Military BenefitsLaw Enforcement
Certificate, Associate's Degree
Law enforcement professionals are the protectors and defenders of our society—and these rewarding jobs are on the rise. The selection standards and training needed to be a police officer in Minnesota are among the highest in the nation. Whether you are qualified to pursue our Academic Certificate in as few as 9 months, Skills Certificate in as few as 6 months or Associate’s degree in as few as 18 months, know that you will be gaining the skills you need to pursue this challenging and rewarding field.1 Our advanced programs use state-of-the-art facilities, equipment and scenarios with experienced instructors to help prepare you for situations you may encounter as a Minnesota police officer.2
The Law Enforcement programs are not aligned to the standards of any professional licensing body other than the MN POST and are not intended to satisfy professional licensure requirements of any professional licensing agency in any other state.
The Minnesota Chiefs of Police Foundation is pleased to offer “Wear the Badge Scholarships” to qualified Minnesota undergraduate students studying law enforcement and related fields. Rasmussen University’s Law Enforcement Skills Instructor Erin Holznagel wears the badge to help people, and her goal is to be a voice for people who don’t have one. Why will you wear the badge? Pursue your Certificate or Associate’s degree to earn your badge.
Officer Erin Holznagel for the Wear the Badge Scholarship Fund
Law Enforcement Skills Instructor Erin Holznagel has served nearly a dozen years with the Burnsville Police Department and is proud to wear her badge.
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Flex Choice®: Get Credit for What You Know
This Associate's degree is available with Flex Choice self-directed assessment offerings, which allows you to blend traditional online courses with self-directed assessments that provide optional coaching assistance. Assessments provide more flexibility, and—at $99 per attempt—this is a more affordable way to receive credit for what you already know. For additional information, visit our Flex Choice page.
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MN POST Board-Approved Police Academy
Rasmussen University is one of the few Minnesota colleges with its own Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) Board-approved police academy that prepares you to earn the Law Enforcement Skills Certificate needed to obtain your Minnesota police officer licensure.2
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Hands-On Training
Receive hands-on law enforcement training in realistic settings at our modern, on-site Law Enforcement Training Facility on nights and weekends when pursuing your Associate’s degree or Skills Certificate. Here, you’ll use the same facilities, equipment, scenarios and tactics as current law enforcement professionals.
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Regional Accreditation
Rasmussen University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (hlcommission.org), a regional accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Law Enforcement Credentials Offered
Law Enforcement
Certificate
Learning includes
- On Campus
- Online
- Field Experience
Intended for
Students who already have a degree from a regionally accredited school. Students who have a passion to protect and serve the communities in which they live as a police officer.
The online Academic Certificate is for those who wish to enter the field of law enforcement and meet the academic component of the Professional Peace Officer Education program approved by the MN POST Board.
The on-campus Skills Certificate incorporates realistic settings on nights and weekends for working students who wish to meet the physical skills component of the Professional Peace Officer Education program approved by the MN POST Board.
Prepares you for
Police officer, conservation officer, alcohol law enforcement agent, deputy sheriff, state trooper, security officer
Law Enforcement
Associate's Degree
Finish in as few as
18 months1
Learning includes
- On-Campus and Online Classes
- Field Experience
- Flex Choice® (Optional)
Intended for
Students without a degree who wish to enter the field of law enforcement. Students who have a passion to protect and serve the communities in which they live as a police officer. Upon graduation, students will meet the academic and physical skills components necessary to sit for the Minnesota Peace Officer Licensing Exam.
Prepares you for
Police officer, conservation officer, alcohol law enforcement agent, deputy sheriff, state trooper, security officer
Not Sure This Degree Is Right for You?
Take the Next Step—Talk to Us!
How to Become a Police Officer: Your Step-by-Step Guide
Before you commit to becoming a police officer, it helps to know ahead of time what’s coming and how a Law Enforcement degree or Certificate can help you get there.
Read moreTurn Your Law Enforcement Education into a Career
We’ve made launching your law enforcement career easier by offering Law Enforcement courses and credentials that fit into a busy working schedule. Your educational history will determine which program you should pursue. If you don't have a degree and are looking to enter this challenging field, a Law Enforcement degree at the Associate's level is the place to start. If you already have a degree from a regionally accredited school in a program that is approved by the MN POST Board, you can pursue an Academic Certificate or Skills Certificate in order to gain the components and Law Enforcement studies you need for licensure. No matter what Law Enforcement program fits your educational background best—Associate’s degree, Academic Certificate or Skills Certificate—our advanced on-site and online law enforcement training is built is built to give you the required knowledge and skills you need to make a positive impact and serve your community.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), earning a degree, regardless of the field of study, can improve income potential.4 Here are just a few examples of where a Law Enforcement degree can take you.
Police and Sheriff’s Patrol Officers
"The professors at Rasmussen [University] have a wealth of knowledge and experience that they are always eager to share with students."
Amy
Law Enforcement Graduate
Program Standards
Minnesota Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) Board
The Rasmussen University Law Enforcement program is approved by the Minnesota Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) Board. 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.
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.
- Completion time is dependent on transfer credits accepted and the number of courses completed each term.
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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. - Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Employment Statistics, [salary data accessed May 21, 2020] https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes292061.htm. Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, [career information accessed May 21, 2020] 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.
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Current Population Study. Unemployment rates and earnings by educational attainment, 2019. Accessed by 7/15/2020. Data is for persons age 25 and older full-time wage and salary earners. https://www.bls.gov/emp/chart-unemployment-earnings-education.htm