Administration of Justice

The graduate certificate in administration of justice is a 12-credit program intended for professionals who currently hold or aspire to management or supervisory positions in law enforcement, corrections, probation and parole, or other criminal justice field.

The graduate-level coursework emphasizes public administration and government management, program planning and evaluation, as well as applied research methods. Designed to meet the needs and schedules of working students, the program can be completed in one year and courses are offered in the evening. All credits earned for the certificate may be applied toward the requirements of the master of science degree in administration of justice.

How to Apply

You can apply online for free or

Complete the Graduate Certificate Application form
Submit an official undergraduate transcript
Attach a 300-400 word essay that describes how the certificate relates to your professional interests or plans
Include application fee
Attach a professional résume.

If you wish to pursue a master of science degree, you must also:

Take the Millers Analogies Test or the Graduate Record Exam
Submit three letters of recommendation
No additional fee is required

Submit materials to:

Office of Adult and Graduate Programs
Mercyhurst College
501 E. 38th Street
Erie, PA 16546

Admission Deadlines

Applications are accepted throughout the year for a fall (September) or winter (January) start. Those who expect to complete the certificate in one year should begin their program in the fall term.

Eligibility

To qualify for admission to the graduate certificate in administration of justice, you must possess a(n):

Baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution with a major or minor in criminal justice or a related field
Undergraduate cumulative grade point average of at least 3.0.

Certificate Requirements

Students are required to complete three core courses and one elective course for a total of 12 academic credits.

Core Courses (9 credits)

AOJ 501 Research Methods in Criminal Justice (3 credits)
AOJ 604 Criminal Justice Planning and Evaluation (3 credits)
AOJ 605 Government Management (3 credits)

Electives (3 credits)

AOJ 502 Organizational and Human Behavior (3 credits)
AOJ 503 Issues in Correctional Administration (3 credits)
AOJ 506 Professional Ethics (3 credits)
AOJ 532 Public Law and Public Administration (3 credits)
AOJ 621 Advanced Criminology (3 credits)
AOJ 630 Seminar in Public Policy Analysis (3 credits)
AOJ 634 Seminar in Criminology and Crime Policy (3 credits)

Contact

Candace Schiffer, Assistant Director Adult & Graduate Programs
Phone : 814-824-3384
Email: cschiffer@mercyhurst.edu

Sarah Murphy, Graduate Admissions Counselor
Phone: 814-824-2297
Email: smccoy@mercyhurst.edu