Fraud Examinations Certificate
Develop fraud examination skills to reverse the rise of white-collar crime.
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Request InfoFraud Examinations Certificate Overview
White-collar crime is rising quickly. In fact, reports of financial wrongdoing made to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission recently increased 76% in a single year.1 Now, organizations in the public and private sectors are seeking certified fraud examiners and other qualified professionals who can detect, investigate and prevent this activity.
Prepare to succeed in this emerging field with the University of West Florida’s online Fraud Examinations Certificate. You’ll gain an understanding of white-collar crime, cybercrime and fraud—and prepare to thwart these activities.
UWF’s multidisciplinary fraud examinations certificate program focuses on technical, legal and investigative talents central to advanced criminal justice careers. As a result, you can stand out to employers needing skilled professionals to detect the financial and digital fingerprints that white-collar criminals leave behind. You can also build qualifications related to the certified fraud examiner exam.
Get started in UWF’s online Fraud Examinations Certificate program in the format you find more convenient—online or on campus. You can also customize the certificate by choosing courses that align with your goals, such as Forensic Accounting, White-Collar Crime and more.
Regardless of the modality you choose, you’ll engage in hands-on fraud examination courses to gain valuable career experience. Each class is led by faculty who bring their expertise across a range of fields, such as accounting, criminal investigation and cybercrime. Their guidance helps you prepare for fraud examiner careers in the public and private sectors. This program also provides a foundation for preparing for fraud examiner certification.
Candidates for This Program Include:
- Students wanting to gain fraud examination skills as they take other courses in criminology, criminal justice, accounting, legal studies or other programs
- Law enforcement professionals interested in expanding their job prospects by developing expertise in this emerging field
- Professionals desiring foundational knowledge before they prepare for the certified fraud examiner exam
You Will Be Able To:
- Examine the dynamics of different types of white-collar crime and fraud cases
- Understand the consequences of fraud and white-collar crime, gaining the motivation to stop these activities
- Depict the basic steps that fraud examiners take when conducting a fraud investigation
- Recognize the qualifications needed to become a certified fraud examiner
Refer to UWF Cost of Attendance Estimates and Financial Literacy for more information on UWF costs and financial aid.
Source:
- U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. “2021 Annual Report to Congress: Whistleblower Program.” November 15, 2021. Retrieved on February 22, 2022, from https://www.sec.gov/files/owb-2021-annual-report.pdf.
Courses and Requirements
UWF’s online Fraud Examinations Certificate program includes 15 credit hours. Get started by taking Introduction to Fraud Examinations, Principles of Financial Accounting or Accounting for Non-Majors. You can customize* the program for your interests by studying Forensic Accounting or White-Collar Crime.
*Accounting for Non-Majors can substitute for Principles of Financial Accounting. White-Collar Crime can substitute for Forensic Accounting.
- CCJ 4931 - Special Topics in Criminal Justice (ST: Introduction to Fraud Examinations)
3 Credit Hours
Special Topics in Criminal Justice (ST: Introduction to Fraud Examinations)
The study of special issues in criminal justice. Subject matter will vary each semester to reflect an in-depth study of particular issues (e.g., gangs) or fields of criminology (e.g., corrections and theories of punishment) being examined. This includes grounding course content in criminological theory, as well as related theoretical frameworks.
- CJE 4610 - Criminal Investigation
3 Credit Hours
Criminal Investigation
An introduction to criminal investigation. Topics will include investigative theory, collection and preservation of evidence, sources of information, interview and interrogation, uses of forensic sciences and case and trial preparation.
- CJE 3694 - Cybercrime
3 Credit Hours
Cybercrime
Cybercrime is a course for students with a beginning interest in studying crimes committed using digital technology. The course explores the etiology of cybercrime, the various types of cybercrime, law enforcement response and the prevention of digital crime.
Choose from the following (3 credit hours):
- ACG 2021 - Principles of Financial Accounting
3 Credit Hours
Principles of Financial Accounting
Introduction to financial accounting as an information and decision support system for users of financial information.
- ACG 3082 - Accounting for Non-Majors
3 Credit Hours
Accounting for Non-Majors
Coverage of financial, managerial and cost accounting topics with an emphasis on uses of accounting information; available to non-business majors only.
Choose from the following (3 credit hours):
- ACG 4682 - Forensic Accounting
3 Credit Hours
Forensic Accounting
The purpose is to acquaint the student with both the pervasiveness of and the causes of financial fraud in our society, and to explore in detail the methods in which financial fraud is perpetrated.
