Sociology & Criminal Justice Learning Opportunities
MSUM's Sociology & Criminal Justice students are highly active outside the classroom through the Criminal Justice Association, Sociology Club and Alpha Kappa Delta International Sociology Honor Society, which provide unique forums to discuss topics related to their study and participate in student group events.
Alpha Kappa Delta, the National Sociology Honor Society, seeks to acknowledge and promote excellence in the study of sociology, the research of social problems and other social and intellectual activities to help improve the human condition. Membership is open to undergraduate sociology majors of junior standing or above, who rank in the top 35 percent for their class or have at least a 3.5 overall GPA.
Alpha Phi Sigma, the National Criminal Justice Honor Society, recognizes academic excellence of undergraduate Criminal Justice majors who maintain a 3.5 GPA or higher, are nominated by faculty and are in the top 35 percent of their class. The goals of Alpha Phi Sigma are to honor and promote academic excellence, community service, educational leadership and unity.
You and your classmates may have the opportunity to participate in faculty-led trips to conferences, including the Minnesota Gerontological Society Annual Conference and the Meeting of the Minds Dementia Conference.
Criminal Justice majors are encouraged to join MSUM’s Criminal Justice Association, a student-run organization focusing on criminal justice in today’s world. The group discusses topics with experts from various organizations to give you the opportunity to increase your knowledge and gain insight on current criminal justice issues.
Students often work with local police departments, social service agencies, probation officers, district courts and other agencies to earn internship credits for their degree. Some of the agencies students have worked with in the past include:
- Cass County Juvenile Court
- Fargo Police Department
- Moorhead Police Department
- U.S. Marshal Service
- Lutheran Social Services Restorative Justice Program
- Elder Abuse Program
- Rape and Abuse Crisis Center
- Clay County Domestic Violence Court
MSUM’s Gamma Eta Rho Omega chapter of the national academic honor society in gerontology, Sigma Phi Omega, recognizes excellence of those who study gerontology and aging. The chapter serves as a link between students and the Fargo-Moorhead community in order to promote interaction, sharing of concerns, discussion of issues, and service activities.
Membership is open to undergraduate students majoring or minoring in Gerontology. You must be in at least your second term of enrollment with a cumulative GPA of at least 3.5. Contact faculty advisor Dr. Sue Humphers-Ginther for more information.
If you want to live in an educational environment surrounded by others with the same passion for human services the Human Services learning community is for you. Learning communities provide outstanding opportunity to increase academic success and make connections with those in your major like criminal justice, psychology, social work or sociology.
The Law Enforcement Skills program at Alexandria Technical and Community College is designed to give prospective peace officers hands-on skill training necessary to qualify for licensure in Minnesota. You’ll be eligible to attend after completing your Criminal Justice degree from MSUM, which is a Minnesota Board of Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) certified program. This Peace Officer education program meets the cultural competency and diversity learning outcomes.
You’ll have the opportunity to gain experience in the field under the direction of MSUM faculty and community professionals. Fargo-Moorhead is home to a wide variety of volunteer organizations and service providers to give you valuable, hands-on learning while still in school.
Sociology Club gives students interested in sociology an opportunity to gather and discuss important topics, movies and books related to sociology. As part of the club, you’ll be able to attend regional sociology meetings of the Midwest Sociological Society. For more information, contact faculty advisor Dr. Lee Vigilant at vigilant@mnstate.edu.
While internships aren’t required as part of the sociology program, they’re a great way to gain hands-on experience in the field prior to graduation. Up to 12 internship credits are available in sociology, however these credits cannot be applied to the major requirements.