Exploring Crime Analysis: Essential Skills II

This 12-week online course introduces students to the foundational concepts and focuses on developing practical analytical skills used in real-world environments. Students will work through the second half of Exploring Crime Analysis, applying concepts related to data interpretation, qualitative analysis, and analytical reasoning to support law enforcement operations.

Throughout the course, students will strengthen their ability to evaluate data quality, interpret statistical output, and translate analytical findings into actionable insights. Emphasis is placed on applying techniques in realistic scenarios, preparing students to support decision-making through clear, data-driven analysis.

Instructor: Sally Rawlings

Important: Essential Skills I and II can be taken in any order

Essential Skills I and II are independent of each other, so they may be taken in any order. You do not need to take both classes, and neither class is required for LEAF or CLEA testing.

These classes were specifically designed to help students prepare for the CLEA exam, but the material is an excellent foundation for all analysts, regardless of testing intentions.

Please see the competency alignment document for more detail on how these classes relate to LEAF and CLEA skill areas.

At a Glance

Upcoming Sessions

Select the session that works best for your schedule. Once a session has passed or is already in progress, registration is disabled.

This class is offered every quarter and often generates questions alongside Essential Skills I, so please review the note above before registering.

Note: availability labels are updated manually. For the most accurate information, refer to the registration form. If a class does not appear on the form, it should be treated as sold out.

Class Format

This course is designed for students who want a stronger foundation in the core concepts, data sources, and analytical skills used in crime analysis. It is especially useful for newer analysts, self-taught analysts seeking formal training, and students interested in strengthening their knowledge before pursuing certification.

Students should expect a time commitment of 3-5 hours per week to gain a passing grade. The course is graded as pass/fail and follows a weekly-structured online format, meaning the class advances through each topic together week by week.

Students can log in whenever it fits their schedule, and there are no live sessions. Participation throughout the course is required for a passing grade. As a rule, bulk submissions during the last week of class are not accepted unless prior authorization has been granted by the instructor.

Invitations to the learning platform are sent the weekend before class begins.

Course Outline

This course is organized into 12 weekly modules that introduce foundational concepts and focus on data interpretation, qualitative analysis, and applied analytical techniques, culminating in deeper exploration of selected topics and practical application of crime analysis methods.

Ready to Enroll?

Choose an upcoming session and complete your registration. If a session fills, students may contact [email protected] to ask about availability, the waitlist, or future offerings.