Train to Become a Police Officer in Minnesota

Law Enforcement Associate’s Degree

The selection standards and training needed to be a police officer in Minnesota are among the highest in the nation. Rasmussen College was the first private college in Minnesota history to be granted state approval for a practical police training program, and our Law Enforcement Associate’s degree prepares you to meet these requirements through our unique and innovative approach to law enforcement training. You receive training in realistic settings using the same facilities, equipment, scenarios, and tactics as current law enforcement professionals.

Earn a Practical, Real-life, Focused Law Enforcement Degree

Our coursework focuses on real-life scenario training with real-time and practical application of law enforcement tactics. You hone your skills at a police training facility built for and used by active-duty officers, not at a sterile academic training environment. You gain extensive firearms experience by firing thousands of rounds of ammunition to develop advanced marksmanship skills and, more importantly, the ingrained muscle memory and the critical-thinking skills you need to make life and death decisions under high-pressure situations.

Using the recommendations of our advisory board of experienced law enforcement professionals, our curriculum also emphasizes the importance of advanced writing and human interaction skills.

Learn more about our Law Enforcement Associate's degree by completing the form on the right or calling us at 888-549-6755. One of our program managers will be happy to answer all your questions.

Program Highlights
  • Earn a degree approved by the Minnesota Peace Officer Standards and Training (MN POST) Board
  • Learn the practical training component of the Professional Peace Officer Education (PPOE) program
  • Become qualified to apply for positions to serve as a law enforcement officer in your community
Information Download

Law Enforcement Courses

The Law Enforcement AAS degree includes several police-specific courses designed to give you a deeper understanding of key aspects of law enforcement.

  • Skills training in realistic settings
  • Gain extensive firearms experience
  • Approved by the MN POST Board
  • Develop ingrained muscle memory and critical thinking skills

Sample Course List

Criminology: Motives for Criminal Deviance
This course examines the social and behavioral issues involved in the study of crime as a social phenomenon. Included is an explanation of what crime is, what causes crime, and the various techniques for measuring the amounts and characteristics of crime and criminals.
Policing in America
Students will examine the theoretical underpinnings of police work in the United States, including its historical roots, its current status, and the trends that will shape its future. They will explore the problems and solutions facing citizens, patrol officers, administrators, and agencies. They will also cover contemporary practices such as Community Oriented Policing, Problem Oriented Policing, and Directed Patrol. In investigating these topics, student will develop skills in critical thinking and problem solving. For residential only, this course includes a fieldwork assignment.
Drugs and Crime
"The course will focus on the physical, psychological, and sociological aspects of drug and alcohol abuse. Treatment and prevention of abuse will be explored. In addition, policy implications of drug use and the criminal justice system response will be analyzed. An overview of the theories of use, drug business, and drug law enforcement will be explored. Such recent developments as ""club drugs,"" inhalants, herbal stimulants, and designer drugs will also be discussed."
Contemporary Issues in Criminal Justice Capstone
The capstone class examines the future of the criminal justice system. The current cutting edge technology in different fields within the criminal justice system is discussed along with insights from accomplished scholars of what the near future holds. Methods and philosophies that will govern the criminal justice field in the near future are introduced along with discussions of the ethical, legal, social, and political ramifications expected. This course includes ten hours of field experience.
Calculate the estimated cost for the degree you are interested in.
Calculate Now

Estimated Program Cost

  •   Full Time Part Time

  • Upper division courses

    Upper division courses

    Upper Division courses are either listed as 300-400 or 3000-4000 level, depending on the state.

     $299 $310

  • Lower division courses

    Lower division courses

    Lower Division courses are either listed as 100-200 or 1000-2000 level, depending on the state.

     $299 $395

  • Estimated Price

    Estimated Price

    Price if you are continuously enrolled in your program of study until graduation. Estimated price does not include $150 course fee.

  • Grants
    None Partner Success

  • Discounts
    None Corporate Military

  • Transfer Credits

    How many credits can you transfer?

    0

FACT

Our programs are created to prepare students for careers projected to be in strong demand in the future-giving our graduates increased opportunity to land the job they want.

Job Growth

The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates a 8% job growth for Police Patrol Officers over the next 10 years.

  • 12%
  • 8%

Increased Affordability

Continuously enrolled students lock in their tuition rates. 93% of students receive financial aid assistance.

The Federal Pell Grant Program awards between $575 - $5,550 to eligible students based on financial need. The Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants awards $100-$4,000 (based on availability) to eligible students based on financial need.

The Federal Pell Grant Program awards between $575 - $5,550 to eligible students based on financial need. The Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants awards $100-$4,000 (based on availability) to eligible students based on financial need.

