Criminal intelligence analysis students gain experience and industry certification
Pictured, from left: Kyla Fisher, Jenna Ziegler, Audrey Feller, Sarah Baumer.
Students in the Criminal Intelligence Analysis (CIA) degree program, part of the Department of Criminal Justice Studies in the Buchtel College of Arts and Sciences at The University of Akron (UA), are graduating with more than just a degree. They’re gaining hands-on experience, building professional networks, securing internships and earning nationally recognized industry certifications that make them highly competitive in the workforce.
Capstone Projects That Lead to Internships and Impact
Through their senior capstone experience, students apply classroom knowledge to real-world problems by conducting strategic analyses for local law enforcement agencies. With guidance from Dr. Sarah St. George, assistant professor of practice, students work in teams to explore criminal intelligence issues and develop professional-quality reports and presentations.
Dr. Sarah St. George
Recent projects have included intelligence reports for the UA Police Department, threat assessments for large public events developed in partnership with the Northeast Ohio Regional Fusion Center, and crime trend analysis for the Northern Ohio Violent Crime Consortium (NOVCC). Students worked directly with the Elyria and Canton Police Departments and concluded the semester by presenting their findings at a NOVCC-hosted event on campus.
"The CIA program offers a hands-on learning environment where students complete practical assignments, gain real world experience and build professional connections in many criminal justice fields," said Sarah Baumer, a student who presented to NOVCC.
Following the NOVCC event, Baumer and classmate Kyla Fisher secured internships with the Akron Police Department.
Audrey Fuller, who also presented to NOVCC, reflected, "Throughout my years attending the University of Akron, I never once doubted my interest in this degree. I found my interests deepen and expand in the field and knowledge that I was learning each day. I am so grateful for all the opportunities to experience what each course had to offer. I am especially honored to have had the opportunity to present in front of such esteemed professionals, who gave insight to what the career would feel like.”
Industry Certification Sets Students Apart
In addition to gaining field experience, CIA students are earning industry certification through the International Association of Crime Analysts (IACA), the premier global organization for crime analysis professionals.
Students in the Advanced Criminal Analysis course follow a structured curriculum built around the IACA textbook and video modules. The course is led by Dr. Noah Fritz, assistant professor of practice, past president of IACA and a developer of the Law Enforcement Analyst was – Foundational (LEAF) certification curriculum.
Dr. Noah Fritz
This is the first time UA has integrated the LEAF certification preparation into a for-credit course. Students who opt to join IACA and sit for the exam can graduate not only with a degree, but with a professional credential recognized by law enforcement agencies and private-sector employers across the country.
“LEAF is designed to demonstrate a strong foundation of analytical knowledge, ideal for students entering the field,” said Fritz. “The next level, which is CLEA or Certified Law Enforcement Analyst, is a more advanced certification. It’s like the bar exam for lawyers, intended for professionals who are already in the field. We’re already seeing some of our recent graduates go on to pass CLEA.”
Private Sector Demand is Growing
While many graduates pursue roles in law enforcement, homeland security, or intelligence, demand is growing rapidly in the private sector as well. Corporations in industries such as credit card fraud prevention and online retail security are actively seeking trained criminal intelligence analysts, making UA graduates stand out in a range of fields.
With strong mentorship from faculty and a curriculum that pairs real-world experience with professional credentials, UA’s CIA program is preparing students not just to graduate but to lead in the evolving world of criminal intelligence analysis.
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Story by: Lisa Craig, BCAS Marketing, 330-972-7429 or lmc91@uakron.edu.