Academics Colleges College of Liberal Arts Sociology & Criminal Justice Department Sociology & Criminal Justice Programs

Sociology & Criminal Justice Programs

WSU’s Department of Sociology & Criminal Justice offers 3 majors and 2 minors taught by faculty with extensive experience, both academically and in the field.

Sociology

Sociology students will learn how to create change for people and societies through critical thinking, problem solving, and communication skills.

You will also explore situations from multiple perspectives, setting aside assumptions and looking at the big picture.

Careers

Here are some careers sociology students pursue after graduation:

Admissions Counselor
Career Counselor
Child Welfare Worker
Customer Service Director
Gerontologist
Guidance Counselor
Hospital Administrator
Human Resources
Market Researcher
Marriage Counselor
Probation Officer
Public Relations Manager
Rehabilitation Counselor
Sales
Social Worker
Sociologist

Learn more about careers in sociology from the American Sociological Association and WSU Career Services.

Criminal Justice

Criminal Justice students study subjects such as law enforcement, courts, law, corrections, and agencies dealing with juvenile offenders to be prepared for careers in police science and correctional agencies.

The criminal justice program offers students:

Faculty with experience in a variety of criminal justice settings
Development of critical thinking skills as well as proficiency in writing and communication
Small classes tailored to a more personalized learning experience
Development of professional leadership skills
Affordable tuition

The Police Science major prepares students to be leaders in their communities. You will get specialized knowledge from faculty who have experience in all areas of the justice system.

With a focus on developing practical skills, students will learn the fundamentals of policing while building on a solid academic foundation.

WSU is certified by the Minnesota Peace Officers Standards and Training Board (POST) to provide Professional Police Officers Education (PPOE).

This offers students the classes required to obtain POST licensure and move toward becoming a police officer in Minnesota.

The Corrections & Justice Services major will teach students the necessary skills and knowledge to work in a variety of criminal justice positions.

Students will learn about institutional corrections, community corrections and other positions within the area of justice services.

The Corrections & Justice Services major may be right for you if you:

are interested in how offenders think
want to help offenders succeed after their release from prison
are passionate about working with juveniles or advocating for victims

Admissions & Retention Requirements

Admission to the criminal justice program requires:

completion of ENG 111 or equivalent with a grade of a “C” or higher
completion of SOC 150 and CJS 210 with a minimum GPA of 2.50 and with grades of a “C” or higher

The Criminal Justice Faculty will review and make a recommendation on the student’s application. You will be notified of the decision by email or mail.

Once admitted to the program, students must demonstrate acceptable progress to remain in good standing. You must maintain a 2.50 GPA for all courses taken within the criminal justice program.

The student must get a grade of at least a “C” in all course work in the criminal justice program. If you complete a course with a grade lower than a “C,” then you’ll have to repeat the course.

See full retention requirements in the Criminal Justice Handbook (PDF).

Careers

Graduates of the WSU Criminal Justice program can pursue a wide variety of careers.

Entry-level opportunities within the criminal justice profession are quite diverse, and professional requirements vary from position to position.

According to criminal justice professionals, it is beneficial to have other professional skills in addition to your criminal justice background.

Many federal, state, and local corrections and law enforcement agencies are seeking individuals with Spanish-speaking skills. Agencies can also consider proficiency in other languages useful.

Others believe that education in the areas of accounting, computer science, and chemical use assessment is relevant in hiring decisions of some agencies.