2022-2023

Leadership in Criminal Justice Administration, Graduate Certificate

Business and Administration

Provost Office

The Leadership in Criminal Justice Administration certificate is designed to provide law enforcement executives in the public and private sector with the theoretical and practical knowledge to address current issues in law enforcement.  In addition to advanced leadership and managerial coursework, students will explore the contemporary ethical, legal, and intelligence issues facing the police profession.

This plan will not be available to new students after Summer 2024

    • Graduate certificate programs require a minimum of 12 credit hours. Many graduate certificate programs require more than 12 credit hours.
    • No more than one 400-level NAU course (3 - 4 units) may be used on a graduate certificate program.
    • No more than twenty-five percent of the units required for the certificate program may be transferred from another university.
    • A 400-level course (undergraduate course) completed at another university is not eligible for transfer credit.
    • A minimum grade point average of 3.0 must be achieved to obtain a graduate certificate. No more than three units of coursework with a Grade of "C" may be used in a certificate program.
    • A graduate student may pursue a graduate certificate concurrently with a graduate degree. Each graduate degree program must decide which, if any, certificate courses can be counted toward the graduate degree.
    • Students who are admitted to a graduate certificate program will be eligible for the official posting of the graduate certificate to their transcripts when all applicable coursework has been successfully completed and approved by the academic unit and the Graduate College.
  • Please be aware that federal financial aid is not available for some certificates, if the certificate is pursued and completed as a stand-alone certificate (i.e., not completed concurrently with a degree program).  See the “Details” tab for additional information.

In addition to University Requirements:

  • Complete individual plan requirements.

Students may be able to use some courses to meet more than one requirement. Contact your advisor for details.

Minimum Units for Completion 18
Major GPA 3.0
Additional Admission Requirements

Individual program admission requirements over and above admission to NAU are required.
Some online/blended coursework Required

Purpose Statement

The graduate certificate in Criminal Justice Administration is intended for criminal justice practitioners who are interested in (1) advancing in their career and (2) gaining graduate coursework in the criminal justice field, which, combined with their practitioner experience, will provide a pathway towards teaching in many higher education criminal justice programs. 

This certificate can be earned as a stand-alone degree or in combination with a Master’s in Organizational Leadership with an emphasis in Criminal Justice Administration.  

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the certificate, students will be able to:

  • Identify actionable intelligence within a police agency.
  • Use available resources (e.g., crime analysts) to analyze intelligence information.
  • Communicate intelligence information internally (within the police agency) and externally (with external stakeholders: media, community groups, outside government agencies, etc.).
  • Develop a strategic plan (e.g., development of goals, identification of key stakeholders, identification of internal and external partners) to effectively collect and disseminate intelligence information internally (within a police agency) and externally (to the community, media, etc.).
  • Develop and use appropriate internal monitoring systems (e.g., internal affairs, early warning systems) to identify ethical violations (e.g., racial profiling, excessive force).
  • Use effective leadership strategies (e.g., mentoring, oversight, accountability) to cultivate a police culture that develops ethical employees.
  • Examine the current issues facing a police organization (e.g., racial profiling, building community partnerships, collaborating with external stakeholders) and develop a strategic leadership plan for addressing these issues while maintaining a culture that promotes ethics and professionalism.

Additional Admission Requirements

  • Individual program admission requirements over and above admission to NAU are required.

    • NAU graduate online application is required for all programs. Details on admission requirements are included in the online application.
    • Undergraduate degree from a regionally accredited institution with a 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale ("A" = 4.0), or the equivalent.
    • Transcripts.
    For details on graduate admission policies, please visit the Graduate Admissions Policy.

    International applicants have additional admission requirements. Please see the International Graduate Admissions Policy.
    • Admission to many graduate programs is on a competitive basis, and programs may have higher standards than those established by the Graduate College.
Certificate Requirements

  • This certificate may be pursued and completed concurrently with a degree program or as a stand-alone certificate. Federal financial aid cannot be used if the certificate is completed as a stand-alone certificate.

  • Be aware that some courses may have prerequisites that you must also successfully complete. For prerequisite information, click on the course or see your advisor.