The FL Student Assistant grant is awarded to eligible undergraduate students with FL residency and based on financial need.

The ND state grant is valued at $1200/ year and is awarded to eligible undergraduate students with ND residency and is notified by the state regarding eligibility.

Credit Transfer

Transfer credits to Rasmussen College.

See Potential Earnings

For important methodology statements and disclosures regarding the information shown above, click here.

Information presented on our tuition calculator

GRADUATE EMPLOYMENT RATE

Placement Rate Methodology: 85% of March 2011 to December 2011 graduates available for employment were employed in their field of study or continuing their education as of September 30, 2012. This rate includes graduates across all Rasmussen College programs and campuses working in their field of study or continuing their education at Rasmussen College or another institution. This rate does not specify that each graduate was placed by Rasmussen College in their current position; some graduates find jobs on their own while others maintain previously held employment.

Bureau Of Labor Statistics (BLS)

BLS salary data represents national, averaged earnings for the occupations listed and includes workers at all levels of education and experience. This data does not represent starting salaries. Employment conditions in your area may vary.

Tuition Lock

Tuition rate is locked in for continuously enrolled students. A change in the number of credits taken during enrollment in any quarter may lead to different prices if a student moves from part-time to full-time status or vice versa.

Federal And State Grants

Students must meet applicable eligibility requirements for state and federal grant programs—please speak with a financial aid advisor for details.

Time To Complete

Time to complete is dependent on accepted transfer credits and courses completed each quarter.

Credit Transfer

Rasmussen College reserves the right to accept or deny credits based on policies listed in the college catalog.

Corporate Discounts

Discounts may vary by corporate partner and program. Please contact a program manager for more information.

close

Estimated Potential Earnings

If you invested in your degree and started a career as a , the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) states the median yearly salary for this career is . At that rate, your estimated return on investment would be over the course of a lifetime.

A career as a is just one career option you can pursue with your degree. Your income potential can vary based on your specialization or industry, and you should explore all your options to find the career that is right for you.

A Degree Matters

Earning an Associate's or Bachelor's degree—regardless of the field of study—can greatly improve your income potential in today's job market. In fact, according to the BLS, degree holders earn, on average, significantly more than high school diploma holders:

National Average Lifetime Earnings**
Unemployment Rate**
Bachelor's Degree
$2,281,040
4.9%
Associate's Degree
$1,763,440
6.8%
Some College
$1,622,240
8.7%
High School Diploma
$1,367,880
9.4%
Request More Information

**http://www.census.gov/prod/2011pubs/acs-14.pdf, http://www.bls.gov/emp/ep_chart_001.htm

Potential earnings calculated by multiplying median full-time salaries by 40 years http://www.bls.gov/emp/ep_chart_001.htm

POST Board Licensing Approval

The Criminal Justice Bachelor’s degree program at Rasmussen College is POST Board approved. Rasmussen College is the first college in Minnesota to earn both Associate’s and Bachelor’s degree approval from the POST Board.

The POST Board approval of this program allows graduates to complete the POST Board licensing exam after they have completed the required practical skills training which is also offered by Rasmussen College. The curriculum at Rasmussen College satisfies the academic requirements for a Minnesota professional peace officer education program and prepares students for the POST exam necessary to become a licensed peace officer in Minnesota.

Seamless Transfer Policies

  • Transfer up to 67% of the credits required to complete your degree
  • Credits accepted from nationally and regionally accredited schools
  • Course-by-course evaluation of all courses with a grade of C or higher
  • No expiration of your previously-earned general education and certain degree-specific credits
  • Credit through prior learning, work, and military experience
    • Test out of courses where you can demonstrate specific knowledge
    • Complete advanced placement (AP) exams and achieve a score of 3 or higher
    • Successfully complete college exams (e.g., CLEP, DSST, DANTES, etc.)
    • Successfully submit course waivers for approval from Rasmussen College
    • Submit credits transcribed by the American Council of Education (ACE)
    • Submit a military transcript
  • Transfer all general education courses from your previously earned Associate's or Bachelor's degree, regardless of course of study

**For additional details about the information presented above, please click here.

Information on transfer policies

Rasmussen College reserves the right to accept or deny transfer credits based upon policies in course catalog.

close
 
 

Request Program Information

By submitting this form, I agree that I may be contacted by telephone, email, text and mail.
Privacy and Consent
This information will be used to contact you through various means, which may include: phone, voice messages, text messaging, email, and postal mail about the programs and services that are offered. By submitting your information you agree to be contacted. We do not share your personal information with outside parties without your permission unless legally required.