Criminal Justice
Criminal justice as a discipline is concerned with the broad areas of law enforcement, courts and corrections, as well as criminological and legal theories which inform practice in these areas. The work of criminal justice practitioners may include police patrol, criminal investigations, supervising juveniles on probation, counseling and correctional work in institutions, group homes, or halfway houses, and other rewarding careers. Within these and other career fields, criminal justice practitioners enjoy exciting professional challenges and opportunities for serving society and helping people.
The Program
During the past few years, the demand for professionals in criminal justice-related careers 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 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 provides 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 Putnam Hall 102.
Peace Officer Training and Licensure
The Department of Criminal Justice and Political Science has a relationship with Alexandria Community and Technical College in Alexandria, MN, which permits our students to attend the peace officer skills program there and ultimately obtain eligibility for peace officer licensure in Minnesota. NDSU criminal justice students are able to complete the skills training during the summer after their junior or senior year. Students interested in local law enforcement careers in North Dakota may complete the Alexandria skills training or may take Lake Region State College's peace officer skills training program in Fargo or in Devils Lake, ND. More information about both skills training program options, and the career opportunities that follow can be obtained from the Department of Criminal Justice and Political Science.
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. These jobs typically come with good salaries and benefits, although they 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 many 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, and the law. Course requirements are based on the idea that our students should work through a curriculum that equips them with a broad knowledge of the criminal justice system and criminological theory, and prepares them for a wide range of duties and professional responsibilities. The department also offers a minor in criminal justice and partners with the Department of Accounting and Information Systems on a fraud investigation minor.
Internship Program
Many students elect to complete an internship. This is usually done during 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.
Accelerated Master's Program
Exceptional undergraduate students interested in pursuing a master's degree in criminal justice may apply in their junior year for admission into the department's accelerated master's program. This program allows students to complete certain courses which will count for both their bachelor's and master's degrees in criminal justice, thereby shortening the time it takes to complete the master's degree. Students interested in this option should consult with the department's graduate program coordinator or with their adviser.
The Faculty
- Jeffrey Bumgarner, Professor and Department Head, Ph.D.,
2000, University of Minnesota
- Carol Archbold, Professor and Department Chair, Ph.D.
2002, University of Nebraska - Omaha - Sarah Boonstoppel, Assistant Professor, Ph.D.,
2014, University of Maryland, College Park - Steven Briggs, Associate Professor, Ph.D.,
2007, University of Nebraska - Omaha - Andrew Myer, Assistant Professor, Ph.D.
2010, University of Cincinnati - Amy Stichman, Associate Professor of Practice, Ph.D.
2003, University of Cincinnati - Kevin Thompson, Professor, Ph.D.
1986, University of Arizona
Criminal Justice Plan of Study
Please note this is a sample plan of study and not an official curriculum. Actual student schedules for each semester will vary depending on start year, education goals, applicable transfer credit, and course availability. Students are encouraged to work with their academic advisor on a regular basis to review degree progress and customize an individual plan of study.
First Year | |||
Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
CJ 201 Introduction to Criminal Justice | 3 | CJ 230 Criminology | 3 |
MATH 104 or 103 Finite Mathematics or College Algebra | 3 | CJ 210 or 270 Introduction to Policing or | 3 |
ENGL 110 College Composition I | 4 | ENGL 120 College Composition II | 3 |
ANTH 111 Introduction to Anthropology | 3 | COMM 110 Fundamentals of Public Speaking | 3 |
PSYC 111 Introduction to Psychology | 3 | SOC 110 Introduction to Sociology | 3 |
| 16 |
| 15 |
Second Year | |||
Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
CJ 270 or 210 Introduction to Corrections or | 3 | CJ 325 or POLS 325 Applied Research Methods or | 4 |
POLS 230 Judicial Process | 3 | AHSS Requirement | 3 |
STAT 330 Introductory Statistics | 3 | Gen Ed Humanities & Fine Arts | 3 |
Gen Ed Science & Technology w/ Lab | 4 | Gen Ed Science & Technology | 3 |
Minor | 3 | Minor | 3 |
| 16 |
| 16 |
Third Year | |||
Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
CJ 406 or 407 Crime and Delinquency or Deviant Behavior | 3 | CJ 460 Criminal Court System | 3 |
CJ 330 or POLS 431 Criminal Law and Procedure or | 3 | CJ 410 or 461 Police & Society or Corrections | 3 |
ENGL 320 or 358 Business and Professional Writing or | 3 | Gen Ed Science & Technology | 3 |
Gen Ed Humanities & Fine Arts | 3 | AHSS Requirement | 3 |
Gen Ed Wellness | 2 | Minor | 3 |
| 14 |
| 15 |
Fourth Year | |||
Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
CJ 465 Women and Minorities in Criminal Justice | 3 | CJ elective | 3 |
CJ 407 or 406 Deviant Behavior or Crime and Delinquency | 3 | CJ elective | 3 |
CJ 489 Senior Capstone in Criminal Justice | 1 | Minor | 3 |
Minor | 3 | Minor | 3 |
Minor | 3 | Minor or 300-400 level elective | 3 |
| 13 |
| 15 |
Total Credits: 120 | |||
View NDSU equivalencies of transfer courses at: www.ndsu.edu/transfer/equivalencies
Putnam Hall
Dept #2315
Putnam Hall is located at 1349 12th Avenue North, Fargo, ND 58102 (Campus Map)
Contact Information
Criminal Justice
NDSU Dept 2315,
PO Box 6050
Fargo, ND 58108-6050
DEPT PHONE: (701) 231-8567
DEPT WEBSITE: www.ndsu.edu/cjps
or
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/
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