Associate Degrees in Criminal Justice in South Dakota

Professionals in the past have struggled to fully meet the standards of all of these agencies without interfering with anyone’s rights, presenting an opportunity for those interested in tribal justice to pursue different career paths. A South Dakota criminal justice associate degree may give you insight into this state’s needs in policing, corrections, and other areas.

A significant area of need in South Dakota is its correctional facilities. A national report looked at each state’s criminal justice spending and found that South Dakota’s corrections budget has increased more than five times faster than its education budget (US Department of Education, 2016).

Explore various career options and training paths by contacting South Dakota criminal justice schools.

Criminal Justice Associate Programs in South Dakota

Since an associate degree is considerably shorter than a Bachelor’s degree, not to mention smaller in scope, it is typically offered at community colleges and technical schools.

Your school choice may be influenced by the career path you’re interested in and which type of program you’d like to enroll in. South Dakota schools offer paralegal and law enforcement degrees in addition to criminal justice degrees.

If you need a degree that fits in your current schedule or offers a different area of concentration, online criminal justice schools may have options for you. If you go the online route, it is recommended that you volunteer or secure an internship at a local criminal justice agency. This helps you start to establish your professional network.

While earning your degree, you may take courses related to theory, practical training, and ethics.

The courses listed below are often required in law enforcement programs:

• Criminology
• Criminal Law and Procedures
• Criminal Investigations
• Juvenile Methods
• Mechanics of Arrest and Physical Training
• Accident Investigations
• Collection and Preservation of Evidence
• Patrol Procedures
• Advanced Issues in Policing
• Corrections
• Technology in Law Enforcement

Graduation requirements and degree expenses are set on a school-by-school basis, which is one reason it’s so important to compare South Dakota programs.

The average requirements for a South Dakota AA or AAS in Criminal Justice are listed below:

• Timeframe: 2 to 2.5 years
• Credits: 63 to 69 credits
• Average tuition cost per year: $6,138 (College Board, 2016)

Many South Dakota government agencies, private employers, and nonprofit organizations offer scholarship funds to qualified students. In addition to our list of criminal justice scholarships, look into applying for grants like those awarded by the South Dakota Sheriffs’ Association.

What Can I Do With a Criminal Justice Degree in South Dakota?

Since many criminal justice careers do not require licensure, you may want to start applying for jobs shortly before you graduate with your criminal justice associate degree. If you have strong references, relevant volunteer or internship experience, and a solid academic history, you may secure a position and be able to start working right after graduation.

Some graduates go into animal control positions. Job openings for animal control officers are expected to remain steady through 2030 (CareerOneStop, 2022). The average salary for a South Dakota animal control officer is $37,600 per year (Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2022).

At a prison or jail, you may apply for correctional officer positions. The average salary for a South Dakota correctional officer is $43,110 per year (BLS, 2022). Demand for correctional officers may increase 4% through 2030 (CareerOneStop, 2022).

Though you may need to attend the local police academy to become a police officer, this career path may offer lots of room for advancement. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports an average salary of $54,130 for police patrol officers in South Dakota (2022). Job openings are expected to see a 5% boost through 2030 (CareerOneStop, 2022).

If you work well under pressure, believe in justice for all, and are ready to put in some hard work, the field of criminal justice may need you.

2022 US Bureau of Labor Statistics salary and employment figures for South Dakota contained here reflect national data, not school-specific information. Conditions in your area may vary. Data accessed November 2023.

Use the list of schools below to contact South Dakota associate in criminal justice programs.