Criminal Justice Certification in North Carolina

Criminal justice graduates can help prisoners get treated fairly, rehabilitate their lives, and get treatment for addiction or mental health issues. This is particularly important in North Carolina, where drug addiction has become an epidemic-level issue (The Times News, 2016). North Carolina is one of eight states to receive a large federal grant for opioid treatment.

Are you considering a criminal justice certificate as the next step in your education?

Get more information now by contacting criminal justice programs in North Carolina.

What Kind of Criminal Justice Certificates are Available in North Carolina?

As you’ll soon see, certificates come in many different subject areas and career specialties. You may want to decide which type of criminal justice career is optimal for you before selecting a training program.

One of the benefits of a certificate program is its length. The majority of certificate programs in North Carolina can be completed in less than one year.

Law Enforcement Technical Certificate Requirements (16 credits)

• Criminal Law
  • In this course, explore the basics of criminal law and what you need to look for when you suspect someone of committing a crime.
• Court Procedures and Evidence
  • Learn about collecting evidence and working through the court system of North Carolina, which may be a big part of your career as a police officer.
• Investigative Procedures
  • Instructors show students how to carry out a thorough, legal criminal justice investigation.
• Constitutional Law
  • This course covers the fundamentals of constitutional law and how you must protect a suspect’s rights.

Paralegal Technical Certificate Requirements (50 credits)

• Civil Litigation
  • Paralegal students learn about civil litigation, how it differs from criminal litigation, and what the process is in the court system.
• Legal Research and Writing
  • Build important writing and research skills that can help you investigate cases and give your lawyers a background in any type of case.
• Law Office Management and Technology
  • Discover the technology used in today’s law offices and what management techniques work for day-to-day operations.
• Family Law
  • This course looks into the specialty of family law, which covers custody, divorce, separation, and guardianship.

Security Technical Certificate Requirements (15 credits)

• Criminal Law
  • Learn about North Carolina criminal law and federal law, paying special attention to the laws that are relevant to the destruction or theft of property.
• Security Management
  • This class delves into the management of security programs and the protection of security guards.
• Loss Control and Prevention
  • Instructors cover techniques for minimizing retail and business loss.
• Legal Aspects of Private Security
  • Find out how to work within the law as a security guard and avoid unintentionally violating someone’s rights.

What Can I Do With a Criminal Justice Certificate in North Carolina?

After earning your certificate in criminal justice, you may be ready to see which job openings are out there.

After studying law enforcement, you may choose to become a police officer. Police officers work in many different settings and often work unusual shifts to cover traffic for major events, crime waves, and emergency situations. The average salary for a North Carolina police officer is $51,310 per year (Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2022). Job openings for police officers may increase 10% through the year 2030 (CareerOneStop, 2022).

Becoming a paralegal may allow you to work for local legal assistance agencies and law firms. Job growth may increase 14% through 2030 (CareerOneStop, 2022). On average, North Carolina paralegals earn $56,120 per year (BLS, 2022).

If you become a security guard, you may work for a security firm, a private business or store, or individuals who need extra protection. In North Carolina, security guards earn an average of $32,300 annually (BLS, 2022). Career One Stop expects job openings to swell 15% through 2030 (2022).

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

This is the time to start working toward a new career.

Request information from criminal justice certificate programs to learn more.

Online programs may not be available in all areas