Criminal Justice

Undergraduate Programs

Description

Criminal Justice is designed for individuals seeking a professional career in criminal justice and allows students to choose a specific focus through a minor concentration and tailoring the major courses to meet individual interests. Through evidence-based knowledge and practical skills, students learn their role in promoting social justice, restorative justice, and quality of life in the diverse communities they will serve. This program is for students who want to serve in one of the governmental or social service organizations tasked with enforcing laws and serving communities affected by crime. 

Majors

 Program Locations Major / Total Credits
Criminal Justice BS BS - Bachelor of Science
  • Mankato
 37 / 120

Minors

 Program Locations Total Credits
Criminal Justice Minor
  • Mankato
 19

Policies & Faculty

Policies

Admission to the major: Admission requirements are based on university policy. 

GPA Policy: This program follows the university policy on GPA requirements.

Internships: Students may only count up to six (6) credits of CJ498: Internship towards the Criminal Justice Major's Unrestricted elective credits. If a student takes CJ496, only six (6) credits may be counted towards the Criminal Justice Major's Unrestricted elective credits.

Minimum Courses Policy: All students, including transfer students, majoring in Criminal Justice must take a minimum of eighteen (18) different CJ, CORR, LAWE, or SOC credits that count towards the major at Minnesota State University Mankato. All students, including transfer students, seeking a minor in Criminal Justice must take a minimum of nine (9) different CJ, CORR, LAWE, or SOC credits that count towards the minor at Minnesota State University Mankato.

P/N Grading Policy: All CJ, CORR, LAWE, and SOC classes within the major, except for internships (CJ498), must be taken for a letter grade.

Repeat Policy: This program follows the university policy on course repeats.

Contact Information

109 Morris Hall

Office 507-389-2721
https://sbs.mnsu.edu/academics/criminal-justice/

Faculty

Chair
  • Pat Nelson, PhD
Field Experience Coordinator/Academic Advisor
  • Jessica McLaughlin, M.S.
Academic Advisor
  • Jonathan Moore, M.S.
Faculty

100 Level

Credits: 3

Examines the making of criminal law, the evolution of policing, the adjudication of persons accused of criminal law violations, and the punishment of adult offenders.

Prerequisites: none

Goal Areas: GE-05, GE-09

Diverse Cultures: Purple

Credits: 3

This course explores the history of community policing and explains what community policing is and is not. It also examines what research has discovered about the relationship of the police with the community. The student will be introduced to the value of positive interactions between peace officers and the populations they serve, as well as ways to incorporate problem-solving strategies on both small and large scales.

Prerequisites: none

200 Level

Credits: 3

Introduction to academic concepts and issues in corrections, with emphasis on student professional development. The course includes a 50-hour service learning component to be completed outside of class. Correction majors should take this course as early as possible.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 3

Introduction to academic concepts and issues in corrections, with emphasis on student professional development. The course includes a 50-hour service learning component to be completed outside of class. Correction majors should take this course as early as possible.

Prerequisites: CJ 101 and SOC 101

Credits: 3

This course will introduce students to the numerous agencies and organizations that make up the criminal justice system and its components. A primary goal for this course is to help students prepare for, as well as succeed in, a criminal justice system career.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 3

The foundational tenets of peacekeeping are based on building relations between peace officers and the communities they serve. The student will be introduced to the value of positive interactions between peace officers and the populations they serve, as well as how negative interactions can impact public perception, funding, and trust. Students will also learn ways to incorporate problem-solving strategies and critical analysis on both micro and macro levels to address community and peacekeeping concerns.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 3

Addresses the justifications and the historical development of punishment, the legal and policy issues concerning capital punishment, and the use of incarceration as a response to crime.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 4

The history, development, and application of criminal laws and criminal procedures in the criminal justice system.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 3

The history, legal aspects of investigation, the evolution of investigations and forensics, procedures of crime investigations, procurement and preservation of evidence and interviewing.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 3

An extensive study of the rules, statutes, criminal laws, and traffic laws that directly relate to the role of a peace officer in the State of Minnesota.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 3

This course will introduce students to theoretical concepts in sociology, social psychology, psychology, and criminology pertaining to human behavior. Students will gain an understanding of how individual and societal factors influence the behaviors of the people they serve, as well as how those same factors influence the police officer personality. Students will also be introduced to many of the mental disorders they will encounter in the field so that they may more easily identify those in crisis when in the field and determine the most appropriate course of action to assist them.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 3

A critical consideration of definitions of juvenile delinquency, emphasis on micro and macro level of struggle in which delinquent behavior takes place, critique of current theories on delinquency, and the juvenile justice response to delinquency.