- CCJ 4644 - White-Collar Crime
3 Credit Hours
White-Collar Crime
Considers the question "What is white-collar crime?" and the implications associated with enforcement of laws related to white-collar criminality, investigation and prosecution of such offenses and sentencing of white-collar offenders. Various forms of white-collar crime will be examined and illustrated through case studies and research, including estimates of cost, victim and offender profiles, and legal issues. Examines theoretical explanations for white-collar crime and questions of corporate liability.
- CCJ 4931 - Special Topics in Criminal Justice (ST: Introduction to Fraud Examinations)
Admission Requirements
To be considered for admission to UWF’s online Fraud Examinations Certificate program, you must apply for admission to the University as an undergraduate, non-degree seeking student.
How to Apply
To begin the online Fraud Examinations Certificate program, interested students need to fill out an Undergraduate Non-degree Seeking Application. Once accepted as a non-degree seeking student, students should contact the College of Education and Professional Studies Advising Center and speak to an advisor about course availability and scheduling. Then, complete the online Undergraduate Certificate Declaration Form on MyUWF.
Have questions about this program or the admissions process? Contact our undergraduate admissions team at admissions@uwf.edu. If you are a current UWF student, please reach out to the department’s academic advisor.
Costs & Financial Aid
| Component | Cost | Total* |
|---|---|---|
| In-State Tuition | $384.60 per credit hour | $3,461.40 |
| Full Out-of-State Tuition | $1,044.24 per credit hour | $9,398.16 |
| 90% Out-of-State Tuition Waiver | $478.83 per credit hour | $4,309.47 |
Tuition waivers cover up to 90% of the non-resident portion of your tuition and are available to non-Florida residents (including international students) admitted to online programs and registered for online courses in active pursuit of that degree or certificate. You must pay all other assessed tuition and fees.
Time to completion varies by student, depending on individual progress and course availability. Fees are charged per semester unless otherwise noted. This program takes up to 3 semesters to complete.
* Tuition and fees are subject to change.
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Alabama Differential Out-of-State Tuition
Residents of Alabama are eligible for Alabama Differential Tuition, a reduced out-of-state tuition rate. For more information and to verify residency status for tuition purposes, new undergraduate students should contact the Office of Undergraduate Admissions and new graduate students should contact the Graduate School. Current enrolled students should contact the Office of the Registrar.
Military Students
UWF is a Military FriendlyⓇ School proudly serving active-duty U.S. military members and veterans. As UWF has been a participant in the Yellow Ribbon Program since 2011, you could be eligible to receive free tuition with your military benefits.
See How We Can Serve YouFinancial Aid
Funding your college education should not empty your wallet. We offer various financial aid options for our online students, including loans, scholarships and grants for degree-seeking students.
Learn More About Financial AidCareer Outcomes
By seeking UWF’s Fraud Examinations Certificate, you can prepare for in-demand roles** where you’ll investigate white-collar crime, cybercrime and fraud. You could also explore certification options through the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners. This program does not guarantee professional CFE certification.
**Salary and job information from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Law Enforcement Officer
Police officers and detectives are on the frontlines of stopping criminal activity, including fraud and white-collar crime. Pursuing the Fraud Examinations Certificate can help you advance into roles where you’ll enforce finance and cybercrime laws. You can also gain qualifications relevant to federal investigations of Medicare or financial fraud. The median wages for all law enforcement officers was $67,209 per year in 2020. At that time, the annual salary for detectives and criminal investigators was $86,940.
Financial Examiner
As a financial examiner, you’ll engage in efforts to affirm that financial transactions are legally sound. For instance, you may validate if banks abide by laws or assess if loans meet an institution’s risk tolerance. You could also investigate predatory lenders to protect borrowers in vulnerable communities. In 2020, the median annual salary for all financial examiners was $81,430, while financial examiners employed by the federal government earned about 52% more at $124,070 per year.
Private Investigator
Private investigators contract with organizations, law firms and individuals to track down details about personal, legal and financial issues. They spend considerable time researching cases online, gleaning details from social platforms and law enforcement databases. While the median salary for these professionals was $53,320 in 2020, your pay may depend on the sector where you work. For instance, the median salary for private investigators in the finance and insurance sector was $63,190 per year.
Auditor
This certificate is ideal for auditors seeking additional knowledge of fraud examination tactics. Auditors harness expertise and technologies to review financial data for issues and risks. They also work in information technology, confirming data complies with laws and transactions are secure. In 2020, auditors and accountants earned a median salary of $73,560. And the median salary for these roles in the finance and insurance sectors was $78,600.