Criminal Justice at Riverland Community College - Riverland

Riverland Community College

menu
menu
Close Menu

Criminal Justice - Corrections

This Riverland comprehensive program incorporates traditional liberal arts classes with a specialized curriculum of Corrections classes. Our Criminal Justice Corrections graduates are well prepared for various careers in the Corrections field at local, state and federal institutions or in Corrections treatment programs. This program also provides a solid foundation for going on to earn a Bachelor’s degree or higher.

Our required Corrections Internship phase is an ideal way to find out which areas of the Correction field are best suited for your strengths and interests through hands-on experience. Students are encouraged to work closely with their Program Advisor to customize their degree to achieve desired personal goals.

Learn more about Riverland's Criminal Justice Program
    What will I study?

Program Expecations from Instructor Rich Watkins

  • Criminal Justice Field Experience
  • Criminal Investigations
  • Victimology
Find Career Information
Learn what occupations may be of interest to someone who has completed this program. Find information about wages and employment outlook.

 

    Program Scholarships

The college offers several scholarships for students to help with the cost of their education.

 

    Student Highlight
My name is Susan Irvin. I am an alumni of the Criminal Justice program at Riverland Community College. I graduated in 2019 with a triple major in Law Enforcement, Corrections, & an Associates in Gen Ed's. During my time at Riverland, I was involved in many activities. In my first year, I participated in over 200 hours of volunteering and shadowing different police departments, joined the Austin/Mower County reserves, was an active member of Minnesota Corrections Association, was appointed to the Criminal Justice program as a writing tutor, was inducted into the honor society Phi Theta Kappa, and got a seasonal internship at the Lakeville, MN police department. My second year, I was elected as a squad leader and the president of the Criminal Justice Society, while also participating in many other things. In April of 2019, I was hired as a Community Service Officer with the city of Faribault, MN. I have been working here for a year now and continue to learn something new every day! My future plans include taking SKILLS and becoming a licensed Peace Officer. Riverland was an amazing choice and I'm very grateful for the three very best instructors; Rich Watkins, Al Shuda, and Steve Wald. Riverland is the perfect size campus as you have a lot of 1-on-1 time with faculty, but you still get the 'college' experience. I truly believe my early success has come from Riverland Community College and their staff!

 

Faculty Highlight
Rich Watkins

Rich Watkins
Program Coordinator, Law Enforcement and CorrectionsI have twenty-nine years’ experience in law enforcement and I teach from a perspective of having done this job. From teaching officers to being involved in the hiring process affords me valuable knowledge that will assist the student not only in the classroom but to the hiring process as well. Connecting with students and instilling values and morals so they can learn the job in a viable and professional manner is crucial. Student engagement from lecture to hands on exercises is a critical component in learning this field. My goal, and the goal of this program, is not only to teach but to assist in every manner of helping the student become employed in their chosen field.

 
Al Shuda

Al Shuda
Law Enforcement Instructor
I have 27 years of law enforcement experience, as a police officer and correctional officer in Minnesota. I really enjoy teaching Riverland criminal justice students by using my law enforcement experience to provide additional information and experiences to supplement the course materials which gives the student a great overall perspective of what criminal justice is all about. I use the classroom environment along with hands-on training and real life experiences to be the best instructor that I can be.

 

Last Updated: May 11, 2020

    Quick Facts


Request More Information

YES