{"id":9847,"date":"2026-04-02T09:21:18","date_gmt":"2026-04-02T14:21:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.winona.edu\/academics\/?page_id=9847"},"modified":"2026-04-02T09:21:19","modified_gmt":"2026-04-02T14:21:19","slug":"programs","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.winona.edu\/academics\/colleges\/liberal-arts\/sociology-criminal-justice-department\/programs\/","title":{"rendered":"Sociology &amp; Criminal Justice Programs"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>WSU\u2019s Department of Sociology &amp; Criminal Justice offers 3 majors and 2 minors taught by faculty with extensive experience, both academically and in the field.&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\">Sociology<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Sociology students will learn how to create change for people and societies through critical thinking, problem solving, and communication skills. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You will also explore situations from multiple perspectives, setting aside assumptions and looking at the big picture. <\/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\">Major<\/button>\n<button class=\"tabs__toggle\" tabindex=\"0\" aria-expanded=\"false\" id=\"tabbed-2\">Minor<\/button>\n    <\/div>\n\n    <div class=\"tabs-content\">\n        <button class=\"tabs__mobile__toggle\">Major<\/button>\n<div class=\"tabs__content__item\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><div><p>Explore how social experiences and social structure shape people\u2019s beliefs and behavior.<\/p>\n<p>This major will help you better understand human social behavior in a variety of settings using scientific research and theories.<\/p>\n<p>Learn more about the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.winona.edu\/academics\/programs\/sociology\/\">Sociology major<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Advising Resources<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/w3.winona.edu\/DataServices\/WSUCatalog\/3750\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Sociology 4-Year Major Map<\/a>\u00a0(PDF)<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.winona.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Pathway-Major-Map-BA-Sociology-2019.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Sociology Transfer Pathway Major Map<\/a>\u00a0(PDF)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<button class=\"tabs__mobile__toggle\">Minor<\/button>\n<div class=\"tabs__content__item\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><div><p>In this minor, you\u2019ll learn how to use sociological skills and knowledge to engage with today\u2019s social issues.<\/p>\n<p>You\u2019ll also evaluate the causes and consequences of social inequality.<\/p>\n<p>Learn more about the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.winona.edu\/academics\/programs\/sociology-minor\/\">Sociology minor<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n    <\/div>\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Careers<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Here are some careers sociology students pursue after graduation:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Admissions Counselor<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Career Counselor<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Child Welfare Worker<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Customer Service Director<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Gerontologist<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Guidance Counselor<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Hospital Administrator<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Human Resources<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Market Researcher<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Marriage Counselor<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Probation Officer<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Public Relations Manager<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Rehabilitation Counselor<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Sales<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Social Worker<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Sociologist<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Learn more about careers in sociology from the <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.asanet.org\/\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.asanet.org\/\" target=\"_blank\">American Sociological Association<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.winona.edu\/student-life\/career-services\/\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.winona.edu\/student-life\/career-services\/\">WSU Career Services<\/a>. <\/p>\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>\n            \n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Criminal Justice<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Criminal Justice students study subjects such as law enforcement, courts, law, corrections, and agencies dealing with juvenile offenders to be prepared for careers in&nbsp;police science and correctional agencies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The criminal justice program offers students:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Faculty with experience in a variety of criminal justice settings<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Development of critical thinking skills as well as proficiency in writing and communication<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Small classes tailored to a more personalized learning experience<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Development of professional leadership skills<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Affordable tuition&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\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\">Police Science Major<\/button>\n<button class=\"tabs__toggle\" tabindex=\"0\" aria-expanded=\"false\" id=\"tabbed-2\">Corrections &amp; Justice Services Major<\/button>\n<button class=\"tabs__toggle\" tabindex=\"0\" aria-expanded=\"false\" id=\"tabbed-3\">Criminal Justice Minor<\/button>\n    <\/div>\n\n    <div class=\"tabs-content\">\n        <button class=\"tabs__mobile__toggle\">Police Science Major<\/button>\n<div class=\"tabs__content__item\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><div><p>The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.winona.edu\/academics\/colleges\/liberal-arts\/sociology-criminal-justice-department\/programs\/police-science\/\">Police Science major<\/a> 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.<\/p>\n<p>With a focus on developing practical skills, students will learn the fundamentals of policing while building on a solid academic foundation.