Online Class: Serial Killers 101

This course will discuss 20 serial killers in an in-depth study. Some of them are quite infamous – Jack the Ripper, Son of Sam, Ted Bundy – but some are less-known (like Harold Shipman and Aileen Wuornos), but no less compelling.
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  • 20
    Lessons
  • 41
    Exams &
    Assignments
  • 1,579
    Students
    have taken this course
  • 12
    Hours
    average time
  • 1.2
    CEUs
 
 

Course Description

Delving into the Dark Abyss: Understanding Serial Killers

The enigmatic and often terrifying world of serial killers has long held a morbid fascination for many. What compels an individual to stray so far from societal norms, to commit heinous acts that most of us cannot even fathom? What exists within the hidden crevices of their psyche? These questions often linger in our minds as we read, watch, or hear about these chilling characters who, alarmingly, walk among us, blending seamlessly into the tapestry of society.

This course offers a riveting journey into the macabre, debunking myths while shining a light on the dark truths. Some common misconceptions we'll unravel include:

  • Serial killers being solely driven by twisted sexual desires.
  • The inevitability of their killing spree, rendering them powerless against their own compulsions.
  • Their universal insanity or inherent malevolence since birth.
  • The early-life signs, hinting at the monstrous paths they'd tread on.
  • The oversimplification of their categorization solely based on motives.

Embark on a spine-tingling exploration of twenty serial killers. While the likes of Jack the Ripper and Ted Bundy have become household names, there are others like Harold Shipman and Aileen Wuornos whose tales are equally haunting. Delve into the intricate fabric of their lives — from their formative years to the methodologies of their gruesome acts and their eventual trysts with justice.

Beyond the mere recounting of events, this course also dissects the psychological underpinnings, the myriad factors that possibly drove these individuals to commit their chilling acts of violence. As we navigate these dark waters, a deeper understanding of human behavior, society's role, and the intricate dance of nature and nurture emerges.

Prepare to be entranced and, at times, disturbed as you journey into this course. Arm yourself not just with an inquisitive mind, but perhaps, for comfort's sake, an extra lamp by your side. As we tread this shadowy path together, remember that by understanding darkness, we're better equipped to appreciate the light. Welcome to an odyssey like no other.

Courses Frequently Bought Together:
  • Completely Online
  • Self-Paced
  • Printable Lessons
  • Full HD Video  
  • 6 Months to Complete
  • 24/7 Availability
  • Start Anytime
  • PC & Mac Compatible
  • Android & iOS Friendly
  • Accredited CEUs
Universal Class is an IACET Accredited Provider
 

Course Lessons

Average Lesson Rating:
4.7 / 5 Stars (Average Rating)
"Extraordinarily Helpful"
(1,173 votes)

What Makes a Serial Killer?

In this course, you will learn about 19 serial killers. Each lesson contains information about the killer's early life, his or her murders, and psychological elements that were at play. After each lesson, including this one, you will find a 10 question quiz that tests your learning. Additional lesson topics: Serial Killers: The Method and Madness of Monsters; Several key traits common in serial killers; The Making of a Serial Killer 11 Total Points
  • Lesson 1 Video
  • Lesson discussions: Reasons for Taking this Course
  • Complete: Introduction Assignment
  • Assessment: Lesson 1 Exam

Jack the Ripper

This lesson explores the crimes, investigations, and other facts about Jack the Ripper. Additional lesson topics: Has Jack the Ripper’s Identity Been Revealed?; Jack the Ripper 35 Total Points
  • Lesson 2 Video A
  • Lesson 2 Video B : Lesson Discussion Video
  • Complete Assignment: Jack the Ripper
  • Assessment: Lesson 2 Exam

Edward Gein

This lesson explores the crimes, investigations, and other facts about Edward Gein. Additional lesson topics: 21 Petrifying Pictures Inside Ed Gein’s House Of Horrors; The Story Of Ed Gein — The Killer Who Used Human Body Parts In Strange Ways [PHOTOS 34 Total Points
  • Lesson 3 Video A
  • Lesson 3 Video B : Lesson Discussion Video
  • Complete Assignment: Edward Gein
  • Assessment: Lesson 3 Exam

Albert Desalvo (The Boston Strangler)

