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Criminal Justice Major: Corrections Track

Step up to the call to serve, lead, and protect our communities.

Our corrections track is designed to prepare you for a career in juvenile and adult correctional settings, as well as various public and private agencies that places an emphasis on community relationships. In today’s complex world, ethical leaders are needed more than ever in the criminal justice system. If you’re determined to help create safer communities and advocate for a just system, Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota invites you to join us as we navigate the criminal justice together and make a real difference in the world. 

Within our criminal justice major, the corrections track focuses on correctional processes, victimology, drug abuse, and American crime control policies. You’ll explore foundational knowledge stemming from disciplines such as political science, psychology, sociology, and human services, all while nurturing the development of a heightened ethical awareness.

By adopting a holistic approach to the study of criminal justice, you’ll cultivate a unique perceptive that will prove invaluable in your future career and contribute to a deeper understanding of the criminal justice system as a whole. This approach helps you to stand out in a competitive job market and also positions you better for leadership roles within the field.

Our dedicated faculty are leaders in their fields and committed to shaping well-rounded, compassionate, and engaged agents of criminal justice. During your time at Saint Mary’s, you’ll focus on the principles of ethical leadership and social justice, while also developing virtues of determination, adaptability, and resilience. Our Lasallian Catholic values are embedded throughout your coursework and exemplified by faculty, staff, and the supportive community of the university.

As a graduate, you’ll be empowered to shape the world by understanding how larger social systems and institutions impact individuals and society. Step up and answer the call to make a difference. Take your first step with Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota.

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Program Highlights

  • Immerse yourself in a required internship of 270 hours at an approved criminal justice site to apply classroom knowledge to the real-world and stand out in your career search.
  • Our partnership with the Winona County Criminal Justice Coordinating Council provides valuable resources such as trainings on behavioral health and criminal justice topics.  
  • Enhance your academic journey by exploring a minor in spanish, psychology, or health humanities.
  • Visit places like Rome, Italy, and Venice while studying Italian art and culture, becoming better prepared to understand global diversity during one of our unforgettable short-term study abroad opportunities.

     

What You'll Learn

  • Knowledge of various and complex elements within the criminal justice system
  • Understanding the influence of decision-making on the dynamics of the criminal justice system.
  • Apply leadership and management principles to empower others effectively
  • Adept ethical standards and professional conduct.
  • Acquire awareness, respect, and inclusion in the context of sociocultural diversity.
  • Develop critical and creative thinking abilities, self-assessment, and resilience

Internship fuels future aspirations

When Seth Gonring interned with the 3rd Judicial District in Winona, it helped solidify his desire to work in the criminal justice system after law school. The combination of academic disciplines in the major were indispensable and applicable to his internship and his future career.

“Internships are good because they help you realize, mostly, what you want to do when you get out of college,” he said.

Admissions

Your journey towards a brighter future starts here. Whether you’re a high school graduate starting your college search — or a transfer student eager to find the perfect fit — Saint Mary’s is committed to helping you find your place in the world.

Course Catalog

Careers that look to the future.

The criminal justice field has numerous positions in a variety of settings, including corrections, probation, customs, and police or sheriff’s departments. Most positions, close to 97%, are found through state or local governments. Learn more about employment outcomes here.

Probation Officer

$59,860 per year*

Correctional Officer

$49,610 per year*

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Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Employment and Wages in State and Local Government at https://www.bls.gov/spotlight/2021/occupational-employment-and-wages-in-state-and-local-government/home.htm (visited Oct. 19, 2023).

Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Correctional Officers and Bailiffs at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/protective-service/correctional-officers.htm#tab-8 (visited Oct. 19, 2023).

Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/protective-service/correctional-officers.htm#tab-8 (visited Oct. 19, 2023).

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