Criminal Justice

NSU's criminal justice degree prepares you to make a positive impact on community safety through study of criminology, sociology, and data analysis.
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About The Program
College of Arts and Sciences

Criminal Justice

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A criminal justice degree provides wide-ranging foundational knowledge of the U.S. criminal justice system. In this program, you'll learn about criminal law and procedure, policing, the judicial system, the correctional system, and criminological theory.

 

Our program offers answers to criminal justice questions, including:

  • What does it mean for an offender to get off on a technicality?
  • What's the difference between murder and manslaughter?
  • Why do people commit crimes?
  • How are victims served and supported in the criminal justice process?

Northern's AA degree in criminal justice is available entirely online.

 

Criminal justice majors also are eligible for priority admission to Northern's counseling master’s program!

 

 

 

Careers 

A criminal justice degree from Northern prepares you to succeed in law enforcement; various roles in municipal, state, and federal courthouses; probation; or correctional institutions. 

 

You might pursue a career in the juvenile justice field as a juvenile detention officer, or work with court personnel monitoring juvenile probationers.

 

You'll also be prepared to work in victim services or in an advocacy role with victims, or work with people with substance abuse problems.

 

Other career options include pursuing a law degree or graduate-level education in criminal justice and related fields, such as clinical mental health counseling.

 

For more information on careers in your major or help choosing a major, contact the NSU Career Center.

Internships 

For criminal justice students seeking hands-on experience, Aberdeen is a convenient center of local, state, and federal law enforcement organizations, including the Aberdeen Police Department, Brown County Sheriff’s Office, South Dakota Highway Patrol, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. As the county seat, Aberdeen also features the Brown County Courthouse, which  houses a Court Services office. If you're a highly motivated criminal justice student,  you could land an internship with one of these organizations - and possibly receive academic credit while gaining real-world experience and making an impact.

 

NSU College of Arts and Sciences Internships

Scholarships 

Arts and Sciences Scholarships

NSU Scholarships

Courses 

Criminal Justice (AA)

Criminal Justice (BA) Course Requirements and Student Learning Outcomes

Criminal Justice Minor

Plans of Study 

Criminal Justice (BA) Plan of Study

Criminal Justice (AA) Plan of Study

Program Success/Outcomes 
 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

“I originally transferred to Northern so that I could be near my mom. Once I toured the campus, it became clear to me just how different Northern was to the school that I was previously at. At my old school, I quite literally just felt like a number. Even when I was signing up for classes, I was only given a number and didn’t really get any help figuring out what classes I should be enrolled in. At Northern, however, I can have an actual connection with my professors, advisors, and classmates. If I ever have questions, I know I can reach out to any of the people around me and that they will do their best to help me however they can. Northern has also given me the opportunity to study music and criminal justice. I think a lot of what music stands for is more peaceful, and I think a lot of what criminal justice needs is more peace and trying to think outside the box. People usually think it’s a weird combination of degrees, but it makes a lot of sense to me. Overall, I have felt embraced and cared about by everyone at Northern, and that has been really special.”—Melissa Ulber, Riverside, Calif. #beNORTHERN #unleashYOURpotential #NorthernStateU #WhyNSU #WolvesMaskUp

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Contact Information 

For more information about this degree, call 605-626-2267.

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