Train to Become a Police Officer
Earn Your Law Enforcement Associate's Degree
Law enforcement professionals are the protectors and defenders of our society; and our Law Enforcement Associate's degree program is designed to help meet the high demand for jobs in the criminal justice field. The selection standards and training needed to be a police officer in Minnesota are among the highest in the nation.
Our Law Enforcement Associate’s degree program can be completed in as few as 18 months and provides real-time, practical skills training from knowledgeable instructors actively working in or recently retired from law enforcement agencies to help you develop the critical-thinking skills needed to make consequential decisions in high-pressure situations.*
Rasmussen College offers multiple start dates per year, skills training on nights and weekends, and academic training fully online—to give individuals working toward a degree in law enforcement the ability to continue working while fulfilling their training requirements.
If you choose our Flex Choice® option that allows you to combine traditional courses and self-directed assessments, you can save time and money while pursuing a degree on a schedule that fits your lifestyle.
To see how this program can help you achieve your goals:
- Course plan customized for you
- Support and financial aid planning
- Career path guidance with no obligation
Read more about this program
and then request information specific to you
Gain In-Field Law Enforcement Skills Employers Seek
Through career-focused curriculum and practical, hands-on opportunities in your courses, you can prepare for a successful law enforcement career across a wide range of criminal justice opportunities. Our program is designed with real-life scenario training to help you gain relevant skills employers seek, including:
Training Designed to Help Advance Your Career
Receive hands-on training in realistic settings at our modern, on-site Law Enforcement Training Facility, where you'll use the same facilities, equipment, scenarios and tactics as current law enforcement professionals. Once complete, you can also choose to continue your education with our accelerated Criminal Justice Bachelor's degree, which has a Leadership and Management specialization.
Rasmussen College is one of the few Minnesota colleges with its own POST Board-approved police academy that prepares you to earn the Law Enforcement Skills Certificate needed to obtain your Minnesota police officer licensure.
*Professional Peace Officer Education (PPOE): This program meets standards established by the Minnesota Peace Officer Standards and Training Board (MN POST) for persons who seek employment in Minnesota as a peace officer. Graduates of this program may need to successfully complete additional academic coursework, training, practical/skills, and fitness standards before becoming eligible to sit for the MN Peace Officer Licensing Exam.
This program is not aligned to the standards of any professional licensing body other than the MN POST, and is not intended to satisfy professional licensure requirements of any professional licensing agency in any other state.
Our Grads Work Across Industries
Graduates from our School of Justice Studies programs are working for leading industries, including:*
- Healthcare
- Insurance
- Law Enforcement
- Legal
- Public Health
- Social Services
- State Government
117 Years of Successful Graduates
At Rasmussen College, we’ve been dedicated to our mission of preparing students for career success since 1900.
*Industry information reported by Rasmussen College graduates. This list does not constitute an endorsement of Rasmussen College by the industries shown above. Listing does not guarantee or imply that future employment opportunities within these industries will be available.
Need more detailed information about our program?
Law Enforcement Program Entry Requirements
In addition to meeting standard Rasmussen College admission requirements, you will need to pass a background check and submit to a Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension background check.
Ready to Start Your Path in Law Enforcement?
You'll receive support and financial aid planning, a customized course plan and career path guidance—with no obligation.
Do you have more questions?
How Much Could You Earn as a Law Enforcement Professional?
In-Demand Career Options for Your Future
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), earning a degree, regardless of the field of study, can improve income potential.* Here is the average salary and projected job growth for law enforcement professionals:
Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Employment Statistics, [salary data accessed September 13, 2017] www.bls.gov/oes/. Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, [career information accessed December 13, 2017] www.bls.gov/ooh/. 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.
How Much Will it Cost?
See how affordable your degree of choice is:
Calculate Your Estimated Degree CostWe Help Make College Affordable
At Rasmussen College, we believe higher education should be a successful investment. That’s why we offer affordable options that make earning your degree attainable. See how you can save:
- Flex Choice® learning option
- Loans and Grants
- Scholarship Opportunities
- Corporate and Military Discounts
- Seamless transfer policies
Important information about the educational debt, earnings, and completion rates of students who attended this program:
Want to learn more? Consult with a program manager
Program Page Methodology and Disclosures
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Time to Complete
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Completion time is dependent on transfer credits accepted and the number of courses completed each term.
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Industry Certification Exams
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Rasmussen College will reimburse the application fee for each first attempt of all of the industry certification exams for which you qualify to take. Should you need to take an exam more than once to receive a passing score, you will be responsible for all subsequent exam application fees.