Criminal Justice Studies Program

Sandy McKeown, Program Coordinator
Dakota Hall, Room 117
(605) 658-6755
Sandy.Mckeown@usd.edu

FACULTY

Associate Professor:

Sandy McKeown, Juvenile Justice; Ethics in Criminal Justice; Writing and Research in Criminal Justice; Mock Trial; Criminal Prosecution and Defense

Assistant Professor:

Jenna Borseth, Corrections, Community-based Corrections  
April Carrillo, Queer Criminology, Trans issues in Criminal Justice, Qualitative Methods
Thomas Mrozla, Police Accountability; Rural Policing

Senior Lecturer:

Josh Houy, American Politics; Constitutional Law; Criminal Justice Policy

Professor Emeritus:

Michael P. Roche, Criminal Law; Criminal Procedure; Law and Society; Justice and Compassion

MAJOR:

Criminal Justice Studies, B.A., B.S.

MINOR:

Criminal Justice

The Criminal Justice Studies program is an interdisciplinary study of crime and justice in our society. Criminal Justice Studies emphasizes the key components of police, courts, corrections, and juvenile justice in the criminal justice processes of our local, state, and federal governments. Beyond the basic required courses, students can pursue advanced courses in many areas, including the historical, international, social science, and legal facets of criminal justice studies.

As a unit within the College of Arts and Sciences, the Criminal Justice Studies program at the University of South Dakota has a primary objective to provide instruction that will foster liberal arts and sciences education. Within this context, the program realizes four major objectives:

1. To provide qualified personnel for all segments of the criminal justice system, as well as many related agencies of government;

2. To improve the competencies and professional status of current criminal justice personnel, as well as provide research and educational assistance to criminal justice agencies;

3. To build a foundation for responsible citizenship by creating a better public understanding of the criminal justice system wherein the great questions of the relationship of the individual to the state are most intensely presented; and,

4. To provide a sound basic education in criminal justice for graduates who choose to pursue masters, doctoral, or law degrees after graduation. 

SCHOLARSHIPS

The Farber Fund provides over $140,000 available annually for Criminal Justice majors to attend conferences, participate in faculty-led programs and departmental trips, complete internships, travel abroad, and carry out research.

Please contact the department for additional information about available scholarships and awards. Also see College of Arts & Sciences  for college/school level scholarships.

Our department prides itself on the number and quality of awards given out each year to qualified students:

• Alan L. & Mary L. Clem Scholarship
• Blair Tremere Political Science
• Brian & Kelly Wirt Scholarship/Fellowship
• Clarence E. & Sophia F. Fowler Scholarship
• Clarence Eide Endowment-Sue Eide Kimball Criminal Justice Scholarship
• Clyde Saukerson Honors Program Scholarship
• Daniel M.&L’Nora L. Bylander Political Science Scholarship
• Dee Jones Noordermeer Memorial Scholarship
• Diane Jones Meier Award
• Donald D. Fowler Scholarship-Political Science
• Dorothy C. Schieffer Scholarship
• Dr. Samuel C. & Suzanne L. Patterson Political Science Scholarship
• Francis J. Dillon Political Science
• Frank L. “Jeff” Scott Memorial Scholarship
• Fraternal Order of Police Scholarship
• Gene Kimmel Award
• Gene Mahan Memorial Scholarship in Good Government
• George & Bette Glover Scholarship
• Hall Scholarship
• Heartland Political Science Scholarship Fund
• Jody M. Endres Scholarship 
• Joel & Kari Portice Family Political Science Scholarship
• Joel Rosenthal Award
• John H. Wicks Political Science Scholarship
• Larry Pressler Scholarship
• Loren M. Carlson Memorial Scholarship
• MacDonald Political Science Scholarship
• Mary B. Edelen Student Internship Award
• Mary Pat Bierle Scholarship
• Oneta H. Card Memorial Scholarship
• Philip T. Roche Service to Others Award
• Robert D. Falk Award
• South Dakota Sheriff’s Association Scholarship
• Stephen R. & Mary Lynn Myers Scholarship
• Thomas J. Whorley Political Science Scholarship
• William J. Janklow Public Service Scholarship
• William O. Farber Scholarship

Student Learning Outcomes for Criminal Justice Studies (B.A., B.S.)

1. Criminal Behavior: Students will evaluate and apply theories related to the causes and consequences of criminal behavior.
2. Core Criminal Justice Institutions: Students will investigate the history and functions of the core criminal justice institutions: law enforcement, corrections, and courts.  
3. Inequality in Criminal Justice: Students will identify and analyze the consequences of inequities within the criminal justice system, including disparities in race, gender, class, ability and sexuality.  
4. Causes of Injustice: Students will identify the manner in which social and economic disadvantage, privilege, and systemic discrimination contribute to injustice.
5. Collection and Analysis of Evidence: Students will demonstrate the ability to systematically collect, analyze, and synthesize evidence.  
6. Locate, Assess and Synthesize Scholarship: Students will demonstrate the ability to locate, assess and synthesize scholarly writing.
7. Work in Teams: Students will demonstrate the ability to effectively interact with other students and to engage in peer and self-assessment.
8. Problem-Solving: Students will demonstrate the ability to design, evaluate, and implement a strategy to answer an open-ended question or achieve a desired goal.  
9. Ethical Reasoning: Students will assess their own ethical values, recognize ethical issues, and apply ethical theory to common dilemmas faced by criminal justice professionals.

Programs

• Criminal Justice Minor
• Criminal Justice Studies (B.A., B.S.)