Criminal Justice B.S.

The career-oriented bachelor of science in criminal justice degree at the University of Minnesota Crookston is designed for students interested in a professional career in the rapidly expanding criminal justice field. The program has an interdisciplinary criminal justice curriculum that provides students the opportunity to incorporate learning that is identified by employers as being critical to career success. The program provides high quality education in both academic and professional areas, offers unique training and internship experiences, a positive entry-level employment outlook among criminal justice agencies, and an academic platform to continue graduate training in fields such as political science, law, public administration, criminal justice/criminology, psychology, and social work.

Criminal justice majors choose either a law enforcement or corrections emphasis. Both emphases include elective credits that allow students to choose courses of specific interest. Students who complete the law enforcement emphasis and approved skills training will be eligible to take the state board exam to become a licensed police officer.

Program outcomes:
- Demonstrate a comprehensive understanding and knowledge of the criminal justice system, juvenile justice system, public administration/policy, criminal behavior, law, criminal justice issues, and criminology
- Identify the ethical issues inherent in criminal justice
- Demonstrate proficiencies in policing philosophies, including analyzing, understanding, and evaluating criminal evidence, investigation, and surveillance techniques
- Explain correctional philosophies and understand the historical and current dilemmas in corrections
- Discuss the concepts of due process of law, criminal procedure, defendant's rights, victim's rights, and constitutional rights
- Describe programs and services that are effective for combating crime