Criminal Justice Certification in Indiana
Whether you’ve worked in the field of criminal justice before or this is your first time considering this field, Indiana is a good place for you to get started. Indiana has a vibrant research community that is constantly researching evidence-based criminal justice laws, protocols, and procedures. These findings keep this field evolving and improving at all times.
Through the Byrne Criminal Justice Innovation Program, Indiana researchers are looking for ways to reduce crime rates, particularly those that come from high recidivism rates (2018). This initiative also aims to improve community safety and the view of policing in Indiana communities.
Ready to jump into the criminal justice industry and make a difference?
Get more information now by reaching out to criminal justice certificate programs.
What Kind of Criminal Justice Certificates are Available in Indiana?
A technical certificate can help you rapidly build a foundation of knowledge in this industry, gain practical work skills, and get into the workforce. Each school and program sets its own credit requirements, but as a general rule, certificate programs are shorter than associate degree programs.
Some programs do provide a broad introduction to the criminal justice industry, but most focus specifically on one or two career paths. You should have fairly clear career goals before making a final program decision.
Paralegal Technical Certificate Requirements (50 credits)
- Legal Ethics
Study the ethics that govern your work as a paralegal and learn how these issues may present themselves in your daily work.
- Legal Research
This course covers important research techniques that can help you do preliminary research for a lawyer and create a useful list of relevant resources.
- Law Office Technology
Explore the technology used in today’s law offices and learn how to use it efficiently.
- Legal Writing
This class covers the core features of legal writing and gives you practice in preparing legal documents.
Correctional Management Technical Certificate Requirements (15 credits)
- Introduction to the American Criminal Justice System
In this course, students learn about the history of the criminal justice system and explore it as a modern fixture of society.
- Correctional Law
This course looks specifically at laws that affect prisoners, suspects, and those who work in correctional settings.
- Correctional Administration
Discover the role of supervisors and managers in correctional settings. In this class, you may also learn about management techniques that work in this high-stress environment.
- Correctional Counseling
This course explores the techniques used to communicate effectively with prisoners and help them prepare for integration in society.
Public Safety Technical Certificate Requirements (27 credits)
- American Criminal Justice System
This overview of the criminal justice system gives students an understanding of their role in improving public safety.
- Substantive Criminal Law
Students in this course learn about criminal law and how it is used in law enforcement settings.
- American Policing
This class looks at the role of police in America and the changes that may drive this field in the near future.
- Criminal Investigation
Explore basic criminal investigation techniques and learn how to operate legally and ethically in this area of criminal justice.
Homeland Security Technical Certificate Requirements (15 credits)
- Principles and Practices of Homeland Security
You can study the general principles of homeland security and the development of this field in the last decade.
- Foundations of Homeland Security
Discover the tenets that drive this field forward and find out what its long-term goals are in America.
- Terrorism and Public Policy
In this class, you may learn how terrorist threats have change public policy and how government agencies respond to threats of terrorism.
- Emergency Management
Develop skills that help you respond to emergencies in an evidence-based and efficient manner.
What Can I Do With a Criminal Justice Certificate in Indiana?
Once you complete your criminal justice certificate online or in person, you may be ready to put your skills to work in the workforce. If you study law enforcement or public safety, you may start your career by becoming a police officer. Your duties may change rapidly in this role, depending on current crime trends, traffic needs, and your level of seniority.
The average salary for an Indiana police officer is $53,260 per year (Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2016). By the year 2026, job openings in this field may swell 8% in Indiana (CareerOneStop, 2017).
Correctional officers are essential to the daily functions of Indiana jails and prisons. This role may require you to work nights, weekends, and holidays to ensure that proper staffing levels are maintained.
On average, Indiana correctional officers earn $34,060 per year (BLS, 2017). Job openings may see minimal change in coming years (CareerOneStop, 2017).
Studying legal assisting may give you the skills needed to become a paralegal. A 19% increase in job openings as predicted by 2026 (CareerOneStop, 2017). The average annual income for an Indiana paralegal is $48,460 (BLS, 2017).
A criminal justice certificate is a convenient and efficient way to get started in this growing industry.
Find the right program for you by contacting Indiana schools below.
Online programs may not be available in all areas
