Standard Research Course

Gain full access to our one-of-a-kind online curriculum immediately. Learn how to navigate research databases, AI tools, and essential resources for true crime research. No application required and payment plans available.

About This Course

Acquire the advanced expertise you need to research in the true crime industry with the Standard Research Course.

This 100% online program is ideal for individuals who prefer to complete a course on their own. You will benefit from affordable tuition, comprehensive instructional videos, and hands-on assignments. For the optimal course experience, you must have a laptop or desktop computer, an internet connection, and a Google account.

Deciding between the Standard and Premium Research Courses? When you purchase the Standard Research Course you can upgrade to the Premium Research Course partway through your educational journey for only the difference in tuition.

To upgrade, your Premium Research Course application must be accepted through the normal application process. Email info@truecrimepodcasttraining.com to learn more about upgrading.

What You’ll Learn

The Standard Research Course prepares students to:

  • Utilize the adaptable, easy-to-understand TCPT Research Method
  • Produce a comprehensive research document covering a true crime case
  • Gain proficiency in a broad range of research tools and databases
  • Define, discuss, and employ best practices of victim-centered, ethical true crime
  • Accurately cite sources in-text, create citations, and paraphrase from sources
  • Evaluate the credibility of sources within the context of true crime

Who It’s For

You might be a good candidate for this course if you are interested in:

  • Entering the true crime field as a researcher, whether in podcasting, YouTube, documentaries, victim advocacy, genealogy, or beyond
  • Developing your skills as a current true crime researcher
  • Enhancing your established true crime podcast, YouTube show, blog, or other content creation

Course Schedule

Check out the module topics and learning objectives

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Module 1: Starting the TCPT Research Course

By the end of this Module 1, you will be able to:

  • Understand the personal and professional benefits of this True Crime Podcast Training course
  • Review the experiences of True Crime Podcast Training alumni
  • Learn about how you will gain proficiency in a broad range of tools, resources, and databases
  • Recognize the skills you will master within this True Crime Podcast Training course

Check out the first module for free!

Module 2: Introduction to the TCPT Research Method

By the end of this Module 2, you will be able to:

  • Know the extensive process that goes into researching true crime podcasts
  • Find additional support through True Crime Podcast Training’s resources and your coach
  • Understand how each course module functions to deliver you high-quality instructional material
  • Foresee the end-result of the True Crime Podcast Training course
  • Begin utilizing a wide array of resources that will support your true crime podcast research
  • Discuss the Practice Research Case (PRC) and how it works throughout this online course
  • Comprehend the materials you will (or won’t!) need as you embark on the True Crime Podcast Training course
Module 3: Ethics, Sensitivity, and Plagiarism

By the end of this Module 3, you will be able to:

  • Learn the TCPT Golden Rule to help guide your ethical decision-making process about true crime research
  • Define, discuss, and recognize the multi-faceted tenants of ethical true crime
  • Listen to, consider, and respect the needs of those close to the victim when researching a true crime case
  • Credit sources and paraphrase in such a way that you are not guilty of plagiarism
  • Commit to ongoing learning in the continuously evolving field of ethical true crime
Module 4: Creating a Research Outline

By the end of this Module 4, you will be able to:

  • Know what a strong research outline looks like compared to disorganized information
  • Create a comprehensive outline to organize your thoughts, notes, and information as you research
  • Utilize the provided Basic Research Outline for most of your research needs
  • Understand when and where it is appropriate to adapt your Basic Research Outline as you research
  • Identify additional research opportunities within a case to elaborate on specific details or otherwise add content
  • Practice self-care throughout this learning process
Module 5: Finding and Using Sources

By the end of this Module 5, you will be able to:

  • Evaluate sources on a spectrum that considers a multitude of factors
  • Find sources that provide you with the information you need for a true crime podcast
  • Use a resource list to help guide the initial stages of your research process
  • Understand the capabilities of Google Search and related search operators for research purposes
  • Be flexible as you continue learning the research process
  • Practice finding, evaluating, and utilizing sources
Module 6: Gathering information

By the end of this Module 6, you will be able to:

  • Gather as much new information as possible related to your true crime case
  • Evaluate the necessity of sensitive pieces of information from a content or ethical true crime perspective
  • Revitalize your understanding of the tenets of ethical true crime
  • Use language signposts to mark information that is exclusive to a source
  • Refer to a broad range of paid and unpaid research services and aids
  • Employ AI tools like ChatGPT effectively while understanding their limitations
Module 7: What's next?

By the end of this Module 7, you will be able to:

  • Identify your next steps as a true crime podcast researcher or creator
  • Understand how to acquire and keep clients
  • Gain the skills to start your own true crime podcast (should you want to!)
  • Review additional information about podcast writing and production
  • Celebrate your accomplishments as a graduate of this True Crime Podcast Training course

Meet the Instructor

Haley Gray

Lead Instructor | Research Specialist and Certified Victim Advocate
Founder Haley Gray is a renowned true crime researcher, writer, and Certified Victim Advocate. Since 2016, she has built a respected career in the true crime space, contributing to over 20 projects with a focus on ethical, victim-centered storytelling and advocacy. In collaboration with Andrea Marshbank, a certified teacher, Haley has developed engaging, budget-friendly, and accessible online courses designed to support ethical, victim-centered true crime work.

Today, Haley works with the podcasts Big Mad True Crime, Canadian True Crime, Detective Perspective, Moms and Mysteries, and The First Degree.

