Certificate in Crime Scene Investigation

Purpose

The certificate in Crime Scene Investigation (CSI) was developed to complement programs in Criminal Justice, Psychology, and Behavioral Sciences.  The objective of the undergraduate certificate is to help better prepare the next generation of crime scene investigators. The CSI courses will educate professionals who look to pursue careers as crime scene investigators (CSIs). The CSI Certificate will prepare those students who either are already working in the field of CSI or are considering this as a career choice. The education and training for crime scene investigators can vary greatly. The requirements for crime scene investigators may differ based on their specific duties, as well as the particular role and focus of the hiring agency. Excellent judgment, an attention to detail and poise under pressure are among the core competencies of effective crime scene investigators. This certificate will address ongoing education requirements for crime scene investigators, who must respond to rapidly advancing technology and other changes within the criminal justice system.

Note: Students are held to all prerequisite requirements; some students may require more than 5 courses to complete this certificate.

Curriculum

Electives (6 credits)

Choose any two of the following courses:

Behavioral Science

SOC 303Contemporary Social Problems

3

SOC 352Crisis Communications

3

SOC 405Social Deviance

3

Computer and Network Security

SEC 100Introduction to Computer Hardware and Operation

3

SEC 350Introduction Computer Forensics

3

SEC 355Mobile Device Security and Forensics

3

SEC 440Network Forensics

3

Criminal Justice

CRJ 304/LES 304/POL 304Constitutional Law

3

CRJ 316Criminal Law

3

CRJ 318Criminal Investigation

3

CRJ 322Criminal Profiling

3

CRJ 411Criminal Evidence and Procedures

3

CRJ 412Ethics in Criminal Justice

3

CRJ 490Internship in Criminal Justice

3

Legal Studies

LES 304/POL 304/CRJ 304Constitutional Law

3

LES 330Cyberlaw

3

LES 331Electronic Discovery

3

LES 350Interviewing & Investigating

3

Psychology

PSY 375Forensic Psychology

3

PSY 477/ORG 477Introduction to Conflict Management

3

PSY 479/ORG 479Dimensions of Organizational Conflict

3

Science

SCI 315Applied Chemistry (with Lab)

4

SCI 335Human Anatomy and Physiology (with Lab)

4

Core Requirements (9 credits)

CRJ 360Crime Scene Photography

3

CRJ 409Criminalistics

3

CRJ 419Crime Scene Applications and Practices

3