Criminal Justice Certification in South Dakota

This is an exciting time to become active in the criminal justice industry of South Dakota. As more and more research has come out about issues in the state’s criminal justice field, legislators and leaders have taken major steps to strengthen the industry.

Current legislation focuses on expanding crisis intervention team training for criminal justice professionals, increasing education on mental illness, and establishing mental health courts to avoid incarceration when possible (KOTA TV, 2016).

If you‘ve always had an interest in the field of criminal justice, don‘t wait any longer to check out your career options.

Browse the list of criminal justice certificate programs below and reach out to schools that catch your eye.

What Kind of Criminal Justice Certificates are Available in South Dakota?

At a community college or technical school, you may earn a technical certificate that offers highly targeted education in one area of criminal justice. Several programs give students the option of completing their criminal justice certificate online, making it easier to continue working while advancing your education.

Police Technology Technical Certificate Requirements (15 credits)

• Police Administration
  • Find out how police departments function, which professionals oversee the day-to-day operations of the police department, and what it takes to move up in a policing agency.
• Criminal Law
  • Learn about criminal law, including federal law and South Dakota law. In this class, you may start to learn about current trends in South Dakota and which offenses are most common in your region.
• Criminal Evidence
  • Discover how evidence is collected, processed, and analyzed. In addition, find out how evidence is used or dismissed in court.
• Ethics in Criminal Justice
  • This class starts a discussion on the ethics of criminal justice and how you can remain fair and objective as a law enforcement professional.

Paralegal Technical Certificate Requirements (42 credits)

• Law Office Management
  • This course covers administrative management skills, including the processing and storage of paperwork, staff supervision, and client communication.
• Legal Research and Writing
  • Learn about the various types of documents and reports that paralegals create, and develop your ability to create clean pieces of legal writing.
• South Dakota Law
  • Students in this class get an in-depth look at South Dakota law, how it differs from laws in other states, and what you may commonly see as a paralegal.
• Civil Law
  • This class helps you differentiate between civil disputes and criminal charges, both of which you may come across as a paralegal.

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

Your job options are determined largely by which type of criminal justice degree you have. With a certificate in police technology, you may go to the police academy and become a police officer. South Dakota police officers claim an average income of $54,130 per year (Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2022). Statewide demand for officers may swell 5% through 2030 (CareerOneStop, 2022).

Paralegals are in high demand in South Dakota, with an expected 19% boost in job openings through 2030 (CareerOneStop, 2022). Their average annual income is $55,290 (BLS, 2022).

The job outlook for security guards is expected to increase 7% through 2030 (CareerOneStop, 2022). Across South Dakota, the average salary for a security guard is $33,470 per year (BLS, 2022).

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.

With the right training and educational background, you could do a lot to strengthen the criminal justice industry of South Dakota.

Find a program that’s right for you by requesting information from South Dakota criminal justice schools below.

Online programs may not be available in all areas