Flexibility with Online Courses

Many Justice Studies students are returning students whose academic education was interrupted by parenthood, military service, or the economy and who bring their family and work commitments with them. To accommodate those needs, the Justice Studies program offers the majority of its courses online. Some live and video conference classes are available in Augusta, Bangor and UMA Centers and sites.

The program also gives academic credit for selected military and police training and accepts CLEP and Dantes exams results for academic credit. The program allows students with course-related employment experience to challenge those particular courses by exam or portfolio.

The Maine Community Policing Institute (MCPI) provides education, training, and technical assistance to members of the public and the police who protect them with the goal of creating proactive problem solving to enhance community wellbeing and quality of life through public safety partnerships.

Scot C, Rising Scholar 2018

Being a student at UMA was very different than what I expected. Being in a mostly-online program, I expected a sense of disconnect and not a sense of community. I found instead that I have been able to be involved in a lot of activities, and people here are very involved in the community.

– Scott C., Rising Scholar ’18

Certificates

The field of Justice Studies is diverse and encompasses investigation theory, legal analysis, interpretation of laws and statutes, comparison of international and regional justice systems, the study of contemporary social issues, and problem-solving. UMA’s Justice Studies program has many related Certificates that span a variety of subjects and can be earned concurrently with your degree or on their own.

Students in this certificate program will gain education specific to the responsibilities of contemporary public sector management within the criminal justice professions. Topics will include Principles of Management and Comparative International Justice Issues. As a stand-alone credential or as an addition to an A.S. or B.S. degree, this certificate will enhance your management skills and career development.

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Students who enroll in this certificate will gain expertise in the principles of the care, custody, and control of persons remanded to incarceration by the court. Specific education in the Foundations of Justice and Restorative Justice will lead the learner to understand the public safety responsibility of changing antisocial behaviors toward improved accountability and reduced recidivism. Corrections professionals and citizens at large will benefit from the content of this interdisciplinary program.

While the Certificate in Community Corrections is open to all students, Maine Criminal Justice Academy graduates of the Basic Corrections Training program (BCOR) are eligible for 6 transfer credits toward completion of this certificate.

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Students will learn the history, development, and direct examples of the philosophy that has become known worldwide as Community Policing. Community Policing promotes organizational strategies that create problem-solving partnerships targeting the reduction of crime, fear of crime, and social disorder. All contemporary police service agencies and the citizens within their communities benefit from this approach to building safe communities.

While the Certificate in Community Policing is open to all students, Maine Criminal Justice Academy graduates of the Basic Law Enforcement Police Training Program (BLETP) are eligible for 15 transfer credits toward completion of this certificate.

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Justice Studies offers a 30-credit Crime Analysis and GIS Certificate to engage Law Enforcement in intelligent led services. Students will learn about data security, and data visualization, integration, and analysis in order to investigate and prosecute computer fraud, identity theft, terrorism, and other cyber-based crime in the 21st century.

Crime Prevention, Criminology, Community Policing, Introduction to Computer Science, Introduction to Information Security, Data Visualization, and GIS are among the 10 courses required for this certificate.

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The goal of computer forensics is to perform a structured investigation while maintaining a documented chain of evidence to find out exactly what happened on a computing device and who was responsible for it. The Computer Forensics certificate focuses on the use of the most popular forensics tools and provides specific guidance on dealing with civil and criminal matters relating to the law and technology, including discussions on how to manage a digital forensics operation in today’s business environment.

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More information coming soon!

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The Certificate in Forensic Science is open to students who wish to understand criminal investigation procedure and collection, preservation, and custody of forensic evidence. Students will learn how the law of Criminal Evidence applies to crime scene investigation, professional evidence gathering, and chain of custody. Students wishing to concentrate on a scientific focus will take additional coursework in forensic science.

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The Certificate in Forensic Science is open to students who wish to understand criminal investigation procedure and collection, preservation, and custody of forensic evidence. Students will learn how the law of Criminal Evidence applies to crime scene investigation, professional evidence gathering, and chain of custody.

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Fraud is a global issue which impacts both business and individuals. The Fraud Examination Certificate focuses on the four key areas of knowledge needed for the Certified Fraud Exam. These include: Fraud Prevention and Deterrence, Financial Transactions and Fraud Schemes, Investigation, and Law.

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Students learn mediation skills through group role-play practice, video examples, reading, and reflection on their process. The successful graduate will develop an understanding of conflict resolution, restorative justice, Maine family law, dynamics of family violence, and court procedures. Successful completion of this certificate requires an internship of twenty hours of supervised mediation experience.

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The Paralegal Certificate prepares students to work in professional legal environments such as law firms, government regulatory agencies, company legal departments, and real estate title companies. Students learn to research and apply the law, gaining practical knowledge in litigation, criminal law, estate administration, family law, and real estate law.

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Lian Oyerbides

[At UMA] I developed relationships with Professors that helped me in many ways. Professor Mary Louis Davitt and Professor Sharon McMahon Sawyer, for instance, encouraged me and guided my steps toward success. They helped me to see my potential and helped me to make connections with people outside of the campus.

– Lian O., ’19

Accelerated 3+3 Program with University of Maine Law School

UMA and University of Maine Law School offer a joint accelerated 3+3 program for UMA students interested in pursuing a legal career.

The program permits students to complete their first three years, or 91 credits, at UMA and then fulfill their Bachelor’s requirements through completion of their first year at University of Maine Law School. Students who choose the accelerated 3+3 program save their final year of college tuition and prepare themselves to enter the legal field a year earlier than they otherwise would.

Accelerated 3+3 Program Details and Requirements