Bachelor’s in Criminal Justice Programs in South Dakota

One of the most recent successes of the South Dakota criminal justice field is the tribal parole program. Initial goals of this program were to minimize parole breaking, allow parolees to return to their home reservations while on parole, and minimize recidivism. Those with expert training and experience in the criminal justice field are responsible for measures like this one.

Other movements in South Dakota hope to make it easier for nonviolent criminals to get established in their lives and careers. Two legislators in South Dakota want to help those who have been convicted of crimes and paid their dues get back into the workforce. The work you do as a criminal justice graduate can have a positive impact on society in general.

Earning Your Bachelor’s in Criminal Justice in South Dakota

Quite a bit goes into studying the field of criminal justice. Not only must you know the laws of South Dakota, you must understand the reasoning behind them and know how to apply them. However, this is not just a technical degree. You must also understand the ethics and morals that go into the field of criminal justice, as this is what sets excellent graduates apart from okay graduates. Given how diverse this field is, it should come as no surprise that you need to spend about four years earning your degree. Classroom time is important, but you may also gain experience in a criminal justice lab and through an internship.

As you work your way through your program, you may enroll in a variety of exciting and challenging classes that build your knowledge each semester. Some of the classes that you may be able to take include Community Supervision, Police in Society, Criminology Theory, and Research in Criminal Justice.

The state of South Dakota has a number of scholarship programs for criminal justice students. The South Dakota Sheriffs’ Association awards scholarships of $500 each every year.

Working With Your Criminal Justice Degree in South Dakota

One of the benefits of a degree in this field is the many ways in which you can use it. Becoming a bailiff is a popular choice, and job openings in this field may see a 2% increase by 2022 (O*Net, 2012). In this state, bailiffs report an average salary of $22,400 per year (O*Net, 2014).

Others choose to go into forensic lab work, a field in which job openings may jump by 6% through 2022 (O*Net, 2012). The average salary in this specialty is $44,700 per year (O*Net, 2014).

If you are ready to take the next step in your career, learn more about criminal justice programs in South Dakota.