NSU Catalog 2020-2021 
    
    Nov 30, 2024  
NSU Catalog 2020-2021 [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Criminal Justice (AA)


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In addition to being offered on Northern State University’s main campus (Aberdeen, SD), this major is also available online.

Student Learning Outcomes

  • Students will be able to identify and apply the theories, philosophy, policies, and practices of the major institutions of criminal justice as well as relevant substantive and procedural criminal law. (Cross-curricular Skills: Inquiry and Analysis)
  • Students will be able to explain how the major components of the criminal justice system (police, courts, and corrections) are inter-dependent, and how the political, legal, ethical, and socioeconomic environments in which they operate affect them as well as victims, offenders, justice professionals, and society. (Cross-curricular Skills: Diversity, Inclusion, and Equity)
  • Students will be able to identify the characteristics of high-quality data and methods in criminology and criminal justice research and effectively explain the results of such research to others. (Cross-curricular Skills: Critical and Creative Thinking)
  • Students will be able to assess the effectiveness of criminal justice and/or U.S. homeland security policies and practices through analysis of contemporary issues and threat landscapes. (Cross-curricular Skills: Problem Solving)
  • Students will be able to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, and demonstrate basic knowledge of information technology. (Cross-curricular Skills: Teamwork)

Required Courses (17 credits)


Electives (6 credits)


General Education Requirements


Baccalaureate degrees - 30 credits

Associate degrees - 24 credits

Goal #1: Written Communication (6 credits Baccalaureate/Associate)


Student enrollment in the initial English course is determined by the Board of Regents placement policy (2:7.6).

Goal #2: Oral Communcation (3 credits Baccalaureate/Associate)


Goal #4: Arts and Humanities (6 credits Baccalaureate/3 credits Associate)


Goal #5: Mathematics (3 credits Baccalaureate/Associate)


Student enrollment in the initial Mathematics course is determined by the Board of Regents placement policy (AAC Guidelines 7.6).

Goal #6: Natural Sciences (6 credits Baccalaureate/3 Credits Associate)


Associate Degree Flexibility (3 credits)


Students have the flexibility to select an additional three credits from Goal #3, #4, or #6 with courses selected from different disciplinary prefixes.

Total Degree: 60 Credits


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