Major Details
Are you motivated to serve your community? Do you have a strong sense of justice? Are you curious about what goes on behind the scenes in law enforcement, the courts, and corrections facilities? Minnesota State College Southeast's Criminal Justice diploma program is an excellent place to start your education and discover careers in the criminal justice field.
The one-year MSC Southeast diploma in Criminal Justice includes a balance of 16 liberal arts credits and 16 criminal justice credits. This coursework is foundational to any career path in the field. If you have already earned the Criminal Justice Certificate, you can add classes to complete the diploma.
The Criminal Justice majors at MSC Southeast provide students with varying levels of education. While some positions require an associate degree or higher, the knowledge and skills attained through a criminal justice certificate or diploma is preferred for nearly all entry level jobs. After you gain the certificate, you can add on additional coursework to earn the diploma or associate of applied science degree in Criminal Justice.
For maximum flexibility, all MSC Southeast Criminal Justice coursework is available 100% online, so you can plan your education around the work and family commitments in your life.
Every faculty member in MSC Southeast's Criminal Justice program has working experience in the criminal justice profession, totaling over 150 years of experience. Additionally, all faculty have post-graduate degrees. This combination of expertise in the profession coupled with commitment to higher education is a testimony to the depth and knowledge of MSC Southeast's Criminal Justice Program.
Please note:
The majors in the Criminal Justice program do not lead directly to a professional license. Additional education and training is required to meet the standards established by the Minnesota Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) Board for employment as a peace/law enforcement officer.
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Download the Program Plan
Courses
1) 1000 level (minimum) General Education courses required unless specified.
GENERAL EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS
HUMA1125
Moral Problems
An introduction to ethical principles as applied to the moral issues and challenges individuals encounter in everyday life. Emphasis will be given to the analysis and development of ethical views and decision making. A broad variety of topics will be explored, including personal moral character, medical, religious, racial, and cultural issues. (Fulfills MnTC Goals 6 & 9) (Prerequisite: None) (3 credits: 3 lecture/0 lab)
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3 cr
PSYC1110
Introduction to Psychology
Psychology applies to everyone's personal and workplace daily life. In this course, you will be introduced to the history of psychology, consciousness, learning theories, memory, problem-solving, intelligence, motivation, life-span development, personality, abnormal psychology and therapy. (Fulfills MnTC Goal 5 & 7) (Prerequisite: none) (3 credits: 3 lecture/0 lab)
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3 cr
SOCS1110
Introduction to Sociology
The purpose of this course is to develop in students an understanding of basic sociological issues, concepts, terminology, and applications of these understandings with current societal events. Students will become conscious of societal influences in relationship to human and cultural dynamics in our world. This course will call for the development of reflective and critical thinking skills. (MnTC Goal 5) (Prerequisite: none) (3 credits: 3 lecture/0 lab)
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3 cr
SPAN1230
Introduction to Hispanic Cultures
Taught in English, Intro to Hispanic Cultures will acquaint the students with the concepts of culture and cultural identity, and bring them an awareness of the skills necessary to achieve successful cross-cultural communication, especially as it pertains to work with Hispanic clients. Students will compare and contrast their own culture with that of Spanish-speaking peoples. The course will also look at the "high" culture and civilization of Spanish-speaking countries, examining the arts, history, architecture, and literature. (MnTC Goals 6 & 8) (Prerequisite: None) (3 credits: 3 lecture/0 lab)
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3 cr
CJSP1102
Introduction to Criminal Justice
This course provides an overview of the philosophical and historical background of the components and policies that make-up the criminal justice system and their interrelationships in our diverse society. It examines deviant behavior in our society and the roles of law enforcement, courts, corrections and community corrections agencies. (Prerequisite: None) (3 Credits: 3 lecture/0 lab)
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3 cr
CJSP1220
Police and Community
The objective of the course is to provide an overview of the evolution and history of police to include how society has influenced policing. Examination of the operational structure of law enforcement agencies will enhance the students understanding of the complexity of policing and recognize the challenges with community policing. Understanding topics such as the nature of police work, recruit selection, enforcement of the law, police discretion, community relations, trends and social problems will broaden the students' awareness of police work in today's modern society. (Prerequisites: College Writing I and Introduction to Criminal Justice) (3 credits: 3 lecture/0 lab)
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3 cr
CJSP1230
Introduction to Corrections
This course provides an overview of the historical development of the current correctional system. Students will examine the various components of corrections such as theories of punishment, jails and prisons, offenders, institutional security measures, treatment programming, institutional management and community re-entry programming. (3 Credits: 3 lecture/0 lab)
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3 cr
CJSP2110
Juvenile Justice/Delinquency
The course provides an overview of the evolution, history, theories and societal response associated with the juvenile justice system. Topics such as youth in crisis, delinquency, interventions, treatment philosophy and programming, role of professionals and the juvenile justice systems will be examined. (Prerequisites: Writing College Level Placement and Introduction to Criminal Justice) (3 credits: 3 lecture/0 lab)
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3 cr
CJSP2250
Leadership for Criminal Justice
Criminal Justice professionals are leaders in their community, and a competent leader is an ethical leader. This course will prepare students for the leadership roles within the criminal justice system, while reviewing ethical dilemmas that may occur along your career path. The ability to lead and follow will equally be addressed, and students will be given a snapshot of the differences associated with a career path in both the public and private sector. Understanding the effectiveness and value of interpersonal communication along with reviewing the techniques to effectively utilize interpersonal communication skills. This class will prove beneficial for new, established, and future individuals working within the criminal justice field. (Prerequisites: Writing College Level and Introduction to Criminal Justice) (3 credits: 3 lecture/0 lab)
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3 cr
Total Credits Required for this Major: 32 Credits
Estimated Costs for this Major
| Approximate Tuition/Fees: | $6,792 |
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| Minimum Tool Cost: | N/A |
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| Books/Supplies: | $350 |
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| Estimated Total: | $7,142 |
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Career Opportunities
- Corrections Officers
- Probation Officers
- Local Police Departments
- State and Federal Agencies
- Correctional Treatment Specialist
- Security Officers
- Gaming Surveillance Officers
Career Information
Use the MN DEED Career and Education Explorer Data Tool to learn about wages, job growth, and much more in this career field.
