Program Overview
| Program | Course Delivery |
|---|---|
| Criminal Justice - Major | On-Campus & Online |
| Criminal Justice - Minor | On-Campus & Online |
Anywhere. Anytime. 100% Online.
All University of Minnesota Crookston online programs are offered asynchronously, which means you learn where you want, when you want - all you need is an internet connection. You can earn a world class University of Minnesota degree, from the comfort and convenience of your own home - Talk about the best of both worlds!
Protect, serve, and lead with the criminal justice program
In a time of social change, you can answer the call and be a leader in the justice system. Join a career where community relationships are at the forefront and make a difference in the lives around you. Criminal justice prepares you for a variety of careers. Get ready to study it all: law, psychology, sociology, public administration, and more.
Criminal Justice is a Bachelor of Science (BS) degree.
Maggie Melvin
Director of Admissions
Criminal Justice Major
The career-oriented criminal justice degree 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 allows students to incorporate learning that employers identify as 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 educational 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 tracks include elective credits that allow students to select courses they’re interested in. Students who complete the law enforcement emphasis and approved skills training will be eligible to take the state board exam to become licensed police officers.
After completing the program, graduates will:
- 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.
Criminal Justice Minor
A minor in criminal justice provides an opportunity for students interested in obtaining a bachelor's degree in a different field of study to take coursework to understand the criminal justice system. The minor is designed to provide students with a broad overview of the criminal justice field by focusing on criminological theory, corrections, policing, juvenile justice issues, and criminal law.
Program Description
- Emphasis areas:
- Corrections
- Law Enforcement
- Criminal justice majors choose either law enforcement or corrections emphasis.
- It is the only POST-certified criminal justice program in the University of Minnesota system.
- The criminal justice program combines the strong disciplinary traditions of social science, communications, statistics, technical writing, and the humanities.
- Licensure and certification are embedded in the program so graduates can enter the workforce after completion.
Awards and Accreditation
- The University of Minnesota Crookston is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
- Our program is Peace Officer Standards & Training (POST) Certified.
Student Experiences
Future Online Students
Many of our online students are full-time employees or full-time parents, and lots are both! So whether you’re thinking about finishing a degree, adding a second one, or taking on a brand new career path - this is YOUR time. Our online programs are designed with you in mind, and are flexible to be taken anywhere, anytime, 100% online.
Online Cost of Attendance
| Expense Category | Full-time (12+ credits) | Half-time (6-8 credits) |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition/fees | $12,148 | $6,772 |
| Books/supplies* | $279 | $279 |
Average Cost After Aid
$13,288
Average amount of grants & scholarships received (2022-2023 data)
$12,894
Average net price after grants & scholarships (2021-2022 data)
$22,883
Average TOTAL student loan debt after graduation (2022-2023)
Scholarship and Funding Options
The University of Minnesota Crookston provides quick and easy access to over $1 million worth of scholarship opportunities for new and returning students!
