considered to influence the evolution of criminal mentality are examined and the laws and the past and current response of the criminal justice system to repeat offenders are explored. 3 credits.
44.546 Mental Health and Criminal Justice
The course focuses on how and why individuals with serious mental illness become involved in the criminal justice system, and on how the criminal justice and public mental health systems respond to that involvement. Topics include law enforcement responses, court-based strategies, mental health and corrections, community supervision of individuals with mental illness, violence and mental disorder, and unique challenges associated with female and juvenile populations. 3 credits.
44.563 Substance Abuse
This course examines the dynamics of substance abuse, the interrelationship between substance abuse and crime, and the use of both criminal and civil law to deal with the problems posed by substance abuse. 3 credits.
44.575 Criminal Homicide
course will provide students with a survey of the nature, extent, and distribution of criminal homicide. There will be five main components: (1) statutory definitions of homicide; (2) theories of homicide; (3) homicide rates over time and across jurisdictions; (4) trends and patterns in homicide characteristics; and (5) cross-cultural comparison. 3 credits.
44.622 Intimate Partner Violence
Examines the causes and consequences of intimate partner violence as well as the latest research regarding the criminal justice response. 3 credits.
44.623 Responding to Child Maltreatment
Introduction to empirical findings and theoretical perspectives concerned with the maltreatment of children and youth. Includes an examination of prevalence rates, risk factors, consequences, and system responses. 3 credits.
44.624 Violence in America
This course provides students with an in-depth analysis of the causes, context, and control of a wide range of violent crimes. 3 credits.
44.646 Sex Offenses and Offenders
This course examines the nature of sex offenses as well as the mind of the sex offender, and focuses on motives, possible victims, and rehabilitation. The responses of the mental health and criminal justice systems are examined and the effectiveness of those responses is assessed. 3 credits.
Apply Into the Program
Visit Graduate Admissions to Apply Online
Register for Courses
Approximately 2 months prior to the start of each semester, Online and Continuing Education posts the new course schedule to the website. Once you've decided which course(s) you would like to take, returning students can register using ISIS self-service, while new students must use the New Student Registration Form.
Questions? Contact Us!
Email our Student Support Center for assistance, or call for advising at (800) 480-3190 and press 3 to speak with an advisor. See links at the bottom of this page for technical assistance with your online course.