Higher Certificate in Criminal Justice

The Higher Certificate in Criminal Justice is an entry-level programme designed to equip students with foundational knowledge and practical skills in the field of criminal justice. It introduces essential aspects of law enforcement, legal principles, criminology, and the functioning of the justice system. This programme is ideally suited to individuals seeking to launch their careers in the criminal justice sector, as well as those aiming to deepen their understanding of the system. It lays a solid foundation for students to develop more specialised knowledge and engage critically with contemporary issues within the criminal justice landscape.

Minimum – 1 year of study

Maximum – 3 years of study

Students can potentially pursue careers as:

•Public law enforcement officer

•Metropolitan police officer

•Safety and security manager

•Military police

•Private security officer

•Private investigator

Upon successful completion of your qualification, you will receive a certificate depicting: Higher Certificate in Criminal Justice and an academic transcript. These documents will be issued at a graduation ceremony provided that your account is in order.

NB: Certificates cannot be issued to the students before a graduation ceremony.

The minimum entry requirements for the Higher Certificate in Criminal Justice are:

• A National Senior Certificate (NSC) with Higher Certificate endorsement, or
• A National Certificate Vocational (NCV) at NQF Level 4 with Higher Certificate endorsement, or
• Amended Senior Certificate (ASC), with Higher Certificate endorsement, or
• A Senior Certificate (SC), with University Exemption or Higher Certificate endorsement, or
• Foreign School leaving Certificate that complies with minimum admission requirements for Higher Certificate study as gazetted by the Matriculation Board (The Matriculation Board will do equivalency evaluation).

Alternative admission requirements:

• Senate discretionary admission
• Mature Age (23 – 45 years of age): conditions apply*
• Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

*Age exemption certificate must be attained from the Matriculation Board before admission can be granted.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) processes and Credit Accumulation and Transfer (CAT) are articulation mechanisms. The institution reserves the right to conduct a formal assessment for purposes of CAT. An evaluation will be conducted to recognise prior learning. This evaluation may or may not be based on a form of formal assessment and can include a portfolio of evidence submission. These mechanisms are in line with the HEQSF as envisaged in the NQF Act 67 of 2008 and the CHE “Policies on the Recognition of Prior Learning, Credit Accumulation and Transfer, and Assessment in Higher Education” published by the CHE in August 2016. The final approval for applications in respect of CAT and RPL is subject to academic vetting in terms of applicable legislation and institutional policies.

Enquire at your nearest Lyceum Branch Office for more information regarding the awarding of subject credits (Credit Accumulation and Transfer – CAT) towards Lyceum Qualifications.