MASTER OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE degree (MCJ)
Graduate Certificate in Crime Analysis
Build graduate-level skills in crime analysis, crime mapping, research design, and data-informed decision-making through a certificate developed in partnership with Texas Law Enforcement Analyst Network (TXLEAN).
12 credit hours
Four graduate courses focused on data analysis, crime mapping, and research.
Fully Online
Designed to be completed in two semesters when started in Fall semester.
Flexible Pathways
Ideal for graduate students and professionals seeking targeted analytical skills.
Fully Embedded
Apply every certificate course to the MCJ—complete up to 40% of your degree (non-thesis).
What Is Crime Analysis?
Crime analysis turns crime-related data into actionable information for public safety professionals. It helps agencies identify series, patterns, trends, and hot spots and supports more informed operational and strategic decision-making.
What You Will Learn
- Identify crime patterns, trends, and hot spots
- Use GIS and mapping tools to analyze spatial data
- Manage and interpret large crime-related datasets
- Apply research design to policy, evaluation, and practice
- Create analytical products that support public safety decision-making
Why This Certificate Stands Out
This certificate combines analytical depth, practical application, and public safety relevance in a focused format that helps students build a skill set they can use immediately.
Applied Training
Develop hands-on skills in data analysis, mapping, and research design.
Public Safety Focus
Connect analytical methods directly to public safety operations.
Transferable Skills
Build capabilities relevant to analysis, intelligence, GIS, and research.
Professionally Aligned
Designed to support analytical skills agencies value in crime analysis, and mapping
Curriculum
The graduate certificate includes four courses. Expand each section below to read the course description.
CRIJ 5300 — Applied Data Analysis for Criminal Justice I
The study of basic and advanced data analysis techniques, with an emphasis on applications to decision making and policy formulation in the criminal justice system.
CRIJ 5363 — Introduction to Crime Mapping
This course provides the conceptual knowledge and practical skills to design and implement GIS-based analysis of community crime problems. Students are introduced to major approaches to spatial analysis of crime and learn how to make effective crime maps.
CRIJ 5364 — Introduction to Crime Analysis
This course provides advanced skills needed for efficient data management of crime-related data. Students learn how to extract, convert, manipulate, and query large datasets to support data-driven management and intelligence-led policing.
CRIJ 5398 — Applied Research Design I
The study of qualitative and quantitative research skills necessary for informed decision making, policy analysis, program evaluation, and hypothesis testing as applied to criminal justice practice, with emphasis on quantitative methods.
Meet Our Instructor
Dr. Kenneth Michael Reynolds
Dr. Kenneth Michael Reynolds is a seasoned criminal justice scholar and practitioner with more than 12 years of direct law enforcement experience and a distinguished background in crime analysis and policing innovation. He has led federally and locally funded initiatives in law enforcement data sharing, crime mapping, and intelligence-led policing, including development of the Florida Law Enforcement Data Sharing Consortium and the FINDER system, and his research and consulting have supported agencies such as the Orange County Sheriff’s Office and the U.S. Department of Justice. His combination of applied experience, scholarship, and national and international training work brings a strong real-world perspective to this certificate.
Career Outlook
This certificate supports a range of public safety and analytical pathways by helping students build practical skills in data interpretation, mapping, research, and decision support.
Where These Skills Apply
Students in this certificate build a skill set that can support operational analysis, intelligence products, mapping, evaluation, and data-informed strategy across justice and public sector environments.
- Crime analysis and intelligence support
- GIS and mapping applications
- Program evaluation and policy analysis
- Research and public safety decision support
Public Safety & Justice
Relevant to analyst roles that support operational planning, intelligence-led work, and strategic problem solving.
Research, GIS & Evaluation
Useful for roles involving mapping, program evaluation, policy analysis, and broader analytical communication.
Possible pathways: crime analyst, intelligence analyst, research and public policy analyst, and related public safety or justice data roles.
How to Get Started
Getting started is simple. Follow the steps below to begin the certificate process and connect with the right support.
Step 1
Fill out the certificate form.
Step 2
Get the required signatures.
Step 3
Submit the completed form toemail.
Step 4
Meet with the MCJ advisor if you have questions.
Explore Your Next Steps in Graduate Study
Whether you want to strengthen your Master of Criminal Justice pathway, explore additional graduate certificates, or pursue focused learning through extended education non-degree options, Tarleton offers flexible ways to build advanced knowledge and career-relevant skills.
Master of Criminal Justice
Use certificate coursework to complement broader graduate study and deepen analytical expertise within the MCJ.
More Certificate Options
- Alternative Dispute Resolution
- Homeland Security
Non-Degree Learning
Pursue targeted crime analysis certificate through flexible non-degree options designed for immediate skill building.