Law and the American Criminal Justice System Certificate (Undergraduate)
Deepen your knowledge of the criminal justice system and prepare for a career in today’s rapidly evolving legal world with the Certificate in Law and the American Criminal Justice System in Temple University’s College of Liberal Arts. This 12-credit program is offered by the Criminal Justice Department and is available to Temple undergraduate students in all majors.
The Law and the American Criminal Justice System Certificate is designed for those aspiring to attend law school or for people wishing to either broaden their knowledge of the law; the court system; or deepen their focus in particular areas of court administration, diversion services, social work, restorative justice services, criminal investigations, paralegal work or legal services.
Students in the certificate program gain a comprehensive understanding of various pre-law areas such as substantive criminal law, criminal courts, criminal procedure (prosecution and adjudication), sex crimes and law, restorative justice, capital punishment, sociology and law, and more.
Why study Law and the American Criminal Justice System at Temple?
- Comprehensive curriculum: Foundational courses will expose students to first-year law school material, including the Socratic method, case briefing, a courtroom observation of a current legal matter, and introductions to the foundation and structure of the federal and state court systems.
- Expert faculty: Students in the certificate program have the unique benefit of taking classes led by faculty in the Undergraduate Criminal Justice Department who have earned their juris doctor and bring a wealth of knowledge and firsthand legal experience, including clerking for the U.S. Supreme Court and other prestigious positions.
- Career preparation: While building a foundation for their future career, this program also prepares students for law school and provides an edge in the law school application process.