Prerequisites: none

Goal Areas: GE-05, GE-09

Diverse Cultures: Purple

Credits: 4

May be used to explore areas of interest not covered in regular courses. A maximum of three hours applicable toward a major or minor in the department with consent of an advisor.

Prerequisites: Consent 

300 Level

Credits: 3

A sociological perspective to examine the history of drug use and abuse in the United States. Multicultural issues in drug abuse, international drug distribution networks, prevention efforts, and legal issues will be discussed.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 3

Research methodologies as they apply to correctional evidence-based practices are covered, as are strengths and limitations of various research practices, especially with respect to central correctional concepts such as risk, recidivism, and program evaluation. Students will gain experience with data sources, data collection, and basic interpretation of data analysis.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 3

This course is designed to provide law enforcement students with the basic information, tools, and skills needed to improve interpersonal communications with coworkers and citizens from all ethnic and cultural groups. It is also intended to provide some historical information so students can contextualize and better understand why particular groups may distrust and resist law enforcement and the criminal justice system as a whole.

Prerequisites: none

Diverse Cultures: Purple

Credits: 3

The purpose of this course is to develop in the student an insight into the dynamics of interpersonal violence, particularly sexual violence. The focus will be on developing effective law enforcement responses to the victims/survivors and the perpetrators.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 3

Overview of the characteristics of victims, victim-offender relationships, societal victimization, victim's rights and services, and restorative justice. The focus will be on developing effective criminal justice responses to the victims/survivors and the perpetrators.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 3

This course is designed to provide peace officer students with the foundational information, tools, and skills needed to improve interpersonal communications with coworkers and the public from all ethnic and cultural groups. This course also provides some historical information so students can contextualize and better understand why particular groups may distrust and resist peace officers and the criminal justice system as a whole.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 3

The mental and physical wellbeing of peace officers will be focused on and students will be required to assess their vulnerabilities to intrapersonal and interpersonal stressors. Students will develop tactics and strategies for managing their mental and physical wellbeing, while understanding how those strategies may have to change over time. Must be a major or minor in Corrections, Criminal Justice, Law Enforcement, or Peace Officer Program.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 3

This course will cover the sources of intrapersonal and interpersonal stress in the law enforcement profession. Students will be required to assess their vulnerability to these stressors and develop their own strategies and tactics for coping.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 3

The course will provide the student with a solid foundation in effective peace officer communications and prepare the student analytically for a career as a peace officer. This course also has a writing intensive requirement that involves drafting, editing, and reviewing a variety of written assignments.Must be a major or minor in Corrections, Criminal Justice, and/or Peace Officer (Law Enforcement) Programs.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 3

A more in-depth survey of methods and techniques for the investigation of crimes. This course builds off the foundation of LAWE233: Criminal Investigation.

Prerequisites: LAWE 233 

Credits: 3

This course focuses on the intellectual aspects of law enforcement from the perspectives of communication, interpersonal relations, and critical thinking. The course will provide the student with a solid foundation in effective law enforcement communications and prepare the student intellectually for a career as a law enforcement officer. This course also has a writing intensive requirement that involves drafting, editing, and reviewing a variety of written assignments.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 3

JOLT is a collaborative effort between the University and several probation offices. Students will mentor delinquents in the community and be mentored by local probation officers. This is a year-long commitment.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 3

JOLT is a collaborative effort between the University and several probation offices. Students will mentor delinquents in the community and be mentored by local probation officers. This is a year-long commitment.

Prerequisites: CORR 200

Credits: 3

JOLT-II is a second semester continuation of CORR 350. Can only enroll after completing CORR 350.

Prerequisites: CORR 350

Credits: 1

Students will engage in community experiences, public service interactions, experiences with a variety of diverse groups, and/or interactive panels that will provide for opportunities to reflect, observe, conceptualize, and grow as a future criminal justice professional.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 1-3

An examination of issues facing criminal justice today in constantly changing legal, social and cultural environments. Topics will vary and may be repeated for credit.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 3

A critical examination of current issues in the correctional field.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 1-3

An examination of issues facing law enforcement today in constantly changing legal, social and cultural environments. Topics will vary and may be repeated for credit.

Prerequisites: none

400 Level

Credits: 3

Advanced Crime Theory & Prevention provides an overview of the nature and causes of crime and victimization. Using a multidisciplinary approach, the course surveys theories of criminal behavior at the macro- & micro-level. Students will learn how to evaluate criminological theories. The course also covers the link between theory and crime prevention efforts, focusing primarily on how crime prevention efforts employed by legislatures, police, courts, and corrections agencies in the United States are derived from theory.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 3

Implications of Sociological Knowledge for the administration of Human Services programs. Theoretical and practical aspects of administration with the Social Service systems.

