Program: Criminal Justice Minor - South Dakota State University

2024-2025 Undergraduate Catalog

Apr 12, 2025

Students sitting in a classroom.

Program Coordinator/Contact

Katie Derrick, Professional Advisor
School of Psychology, Sociology and Rural Studies
Psychology, Sociology and Rural Studies 110
605-688-6296

Program Information

The minor in Criminal Justice is designed for students seeking careers in probation, parole, court services, pre-law, private security, or general law enforcement. This dynamic minor is administered by the School of Psychology, Sociology and Rural Studies and is available to students majoring in any field at SDSU. The purposes of this program are 1) to provide qualified personnel for all segments of the Criminal Justice system; and 2) to help improve the competence and professional status of existing Criminal Justice personnel. An internship is strongly recommended. Students desiring more information or who are interested in minoring in Criminal Justice should consult with the coordinator of the program no later than the beginning of their junior year.

Course Delivery Format

Coursework for the program is delivered in multiple formats including face-to-face lecture and online courses.

Academic Requirements

Students must have a cumulative GPA of 2.2 to enter the program and a minimum GPA of 2.2 in the minor to complete. Students may select any major, but (*) courses may not be used for both a Criminal Justice Minor and Sociology Major or Minor. Students will need to earn a C grade or better in courses taken for the minor.

Requirements for Criminal Justice Minor: 18 Credits

CJUS 201 - Introduction to Criminal Justice (COM) [SGR #3, HSDC] Credits: 3
SOC 351 - Criminology (COM) Credits: 3 *

Electives

Select from the following. Credits: 12

CJUS 203 - Policing in a Free Society (COM) Credits: 3
CJUS 334 - Criminal Investigation (COM) Credits: 3
CJUS 338 - Constitutional Law: Civil Rights and Liberties Credits: 3
CJUS 412 - Criminal Prosecution and Defense (COM) Credits: 3
CJUS / SOC 416 - Drugs and Society Credits: 3
CJUS 431 - Criminal Law (COM) Credits: 3
CJUS 436 - Juvenile Justice (COM) Credits: 3
CJUS 491 - Independent Study (COM) Credits: 1-3
CJUS 492 - Topics (COM) Credits: 3
SOC 325 - Domestic and Intimate Violence (COM) Credits: 3 *
SOC 354 - Victimology (COM) Credits: 3 *
SOC 402 - Social Deviance (COM) Credits: 3
SOC 455 - Juvenile Delinquency (COM) Credits: 3 *
SOC 456 - Community Corrections (COM) Credits: 3 *
SOC 492 - Topics (COM) Credits: 1-3

Criminal Justice Minor

Location(s): Brookings Main Campus, CloseOnlineClose