Self-Paced Online Courses

The National Institute of Corrections (NIC) has a 5-course series of online training on Evidence-Based Practices in Community Corrections. These courses can help for students to learn more about EBP or to show professors how to become informed about EBP and its application in the field of corrections. NIC offers these and over 150 more e-courses free of charge. All you need is to create a free account. Click here for NIC Learning Center Registration.

EBP Course 1 - Course and Program Overview
This is course one in NIC’s six-course Evidence-Based Practices in a Correctional Setting program. The purpose for the entire six-part program is to provide front line supervisors and staff with the opportunity to learn the history, advancements, and benefits of using evidence-based practices. Click here to log in and start this course.

EBP Course 2 - Risk Assessment and Classification: Fundamentals for Criminal Justice Professionals
This is course two in NIC’s six-course Evidence-Based Practices in a Correctional Setting program. The main purpose of this course is to introduce you to actuarial risk assessments and describe how they are utilized as a tool within criminal justice professions. Click here to log in and start this course.

EBP Course 3 - Effective Behavior Change Interventions for Offenders in Community and Institutional Settings
This is course three in NIC’s six-course Evidence-Based Practices in a Correctional Setting program. The purpose of this course is to provide an overview of the research on offender behavior change. As such, this course summarizes the principles of evidence-based practice, social learning theory and effective interventions, and the many opportunities available to shape offender behavior. Click here to log in and start this course.

EBP Course 4 - Essential Elements of Case Planning
This is course four in NIC’s six-course Evidence-based Practices in a Correctional Setting program. The main purpose of this course is to provide front line supervisors and staff the opportunity to learn the history and advancements of evidence-based practices (EBP) relating to the area of case planning. Click here to log in and start this course.

EBP Course 5 - Outcome and Performance Measures: Why Data Are So Important
This is course five in NIC’s six-course Evidence-Based Practices in a Correctional Setting program. The main purposes of this course are to allow the practitioner to appreciate the significance of ensuring that correctional practices are implemented with fidelity to their model, and to understand the degree to which intended actions are accomplishing their goals by reviewing data that is collected and analyzed. Click here to log in and start this course.

EBP Course 6 - Putting it all Together
This is the final course in NIC’s six-course Evidence-Based Practices in a Correctional Setting program. The course addresses specific skills and practices that, when implemented effectively, can increase positive outcomes with defendants, offenders, and inmates in the areas of pretrial, probation, jail, prison, parole, and re-entry back into the community. The main purpose of this course is to integrate and link the information from the preceding courses to explain how core correctional practices that are known to enhance public safety are implemented throughout the correctional continuum. Click here to log in and start this course.