Sentencing advocacy is an area within criminal defense that focuses on promoting rehabilitative, restorative and client-centered outcomes. Sentencing advocates serve as an ally for their clients. They create sentencing plans for criminal defendants based on their case and social history. They communicate with attorneys, act as a liaison between office and government social services, and may advocate for rehabilitation as opposed to imprisonment.
This criminal sentencing certificate is ideal for students interested in criminal defense and course services positions. This includes criminal justice jobs like presentence investigator, sentencing advocate working for a public defender, victim services advocate or mitigation specialist. Mitigation specialists speak on behalf of those who have committed the most serious of crimes. A mitigation specialist provides judges and juries with insight into a defendant's culpability, including the defendant's mental health and other relevant information. The demand for professionals with sentencing advocacy skills is growing in the U.S. legal system in state and federal courts. |
These courses are intended as guidelines. Speak to your guidance counsellor to see what courses are offered at your school.
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.
Students not admitted to a graduate degree-granting program at ASU must also submit two letters of recommendation and a current resume.
Applicants are eligible to apply to the program if they earned a bachelor's or master's degree in social work, criminology, criminal justice or a related field. They are also eligible if they’re currently enrolled in the Master of Criminal Justice program. |
| Additional Admission Requirements: | An applicant whose native language is not English (regardless of current residency) must provide proof of English proficiency You do not need to submit admission exams to be admitted to this program. |
* We make every attempt to provide accurate information on prerequisites, programs, and tuition. However, this information is subject to change without notice and we highly recommend that you contact the school to confirm important information before applying.