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
  • 34
    Exams &
    Assignments
  • 964
    Students
    have taken this course
  • 12
    Hours
    average time
  • 1.2
    CEUs
 
 

Course Description

Few things captivate the interest of the general public more than serial killers. These individuals are so compelling to us because they seem to be so very different from "the rest of us," yet they live among us – they are neighbors and family members to SOMEONE. We read about them, study them, and see movies about them, all in an effort to see what makes them tick.

There are many myths and truths about serial killers. Which of these do YOU know to be true?

  • Serial killers are only motivated by sex.
  • Serial killers are compulsive and cannot stop killing.
  • All serial killers are insane.
  • Serial killers have "red flags" early in life, so we are now able to identify them at a young age.
  • Some people are just "born to kill."
  • All serial killers can be categorized according to their motive.

In this course, you will be fascinated by twenty serial killers. 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. You will learn about their early lives, how they killed their victims, how (and if!) they were caught, and what happened after law enforcement caught up with them. Most interestingly, you will consider psychological elements that shaped the behavior of these men and women, factors motivating them to abduct, assault, torture, mutilate, and kill – multiple times.  

A word of warning: The eerie, chilling feeling that you will get while you work on this course may have you securing windows, checking to see that doors are locked, and turning on extra lighting.

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"
(943 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; Crime Museum; The Killer Clown 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 10 Total Points
  • Lesson 14 Video A
  • Lesson 14 Video B : Lesson Discussion Video
  • 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 10 Total Points
  • Lesson 15 Video A
  • Lesson 15 Video B : Lesson Discussion Video
  • 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 11 Total Points
  • Lesson 16 Video A
  • Lesson 16 Video B : Lesson Discussion Video
  • 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 10 Total Points
  • Lesson 17 Video A
  • Lesson 17 Video B : Lesson Discussion Video
  • 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 10 Total Points
  • Lesson 18 Video A
  • Lesson 18 Video B : Lesson Discussion Video
  • 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 10 Total Points
  • Lesson 19 Video A
  • Lesson 19 Video B : Lesson Discussion Video
  • 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 90 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
  • Assessment: Lesson 20 Exam
  • Assessment: Final Exam
580
Total Course Points
 

Additional Course Information

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Course Title: Serial Killers 101
Course Number: 9770590
Lessons Rating: 4.7 / 5 Stars (943 votes)
Languages: English - United States, Canada and other English speaking countries
Last Updated: September 2021
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
Instructor: C. Michael McKenna
Syllabus: View Syllabus
Course Fee: $90.00 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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