This certificate prepares you for criminal defense roles focused on rehabilitation, restorative justice and client advocacy. Sentencing advocates create personalized sentencing plans based on case details and social history. They also collaborate with attorneys, engage with social services and promote alternatives to incarceration.
You’ll study how mitigation specialists support defendants in capital and noncapital cases by identifying life experiences, mental health factors and other details that affect culpability. These professionals play a growing role in courts across the U.S., and this program helps you meet that demand.
This certificate benefits students studying or working in criminal justice, forensic psychology and social services. Whether you aim to serve as a presentence investigator, support specialty court programs or advocate for clients with mental health needs, this program provides a clear path.
The skills you’ll develop
You’ll build specialized skills in criminal sentencing along with a broader understanding of how advocacy professionals support defendants and victims in the criminal justice system.
Courses will cover topics such as:
- Best practices for assessing offenders
- Court processes and sentencing schemes
- Ethical standards for investigative work
- Mitigation and principles of justice
You’ll also explore treatment alternatives and mental health considerations often missing from traditional criminal justice programs. These skills can support your transition into a sentencing advocate or mitigation specialist role.
Are you passionate about restorative justice? Gain the expertise to advocate for defendants and promote fair sentencing with Arizona State University’s online graduate certificate in criminal sentencing and sentencing advocacy. Graduates gain the specialized knowledge needed to work as a mitigation specialist and support justice-centered outcomes in court systems.
You’ll take courses in pre-sentence investigations, race and ethnicity, victimization and more. The training and credentials you’ll gain in these courses will support your advancement in the field of criminal sentencing. Courses may include:
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
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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Applicants must fulfill the requirements of both the Graduate College and the Watts College of Public Service and Community Solutions.
Applicants must have a minimum of a 3.00 cumulative GPA in the last 60 hours of their first bachelor's degree. Alternatively, applicants must have a minimum of a 3.00 cumulative GPA in an applicable master's degree.
All applicants must submit:
- Graduate admission application.
- Official transcripts.
- Proof of English proficiency.
- Resume.
- Written statement.
The written statement should describe the applicant’s professional and career goals in two to three pages. Requirements for the file include:
- Formatted as Text (.txt), Rich Text Format (.rtf), Adobe PDF (.pdf) or Microsoft Word (.doc, .docx).
- Name limited to 50 characters or fewer.
- Size limited to 1MB.
Students not admitted to a graduate degree-granting program at ASU must also submit two letters of recommendation and a current resume.
The certificate is available to individuals with a broad range of degree backgrounds in social work, criminal justice/criminology, sociology, psychology/forensic psychology and law, or with other relevant practical experience.
An applicant whose native language is not English (regardless of current residency) must provide proof of English proficiency.
You don't need to submit admission exams to be admitted to this program.
No, Arizona State University’s certificates and diplomas don’t specify whether you earn them online or in person. All certificates, diplomas and transcripts simply say “Arizona State University.”