SIOUX FALLS — Augustana has announced that the university brought back its criminal justice major this fall after nearly 35 years — adding to the list of interdisciplinary academic programs being developed as part of Augustana’s strategic plan Viking Bold: The Journey to 2030.

AU’s reimagined major consists of seven criminal justice courses, as well as courses in sociology, criminal law and statistics. The criminal justice major also pairs nicely with majors in government & international affairs, sociology, anthropology, as well as those on the pre-law track.

“We created a criminal justice program where we’re building in core courses that have a critical edge to them — courses like Criminological Theory, Policing & Society, Criminal Justice Procedures & Systems, as well as some creative electives,” said William Swart, professor of sociology and criminal justice program coordinator.

Swart said he uses the word “critical” to describe the program because of its analytical approach to criminal justice.

“This program is important to students because it takes a deeper dive into the criminal justice system than a normal criminal justice major would. What are we doing right in criminal justice? What are the areas that need improvement? What are innovative initiatives that are working really well? Where are the pitfalls and trapdoors of past practices that we could bring new ideas to?” Swart said. “That’s going to help students go into criminal justice work with their eyes open.”

Continued opportunities for community engagement, particularly in the upper-level criminal justice courses, will be provided. Faculty will also work with students to tailor the major to their interests and future plans. In the past, Augustana students have interned with organizations like the Minnehaha County Regional Juvenile Detention Center, 2nd Circuit Probation Services and Sequel Transition Academy.

Augustana’s first criminal justice program was a joint venture with Sioux Falls College (now the University of Sioux Falls). The joint program began in 1969 with funds from the Law Enforcement Administration Program and Law Enforcement Education Program, according to a 1987 edition of The Augustana Mirror. Eventually, the joint criminal justice program dissolved, and Augustana transitioned to a minor in sociology — criminology & deviance, which is still an option for students.

To learn more about Augustana’s criminal justice major, visit augie.edu/CJ.