Online Criminal Sentencing and Sentencing Advocacy Graduate Certificate
The criminal sentencing and sentencing advocacy graduate certificate provides you with the skills and credentials necessary to enter or advance your career in a variety of positions within criminal defense and the administration of justice.
Quick facts
Next start date: 08/21/2025
Total classes: 5
Weeks per class: 7.5
Total credit hours: 15
Earn your certificate in criminal sentencing advocacy
Sentencing advocacy is an area within criminal defense that focuses on promoting rehabilitative, restorative and client-centered outcomes. Sentencing advocates create sentencing plans for criminal defendants based on their case and social history, and serve as an ally for their clients. They communicate with attorneys, act as a liaison between office and government social services and may advocate for rehabilitation as opposed to imprisonment.
What will you learn about criminal sentencing in this graduate certificate?
In this program, you’ll gain specialized skills in criminal sentencing and a comprehensive overview of the roles played by various sentencing professionals in the adult criminal justice system.
Upon graduation, you’ll have the knowledge needed for a variety of roles within the social work and criminal justice field and possess a deep understanding of the critical areas needed to succeed in criminal sentencing and sentencing advocacy, including:
- Best practices for writing reports and assessing offenders.
- Court processes.
- Ethical standards governing the performance of investigations.
- Methods of investigating cases.
- Mitigation.
- Principles of justice.
- Sentencing schemes.
Social workers and other criminal justice professionals perform a number of roles in the disposition and sentencing of various offenders and in the provision of services to victims. The certificate provides social workers with the kinds of knowledge and skills required to practice as mitigation specialists.
Does my criminal sentencing degree say 'online'?
No, Arizona State University’s diplomas don’t specify whether you earn your degree online or in person. All diplomas and transcripts simply say “Arizona State University.” That’s because ASU Online students learn from the same faculty and receive the same course content as in-person students receive.
Criminal sentencing and sentencing advocacy courses
As part of this sentencing advocacy program, you’ll complete courses in pre-sentence investigations, race/ethnicity, victimization and more. Upon graduation, you’ll have the training and credentials needed to advance in the criminal sentencing field. Courses may include:
What can you do with a certificate in criminal sentencing?
When combined with a relevant degree and work experience, a graduate certificate in criminal sentencing and sentencing advocacy can lead to career opportunities in courtrooms, forensic services agencies, the social work sector and more. Over the next 10 years, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts an employment growth of 9% in the field of social work and 6% for private detectives and investigators.
Students can customize their program to fit their career interests. Several suggested tracks offer the opportunity to make the most of their experience and include Mitigation Specialist, Probation/private pre-sentence investigators, Sentencing advocates, and Victim services advocates.
Graduates with criminal sentencing and sentencing advocacy training can expect to find careers in many positions, including:
Learn from professionals in the field of advocacy
The impressive faculty in the Watts College of Public Service and Community Solutions inspire the next generation of public service leaders through real-world solutions to issues in areas such as child welfare, safety, city management, human trafficking and water scarcity. Faculty highlights include:
- Fellow of the Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences.
- Fellow of the American Psychological Association.
- Member of the National Academy of Public Administration.
- Member of Blue-Ribbon Committee on Rethinking Criminal Violence in Law and Policy.
Learn from professionals in the field of advocacy
The impressive faculty in the Watts College of Public Service and Community Solutions inspire the next generation of public service leaders through real-world solutions to issues in areas such as child welfare, safety, city management, human trafficking and water scarcity. Faculty highlights include:
- Fellow of the Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences.
- Fellow of the American Psychological Association.
- Member of the National Academy of Public Administration.
- Member of Blue-Ribbon Committee on Rethinking Criminal Violence in Law and Policy.
Criminal sentencing and sentencing advocacy certificate requirements
Applicants must fulfill the requirements of both the Graduate College and the Watts College of Public Service and Community Solutions.
Nationally recognized public service programs
The Watts College of Public Service and Community Solutions is a comprehensive public service college dedicated to addressing social problems through teaching, research and service. Our programs, which range from public policy and social work to criminal justice and emergency management, are designed to prepare graduates to make a difference in their communities.
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Tuition calculator
Use our calculator to estimate your full-time or part-time tuition fees for this program prior to any financial aid. Keep in mind that most of our students receive financial aid, which can reduce out-of-pocket costs. Learn more.
Tuition calculator
Use our calculator to estimate your full-time or part-time tuition fees for this program prior to any financial aid. Keep in mind that most of our students receive financial aid, which can reduce out-of-pocket costs. Learn more.