Course Features

16 weeks of access

Begin coursework immediately

100% online coursework

Study when it suits your schedule

7 self-paced modules

Check out the first module for free

Tuition only $650

Payment plans available. Learn more.

Course Features

16 weeks of access

Begin coursework immediately

100% online coursework

Study when it suits your schedule

7 self-paced modules

Check out the first module for free

Tuition only $750

Payment plans available. Learn more.

About This Course

Acquire the advanced expertise you need to research for true crime podcasts with the Standard Research Course.

This 100% online program is ideal for individuals who prefer to complete a course on their own. You will benefit from affordable tuition, comprehensive instructional videos and hands-on assignments. For the optimal course experience, you must have a laptop or desktop computer, an internet connection, and a Google account.

Deciding between the Standard and Premium Research Courses? When you purchase the Standard Research Course you can upgrade to the Premium Research Course partway through your educational journey for only the difference in tuition.

To upgrade, your Premium Research Course application must be accepted through the normal application process. Email info@truecrimepodcasttraining.com to learn more about upgrading.

What You’ll Learn

The Standard Research Course prepares students to:

  • Utilize the adaptable, easy-to-understand TCPT Research Method
  • Produce a comprehensive research document covering a true crime case
  • Gain proficiency in a broad range of research tools and databases
  • Define, discuss, and employ best practices of victim-centered, ethical true crime
  • Accurately cite sources in-text, create citations, and paraphrase from sources
  • Evaluate the credibility of sources within the context of true crime

Who It’s For

You might be a good candidate for this course if you are interested in:

  • Entering the true crime podcast field as a researcher
  • Starting your own true crime podcast
  • Developing your skills as a true crime podcast researcher
  • Bettering your established true crime podcast

Course Schedule

Check out the module topics and learning objectives

-- PLACEHOLDER --

Your content goes here. Edit or remove this text inline or in the module Content settings. You can also style every aspect of this content in the module Design settings and even apply custom CSS to this text in the module Advanced settings.

Module 1: Starting the TCPT Research Course

By the end of this Module 1, you will be able to:

  • Understand the personal and professional benefits of this True Crime Podcast Training course
  • Review the experiences of True Crime Podcast Training alumni
  • Learn about how you will gain proficiency in a broad range of tools, resources, and databases
  • Recognize the skills you will master within this True Crime Podcast Training course

Check out the first module for free!

Module 2: Introduction to the TCPT Research Method

By the end of this Module 2, you will be able to:

  • Know the extensive process that goes into researching true crime podcasts
  • Find additional support through True Crime Podcast Training’s resources and your coach
  • Understand how each course module functions to deliver you high-quality instructional material
  • Foresee the end-result of the True Crime Podcast Training course
  • Begin utilizing a wide array of resources that will support your true crime podcast research
  • Discuss the Practice Research Case (PRC) and how it works throughout this online course
  • Comprehend the materials you will (or won’t!) need as you embark on the True Crime Podcast Training course
Module 3: Ethics, Sensitivity, and Plagiarism

By the end of this Module 3, you will be able to:

  • Learn the TCPT Golden Rule to help guide your ethical decision-making process about true crime research
  • Define, discuss, and recognize the multi-faceted tenants of ethical true crime
  • Listen to, consider, and respect the needs of those close to the victim when researching a true crime case
  • Credit sources and paraphrase in such a way that you are not guilty of plagiarism
  • Commit to ongoing learning in the continuously evolving field of ethical true crime
Module 4: Creating a Research Outline

By the end of this Module 4, you will be able to:

  • Know what a strong research outline looks like compared to disorganized information
  • Create a comprehensive outline to organize your thoughts, notes, and information as you research
  • Utilize the provided Basic Research Outline for most of your research needs
  • Understand when and where it is appropriate to adapt your Basic Research Outline as you research
  • Identify additional research opportunities within a case to elaborate on specific details or otherwise add content
  • Practice self-care throughout this learning process
Module 5: Finding and Using Sources

By the end of this Module 5, you will be able to:

  • Evaluate sources on a spectrum that considers a multitude of factors
  • Find sources that provide you with the information you need for a true crime podcast
  • Use a resource list to help guide the initial stages of your research process
  • Understand the capabilities of Google Search and related search operators for research purposes
  • Be flexible as you continue learning the research process
  • Practice finding, evaluating, and utilizing sources
Module 6: Gathering information

By the end of this Module 6, you will be able to:

  • Gather as much new information as possible related to your true crime case
  • Evaluate the necessity of sensitive pieces of information from a content or ethical true crime perspective
  • Revitalize your understanding of the tenets of ethical true crime
  • Use language signposts to mark information that is exclusive to a source
  • Refer to a broad range of paid and unpaid research services and aids
  • Employ AI tools like ChatGPT effectively while understanding their limitations
Module 7: What's next?

By the end of this Module 7, you will be able to:

  • Identify your next steps as a true crime podcast researcher or creator
  • Understand how to acquire and keep clients
  • Gain the skills to start your own true crime podcast (should you want to!)
  • Review additional information about podcast writing and production
  • Celebrate your accomplishments as a graduate of this True Crime Podcast Training course

Meet the Instructor

Haley Gray

Lead Instructor | Experienced True Crime Researcher and Writer
Since 2016, Haley Gray has established herself as a respected researcher and writer in the true crime podcasting space, contributing to over 20 podcasts with a focus on ethical, victim-centered storytelling. Today, Haley works with the podcasts Big Mad True Crime, Canadian True Crime, Detective Perspective, Moms and Mysteries, and The First Degree.