BA/BS Criminal Justice at University of South Dakota

Programme overview

The B.A./B.S. in Criminal Justice covers all aspects of the criminal justice system, preparing students to shape policy and improve lives. It is offered at Vermillion, Sioux Falls and online.

Faculty: College of Arts & Sciences | Department: Department of Political Science | Study mode: full-time | Location: Vermillion, SD, United States

What you will study

The criminal justice system, from litigation to national defense.

Career pathways

Law firms, federal agencies, child welfare, private investigation, community programmes, national defense and police.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

University-wide undergraduate admission (applies to bachelor's applicants): meet one of a high school GPA of at least 2.6 (4.0 scale), upper 50% of the graduating class, ACT composite 21 or above (SAT 1070), or Smarter Balanced score of 3 or higher in English Language Arts and Mathematics. Core coursework with a C average or better: 4 years English, 3 years advanced math, 3 years laboratory science, 3 years social science, and 1 year fine arts for South Dakota high school graduates (each can alternatively be met by a test or AP score). An ACT/SAT score is not required for review. International applicants: TOEFL iBT 71, IELTS Academic 6.0 or Duolingo English Test 105 (other accepted tests include PTE 48), plus an equivalent US GPA of 2.6 or higher or ACT 21+/SAT 1070+; deadlines Fall August 1 and Spring December 15; official transcripts, passport copy and statement of finances for the I-20 are required.

Requirements published at program group level.

Tuition is charged per credit, so the total depends on the modules you register for each year. Current fees are listed in the official fee schedule.

Entry terms for international applicants: Spring 2027 classes start January 11, 2027 (new student arrival deadline January 10); Fall 2027 classes start August 23 (new student arrival deadline August 20).

International undergraduate applicants: application deadline December 15 for Spring 2027 and August 1 for Fall 2027. Apply through the USD Undergraduate Application or the Common App; the application fee is non-refundable and paid online by credit card.

Graduate applications go through the USD Graduate Application or GradCAS; Audiology, Speech Language Pathology, Law, Medical, Nursing, Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, Physician Assistant Studies and Social Work use specialty CAS applications. Application deadlines are set per programme in the Graduate Catalog and are due by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Standard Time. The graduate application fee cannot be waived or deferred and is non-refundable.

Law (JD): applications open September 1 for the next year's admission; applicants apply through LSAC CAS and must submit the LSAT, GRE or JD Next. June LSAT scores are accepted for the same year if the application is submitted by July 1. Out-of-state applicants scoring 150+ on the LSAT receive in-state tuition.

Apply through the official page: https://www.usd.edu/Admissions-and-Aid/Apply

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