Å·ÃÀÎÞÂë

College of Arts and Sciences, Department of Justice and Society Studies
O’Shaughnessy Education Center (OEC) 431, (651) 962-5630
Klein (Chair)

Overview of the Criminal Justice degree

Students who graduate with a major in criminal justice will know the main components of the criminal and juvenile justice systems and will know the basics of criminal law and criminal procedure in the U.S. justice system. They will have the tools to understand the long standing and current dilemmas faced by society in trying to develop and maintain an effective and just criminal justice system. They will be prepared for employment in the field of criminal justice, including corrections or law enforcement. Students will also be prepared to work as a crime victim advocate, crime research analyst, or work in agencies focused on social injustice work related to the criminal justice field.

Criminal justice majors pursue graduate and professional degrees in criminology, as well as business, law, public health, public policy, social work, and other fields. The Department of Justice and Society Studies faculty also provide intensive support for students who wish to engage in individual research and preparation for graduate and professional school, as well as internships and career development.

At least 16 credits in the major must be taken at Å·ÃÀÎÞÂë. Criminal justice minors need a minimum of 8 credits from Å·ÃÀÎÞÂë.

See Social Work

The program in criminal justice provides students with an understanding of the entire criminal justice system while at the same time allowing them to take specific courses in an area of special interest.

The program emphasizes the interrelationships among the various components of the criminal justice system (e.g., law enforcement, prosecution, courts and corrections) and examines how they deal with adult offenders and juvenile delinquents.

The major reflects the interdisciplinary nature of criminal justice. It provides a concentration of courses which prepares students for careers in such areas as policing, private security, probation, parole and corrections. It also prepares students for advanced study in criminology, criminal justice and law.

The criminal justice program at Å·ÃÀÎÞÂë, in conjunction with Alexandria Technical College, is accredited by the Minnesota Board of Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST). This program prepares students for the peace officer licensing examination. Students who intend to take the examination must also complete SOCI 251 and PSYC 111. Please contact the department’s Law Enforcement Education Coordinator for more information.

• SOCI 100 Introduction to Sociology (4 credits)
• SOCI 200 Introduction to Criminal and Juvenile Justice (4 credits)
• SOCI 210 Research Methods in Sociology (4 credits)
• SOCI 220 Sociological Analysis (4 credits)
• SOCI 312 Crime and Delinquency (4 credits)
• SOCI 344 Police and Society (4 credits)
• SOCI 346 Corrections in America: Prisons, Probation and Parole (4 credits)
• SOCI 480 Seminar in Criminal Justice (4 credits)
• CJUS 342 Criminal Law and Criminal Procedure (4 credits)

Electives -- Plus eight credits (two courses) from the following (at least one course must be SOCI or CJUS):

• SOCI 130 Homicide (4 credits)
• SOCI 251 Race and Ethnicity (4 credits)
• SOCI 280 Hate Crimes (4 credits)
• SOCI 297 Special Topics (4 credits) (topics will vary; can only register for the same topic once)
• SOCI 478 Experiential Learning (4 credits)
• SOCI 495 Individualized Study (4 credits)
• CJUS 345 Police Operations (4 credits)
• CJUS 347 Correctional Practice and Administration (4 credits)
• SOWK 291 Anatomy of Violence (4 credits)
• PSYC 207 Alcohol, Other Drugs and Behavior (4 credits)
• PSYC 301 Psychopathology (4 credits)
• POLS 312 Judicial Process (4 credits)
• POLS 314 Constitutional Rights and Liberties (4 credits)

Strongly recommended:

• SOCI 251 Race and Ethnicity (4 credits)

In addition, it is recommended that students take the following courses in this order:

• MATH 101 Finite Mathematics (4 credits) (or adequate substitute) in the first year
• SOCI 210 Research Methods in Sociology (4 credits) in first semester sophomore year
• SOCI 220 Sociological Analysis (4 credits) in second semester sophomore year

Note: Students with a double major in sociology and psychology who have completed SOCI 210, PSYC 212 and DASC 120 may contact the department chair to waive SOCI 220.

Note: Students choosing to double major in sociology and criminal justice are limited to five courses that can be applied to both majors. Only the following courses may count toward requirements in both majors: SOCI 100, 200, 210, 220 and one of the following 312, 344, 346.

• SOCI 100 Introduction to Sociology (4 credits)
• SOCI 200 Introduction to Criminal and Juvenile Justice (4 credits)
• SOCI 312 Crime and Delinquency (4 credits)

Plus eight credits from the following, at least four of which must be in sociology:

• SOCI 130 Homicide
• SOCI 280 Hate Crimes
• SOCI 297 Special Topics (topics will vary; may not enroll in same topic course more than once)
• SOCI 344 Police and Society
• SOCI 346 Corrections in America: Prisons, Probation and Parole
• CJUS 342 Criminal Law and Criminal Procedure
• CJUS 345 Police Operations
• CJUS 347 Correctional Practices and Administration
• POLS 312 Judicial Process

Note: Students wishing to combine a major in either Sociology or Criminal Justice with a minor in the other field may do so. However, the major and minor may not have more than eight credits or two courses in common. Non-majors can also earn a minor in Sociology and minor in Criminal Justice. However, the two minors many not have more than eight credits in common.