CRIMINAL JUSTICE

The criminal justice practitioner deals with the broad areas of law enforcement, courts and corrections. The work may include police work; juvenile probation or parole work; or counseling and correctional work in institutions, group homes or halfway houses. Within these broad areas, the practitioner enjoys exciting professional challenges and opportunities for serving society and helping people.

The Program

During the past few years, the demand for professionals has increased. Many criminal justice agencies and program administrators see a continuing need for qualified professionals. The criminal justice program at North Dakota State University has graduated students who have pursued criminal justice careers in local, state and federal agencies throughout the United States. The program is designed so that our graduates will succeed in both beginning and advancing their criminal justice careers.

Faculty and Facilities

The criminal justice program is administered by the Department of Criminal Justice and Political Science. Faculty in the program provide teaching, research and practical expertise related to many issues in criminal justice. The Fargo-Moorhead community provides a rich source of criminal justice education through a wide variety of criminal justice agencies that work with student interns. The department is located in the Criminal Justice and Public Policy Building.

Pre-Criminal Justice Preparation

Students intent on pursuing an undergraduate degree in criminal justice are enrolled as pre-professional students and must first meet grade point average and course work requirements in order to be admitted to the criminal justice program. Once students satisfy all requirements, they complete and submit the pre-criminal justice application form, available on the department website. This form must be submitted to the department's academic assistant. After verification that the student meets the requirements for acceptance, he or she is accepted into the professional program and can continue to pursue a degree in criminal justice.

Career Opportunities

Students graduating from this program have experienced much success in pursuing their career goals. Our alumni work in law enforcement, courts, correctional agencies, probation and parole departments and do so at the local, state and federal level. Salaries are respectable and vary from agency to agency. Types of agencies that have employed our graduates include police departments, sheriff's departments, planning agencies, group homes, juvenile courts, family courts, probation and parole departments, juvenile and adult correctional institutions, halfway houses and virtually all federal agencies (e.g. U.S Marshals Service, Secret Service, and federal probation).

The Curriculum

The criminal justice curriculum is an interdisciplinary program drawing on the social sciences, behavioral sciences, humanities, computer sciences and managerial sciences. Course requirements are based on the idea that our students should have a curriculum that enables them to advance their long term specialized educational training and professional development. The department also offers a minor in criminal justice, and partners with the Department of Accounting, Finance, and Information Systems on a fraud investigation minor.

Internship Program

Usually, students complete an internship in their junior or senior year. Internship opportunities exist in many agencies in North Dakota and Minnesota and can be done at any time during the calendar year. By completing an internship, the student is able to combine the theoretical and applied aspects of professional preparation. Internship experience is an important element of successful job placement.

Criminal Justice Club

Students may expand their knowledge of criminal justice and career opportunities through the Criminal Justice Club. This student association allows participants to increase their knowledge and clarify career interests through field trips and meetings with professionals.

Sample Curriculum

This sample curriculum is not intended to serve as a curriculum guide for current students, but rather an example of course offerings for prospective students. For the curriculum requirements in effect at the time of entrance into a program, consult with an academic adviser or with the Office of Registration and Records.

*This sample curriculum enables a student to graduate with a criminal justice major and a minor in a chosen area. Students minoring in psychology will be able to double count the four psychology courses in their major for their minor requirements. If this option is chosen, students will need to enroll in more credit hours to achieve 122 credits.

Contact Information

Department of Criminal Justice and Political Science
North Dakota State University
Political Science
Criminal Justice and Public Policy Bldg. 110
Dept. #2315
PO Box 6050
Fargo, ND 58108-6050

Tel: (701) 231-8938
Fax: (701) 231-5877
Email: Kevin.Thompson@ndsu.edu

Office of Admission

North Dakota State University
Ceres 114
Dept 5230, PO Box 6050
Fargo, ND 58108-6050

Tel: (701) 231-8643
Fax: (701) 231-8802
Email: NDSU.Admission@ndsu.edu
Web: www.ndsu.edu/admission/

(07/12)