Prerequisites: SOC 101 

Credits: 3

This course will cover the basic techniques of writing reports, memoranda, forms, and other documents used in the law enforcement profession. This is a writing-intensive course that will not only fulfill MN POST Report Writing requirements, but will also require students to compose numerous documents and respond to writing feedback throughout the semester.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 3

Addresses theoretical roots, historical developments, and current practices of probation, parole, and other community corrections programs. Special attention is given to innovative, future approaches to community corrections. Writing intensive

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 3

Principles and methods of individual and group counseling with juvenile and adult offenders; development of interpersonal helping skills, negotiation, and mediation skills.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 3

The course will examine ethics and leadership theory, interpretation, and application. Concepts such as vision, ownership, integrity, accountability, attitude, teamwork capability, monitoring, evaluation, and decision making will be interpreted through case studies of ethics and leadership in criminal justice.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 3

This course will cover the basic techniques of writing reports, memoranda, forms, and other documents used in the peace officer profession. This is a writing-intensive course that will not only fulfill MN POST Report Writing requirements, but will also require students to compose numerous documents and respond to writing feedback throughout the semester.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 3

This course is designed to provide peace officer students with a more thorough understanding of a variety of ethnicities, cultures, and groups in Minnesota and elsewhere throughout the country.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 1

Senior Seminar is a capstone course that is specifically designed for Peace Officer Program students to be eligible to become licensed peace officers. This course will assist the student in several areas to include preparation for the MN POST test, interviewing skills, critical thinking and decision making skills, scenario based learning, and job application skills.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 3

Senior Seminar is a capstone course that is specifically designed for Law Enforcement students to be eligible to become licensed peace officers. This course will assist the student in several areas to include preparation for the MN POST test, interviewing skills, critical thinking and decision making skills, group work and presentations, scenario based learning and application of law to the scenarios.

Prerequisites: Admission to the program.

Credits: 4

A comparison of criminal justice philosophies, structures, and procedures found in various countries around the world. Same as POL 449.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 4

History, philosophy, techniques and countermeasures to terroristic and law intensity threats to public order. Both domestic and international terror. The blurring of the lines between low intensity conflict/terrorism and multinational high intensity crime. Same as POL 425.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 3

Sociological perspective on social deviance; overview of theoretical approaches; emphasis on symbolic interactionism; issues of social control; research examples and policy implications.

Prerequisites: SOC 101 

Credits: 3

This course explores the history, development and current role of federal law enforcement in the United States. This course also explores the history, implementation, and role of Homeland Security, along with the integration of purpose, action, and enforcement between Homeland Security, federal law enforcement, and local law enforcement with a lens of legal, policy, and cooperation strategies at the federal, state, and local levels.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 3

A critical consideration of myths concerning crime, perspectives on crime and their assumptions, current criminology theory, and construction of alternative explanations related to crime.

Prerequisites: SOC 101 

Credits: 3

This course complements the learning experience of traveling on a faculty led study abroad trip. The focus will be a comparison of terrorism, political violence, and counter-terrorism activities in the United States to the same activities in the visited countries based on readings, research, observation, and participation. Instructor permission is required to register for this course.

Prerequisites: Must be accepted into a faculty led study abroad trip. 

Credits: 3

This course complements the learning experience of traveling on a faculty led study abroad trip. The focus will be on a comparison of international justice systems in a variety of countries based on readings, research, observation, and participation. Instructor permission is required to register for this course.

Prerequisites: Must be registered and approved for a faculty-led study abroad program.

Credits: 3

This course focuses on the experiences of women in the criminal justice system--as victims, offenders, and professionals. Women's involvement in this system (whether they were a defendant, an attorney, an inmate, a correctional officer or a crime victim) has often been overlooked or devalued. The goal of this course is to bring the special needs and contributions of women in the criminal justice system into sharper focus.

