Criminal Justice Certification in Maryland

In Maryland, your daily work has the potential to change lives, keep people safe, and give people a new chance at life.

Although the state has undergone quite a bit of reform in recent years, experts indicate that there is more to be done. The state recently received a $2 million grant to fight domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking (Patch, 2016).

Whether you’re interested in a career in corrections, law enforcement, or law, a criminal justice certificate may be the first step for you.

Learn more by contacting colleges in Maryland for criminal justice.

What Kind of Criminal Justice Certificates are Available in Maryland?

Across Maryland schools, including private schools and those that are funded by the state, most certificates are intended for those without an Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree. Of course, these certificates are still an excellent option for those with postsecondary education, but they allow those without prior college experience to build up their career options.

Most programs require in-person coursework and experience, but there are some schools that allow you to earn your criminal justice certificate online. You benefit from the same courses, lecture topics, and discussion opportunities given to those who attend traditional programs. The programs below vary in length, generally ranging from one to three semesters of full-time study.

Juvenile Justice Technical Certificate Requirements (30 credits)

• Family Engagement in Juvenile Justice
  • This class explores the role of the family in juvenile safety, engagement, and crime. It outlines how families and criminal justice professionals can work together to deter kids from crime.
• Assessment of Juvenile Delinquents
  • In this class, students learn how to properly assess juvenile delinquents and make recommendations that give them a chance at rehabilitation.
• Treatment and Services
  • Explore the services available to juvenile offenders, which are often significantly different from those available to adult offenders.
• Rehabilitation of Juveniles
  • Learn about the research behind juvenile justice and the techniques used to help juvenile delinquents turn their lives around.

Law Enforcement Technical Certificate Requirements (20 credits)

• Firearms Qualification
  • Find out how to use firearms safely and appropriately in any law enforcement situation.
• First Line Supervision
  • This class delves into the supervision of law enforcement professionals, including the chain of command used in Maryland police departments.
• Field Training
  • Get hands-on experience and practice through simulations and hands-on practice with techniques learned in previous classes.
• Compliance in Policing
  • This course covers the standards used in the policing industry and how police officers can uphold these strict standards.

Paralegal Technical Certificate Requirements (24 credits)

• Legal Research and Writing
  • Learn the basic tenets of research and writing. You may learn how to conduct searches to find reliable sources and condense information into easy-to-read reports.
• Interviewing and Investigating
  • Find out how lawyers interview potential clients and conduct investigations to create a solid case.
• Introduction to the Legal System
  • Explore the legal system, both the federal system and the Maryland system.
• Law Office Procedures
  • Students discover how to manage a law office, keep client information private, and meet daily and monthly goals.

Corrections Technical Certificate Requirements (35 credits)

• Criminal Evidence and Procedures
  • Find out how corrections fits into the criminal process, from bringing in suspects to locking up convicted offenders.
• The Correctional Process
  • This course explores the correctional process step-by-step, indicating how correctional professionals are active in each part of the process.
• Criminal Law
  • The tenets of criminal law are outlined in this class, showing correctional law students how suspects are convicted and how their sentences are determined.
• Ethics in Corrections
  • Build a strong sense of ethics that can guide you through your career in this demanding field.

What Can I Do With a Criminal Justice Certificate in Maryland?

Your education should give you the knowledge and skills you need to confidently walk into a criminal justice agency and apply for vacancies. The skills you gain as a certificate student are applicable in a specific career path, which is why your choice of program is so important.

With a background in legal assisting or paralegal studies, you may become a paralegal. This generally involves working for private law firms, conducting research, and working with clients on paperwork, and payments.

On average, Maryland paralegals earn $62,880 per year (Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2022). Job openings for paralegals may swell 8% through the year 2030 (CareerOneStop, 2022).

As a correctional officer in a prison or jail, you can ensure the safety of prisoners and keep community members safe from potential escapees. Job openings may jump 2% through 2030 (CareerOneStop, 2022). Throughout Maryland, the average salary is $54,450 annually (BLS, 2022).

Police officers are the cornerstone of the criminal justice industry. In this field, you may work a variety of shifts and enforce laws in many different settings. The average income for a Maryland police officer is $73,350 per year (BLS, 2022). CareerOneStop expects to see a 15% increase in job openings through 2030 (2022).

2022 US Bureau of Labor Statistics salary and employment figures for Maryland contained here reflect national data, not school-specific information. Conditions in your area may vary. Data accessed November 2023.

If you’re fired up about your career options in criminal justice, make your move now and get in contact with Maryland schools.

Use the list of schools below to contact criminal justice certificate programs.

Online programs may not be available in all areas