{"id":9796,"date":"2026-04-02T09:21:03","date_gmt":"2026-04-02T14:21:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.winona.edu\/academics\/?page_id=9796"},"modified":"2026-04-02T09:21:04","modified_gmt":"2026-04-02T14:21:04","slug":"sociology-criminal-justice-department","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.winona.edu\/academics\/colleges\/liberal-arts\/sociology-criminal-justice-department\/","title":{"rendered":"Sociology &amp; Criminal Justice Department\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Winona State\u2019s Sociology &amp; Criminal Justice Department gives students the resources they need to be successful in a variety of settings. Our programs teach students how to explore situations from different perspectives and create change.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Students will learn skills that can be applied in a variety of settings. From behavioral analysis to research, you will leave this program with widely applicable skills.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n    <div class=\"panel panel--white\">\n        <div class=\"panel__container\">\n            <div class=\"panel__intro\">\n                        <\/div>\n            \n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Why Study Criminal Justice at WSU<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The WSU Criminal Justice program offers instruction in the skills necessary to succeed in the field of criminal justice.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Students can specialize in the specific major connected with their interests. However, each major offers instruction that can be applied in a variety of settings.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Our faculty will help you get the skills necessary to succeed in criminal justice.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wsu-block tabs\">\n\n    <div class=\"tabs-nav\">\n        <button class=\"tabs__toggle\" tabindex=\"0\" aria-expanded=\"false\" id=\"tabbed-1\">Experiential Learning<\/button>\n<button class=\"tabs__toggle\" tabindex=\"0\" aria-expanded=\"false\" id=\"tabbed-2\">Versatile Majors<\/button>\n<button class=\"tabs__toggle\" tabindex=\"0\" aria-expanded=\"false\" id=\"tabbed-3\">Faculty<\/button>\n    <\/div>\n\n    <div class=\"tabs-content\">\n        <button class=\"tabs__mobile__toggle\">Experiential Learning<\/button>\n<div class=\"tabs__content__item\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><div><p>The WSU Criminal Justice program strives to offer practical learning experiences in both the classroom and the field.<\/p>\n<p>We conduct field trips to exciting locations like medical examiners&#8217; offices and prisons.<\/p>\n<p>Most importantly, our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.winona.edu\/academics\/colleges\/liberal-arts\/sociology-criminal-justice-department\/internships\/\">internship<\/a>\u00a0is a cornerstone in our program, and students will be able to get hands-on experience with an actual criminal justice agency.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<button class=\"tabs__mobile__toggle\">Versatile Majors<\/button>\n<div class=\"tabs__content__item\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><div><p>Students can choose from 2 bachelor&#8217;s degree programs: Police Science and Corrections.<\/p>\n<p>We focus on developing on-the-job skills that allow students to work in many different roles in the criminal justice system.<\/p>\n<p>Students will learn about the 3 major systems of criminal justice\u2014policing, courts, and corrections\u2014from faculty who have real-world experience.<\/p>\n<p>We also give a solid foundation in criminological theory and offer students the opportunity to apply their knowledge through various field trips and internships in the field.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<button class=\"tabs__mobile__toggle\">Faculty<\/button>\n<div class=\"tabs__content__item\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><div><p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.winona.edu\/academics\/colleges\/liberal-arts\/sociology-criminal-justice-department\/faculty\/\">WSU Criminal Justice<span class=\"apple-converted-space\"> faculty<\/span><\/a> bring a wealth of professional and academic experience to the classroom.<\/p>\n<p>Faculty have experience in each major area of criminal justice. WSU offers instruction from a former police officer, a former corrections officers, and a former prosecutor.<\/p>\n<p>Faculty also have experience in social services and juvenile justice. Our faculty has conducted research that has been published in nationally recognized academic journals.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n    <\/div>\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div style=\"height:100px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Why Study Sociology at WSU<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Sociologists use scientific research methods and theories to study human behavior, social groups, and social structures.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Studying sociology will not only give you insight into human behavior, but also help develop your creativity, critical thinking, communication skills, problem solving, and innovation.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"feature-grid feature-grid--light\">\n                <div class=\"feature-block feature-block--33 wsu-block\">            <div class=\"feature-block__content\">\n                <div class=\"feature-block__title\">One-on-One Support<\/div>\n                <div class=\"feature-block__description\"><p>Our bachelor&#8217;s degree focuses on individual student attention and frequent student-faculty interaction.