Smarter Degree
Overview
Smarter Degree, an NCCRS member since July 2023, was founded in 2022 with the vision of offering practical pathways for underserved students to more easily access educational resources and pursue higher education. The entire organization aims to enable students to achieve the dignity of a respectable livelihood for themselves and their families and help them positively impact their community.
Smarter Degree endeavors to make it possible for adult learners in many walks of life from law enforcement officials to marginalized populations, to earn a bachelor’s degree in a number of disciplines. These disciplines generally offer our students real time knowledge applicable to their current employment and life needs. Students consult with the Smarter Degree team to cater to their custom education needs whether its business, legal, law enforcement, educators or those looking for a career change.
The goals of the coursework with Smarter Degree is to enable students to have the proper critical analysis and thinking skills to tackle current and new challenges that may arise both in their education and their current professional field. The Organizational team has combined decades in Education and Student Advisory and decided to launch this platform to assist in bringing their background knowledge of high-quality education to a broader audience of students nationally who are challenged with the need to balance work and family responsibilities together with their education.
Source of Official Student Records
Titles of all evaluated learning experiences
Course Categories
Descriptions and credit recommendations for all evaluated learning experiences
Self-study, self-paced.
January 2023 - Present.
Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to: promote an understanding of the importance for physical fitness within our society; describe the physiological basis of physical activity; demonstrate an understanding of the concepts of physical fitness, coronary heart disease, nutrition, low back pain, body mechanics, posture, obesity, stress, and the value of planned activity; identify strategies to control emotions and manage stress; describe hypo-kinetic diseases, and various measures of fitness and health assessment.
The purpose of this course is to introduce students to the concepts of wellness and how these concepts can be incorporated into their lives. This course will guide the student to the understanding that wellness is not a static condition but rather a continual balance of the physical, social, emotional, and intellectual aspects of human need.
In the associate/certificate degree category, 3 semester hours in Allied Health, Public Health, Health Sciences, or Nutrition (6/23).
Self-study, self-paced.
January 2023 - Present.
Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to: describe the history of wine, starting from 5000 (B.C) to present; relate viticulture, geography, and climate to a typical wine profile; describe fermentation processes and the production of various classes of wine; identify the wine classification and appellation system for selected wine regions; identify the main environmental and viticulture inputs into wine making; and delineate the basic elements of wine fermentation and the responsible organisms.
The course provides an overview of the history of wine making and help students understand the chemistry of making wine. Topics include major global wine regions, growing conditions, grape varieties, winemaking styles and chemistry behind wine making throughout different regions.
In the associate/certificate degree category, 3 semester hours in Hospitality and Tourism, Culinary Arts, or General Studies (6/23).
Criminal Justice - Smarter Degree
Self-study, self-paced.
January 2023 - Present.
Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to: analyze the history and development of corrections; evaluate correctional philosophies and practices; evaluate the impact of corrections on individuals, families, and society; analyze the various types of correctional institutions; and evaluate current issues and challenges in the field of corrections.
This course provides an introduction to the field of corrections. Students explore the history and development of corrections, including the evolution of correctional philosophies and practices. The course examines the various types of correctional institutions, including jails, prisons, and community corrections programs. Other topics include the impact of corrections on individuals, families, and society, and explore current issues in the field, including the use of technology and evidence-based practices.
In the lower division baccalaureate/associate degree category, 3 semester hours in Criminal Justice or Public Justice (6/23).
Self-study, self-paced.
January 2023 - Present.
Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to: critically analyze and evaluate the theories of organizational management and leadership within the Criminal Justice system; synthesize and apply knowledge of leadership, job design, motivation, and communication in criminal justice organizations to real-world situations; investigate and integrate modern-day management concepts to address contemporary challenges in the justice system; examine and assess the ethical issues arising within management and administration of criminal justice organizations, proposing solutions and preventive measures; and analyze the organizational structure and administration of the United States justice system, considering its historical development and current context.
This course provides students a theoretical, conceptual, and practical overview of criminal justice organization and management. Topics include an overview of the American criminal justice system as an interdisciplinary social science involving aspects of criminology, sociology, law, and political science, administrative and managerial concepts underlying decision making, policy formulation, operational strategies, and coordination and control procedures.
In the upper division baccalaureate degree category, 3 semester hours in Criminal Justice, Criminal Justice Administration, Public Justice, Criminology, and Emergency Management (6/23).
Self-study, self-paced.
January 2023 - Present.
Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to: analyze the underlying causes of crime and their connection to societal factors; evaluate societal responses to criminal behavior and their effectiveness in addressing the issue; examine the roles and interactions of the criminal justice system and correctional institutions in managing criminal behavior; investigate the development of criminal thought processes and the social dynamics within prison environments; define and differentiate between various crime types and the nature of criminal law; assess the impact of alcohol and substance abuse on criminal behavior and the prevalence of these factors in modern crime; and critique current strategies and policies for addressing social problems related to crime, such as alcohol and substance abuse.
