About the Criminal Justice Certificate
The University of Wyoming's Graduate Certificate in Criminal Justice is a flexible, fully online graduate program designed for professionals who want to expand their expertise and advance their careers. Through three graduate-level courses, you'll explore criminal justice systems, public policy and emerging issues while developing the analytical, research and leadership skills needed to address today's complex challenges. With a variety of elective options, you can tailor the certificate to your interests, whether you're focused on corrections, criminal justice management, criminology or other specialized areas. The certificate can be completed as a standalone credential or stacked toward UW's Master of Public Administration with a Criminal Justice concentration.
Learn more about the University of Wyoming's online schooling options and explore if it's the right fit for you!
The Graduate Certificate in Criminal Justice is taught by accomplished faculty whose research and professional experience bring real-world insight to the classroom.
- Dr. Clair Uding teaches Survey of Criminal Justice. Her research focuses on police responses to mental health crises, crime hot spots, public health issues and survey research. She has served on multiple research grants and brings extensive expertise in criminal justice research methods and data collection.
- Dr. Eric Wodahl teaches Crime & Public Policy. Before joining academia, he worked as a probation and parole officer with the Wyoming Department of Corrections. His research examines prisoner reentry, community supervision, sanctions and incentives, and the unique challenges facing rural criminal justice systems.
Learn more about the faculty members who combine academic scholarship with professional experience, helping students connect criminal justice theory, policy and research to real-world practice.
What Can You Do With a Criminal Justice Graduate Certificate?
The criminal justice field is constantly evolving, creating new opportunities for professionals who understand complex systems, analyze policy and lead with integrity. The Graduate Certificate in Criminal Justice prepares you to take the next step in your career by developing advanced skills that can support roles in law enforcement, corrections, public administration, policy, research and more.
- Police Sergeant
- Detective/Criminal Investigator
- Parole Officer
- Emergency Management Specialist
- Victim Advocate
- Public Safety Administrator
- Crime Analyst
- Public Policy Analyst
- Community Corrections Manager
Students who complete the Graduate Certificate in Criminal Justice will be able to:
- Analyze the complexities of the criminal justice system, including policing, courts, corrections and related issues from multiple perspectives.
- Evaluate criminal justice policies, trends and challenges using research and evidence-based approaches.
- Apply theoretical frameworks and empirical research to develop recommendations that improve criminal justice practices and policies.
- Use ethical principles to guide decision-making in complex criminal justice environments.
- Develop professional communication and analytical skills to research, interpret and communicate information about criminal justice systems, agencies and research.
The Graduate Certificate in Criminal Justice can be completed in as few as two semesters (approximately one year). The program requires 9 credit hours of graduate-level coursework, including two required courses and one elective that allows students to tailor their certificate to their professional interests and career goals.
Join UW's School of Graduate Education
Advance your expertise with the University of Wyoming's Graduate Certificate in Criminal Justice. Offered through the School of Graduate Education, this flexible program helps working professionals and graduates build specialized knowledge, strengthen their credentials and take the next step in their careers.
"Designed for working professionals, the Criminal Justice Graduate Certificate provides the flexibility needed to continue your education while enhancing your potential for career growth and promotion."
- Jamie A. Snyder, Ph.D. | Department Head | Department of Criminal Justice and Sociology
The University of Wyoming has earned its Research Level 1 (R1) status from the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education, placing Wyoming's only four-year university with the top research universities in the United States.