Outcomes
Criminal Justice Program Outcomes:
- Understand how the criminal justice system works and how public opinion influences policies for responding to crime
- Understand the numerous components of criminal justice system
- Understand the causation of friction between community and police such as political influence, corruption, policy/law discretion, and discriminatory acts
- Understand the sociological, psychological and biological perspectives on the causation of crime and criminal behavior
- Understand hiring practices, training evolutions, subcultures, attitudes and orientation of criminal justice professionals
Highlights
- Explore the roles of law enforcement, courts, corrections and community corrections agencies
- Learn about ethical principles as applied to the moral issues and challenges individuals encounter in everyday life
- Overview of the evolution, history, theories and societal responses associated with the juvenile justice system
- Gain an awareness of the skills necessary to achieve successful cross-cultural communication, especially as it pertains to work with Hispanic clients.
- Create a personal career plan for successful college completion
Instructors
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Gregory Cady
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M.S., Criminal Justice, St. Cloud State University
B.E.S., Sociology and Criminal Justice, St. Cloud State University
Greg Cady began teaching at MSC Southeast as an adjunct instructor in 2004, moving to a full-time tenure track position in 2007. Prior to joining the teaching team, he dedicated 18 years in various positions within the criminal justice profession in California and Minnesota. Greg is a retired commissioned officer from the U.S. Navy with 30 years of service.
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Tamra Graham
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J.D., William Mitchell College of Law
B.A., Music, University of Alaska-Anchorage
Tamra Graham was a President's Scholar at William Mitchell College of Law. She has worked in both the public and private legal sectors. Since 2005, she has taught political science, philosophy, and criminal justice courses MSC Southeast. She was raised in Alaska and enjoys spending time with her family, cooking, reading, and many outdoor activities, including geocaching.
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Travis Volkman
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Travis Volkman began teaching at MSC Southeast in 2013 as an adjunct instructor. Travis brings with him over 14 years of law enforcement experience in the criminal justice system; currently employed with the Goodview Police Department and assigned as an Investigator and Computer Forensics Examiner with the Minnesota Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force. In addition to providing presentations about internet crimes against children, Travis teaches an online child exploitation class at Winona State University. Travis is the Field Training Program Coordinator for the Goodview, MN Police Department after having been employed in various rolls of the criminal justice system.
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Tammy Wherley
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M.A., Health and Human Services Administration, Saint Mary's University of Minnesota
B.A., Sociology, University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire
Tammy Wherley has been an adjunct instructor at MSC Southeast for more than 5 years. She began her career at the in 1997 as a Correctional Officer at Minnesota Correctional
Facility-Red Wing, Minnesota's only state operated juvenile facility. She held various positions from Case Manager to Associate Warden of Administration at MCF-Oak Park Heights, MCF-Lino Lakes,
and MCF-Stillwater, then returned to MCF-Red Wing as the Associate Warden of Operations in 2017.
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Amy Whitcomb
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M.S., Psychology, Western Illinois University
B.A., Psychology, Iowa Wesleyan College
A.A., Southeastern Community College, West Burlington, Iowa
An Iowa native, Amy Whitcomb has been teaching psychology since 1999, and began teaching at MSC Southeast in the fall of 2010. In the past, she has done counseling and social work, but decided she loved teaching far more than trying to save the world. While she is interested in most areas of psychology and criminal justice, social psychology and criminology are her favorites. In her spare time, she likes reading true crime accounts, watching true crime shows, listening to opera and classic rock, and spending time with her children. She has become an excellent cook, but remains unfulfilled by it.