<\/p>\n<p>WSU is certified by the <a href=\"https:\/\/dps.mn.gov\/entity\/post\/Pages\/default.aspx\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Minnesota Peace Officers Standards and Training Board<\/a> (POST) to provide Professional Police Officers Education (PPOE).<\/p>\n<p>This offers students the classes required to obtain POST licensure and move toward becoming a police officer in Minnesota.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<button class=\"tabs__mobile__toggle\">Corrections &amp; Justice Services Major<\/button>\n<div class=\"tabs__content__item\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><div><p>The\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.winona.edu\/academics\/colleges\/liberal-arts\/sociology-criminal-justice-department\/programs\/corrections-justice-services\/\">Corrections &amp; Justice Services<\/a>\u00a0major will teach students the necessary skills and knowledge to work in a variety of criminal justice positions.<\/p>\n<p>Students will learn about institutional corrections, community corrections and other positions within the area of justice services.<\/p>\n<p>The Corrections &amp; Justice Services major may be right for you if you:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>are interested in how offenders think<\/li>\n<li>want to help offenders succeed after their release from prison<\/li>\n<li>are passionate about working with juveniles or advocating for victims<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<button class=\"tabs__mobile__toggle\">Criminal Justice Minor<\/button>\n<div class=\"tabs__content__item\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><div><p>Students can also minor in <a href=\"https:\/\/w3.winona.edu\/DataServices\/WSUCatalog\/3026\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Criminal Justice<\/a>. Through this minor, students will learn about some of the nation&#8217;s most pressing problems around:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>crime<\/li>\n<li>race<\/li>\n<li>justice<\/li>\n<li>social control<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n    <\/div>\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Admissions &amp; Retention Requirements<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Admission to the criminal justice program requires:&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>completion of ENG 111 or equivalent with a grade of a \u201cC\u201d or higher&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>completion of SOC 150 and CJS 210 with a minimum GPA of 2.50 and with grades of a \u201cC\u201d or higher&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>The Criminal Justice Faculty will review and make a recommendation on the student&#8217;s application. You will be notified of the decision by email or mail.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Once admitted to the program, students must demonstrate acceptable progress to remain in good standing.&nbsp;You must maintain a 2.50 GPA for all courses taken within the criminal justice program.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The student must get a grade of at least a \u201cC\u201d in all course work in the criminal justice program. If you complete a course with a grade lower than a \u201cC,\u201d then you\u2019ll have to repeat the course.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>See full retention requirements in the&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.winona.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/Criminal-Justice-Handbook.pdf\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.winona.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/WSU-Criminal-Justice-Handbook-2022.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Criminal Justice Handbook<\/a> (PDF).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Careers<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Graduates of the WSU Criminal Justice program can pursue a wide variety of careers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Entry-level opportunities within the criminal justice profession are quite diverse, and professional requirements vary from position to position.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>According to criminal justice professionals, it is beneficial to have other professional skills in addition to your criminal justice background.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Many federal, state, and local corrections and law enforcement agencies are seeking individuals with Spanish-speaking skills.&nbsp;Agencies can also consider proficiency in other languages useful.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Others believe that education in the areas of accounting, computer science, and chemical use assessment is relevant in hiring decisions of some agencies.&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\">Police Science Careers <\/button>\n<button class=\"tabs__toggle\" tabindex=\"0\" aria-expanded=\"false\" id=\"tabbed-2\">Corrections &amp; Justice Services Careers <\/button>\n    <\/div>\n\n    <div class=\"tabs-content\">\n        <button class=\"tabs__mobile__toggle\">Police Science Careers <\/button>\n<div class=\"tabs__content__item\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><div><ul>\n<li>Police Officer\/Deputy<\/li>\n<li>Detective\/Investigator<\/li>\n<li>Canine Officer<\/li>\n<li>SWAT team member<\/li>\n<li>State Trooper<\/li>\n<li>Crime Scene Tech.<\/li>\n<li>Juvenile Officer<\/li>\n<li>Supervisor<\/li>\n<li>Fish &amp; Wildlife Officer<\/li>\n<li>Campus safety<\/li>\n<li>Vice\/undercover<\/li>\n<li>Special victims unit<\/li>\n<li>Railroad Police Officer<\/li>\n<li>Airport Police Officer<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<button class=\"tabs__mobile__toggle\">Corrections &amp; Justice Services Careers <\/button>\n<div class=\"tabs__content__item\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><div><ul>\n<li>Correction Officer<\/li>\n<li>Adult Probation<\/li>\n<li>Juvenile Probation<\/li>\n<li>Adult Parole<\/li>\n<li>Community Corrections<\/li>\n<li>Classification Officer<\/li>\n<li>Detention Officer<\/li>\n<li>Warden\/supervisor<\/li>\n<li>Case Manager<\/li>\n<li>Housing Unit Manager<\/li>\n<li>Special Operations<\/li>\n<li>Absconder Unit<\/li>\n<li>Treatment Specialist<\/li>\n<li>Pre-Trial Officer<\/li>\n<li>Court Administrator<\/li>\n<li>Paralegal<\/li>\n<li>Court clerk<\/li>\n<li>Legal Assistant\/researcher<\/li>\n<li>Prosecutor<\/li>\n<li>Defense counsel<\/li>\n<li>Diversion Officer<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n    <\/div>\n\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 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>WSU\u2019s Department of Sociology &amp; 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