This Criminology course deals with the causes of crime and how it relates to society, as well as the response of society to criminal behavior. The relationship of the criminal justice system and corrections is explored. The development of the criminal mind and the inmates’ social world and its importance within prison are examined. Defining the concept of crime and the nature of criminal law are important aspects of this course. Other topics include the effects of alcohol and substance abuse as prominent factors in modern criminal behavior since a majority of crimes are related to this type of abuse.
In the upper division baccalaureate degree category, 3 semester hours in Criminal Justice, Criminal Justice Administration, Public Justice, Criminology, and Emergency Management (6/23).
Self-study, self-paced.
January 2023 - Present.
Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to: synthesize various ethical theories and principles to develop a comprehensive understanding of ethical decision-making in the criminal justice context; analyze real-world cases involving ethical dilemmas faced by law enforcement officers, corrections officers, and court officials to identify the key ethical issues and challenges; create strategies for promoting ethical behavior and decision-making within criminal justice organizations, considering the unique challenges faced by these organizations; appraise the effectiveness of existing policies and practices related to ethics and accountability in criminal justice organizations, and propose recommendations for improvement; design an ethical framework for criminal justice professionals that incorporates ethical theories, principles, and real-world considerations to guide decision-making in complex situations; compare and contrast different approaches to criminal justice reform, focusing on the ethical implications and potential consequences of each approach; and evaluate the role of ethics in the criminal justice system and its impact on the behavior of criminal justice professionals.
This course explores the ethical problems and challenges encountered in the various parts of the justice system including law enforcement, litigation, sentencing, corrections, and policy making.
In the upper division baccalaureate degree category, 3 semester hours in Criminal Justice, Criminal Justice Administration, Public Justice, Criminology, and Emergency Management (6/23).
Self-study, self-paced.
January 2023 - Present.
Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to: describe the history and philosophy of the American criminal justice system: Explain the nature and extent of crime in America; analyze the impact and consequences of crime; evaluate the development, concepts, and functions of law in the criminal justice system; and describe the structure of contemporary federal, state, and local justice agencies and processes.
This course provides an introduction, overview, and survey of Criminal Justice and the American criminal justice system by examining the role, development, policies and management of different public agencies and organizations that constitute the criminal justice system. Other topics include the study of current and future critical criminological issues such as due process, discretion in the administration of justice, community policing, police ethics, domestic violence intervention, probation and parole effectiveness and correctional issues.
In the lower division baccalaureate/associate degree category, 3 semester hours in Criminal Justice, Criminal Justice Administration, Public Justice, Criminology, and Emergency Management (6/23).
Self-study, self-paced.
January 2023 - Present.
Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to: evaluate and apply principles of forensic science within the broader context of natural sciences, engineering, and the legal system; analyze various types of physical evidence and discuss their significance in forensic investigations; investigate and interpret the role of interviews, field notes, and reporting in the forensic science process; examine follow-up investigation techniques, interrogation strategies, and their impact on the resolution of criminal cases; critically evaluate the rules of evidence and their application in the legal system as they pertain to forensic science; analyze and differentiate between inductive and deductive reasoning in investigation methodologies, explaining their influence on the decision-making process in solving crimes; and synthesize knowledge of forensic science principles, investigative techniques, and legal implications to develop comprehensive strategies for solving complex criminal cases.
This course introduces forensic science or criminalistics. The course captures the broader context of both the natural sciences and the practical application including physical evidence, interviews, field notes and reporting, follow-up investigation, interrogation, and rules of evidence. There is an in-depth analysis of investigation methodologies addressing inductive and deductive reasoning to assess the decision-making process to solve crimes.
In the upper division baccalaureate degree category, 3 semester hours in Criminal Justice, Criminal Justice Administration, Public Justice, Criminology, and Emergency Management (6/23).
Self-study, self-paced.
January 2023 - Present.
Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to: analyze the distinctions between police leadership and police management and evaluate their respective implications in law enforcement; critically examine evolving roles of managers within the law enforcement context and assess the impact of these changes on organizational effectiveness; evaluate and compare the diverse types and styles of police leaders and managers, and determine the efficacy of each in various law enforcement scenarios; examine the influence of situational factors on managerial roles and activities, and assess their implications on decision-making processes in law enforcement; engage in advanced police leadership skill-building exercises, and reflect upon personal growth and development in leadership capabilities; evaluate factors that shape follower perceptions and assessments of leaders, and discuss the implications for effective police leadership; and expound on the multi-faceted nature of leadership as an individual, dyadic, group, or organizational process, and discern the implications for law enforcement management.
This course provides students with knowledge of the theory and practice of effective leadership as it relates to law enforcement. Topics include distinguishing between management and leadership; personal traits, characteristics, and behaviors of effective leaders; and factors that influence interaction between various levels of police officers. Students assess their personal leadership skills and learn what differentiates criminal justice organizations from private and other public organizations.
In the upper division baccalaureate degree category, 3 semester hours in Criminal Justice, Criminal Justice Administration, Public Justice, Criminology, and Emergency Management (6/23).
