Department of Criminal Justice

This is an archived copy of the 2020-21 catalog. To access the most recent version of the catalog, please visit http://bulletin.ndsu.edu.

Undergraduate Programs of Study

  • Criminal Justice (major, minor)
  • Fraud Investigation (minor)

Graduate Programs of Study

  • Criminal Justice

Degrees Offered

  • Bachelor of Arts (B.A.)
  • Bachelor of Science (B.S.)
  • Master of Science (M.S.)
  • Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)

Department Description

Our department serves approximately 325 undergraduate students and 20 graduate students.  The department offers bachelor's degrees and minors in criminal justice and both an M.S. in criminal justice administration and a Ph.D. in criminal justice.   Undergraduate criminal justice students in their junior year may apply to our accelerated master's program.  This program allows exceptional undergraduate students to complete the master's degree in 3 semesters after completion of the bachelor's degree by taking select coursework which counts for credit in both the bachelor's and master's degrees.   

About the Faculty

Our five full-time faculty members in the department represent a wide array of expertise, focusing on policing, corrections, theories of crime, juvenile justice, and federal law enforcement, to name a few.

Career Paths for our Students

Students graduating with a degree in criminal justice have found rewarding careers in policing, federal law enforcement, conservation law enforcement, parole and probation, corrections, crime analysis, and victim advocacy just to name a few.  

In sum, the content knowledge, the analytical and communication skills, and the capacity for critical thinking (all of which are delivered and nurtured through our programs) prepare students for a multitude of career paths.

Clubs and Internships

The department is home to the Criminal Justice Club in which students may expand their knowledge of criminal justice, the law, and career opportunities through the meetings with professionals and field trips sponsored by these clubs. The department also offers internships and cooperative education opportunities.