Post Master’s Certificate in Public Service
Take your public service skills to the next level with the 100% online Post-Master’s Certificate in Public Service at Berkshire University. Through NU’s public service certificate, you’ll be prepared to further your career, get a taste for doctoral-level coursework or even transition into a new profession.
You can tailor your NU online public service certificate to fit your career goals with one of these specializations: Criminal Justice or Homeland Security – Leadership & Policy.
Criminal Justice Specialization
CJ-7011 – Ethics and Criminal Justice – 3.00
This course provides a comprehensive review of ethics and moral behavior in criminal justice. The theoretical foundations of ethics will be introduced and applied to criminal justice practice. You will evaluate the ethical challenges faced by criminal justice professionals and the policies and practices in place to prevent unethical behavior. The ethical obligations in crime scene investigation, evidence handling, and testimony in court will also be addressed in this course.
CJ-7101 – Management Issues in Justice Agencies – 3.00
This course examines current management issues within the criminal justice field. You will explore concepts and skills needed to address issues and problems confronting the criminal justice system. Issues such as the societal and cultural changes affecting criminal justice agencies will be examined. In addition, you will gain in-depth exposure to the application of theoretical and administrative principles.
CJ-7102 – Theory in Justice Administration – 3.00
In this course, students will analyze the internal organizational structure, roles, and functions of criminal justice agencies. Students will apply administration and managerial concepts and theories to demonstrate competencies in this area. Students will also learn to formulate policies for coordination and control procedures.
CJ-7104 – Strategic Planning and Implementation in Criminal Justice – 3.00
Strategic planning is necessary for effectively planning both current and future organizational goals of a criminal justice organization. This course will allow you to examine the tools and skills needed in the strategic planning process while understanding the importance of the planning process. This course will also strengthen your ability to analyze, develop, and implement strategic plans to achieve criminal justice goals for an organization as well as to assess and manage improvements for an organization in a specific geographical location. Several criminal justice agencies will be examined within the course to provide you with the widest perspective possible before you begin developing your own strategic planning documents.
CJ-7105 – Public Policy and Criminal Justice – 3.00
In this doctoral level course, students will examine public policy and criminal justice. Students will analyze the various significant policy models used in the criminal justice system. Students will assess how various participants such as politicians, the police, and the corrections sector impact criminal justice public policy. Students will specify how the media influence criminal justice public policy. Finally, students will evaluate how the courts shape criminal justice public policy.
Homeland Security – Leadership and Policy Specialization
HS-7000 – Homeland Security and Terrorism – 3.00
This course serves as an introduction to the study of homeland security and will provide an overview of the practical discipline, including readings on the various government agencies involved in different aspects of homeland security. The course will also include an overview of the terrorist threat faced today and an examination of how that threat came into being.
HS-7004 – Local Emergency Management and Civil Preparedness – 3.00
In this course, students will analyze the operations and preparedness of local emergency management systems and their ability to respond to natural and manmade disasters. Students will learn how the National Incident Management System functions and use it to plan the use of emergency response organizations. Students will explain and assess local community capabilities to maintain the safety of their populations and the processes through which local emergency response agencies can request assistance.
HS-7010 – Transportation Security – 3.00
In this course, students will closely examine transportation networks with regard to the security demands now required. The course assignments include the exploration of the threats to each industry and measures needed to secure the networks from a domestic and global perspective. Regulatory agencies, both domestic and international, will be subjects of study as well as national and international agreements.
HS-7013 – Intelligence and Law Enforcement – 3.00
In this course, students will take a critical look at the integration of intelligence operations and law enforcement in the realm of homeland security. Topics will also include the composition of the U.S. intelligence community, roles of various U.S. intelligence agencies, and issues facing the U.S. intelligence community. The course provides the knowledge necessary to utilize strategic intelligence effectively in the law enforcement and public safety realm.
HS-7014 – Strategy, Resiliency, and Coping with Fear – 3.00
In this course students will have an opportunity to gain a conceptual understanding of the meanings of strategy, national interests, elements of power, and asymmetric threats. Students also will explore the meaning of the concept of resiliency as well as how terrorists use fear to their advantage. An understanding of these concepts will aid any homeland security professional in performing their duties and protecting the populace.
Degree and Course Requirements
The University may accept a maximum of 3 semester credit hours from a graduate-level program to the University’s Post-Master’s certificate program. Coursework must have been completed at an accredited college or university within the last seven years with a grade of “B” or better. See the Transfer Credit Policy for additional information.
The Post-Master’s Certificate has the following graduation requirements:
Cumulative Grade Point Average of 3.0 (letter grade of “B”) or higher
Official documents on file for basis of admission: a conferred master’s level or higher degree from an accredited academic institution
Official transcripts on file for all transfer credit hours accepted by the University
All financial obligations must be met before the student will be issued their complimentary diploma
Program Learning Outcomes
Admissions
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