Prerequisites: none

Diverse Cultures: Purple

Credits: 3

Addresses theoretical roots, historical developments, and current practices of probation, parole, and other community corrections programs. Special attention is given to innovative, future approaches to community corrections. Writing intensive

Prerequisites: SOC 101 and CJ 101

Credits: 3

Examines the rights of inmates, probationers, and parolees.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 3

Principles and methods of individual and group counseling with juvenile and adult offenders; development of interpersonal helping skills, negotiation, and mediation skills.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 1-6

This class will be taught in modules where students will gain learn how to determine if practices in Corrections are evidence based, the types of programming in Corrections that are supported by research, and skills and knowledge necessary to implement these practices.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 4

Legal procedures by which state and federal administrative agencies exercise legislative, judicial and executive powers. Emphasis is placed on the constitutional position of administrative agencies, the rule making process, the power of agencies to decide rights and obligations concerning individual cases, and judicial control of administrative action.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 3

Overview of characteristics of victims, victim offender relationships, societal victimization, victim's rights and services, and restorative justice.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 4

Review of selected U.S. Supreme Court decisions relating to the powers of the President, Congress and the Judiciary, as well as the division of power between the states and the federal government. Focus is on case briefing, underlying rationales, and the development of individual analytical abilities.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 4

Review of selected United States Supreme Court decisions interpreting important freedoms contained in the Bill of Rights and the 14th Amendment. Focus is on the rationale which underlies decisions and its impact on American political social processes. Provides an opportunity to exercise and develop individual analytical abilities through analysis of Court's reasoning. Same as POL 454.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 3

Assist the students in starting a healthy conversation on cultural competencies for correctional professionals, and develop resources, skills, and strategies needed to address racism and inequity. The idea is to take a journey in building a more inclusive, connected, and effective correctional organization. Students will discover a framework to help discuss issues related to cultural competency: learn about methods, practices, and values that define cultural competency and culturally based work in various fields and organizations; understand the complexities within ethnic communities; and gain insights into the nature of institutionalized racism.

Prerequisites: none

Diverse Cultures: Purple

Credits: 3

A sociological perspective to examine the history of drug use and abuse in the United States. Multicultural issues in drug abuse, international drug distribution networks, prevention efforts, and legal issues will be discussed.

Prerequisites: none

Diverse Cultures: Purple

Credits: 4

An examination of the structure, jurisdiction and processes of federal and state courts. Emphasis is placed on selection of judges and justices and on the dynamics of judicial decision-making. Same as POL 475.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 1-3

This course explores topics in criminal justice beyond what is covered in the existing curriculum. Students study specialized topics of current importance in the field. Specific topics will change depending on the term and instructor. May be retaken with a change of topic.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 2-6

Topics vary as announced in class schedule. May be retaken for credit if topic varies.

Prerequisites: SOC 101 

Credits: 1-3

This course explores topics in law enforcement beyond what is covered in the existing curriculum. Students study specialized topics of current importance in the field. Specific topics will change depending on the term and instructor. May be retaken with a change of topic.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 1-6

Topics vary as arranged by students and instructor. May be retaken for credit.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 1

For Honors students only.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 12

Field Practicum & Capstone Experience is a hybrid experiential learning course where students complete a 400-hour internship experience within an agency that manages justice-involved persons while participating in other professional development & experiential learning opportunities that vary from semester to semester. In addition to their internship experiences, students can expect guest speakers, facility tours, training, and/or other educational experiences to be offered in-person, or via teleconference. Required for the Corrections major. Formal application required. Contact Director of Criminal Justice Field Studies to apply.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 10

Full time experience in a corrections agency with an emphasis on the development of skills. For Corrections majors only. Required for major. Formal application required.

Prerequisites: Consent 

Credits: 2

Capstone is an evaluative course which allows students to document their learning and provide an assessment of their personal learning and the effectiveness of the Corrections Program. To be taken concurrently with CORR 496. Prereq: Completion of all other required CORR courses.

Prerequisites: Completion of all other required CORR courses. 

Credits: 1-12

Field placement with a criminal justice agency or related organization. Provides a learning experience in which the student can integrate and apply knowledge and theory derived from curriculum. Can only be taken P/N, must have permission to register.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 1-12

The internship in Corrections is designed to provide opportunities to apply classroom learning, to practice and enhance skills, to experience professional socialization, and to explore a career. It also serves as a vehicle for the student to become more aware of personal strengths and to identify areas in which further growth is needed.

Prerequisites: Consent 

Credits: 1-12

Field placement with a law enforcement agency or related organization. Provides a learning experience in which the student can integrate and apply knowledge and theory derived from curriculum. P/N only.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 1-3

Advanced study and research on topics not currently available in existing courses. May be repeated with a change of topic. Requires advisor and instructor approval of topic.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 1-6

A maximum of six credits is applicable toward a single major in the department; three credits toward a minor.

Prerequisites: Consent 

Credits: 1-3

Advanced study and research on topics not currently available in existing courses. May be repeated with a change of topic. Requires advisor and instructor approval of topic.

Prerequisites: none