2022-2023 Catalog 
    
    Mar 28, 2024  
2022-2023 Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Forensic Victimology- Advanced Practice Certificate


Return to {$returnto_text} Return to: Programs

School: California School of Forensic Studies

Modality(ies): Online

Calendar(s): 8-week term

CIP Code: 42.2812

Program Description/Overview


The Violence and Safety Institute of the California School of Forensic Studies is dedicated to providing PRACTICAL forensic education and training to a broad range of professionals, including law enforcement, security professionals, first responders, human resource professionals, mental health professionals, medical practitioners, and education professionals.

The Institute’s Advanced Practice Certificates cover diverse subject areas, yet share a single objective: To support participants to effectively assess and manage conflict and violence.

Students benefit from the partnerships CSFS has with various national and international agencies and organizations, including Forensic Linguistics Intelligence, the International Law Enforcement Educators and Trainers Association (ILEETA), and ASIS International. Some courses and certificates are also eligible for continuing education (CE) credit through the American Psychological Association. 

Certificates are accepted for transfer credit toward concentration courses in CSFS’s Master of Science in Forensic Behavioral Science  and NA 2223 SUPP - Master of Science in Forensic Leadership and Administration . This certificate is designed for professionals interested in gaining a greater understanding of conflict dynamics and in obtaining evidence-based knowledge and skills to support conflict resolution in multiple contexts. NOTE: Students enrolling in this certificate program must have successfully graduated from a regionally accredited bachelor’s degree program.

This certificate is designed to support those who want a deeper understanding of victim-offender dynamics to aid in safety planning and civil and criminal investigations.

Program Learning Outcomes/Goals


  1. Describe complex offender victim-dynamics, major theories of victimization, and the ways in which theoretical perspectives have influenced public policy.
  2. Apply evidence-based practices to safety planning and prevention of victimization and re-victimization.
  3. Apply Victimology Assessment methodology to assist in effective and compassionate investigations.
  4. Assess the various best practices for effective intervention with those who have been victimized, and the factors that influence most appropriate intervention approach.

Professional Behavior Expectations/Ethical Guidelines


Respectful Speech and Actions: As an institution of higher education, the University has the obligation to combat racism, sexism, and other forms of bias and to provide an equal educational opportunity. Professional codes of ethics and the academic code shall be the guiding principles in dealing with speech or actions that, when considered objectively, are abusive and insulting.

Professional Behavior: This program is a graduate-level professional program, and each member of the program, both students and faculty, are expected to engage in professional behavior and conduct. Students should always display empathy, self-control, friendliness, generosity, cooperation, helpfulness, and respect in all of their interactions with other students, staff, and faculty. Students will strive to exemplify professional behavior in all aspects of their participation in this program, to be on time in all engagements, to thoughtfully and diligently complete activities and assignments, and to treat all other program members with respect and dignity.

Credit Units


Total Credit Units: 9

Total Core Credit Units: 9

Total Elective Credit Units: N/A

Total Concentration Credit Units: N/A

Curriculum Plan


Return to {$returnto_text} Return to: Programs