Corrections (BS)

Summary

The Corrections BS prepares students for careers in criminal justice with a special emphasis on addressing the needs of persons convicted of crimes, crime victims, and at-risk populations. Through both academic work and experiential learning, students will acquire the knowledge, skills, and experience necessary to work with correctional clients in a variety of settings, both institutional (jails, prisons, treatment centers) and community (probation, parole, supervised release, juvenile diversion). 

Catalog Year

2022-2023

Degree

Bachelor of Science

Major Credits

45

Total Credits

120

Locations

Mankato

Program Requirements

Required General Education

Examines the making of criminal law, the evolution of policing, the adjudication of persons accused of criminal law violations, and the punishment of adult offenders.

Prerequisites: none

Goal Areas: GE-05, GE-09

Diverse Cultures: Purple

A critical consideration of definitions of juvenile delinquency, emphasis on micro and macro level of struggle in which delinquent behavior takes place, critique of current theories on delinquency, and the juvenile justice response to delinquency.

Prerequisites: none

Goal Areas: GE-05, GE-09

Diverse Cultures: Purple

Overview of the nature and characteristics of human societies; the structure and processes of social life; impact of social forces on individuals and groups; interdependence of society and the individual; emphasis on cultural diversity and globalism.

Prerequisites: none

Goal Areas: GE-05, GE-08

Diverse Cultures: Purple

Major Common Core

Introduction to academic concepts and issues in corrections, with emphasis on student professional development. The course includes a 50-hour service learning component to be completed outside of class. Correction majors should take this course as early as possible.

Prerequisites: none

Advanced Crime Theory & Prevention provides an overview of the nature and causes of crime and victimization. Using a multidisciplinary approach, the course surveys theories of criminal behavior at the macro- & micro-level. Students will learn how to evaluate criminological theories. The course also covers the link between theory and crime prevention efforts, focusing primarily on how crime prevention efforts employed by legislatures, police, courts, and corrections agencies in the United States are derived from theory.

Prerequisites: none

Addresses theoretical roots, historical developments, and current practices of probation, parole, and other community corrections programs. Special attention is given to innovative, future approaches to community corrections. Writing intensive

Prerequisites: none

Principles and methods of individual and group counseling with juvenile and adult offenders; development of interpersonal helping skills, negotiation, and mediation skills.

Prerequisites: none

Field Practicum & Capstone Experience is a hybrid experiential learning course where students complete a 400-hour internship experience within an agency that manages justice-involved persons while participating in other professional development & experiential learning opportunities that vary from semester to semester. In addition to their internship experiences, students can expect guest speakers, facility tours, training, and/or other educational experiences to be offered in-person, or via teleconference. Required for the Corrections major. Formal application required. Contact Director of Criminal Justice Field Studies to apply.

Prerequisites: none

Addresses the justifications and the historical development of punishment, the legal and policy issues concerning capital punishment, and the use of incarceration as a response to crime.

Prerequisites: none

Research methodologies as they apply to correctional evidence-based practices are covered, as are strengths and limitations of various research practices, especially with respect to central correctional concepts such as risk, recidivism, and program evaluation. Students will gain experience with data sources, data collection, and basic interpretation of data analysis.

Prerequisites: none

Examines the rights of inmates, probationers, and parolees.

Prerequisites: none

Assist the students in starting a healthy conversation on cultural competencies for correctional professionals, and develop resources, skills, and strategies needed to address racism and inequity. The idea is to take a journey in building a more inclusive, connected, and effective correctional organization. Students will discover a framework to help discuss issues related to cultural competency: learn about methods, practices, and values that define cultural competency and culturally based work in various fields and organizations; understand the complexities within ethnic communities; and gain insights into the nature of institutionalized racism.

Prerequisites: none

Diverse Cultures: Purple

Major Restricted Electives

Choose 9 Credit(s).

A sociological perspective to examine the history of drug use and abuse in the United States. Multicultural issues in drug abuse, international drug distribution networks, prevention efforts, and legal issues will be discussed.

Prerequisites: none

Overview of the characteristics of victims, victim-offender relationships, societal victimization, victim's rights and services, and restorative justice. The focus will be on developing effective criminal justice responses to the victims/survivors and the perpetrators.

Prerequisites: none

An examination of issues facing criminal justice today in constantly changing legal, social and cultural environments. Topics will vary and may be repeated for credit.

Prerequisites: none

This course explores topics in criminal justice beyond what is covered in the existing curriculum. Students study specialized topics of current importance in the field. Specific topics will change depending on the term and instructor. May be retaken with a change of topic.

Prerequisites: none

JOLT-II is a second semester continuation of CORR 350. Can only enroll after completing CORR 350.

Prerequisites: CORR 350

This course focuses on the experiences of women in the criminal justice system--as victims, offenders, and professionals. Women's involvement in this system (whether they were a defendant, an attorney, an inmate, a correctional officer or a crime victim) has often been overlooked or devalued. The goal of this course is to bring the special needs and contributions of women in the criminal justice system into sharper focus.

Prerequisites: none

Diverse Cultures: Purple

This class will be taught in modules where students will gain learn how to determine if practices in Corrections are evidence based, the types of programming in Corrections that are supported by research, and skills and knowledge necessary to implement these practices.

Prerequisites: none

Students will learn about the legal, cultural, and political factors that contribute to sexual assault and gendered violence. This course will combine hands-on training in activism from course instructors and community members in the field of sexual assault advocacy, as well as a background in theories of gender and sexual assault. Sexual assault advocates provide confidential services to victims of sexual violence, including hospital and legal advocacy, crisis counseling, and emotional support. Students who satisfactorily complete 40 hours of training will be certified as sexual assault advocates at the end of the semester.

Prerequisites: none

Diverse Cultures: Purple

Various forms of family violence including dating violence, spouse abuse, and child abuse; social theory, empirical research and social policy on family violence; social context, responses and solutions.

Prerequisites: none

Applies sociological theories of identity to the experiences of women being released from prison. Taught at the women's prison in Shakopee, Minnesota and integrates Minnesota State University, Mankato, students with students drawn from the educational program within the women's prison in Shakopee.

Prerequisites: none

Diverse Cultures: Gold

Minor