Justice Administration, BS
Why should you consider joining the Justice Administration program at SMSU? Because it is a broad based criminal justice program based in the liberal arts which is designed to educate students about the structure and operation of the criminal justice system. We are looking for students who are interested in making a career out of helping people so that we can prepare them to become effective change agents in their communities and in the world. We prepare students to understand how criminal justice relates to other social structures and institutions as they prepare for careers in police, courts, corrections and prevention. Students gain the tools and understanding necessary to work effectively within the current system as well as to transform it to create better justice, less crime and fewer social problems. The Justice Administration major has been certified by the Police Officer Standards and Training Board of Minnesota to be a Professional Police Officer Education Program.
Intakes
- Jan
- Aug
Application Processing Time in Days: 30
Minimum English Language Requirements
| English Level Description | IELTS (1.0 -9.0) | TOEFL IBT (0-120) | TOEFL CBT (0-300) | PTE (10-90) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Expert | 9 | 120 | 297-300 | 86-90 | |
| Very Good | 8.5 | 115-119 | 280-293 | 83-86 | |
| Very Good | 8 | 110-114 | 270-280 | 79-83 | |
| Good | 7.5 | 102-109 | 253-267 | 73-79 | |
| Good | 7 | 94-101 | 240-253 | 65-73 | |
| Competent | 6.5 | 79-93 | 213-233 | 58-65 | |
| Competent | 6 | 60-78 | 170-210 | 50-58 | |
| Modest | 5.5 | 46-59 | 133-210 | 43-50 | |
| Modest | 5 | 35-45 | 107-133 | 36-43 | |
| Limited | 4 | 32-34 | 97-103 | 30-36 | |
| Extremely Limited | < 4 | < 31 | < 93 | < 30 |
Job Opportunity Potential
Southwest Minnesota State University (SMSU) offers strong job opportunity potential across faculty, administrative, and staff roles. Openings include positions such as Assistant Professors in fields like Finance, Art, Social Work, Special Education, and Management. Staff roles include positions in financial aid, development, and IT support. SMSU also frequently hires adjunct faculty and student workers. The Social Work program is expanding with new faculty appointments starting Fall 2025, including online and remote teaching opportunities.
Applications are processed through the SMSU Career Site (Workday) or the PeopleAdmin portal. Required documents typically include a CV, cover letter, transcripts, and references. Recruitment timelines can take several weeks to months, so timely application and follow-ups are recommended.
Employee reviews rate SMSU positively for its supportive culture, stable work environment, and good benefits. Some drawbacks include limited pay growth and communication challenges in management. Overall, SMSU provides a balanced and student-focused workplace, making it a good option for professionals seeking academic or administrative careers in higher education.
PSW Opportunity
Post-Study Work visa or permit, allowing international students on F-1 visas to work in the US after completing their studies, typically through Optional Practical Training (OPT).
Eligibility:
To be eligible for OPT, students must have been enrolled full-time in a US educational institution for at least one academic year and be seeking work related to their major.
Duration:
Students can apply for up to 12 months of OPT, either before they finish their studies (pre-completion) or after graduation (post-completion).
STEM OPT:
Students in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) fields can apply for an extended OPT period of up to 24 months.
Contact our PSA counselor for more information
Admission Requirement / Eligibility Criteria
Secondary Education: Completion of high school (roughly 12 years) with a minimum GPA equivalent to 2.5 on a 4.0 scale. Foreign transcripts require evaluation by services like WES, ECE, or TEC.
English Proficiency (IELTS minimum):
SMSU requires an overall IELTS score of 5.5 or higher for undergraduate admissions.
Other Accepted English Tests (with minimum scores):
TOEFL iBT: 61+
TOEFL PBT: 500+
TOEFL CBT: 173+
TOEIC: 600+
Duolingo English Test: 95+
Pearson PTE: 47+
Michigan Test of English Proficiency (MET): 64+
Cambridge English: B2 or higher
Completion of Level 109 at an English Language School also accepted.
- Course Type: Full Time
- Course Level: Bachelors/UG Degree
- Duration: 04 Year
-
Total Tuition Fee:
87344 USD
Average Cost of Living: 14000 USD /year
Application Fee: 20 USD
Similar Programs
- Social Work, BS at Southwest Minnesota State University
- Political Science, BA at Southwest Minnesota State University
- Bachelor of Science: Physical Education-Recreation Emphasis at Southwest Minnesota State University
- Physical Education, BS - Teaching at Southwest Minnesota State University
- Music Education, BS at Southwest Minnesota State University
- Mathematics Education, BS at Southwest Minnesota State University