The Criminal Justice Department at Bemidji State University recognizes the diversity of our students and the demand for alternatives to earn a degree outside the classroom setting. Rest assured, you will have access to Criminal Justice courses that utilize state of the art classrooms or a comprehensive online learning platform that will allow you to complete your degree from anywhere in the world.
The Department’s mission is to provide a theoretical and practical understanding of how the Criminal Justice system functions and introduce students to basic knowledge that scholarship has produced about crime and the administration of justice. Having an interdisciplinary focus, the major develops critical thinking, communication skills, technology skills and exposure to scientific and theoretical models. Equally important, the department will instruct students in ethical professional behavior.
“It was a good all around education and enabled me to make contacts with criminal justice agencies in northern MN and my internship with the public defender office in Bemidji was invaluable to understanding my future career goals.”–Michael Grover (1998 Graduate)
Undergraduate Majors
- Corrections Emphasis
- Police Science Emphasis
- Tribal Justice Emphasis
- Victimology Emphasis
Undergraduate Minors
You can still learn about criminal justice, investigations, corrections or the courts while majoring in another area. Complete all or part of a criminal justice minor to prepare yourself to step into the workforce or take on the challenges of an advanced degree.
Certificates
Do you want to take advantage of the spectacular pay, retirement, benefits, camaraderie and excitement of becoming a peace officer, but you have a degree in something other than criminal justice? Bemidji State’s Peace Officer certificate may be the quickest way to reach your career goals by combining your current degree or major with a certificate that fast-tracks your way to peace officer licensure.
Minnesota Peace Officer Certificate
For more information about these programs, visit the course catalog.