Criminal Justice student, Kyrah Matthews, is the first student to complete the national LPQualified Certification
The School of Criminal Justice and the Loss Prevention Foundation establishes strategic partnership
The criminal justice industry is more than law enforcement. With careers in probation, corrections, and loss prevention on the rise, more and more college programs are evaluating how to revitalize their criminal justice programs to expand to demonstrate other career opportunities. The School of Criminal Justice (SOCJ) within the College of Education, Criminal Justice, and Human Services (CECH) has established a strategic partnership with the Loss Prevention Foundation to offer the LPQualified (LPQ) Certification to current students.
Kyrah Matthews is the first student to complete the certificate. With the help of Professor Karl Langhorst and other faculty members within SOCJ, this certification offers Kyrah an opportunity to seek additional career opportunities in asset protection/ loss prevention. It will make her more marketable for different options.
I currently work in a fraud department, and this certificate was a great option for me because it was free and will make me more marketable to future employers.
Kyrah Matthews Current BSCJ Student
BSCJ Student, Kyrah Matthews | Photo Credit: Unknown
The LPQualified (LPQ) Certification offered through LPF teaches loss prevention best practices, business processes for tracking theft, and provides the proper skill set to future and current LP professionals. More than 170 loss prevention professionals and experts from some of the top leading-edge retail companies provided input into the courses and exercises for individuals pursuing this certificate. Once an individual completes the coursework for the certification, they are eligible to take an exam to receive their certification.
"The Loss Prevention Foundation is thrilled to partner with the University of Cincinnati. Kyrah Matthews is our first UC student to take our instructor lead LPQ and pass her proctored exam.", stated Matthew Schriner, LPC, director of operations for the Loss Prevention Foundation.
This certificate opportunity was a blessing, and I'm glad that I did my studies at the University of Cincinnati because of the support I received.
Kyrah Matthews
Kyrah describes her experience of the LP Qualified Certification program as challenging and worthwhile. Being a first-generation student and wanting Kyrah to succeed, her mother encouraged Kyrah to obtain the credential as it could assist her with furthering her career. In addition, Kyrah had the assistance and support of Professor Karl Langhorst, Professor Sue Bourke, and her academic advisor.
"This experience has been life-changing, and meeting people like Karl and Sue Bourke has been very helpful and has opened my mind to different career avenues."
Kyrah Matthews will be graduating in the Spring Semester with her Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice. Kyrah plans to attend law school in the fall while still working in fraud/ asset protection upon graduation.
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