Crookston, Minn. (May 18, 2008) – Students interested in criminal justice, whether new to the field or currently employed in it, will now have an option to pursue a bachelor of science degree at the University of Minnesota, Crookston. The criminal justice degree program was approved starting fall 2008 for the Crookston campus by the University of Minnesota Board of Regents at their May meeting.

 

“The University of Minnesota, Crookston continues to develop and offer students exceptional program options that lead to dynamic careers,” said Jack Geller, Ph.D., head of the Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences Department. “With its focus on application, our criminal justice degree will be the first of its kind in the University of Minnesota system. The program’s interdisciplinary approach will help students gain the skills and learning critical to employers in the field.”

 

As the need for professionals in the criminal justice field increases, it is important to prepare students to succeed by providing in-depth, hands-on learning in various aspects of criminal justice. For the past nine years, the Crookston campus has offered criminal justice classes through its law enforcement aviation and natural resources law enforcement degrees.

 

“Offering this new degree program at the Crookston campus provides an outstanding opportunity to expand our already successful aviation and natural resources law enforcement programs to students with a more general interest in the field of criminal justice,” said David Seyfried, instructor in the Aviation/Natural Resources Law Enforcement programs. “Having experienced, qualified faculty available to teach in the program already is a real plus, and when fully implemented, the program will provide opportunities for working professionals in criminal justice to build on their associate degree at a transfer-friendly university.”

 

Emphases in either law enforcement or corrections will lead students to a professional career as a police, corrections, probation or parole officer or to positions with court administration or victim services. A criminal justice minor is also available.

 

Unique opportunities for training and internship experiences will also be an important aspect of the degree. If students are interested, they also will have the preparation needed to continue graduate training in fields such as political science, law, criminology, public administration, psychology, forensics and social work.

 

For more information on the criminal justice degree program, contact Geller at 218-281-8248 or gelle045@umn.edu.

 

The University of Minnesota, Crookston (UMC) delivers more than 25 applied-science undergraduate degree programs and 50 concentrations, including several online degrees, in agriculture; arts, humanities and social sciences; business; math, science and technology; and natural resources. Invent yourself at the University of Minnesota, Crookston – become a leader, innovate through technology and research and secure the career you want. To learn more, visit www.UMCrookston.edu.

 

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