Law Enforcement Transfer Pathway

Program Description

The Law Enforcement Transfer Pathway A.S. offers students a powerful option: the opportunity to complete an Associate of Science degree with course credits that directly transfer to designated Law Enforcement bachelor’s degree programs at Minnesota State universities*.

The curriculum has been specifically designed so that students completing this pathway degree and transferring to one of the 7 Minnesota State universities enter the university with junior-year status. All courses in the Transfer Pathway associate degree will directly transfer and apply to the designated bachelor’s degree programs in a related field.

The Law Enforcement Transfer Pathway A.S. helps make communities safer with an A.S. degree from Minneapolis College’s Law Enforcement program, which is accredited by accredited by the Minnesota Board of Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST). You will get professional preparation includes academics and skills training. Experienced faculty will give you hands-on training using realistic simulations as you prepare for peace officer licensing.

*This transfer pathway in Associate of Science in Law Enforcement will transfer to the following majors:

  • Bemidji State University: Criminal Justice - Law Enforcement Emphasis
  • Metropolitan State University: Law Enforcement, B.S.
  • Minnesota State University, Mankato: Law Enforcement, B.S.
  • Minnesota State University, Moorhead: Criminal Justice, B.A.
  • Southwest Minnesota State University: Law Enforcement Administration, B.A.S.
  • St. Cloud State University: Criminal Justice (21st Century Policing Emphasis), B.A.
  • Winona State University: Sociology: Criminal Justice, B.S.

Advantages

  • Minneapolis College’s Law Enforcement program prepares you for roles as law enforcement officers who apply communication and human behavior principles to the job and effectively use hands-on skills.
  • The curriculum provides you with the required academic background on topics such as the Minnesota statutes and the U.S. Constitution, criminal and traffic law, and training for the many skills used in daily law enforcement like handling and using firearms and criminal investigation and arrest procedures.
  • The Law Enforcement training program is accredited by the Minnesota Board of Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST).
  • After completing the program, you are eligible to take the state’s Peace Officer Licensing Examination, a requirement for entry-level law enforcement positions with state, county or local government agencies.
  • Faculty members include current and past law enforcement officers who use their broad experience, as well as some of the latest technologies, to provide the most practical training possible.
  • You will confront law enforcement problems in a realistic simulation lab where your actions and techniques are videotaped for analysis. Decision-shooting exercises use DVD technology with interactive scenarios to help you learn to react quickly in life-threatening situations.

Program Details

School:

Occupational Outlook

Employment of police and detectives is expected to grow 10 percent over the 2008–18, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Job opportunities in most local police departments will be favorable for individuals who meet the psychological, personal and physical qualifications. In addition to openings from employment growth, many openings will be created by the need to replace workers who retire and those who leave local agencies for Federal jobs and private-sector security jobs.

Potential Job Titles

  • Law enforcement officer

Where You Could Work

  • Police departments
  • Sheriff’s departments
  • Department of Natural Resources
  • Minnesota State Patrol
  • Private security organizations
  • Some federal law enforcement agencies