Crime analysis and criminal intelligence is a criminal justice professional field
that engages in the systematic analysis of data from a wide variety of sources to
provide information about the patterns and trends of crimes in a locality, state,
or nation. The work product of a crime and criminal intelligence analyst can be used
to inform tactical and strategic decision making, support investigative efforts, assist
in the study of resource needs, and facilitate the development of criminal justice
policy.
A post-baccalaureate certificate (PBC) is an educational certificate that attests
to certain advanced graduate study in an area of concentration beyond the baccalaureate
level. It is graduate-level coursework, but is less than the credit hours necessary
to earn a Master’s degree. The PBC in crime analysis is a 12-credit hour program designed
to develop the knowledge, skills, and abilities for an entry level position as an
analyst or to enhance the skills of a working analyst. It includes coursework in crime
science, problem solving, statistics, crime analysis, criminal intelligence, crime
mapping, and spatial analysis of criminal justice data. Upon completion of the required
curriculum, the student is awarded the PBC in Crime Analysis and Criminal Intelligence.
The following describes the 12-credit hour curriculum:
CRJU-672 Crime Analysis and Criminal Intelligence (3 credits, Fall Semester)
This course provides a comprehensive introduction to crime analysis and criminal intelligence
through the application of key intelligence, tactical, and strategic analytical methods
that support criminal investigations and evidence-based crime prevention strategies.
CRJU-673 Crime Mapping and Spatial Analysis in Criminal Justice (3 credits, Fall Semester)
This course develops students’ knowledge in crime mapping and criminology of place
as well as skills in spatial analysis of crime and criminal justice data that support
criminal intelligence/investigations, crime prevention, and criminal justice agencies.
CRJU 671. Quantitative Methods in Criminal Justice Research (3 credits, Spring Semester)
Description: This course is intended to equip the students with the ability to calculate
and conduct statistical analyses for applied research, to ensure the ability to interpret
the results from statistical analysis, and to apply those results to appropriate situations.
CRJU-676 Crime Science and Crime Analysis (3 credits, Spring Semester)
This course applies theoretical concepts of crime science with crime analysis, crime
mapping, and criminal intelligence techniques to conduct a comprehensive analysis
of crime and disorder that results in specific recommendations for evidence-based
crime prevention strategies.
Course Delivery
Course delivery will be through a hybrid on-line format. This is not a self-paced,
self-instructed curriculum. Instead students will meet once a week in a virtual on-line
classroom using Adobe Connect to receive lecture materials and instructions, skill
demonstrations, and to participate in on-line discussions with their classmates. These
skill-based courses will generally use the adult-learner “watch-follow-do” model of
instruction.
The courses will also make use of the D2L/D2L platform to augment the course with
a variety of web-based educational materials and learning tools. Each course will
last one 14-week semester and upon successful completion the student will earn 3-credit
hours of graduate study. Students will complete weekly reading and homework assignments
designed to assess their mastery of the skills being taught in the class.
An initial orientation session will be held to insure that all the participating students
have a basic proficiency with the course software. This will necessitate travel to
the Roanoke Higher Education Center in Roanoke, VA for a Saturday class covering this
material and to meet your class mates and professor face-to-face. After this one-day
session, the rest of the coursework can be completed on-line from any computer with
high-speed internet access.
The PBC in Crime Analysis will use a cohort model, starting a group of students at
the same time and offering the courses in a sequence so that a student will be able
to complete the certificate in five semesters. Cohorts will begin in the fall semester.
Class size will be limited because of the virtual class room format. Each cohort will
only enroll 15 students. Although on campus graduate students are eligible to enroll
in these classes on a space-available basis, priority will be given to on-line cohort
students to insure that the cohort moves through the course sequence as a group.
Students will need to have access to a computer with high-speed access (DSL, cable-modem,
or through a LAN) to the internet. This computer should have Microsoft Office software
installed. In addition, the student should have Administrator-status on the machine
to facilitate the installation of various programs. The student should also have the
ability to adjust or modify any firewall or other security settings to allow full
access to the course support software (Adobe Connect and D2L/D2L). While it may be
possible to use a computer at your workplace, the security settings on such systems
generally prohibit this.
Students enrolling in the program should have a working knowledge of the Desktop environment,
the use of the MS Office suite of programs, and be comfortable operating a web browser.
It will be assumed that students are familiar with such routine operations as opening,
modifying, saving and closing files. Students should also be comfortable in general
file maintenance and storage on a computer. No special computer skills are needed,
and those necessary to survive in a contemporary office environment are sufficient.
Enrollment and Application
Anyone who has completed a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university
and meets the admission standards for graduate students in the Department of Criminal
Justice at Radford University, is eligible to enroll. Also, graduate students currently
enrolled in a course of study at Radford University may participate in this program.
Applicants wishing to pursue the certificate should apply submitting graduate application,
including “Crime Analysis and Criminal Intelligence Certificate” from the drop down-box,
the application fee, and official transcripts.
Certificate Contact
Dr. Roberto G. Santos, Program Coordinator
Department of Criminal Justice
Phone: 540-831-5157
E-mail: rsantos4@radford.edu