What is criminal justice?

Criminal justice encompasses policies and procedures that aim to punish criminal behavior while also affording the accused person certain rights. Several goals of the criminal justice system include deterring crime through penalties, rehabilitating criminals, and delivering justice to victims. Institutions, including prisons and courts, are part of the criminal justice system. Courts work to determine if a person is guilty of crime, while prisons remove convicted individuals from society for a certain length of time.

Why is it important to learn about criminal justice?

Learning about criminal justice allows you to protect innocent people and find ways to ensure victims of crimes receive justice. However, the criminal justice system is also imperfect, and knowledge of the system gives you an opportunity to help others who feel the system is treating them unfairly. You can also use your knowledge to help criminals change their ways through a rehabilitation process.

What career opportunities can arise from learning about criminal justice?

Learning about criminal justice can prepare you for a range of careers, ranging from law enforcement to prosecution and defense roles. Law enforcement jobs involve investigating wrongdoings and arresting offenders. Prosecutors and defense lawyers either attempt to prove wrongdoing or defend the accused. Other positions in the court include clerks, witness coordinators, and judges.

How can online courses help me learn about criminal justice?

Online courses can introduce you to various systems of laws, such as international law and American law. Some lessons focus on behavioral theories that explain criminal behavior, providing insight into what motivates people to break the law. You'll also learn about problematic aspects of the justice system, such as police brutality, and how reform is possible. Online courses are ideal for people who want flexible educational opportunities. You can access the lessons from anywhere with an internet connection and work at your own pace.

What are the benefits of taking an online Criminal Justice course?

Online Criminal Justice courses offer a convenient and flexible way to enhance your knowledge or learn new Criminal Justice skills. Choose from a wide range of Criminal Justice courses offered by top universities and industry leaders tailored to various skill levels.

What Criminal Justice courses are best for training and upskilling employees or the workforce?

When looking to enhance your workforce's skills in Criminal Justice, it's crucial to select a course that aligns with their current abilities and learning objectives. Our Skills Dashboard is an invaluable tool for identifying skill gaps and choosing the most appropriate course for effective upskilling. For a comprehensive understanding of how our courses can benefit your employees, explore the enterprise solutions we offer. Discover more about our tailored programs at Coursera for Business here .

Top Criminal Justice Courses - Learn Criminal Justice Online

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Explore the Criminal Justice Course Catalog

Status: Free
Rutgers the State University of New Jersey
Revolutionary Ideas: Utility, Justice, Equality, Freedom
Skills you'll gain: Political Sciences, Social Justice, Social Sciences, Policy Analysis, Economics, Policy, and Social Studies, Governance, Research, Law, Regulation, and Compliance, Ethical Standards And Conduct
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
323 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free
University of Geneva
Children's Human Rights - An Interdisciplinary Introduction
Skills you'll gain: Child Welfare, Pediatrics, Social Justice, Human Development, Disabilities, Health Disparities, Child Development, Working With Children, Social Sciences, Child Health, Law, Regulation, and Compliance, International Relations, Social Work, Cultural Diversity, Legal Proceedings, Anthropology, Family Law, Research
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
2.1K reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Universidad Austral
Legal Tech and the Digital Transformation of Law
Skills you'll gain: Blockchain, Law Practice Management Software, Legal Research, Digital Transformation, Court Systems, Legal Writing, Artificial Intelligence, Automation, Innovation, Virtual Environment
4.4
Rating, 4.4 out of 5 stars
72 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free
Johns Hopkins University
Black Lives Matter
Skills you'll gain: Social Justice, Social Sciences, Economics, Policy, and Social Studies, Community Organizing, Diversity Awareness, Culture, Sociology, World History, Cultural Diversity, International Relations, Political Sciences, Policy Analysis, Public Policies, Advocacy, Demography
4.5
Rating, 4.5 out of 5 stars
81 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Free
Universiteit Leiden
International Law in Action: A Guide to the International Courts and Tribunals in The Hague
Skills you'll gain: Arbitration, Court Systems, Mediation, Political Sciences, Legal Research, Legal Proceedings, Diplomacy, Case Law, Adjudication, Litigation and Civil Justice, International Relations, Civil Law
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
1.2K reviews
Mixed · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free
Wesleyan University
Property and Liability: An Introduction to Law and Economics
Skills you'll gain: Civil Law, Legal Proceedings, Adjudication, Litigation and Civil Justice, Property and Real Estate, Economics, Law, Regulation, and Compliance, Economics, Policy, and Social Studies, Technology Strategies, Compensation Management
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
539 reviews
Mixed · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free
University of Geneva
Drugs, drug use, drug policy and health
Skills you'll gain: Pharmaceuticals, Social Justice, Epidemiology, Health Care, Pharmacology, Public Health, Health Policy, Mental and Behavioral Health, Healthcare Ethics, Public Policies, Policy Analysis, Social Sciences, Community Health, Legal Risk, Advocacy, International Relations, Policy Development
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
267 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free
Yale University
Moral Foundations of Politics
Skills you'll gain: Political Sciences, Policy Analysis, Social Justice, Social Sciences, European History, Law, Regulation, and Compliance, Governance, Ethical Standards And Conduct, Socioeconomics, Economics
4.9
Rating, 4.9 out of 5 stars
6K reviews
Mixed · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free
University of London
Citizenship and the Rule of Law
Skills you'll gain: Law, Regulation, and Compliance, Court Systems, Business Ethics, Social Justice, Environmental Social And Corporate Governance (ESG), Legal Proceedings, Case Law, International Relations, Legal Research, Political Sciences, Governance
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
513 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free
Tel Aviv University
Economic Growth and Distributive Justice Part I - The Role of the State
Skills you'll gain: Social Justice, Economics, Policy, and Social Studies, Socioeconomics, Tax, Economics, Public Policies, Income Tax, Policy Analysis, Technology Strategies, Environmental Policy, Innovation
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
381 reviews
Mixed · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Free
Yale University
A Law Student's Toolkit
Skills you'll gain: Legal Strategy, Legal Research, Legal Writing, Case Law, Civil Procedures, Policy Analysis, Learning Strategies, Economics
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
1.5K reviews
Mixed · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free
Universidad Austral
El Abogado del Futuro: Legaltech y la Transformación Digital del Derecho
Skills you'll gain: Law Practice Management Software, Digital Transformation, Data Ethics, Legal Strategy, Blockchain, Design Thinking, Legal Research, Emerging Technologies, Workforce Development, Automation, Court Systems, Artificial Intelligence, Innovation, Virtual Environment
4.9
Rating, 4.9 out of 5 stars
1.2K reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months

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In summary, here are 10 of our most popular criminal justice courses

Revolutionary Ideas: Utility, Justice, Equality, Freedom: Rutgers the State University of New Jersey
Children's Human Rights - An Interdisciplinary Introduction: University of Geneva
Legal Tech and the Digital Transformation of Law: Universidad Austral
Black Lives Matter: Johns Hopkins University
International Law in Action: A Guide to the International Courts and Tribunals in The Hague: Universiteit Leiden
Property and Liability: An Introduction to Law and Economics: Wesleyan University
Drugs, drug use, drug policy and health : University of Geneva
Moral Foundations of Politics : Yale University
Citizenship and the Rule of Law: University of London
Economic Growth and Distributive Justice Part I - The Role of the State: Tel Aviv University

Criminal Justice Courses Online