Certificate in Criminal Behavior
Starting Fall 2009, Portland State University (PSU) will begin offering an exclusive Certificate in Criminal Behavior. Courses in the certificate examine various forms of criminal behavior and offender typologies. Particular attention is paid to the biological, psychological, and social factors associated with the onset and persistence of antisocial behavior among youths and adults. Intervention and treatment strategies for preventing and controlling criminal activity also are covered. This certificate is only available online.
Why a Certificate in Criminal Behavior?
The Criminology & Criminal Justice field is growing. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, career growth for Criminal Justice professionals is expected to increase by nearly 24% by 2012. Earning your Certificate in Criminal Behavior from PSU now will put you on track to take full advantage of this growth. All courses also count towards completion of your online Bachelor of Science in Criminology and Criminal Justice from PSU.
Curriculum
As a student in the Criminology & Criminal Justice program your curriculum will be designed by industry experts. Here are just some samples of the courses you’ll be able to take:
Correlates of Criminal Behavior
Overview of individual and family-level correlates of criminal behavior in children, adolescents, and adults. Explores factors associated with the onset and persistence of aggressive and criminal behavior using a biopsychosocial model. Topics may include family functioning, personality and personality disorders, attention and impulsivity problems, psychotic disorders, brain injury, substance use, sexual disorders, and dissociative disorders.
Juvenile Offenders
The course addresses some of the questions and debates regarding treatment and management of juvenile offenders. Special topics covered include delinquency theories, drug involvement, violence in schools, mistreated children, the “adultification” of youth, problems with incarceration, race and gender issues, the death penalty for juveniles, and prevention of juvenile delinquency. Students are asked to consider the roles of mental health, intelligence, environmental and socioeconomic factors as they relate to programmatic concerns for professionals working in the juvenile justice field.
Women, Crime, and Justice
Women as criminals, victims, and professionals in the criminal justice system are the focus of this course. Theories, policies, and relevant empirical studies will be discussed in the context of the historical, socio-political, and cultural forces that shaped them. Topics may include: girls in gangs, female police officers, mothers behind bars, domestic violence, and pregnancy and drug use.
What Our Students Are Saying
“At my age, working full time and having a seven year old, I thought school was not an option for me, but I was wrong. PSU’s Criminology and Criminal Justice online program has made it possible. I owe my success and happiness to PSU
Letty Smith,
Graduate Class of 2008!”
Rankings
For the seventh year in a row, Portland State University’s community-based learning curriculum is among the best in the nation according to U.S. News & World Report. Portland State is ranked among the top public institutions nationally under the section “Choosing a School: Programs to look for” in five categories: Internships, First-year Experience, Senior Capstone, Learning Communities and Service Learning.
Portland State University has also been named a Best Western College by the Princeton Review. This prestigious honor is a reflection of Portland State’s commitment to rigorous curriculum strategy and thorough instruction from world-class faculty.
Accreditation
Portland State University is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges & Universities*, an institutional accrediting body recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation and the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Education, based on approved performance standards.
*Northwest Commission on Colleges & Universities, 8060 165th Avenue N.E., Suite 100 Redmond, WA 98052 • Web: www.nwccu.org