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n            <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n                <div class=\"feature-block feature-block--33 wsu-block\">            <div class=\"feature-block__content\">\n                <div class=\"feature-block__title\">Marketable Skills &amp; Experiences<\/div>\n                <div class=\"feature-block__description\"><p>Our students learn a wide range of skills that employers seek, including research skills, communication skills, and critical thinking skills.<\/p>\n<p>Our students also get multiple hands-on learning experiences.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n            <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n                <div class=\"feature-block feature-block--33 wsu-block\">            <div class=\"feature-block__content\">\n                <div class=\"feature-block__title\">Dedicated Faculty &amp; Staff<\/div>\n                <div class=\"feature-block__description\"><p>Our faculty are committed to student learning through quality teaching, research, and student development.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n            <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n\n\n\n\n    <div class=\"panel panel--white\">\n        <div class=\"panel__container\">\n            <div class=\"panel__intro\">\n                        <\/div>\n            \n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Sociology &amp; Criminal Justice in the News<\/h2>\n\n\n    <div class=\"feature mb-1 wsu-block\">\n        <div class=\"feature__media\">\n   <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.winona.edu\/academics\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2025\/05\/WSU-Michelle-Keller-feature-2021-04-16-600x400.jpg\" alt=\"WSU professor Michelle Keller\">\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"feature__content\">\n   <a class=\"wsu-link\" href=\"https:\/\/blogs.winona.edu\/academics\/criminal-justice\/\"><div class=\"feature__title\">Leading Change in the System<\/div><\/a>\n   <div class=\"feature__description\">At Winona State, Dr. Michelle Keller brings years of courtroom experience into the classroom. She\u2019s passionate about teaching students to lead with empathy, fairness, and respect in criminal justice careers.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n    <\/div>\n\n\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n\n\n\n\n    <div class=\"panel panel--white\">\n        <div class=\"panel__container\">\n            <div class=\"panel__intro\">\n                            <div class=\"h3\">Contact the Sociology &amp; Criminal Justice Department<\/div>\n                        <\/div>\n            \n\n<div class=\"wsu-block grid grid--50\">\n    <div class=\"wsu-block contact-card mb-1\">\n   <div class=\"contact-card__content\">\n       <div class=\"contact-card__title h4\">\n           Department of Sociology &amp; Criminal Justice\n       <\/div>\n       <div class=\"contact-card__subtitle h4\">\n           Minn\u00e9 Hall 228\n       <\/div>\n       <div class=\"contact-card__description\">\n           <p>507.457.5222<\/p>\n\n       <\/div>\n       <a class=\"wsu-link contact-card__link\" href=\"mailto:criminal_justice@winona.edu\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"\">Email the Sociology &amp; Criminal Justice Department <\/a>\n   <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wsu-block contact-card mb-1\">\n   <div class=\"contact-card__content\">\n       <div class=\"contact-card__title h4\">\n           Mark Norman\n       <\/div>\n       <div class=\"contact-card__subtitle h4\">\n           Department Chair, Professor\n       <\/div>\n       <div class=\"contact-card__description\">\n           <p><span data-identifyelement=\"508\">Minn\u00e9 Hall <\/span>133<\/p>\n<p>507.457.5670<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.winona.edu\/academics\/colleges\/liberal-arts\/sociology-criminal-justice-department\/faculty\/mark-norman\/\">Learn more about Dr. Norman<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n       <\/div>\n       <a class=\"wsu-link contact-card__link\" href=\"mailto:mnorman@winona.edu\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"\">Email Mark Norman <\/a>\n   <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wsu-block contact-card mb-1\">\n   <div class=\"contact-card__content\">\n       <div class=\"contact-card__title h4\">\n           Dr. Rafael Narvaez\n       <\/div>\n       <div class=\"contact-card__subtitle h4\">\n           Sociology Program Coordinator, Professor\n       <\/div>\n       <div class=\"contact-card__description\">\n           <p><span data-identifyelement=\"508\">Minn\u00e9 Hall <\/span>223<\/p>\n<p>507.457.5699<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.winona.edu\/academics\/colleges\/liberal-arts\/sociology-criminal-justice-department\/faculty\/rafael-narvaez\/\">Learn more about Rafael Narvaez<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n       <\/div>\n       <a class=\"wsu-link contact-card__link\" href=\"mailto:rnarvaez@winona.edu\" target=\"_self\" title=\"\">Email Dr. Rafael Narvaez<\/a>\n   <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wsu-block contact-card mb-1\">\n   <div class=\"contact-card__content\">\n       <div class=\"contact-card__title h4\">\n           Pattie Thompson\n       <\/div>\n       <div class=\"contact-card__subtitle h4\">\n           Office Manager\n       <\/div>\n       <div class=\"contact-card__description\">\n           <p data-identifyelement=\"507\"><span data-identifyelement=\"508\">Minn\u00e9 Hall 212<\/span><\/p>\n<p data-identifyelement=\"511\"><span data-identifyelement=\"512\">507.457.5418<\/span><\/p>\n\n       <\/div>\n       <a class=\"wsu-link contact-card__link\" href=\"mailto:Pattie.Thompson@winona.edu\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"\">Email Pattie Thompson<\/a>\n   <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Winona State\u2019s Sociology &amp; 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