This lesson explores the crimes, investigations, and other facts about The Boston Strangler. Additional lesson topics: Albert DeSalvo Biography; Boston Strangler Case Solved Several Years Later 35 Total Points
  • Lesson 4 Video A
  • Lesson 4 Video B : Lesson Discussion Video
  • Complete Assignment: Albert Desalvo
  • Assessment: Lesson 4 Exam

Edmund Kemper

This lesson explores the crimes, investigations, and other facts about Edmund Kemper. Additional lesson topics: Edmund Kemper Biography; Kemper on Kemper: Where is serial killer Edmund Kemper now and is he alive? 35 Total Points
  • Lesson 5 Video A
  • Lesson 5 Video B : Lesson Discussion Video
  • Complete Assignment: Edmund Kemper
  • Assessment: Lesson 5 Exam

Waneta Hoyt

This lesson explores the crimes, investigations, and other facts about Waneta Hoyt. Additional lesson topics: Waneta Hoyt Trial: ; Waneta Hoyt – Serial Killer Of Infants – Her Own – All Several Of Them 35 Total Points
  • Lesson 6 Video A
  • Lesson 6 Video B : Lesson Discussion Video
  • Complete Assignment: Wanet Hoyt
  • Assessment: Lesson 6 Exam

The Zodiac Killer

This lesson explores the crimes, investigations, and other facts about The Zodiac Killer. Additional lesson topics: Zodiac Killer Biography; Why the Zodiac Killer Has Never Been Identified 35 Total Points
  • Lesson 7 Video A
  • Lesson 7 Video B : Lesson Discussion Video
  • Complete Assignment: Zodiac Killer
  • Assessment: Lesson 7 Exam

John Wayne Gacy

This lesson explores the crimes, investigations, and other facts about John Wayne Gacy. Additional lesson topics: John Wayne Gacy Biography; The Killer Clown; Crime Museum 35 Total Points
  • Lesson 8 Video A
  • Lesson 8 Video B : Lesson Discussion Video
  • Complete Assignment: John Wayne Gacy
  • Assessment: Lesson 8 Exam

Ted Bundy

This lesson explores the crimes, investigations, and other facts about Ted Bundy. Additional lesson topics: Ted Bundy Biography; “The Very Definition Of Heartless Evil”: The Story Of Ted Bundy 35 Total Points
  • Lesson 9 Video A
  • Lesson 9 Video B : Lesson Discussion Video
  • Complete Assignment: Ted Bundy
  • Assessment: Lesson 9 Exam

Donald Harry "Pee Wee" Gaskins

This lesson explores the crimes, investigations, and other facts about Donald Harry "Pee Wee" Gaskins. Additional lesson topics: Serial Killer Donald 'Pee Wee' Gaskins One of the Most Prolific Killers in U.S.; “The Redneck Charles Manson” – Donald Henry Gaskins Killer Profile 35 Total Points
  • Lesson 10 Video A
  • Lesson 10 Video B : Lesson Discussion Video
  • Complete Assignment: Donald Harry 'Pee Wee' Gaskins
  • Assessment: Lesson 10 Exam

David Berkowitz: Son of Sam

This lesson explores the crimes, investigations, and other facts about Son of Sam. Additional lesson topics: How David Berkowitz Became “Son Of Sam” and Terrorized Late 1970s New York City; David Berkowitz Confessed to Being the 'Son of Sam.' But Did He Really Act Alone? 35 Total Points
  • Lesson 11 Video A
  • Lesson 11 Video B : Lesson Discussion Video
  • Complete Assignment: Son of Sam
  • Assessment: Lesson 11 Exam

Harold Shipman

This lesson explores the crimes, investigations, and other facts about Harold Shipman. Additional lesson topics: Harold Shipman Biography; Shipman's motive may have been 'addiction to killing' 34 Total Points
  • Lesson 12 Video A
  • Lesson 12 Video B : Lesson Discussion Video
  • Complete Assignment: Harold Shipman
  • Assessment: Lesson 12 Exam

Dennis Rader "BTK"

This lesson explores the crimes, investigations, and other facts about Dennis Rader. Additional lesson topics: Dennis Rader Biography; Who is Dennis Rader aka the BTK serial killer? 35 Total Points
  • Lesson 13 Video A
  • Lesson 13 Video B : Lesson Discussion Video
  • Complete Assignment: Using the Format from Lesson #1, Please tell us about Dennis Rader.
  • Assessment: Lesson 13 Exam

Richard Ramirez "The Night Stalker"

