This fall, Great Bay Community College (GBCC) students will be able to earn a certificate in Criminal Justice Leadership, a new offering at the college’s Pease Tradeport campus. The certificate
equips current and aspiring criminal justice professionals with the critical thinking skills and competencies necessary to succeed in leadership roles within law enforcement agencies.
The program arrives as demand for law enforcement leadership grows: employment for first-line supervisors of police and detectives in New Hampshire is projected to grow 8% from 2022 to 2032 — more than double the roughly 3% growth rate projected nationally for the same occupation over a comparable 10-year period — according to New Hampshire Employment Security’s Economic and Labor Market Information Bureau.
Through a curriculum grounded in advanced leadership theory, research methods and a hands-on capstone experience, students critically assess and navigate the complexities of organizational behavior, ethical decision-making, policy analysis and evidence-based practices.
“Criminal justice leadership demands more than experience,” said Eric Kulberg, department chair and professor of GBCC’s Criminal Justice Program. “It demands the ability to think critically, lead ethically and adapt to an ever-changing landscape. This certificate gives working professionals and aspiring leaders a structured pathway to develop those skills while applying them directly to the real-world challenges they face.”
After completing the program, students will be prepared to develop strategies for team building and personnel management while applying research methodologies to inform policy and evidence-based decision-making. The program culminates in a capstone project in which students integrate and apply their learning to address a current issue facing a criminal justice agency.
The certificate is built on three core courses — Criminal Justice Leadership, Criminal Justice Research Methods and Criminal Justice Leadership Capstone — all available this fall semester. To complete the 16 to 17 credit program, students choose two electives from areas including Organizational Behavior, Crisis Planning and Management, Victim Rights & Advocacy and Critical Thinking in the Humanities.
For more information or to register, visit GreatBay.edu/Program/Criminal-Justice-Leadership