This lesson explores the crimes, investigations, and other facts about Richard Ramirez. Additional lesson topics: The Twisted Tale Of Richard Ramirez, The “Night Stalker” Serial Killer Of 1980s Los Angeles; Richard Ramirez Crime Museum 35 Total Points
  • Lesson 14 Video A
  • Lesson 14 Video B : Lesson Discussion Video
  • Complete Assignment: Richard Ramirez
  • Assessment: Lesson 14 Exam

Gary Ridgway

This lesson explores the crimes, investigations, and other facts about Gary Ridgway. Additional lesson topics: Gary Ridgway Biography; How Gary Ridgway, ‘The Green River Killer,’ Was Captured With Nearly 20-Year-Old DNA Evidence 35 Total Points
  • Lesson 15 Video A
  • Lesson 15 Video B : Lesson Discussion Video
  • Complete Assignment: Ridgway
  • Assessment: Lesson 15 Exam

Jeffrey Dahmer

This lesson explores the crimes, investigations, and other facts about Jeffrey Dahmer. Additional lesson topics: Jeffrey Dahmer Biography; Several Creepy Facts About Jeffrey Dahmer 61 Total Points
  • Lesson 16 Video A
  • Lesson 16 Video B : Lesson Discussion Video
  • Complete Assignment: Jeffrey Dahmer
  • Assessment: Lesson 16 Exam

Andrei Romanovich Chikatilo "The Butcher of Rostov"

This lesson explores the crimes, investigations, and other facts about Andrei Romanovich Chikatilo. Additional lesson topics: Andrei Chikatilo Biography; : Andrei Chikatilo, the Butcher of Rostov 35 Total Points
  • Lesson 17 Video A
  • Lesson 17 Video B : Lesson Discussion Video
  • Complete Assignment: Who Was This Guy?
  • Assessment: Lesson 17 Exam

Wayne Williams

This lesson explores the crimes, investigations, and other facts about Wayne Williams. Additional lesson topics: Wayne Williams and The Mystery Of The Atlanta Child Murders; Unsolved Atlanta child murders are back under the microscope 60 Total Points
  • Lesson 18 Video A
  • Lesson 18 Video B : Lesson Discussion Video
  • Complete Assignment: Why did Williams do what he did?
  • Assessment: Lesson 18 Exam

Aileen Wuornos

This lesson explores the crimes, investigations, and other facts about Aileen Wuornos. Additional lesson topics: Aileen Wuornos Biography; How Serial Killer Aileen Wuornos Became a Cult Hero 60 Total Points
  • Lesson 19 Video A
  • Lesson 19 Video B : Lesson Discussion Video
  • Complete Assignment: Aileen Wournos
  • Assessment: Lesson 19 Exam

Israel Keyes

This lesson explores the crimes, investigations, and other facts about Israel Keyes. Additional lesson topics: Profile of Serial Killer Israel Keyes 140 Total Points
  • Lesson 20 Video A
  • Lesson 20 Video B : Lesson Discussion Video
  • Lesson discussions: End of Course Poll; Program Evaluation Follow-up Survey (End of Course); Course Comments
  • Complete Assignment: Israel Keyes
  • Assessment: Lesson 20 Exam
  • Assessment: Final Exam
855
Total Course Points
 

Additional Course Information

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Course Title: Serial Killers 101
Course Number: 9770590
Lessons Rating: 4.7 / 5 Stars (1,173 votes)
Languages: English - United States, Canada and other English speaking countries
Availability: This course is online and available in all 50 states including: California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Texas.
Last Updated: May 2023
Course Type: Self-Paced, Online Class
CEU Value: 1.2 IACET CEUs (Continuing Education Units)
CE Accreditation: Universal Class, Inc. has been accredited as an Authorized Provider by the International Association for Continuing Education and Training (IACET).
Grading Policy: Earn a final grade of 70% or higher to receive an online/downloadable CEU Certification documenting CEUs earned.
Assessment Method: Lesson assignments and review exams
Syllabus: View Syllabus
Course Fee: $95.00 U.S. dollars

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Student Testimonials

  • "Outstanding!!! Feedback was great, thought provoking. I have taken several courses a few years ago, and this was by far the best laid out class I've had. Response time to questions and to grades was great!" -- Cheryl S.
  • "This was a very interesting course that gives a lot of insight into the minds of very disturbed people." -- Joe L.
  • "I absolutely loved this class! I learned so much and the instructor was great with his feedback." -- Erin F.

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