Justice Studies

Law Enforcement

Certificate, Associate's Degree

With a law enforcement degree or certificate, you can serve your community by becoming a positive influence and role model in law enforcement. The selection standards and training needed to be a police officer in Minnesota are among the highest in the nation. At Rasmussen, you have the option of pursuing an Academic Certificate or an Associate's degree. Our Associate's degree provides real-world, practical training with experienced instructors. Already have a conferred Associate's degree? In as few as six months,15 you can complete the 24 credits of physical skills training to add an Associate's in Law Enforcement. Whether you pursue our Academic Certificate in as few as nine 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

Law Enforcement Associate's degree students will benefit from taking the skills portion of the program at the new HERO Training Center, a state-of-the-art, off-site facility that provides hands-on, immersive law enforcement training and simulations.1

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Knowledge Credit™

Save time and money on your Associate's degree with self-directed assessments. These $99 online, interactive assessments allow you to show that you already know the skills in a particular course and don't need to take it. We also offer coaching and prep at no cost to help you brush up. Learn more about your Knowledge Credit™ options.

Institutional Accreditation

Rasmussen University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (hlcommission.org), an institutional accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

Hands-On Training

Receive hands-on law enforcement training through immersive tactical experiences at the new HERO Training Center. The HERO Training Center is a state-of-the-art, off-site facility that provides all of the equipment and resources for reality-based training, including shooting simulators, mats rooms and moveable walls to construct real-life scenarios, as well as 12-lane shooting range. Here, you’ll use the same facilities, equipment, scenarios and tactics as current law enforcement professionals.

Eagan HERO Training Center

Law Enforcement Credentials Offered

Law Enforcement

Certificate

Finish in as few as

9 months Academic Certificate1

Learning includes

Online

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.

Prepares you for

Police officer, conservation officer, alcohol law enforcement agent, deputy sheriff, state trooper, security officer

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Law Enforcement Degree

Associate's Degree

Finish in as few as

18 months1

Learning includes

On-Campus and Online Classes
Field Experience

Intended for

Students without a degree who wish to enter the field of law enforcement, or students with a conferred Associate’s degree who wish to complete their skills training in pursuit of a second degree and a career in Law Enforcement.1 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

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Not Sure This Degree Is Right for You?

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Request More Information About Our Law Enforcement Program

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Program Details and Applying for Classes
Financial Aid and FAFSA (for those who qualify)
Customized Support Services
Detailed Program Plan

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School of Justice Studies Blog

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.

Photograph of a badge resting on top of a pair of handcuffs.

Turn 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 how you proceed in pursuit of your Associate’s degree or Academic Certificate.

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 and can be achieved in as little as 18 months.1 If you already have a degree from a regionally accredited school in a program that is approved by the MN POST Board, you can proceed on the fast track by focusing on the skills training required for licensure.1 Whichever Law Enforcement program fits your educational background best, Rasmussen will provide you with the knowledge and skills you need to make a positive impact in serving 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

BLS Median Salary:3
- $38,420 10th Percentile
- $48,950 25th Percentile
- $65,540 50th Percentile
BLS Projected Growth 2019–2029:3

6^%
BLS Typical Entry-Level Education:
- High School Diploma or Equivalent

Transit and Railroad Police

BLS Earnings Data:3
- $44,520 10th Percentile
- $54,080 25th Percentile
- $72,580 50th Percentile
BLS Projected Growth 2019–2029:3

4^%
BLS Typical Entry-Level Education:
- High School Diploma or Equivalent

"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.
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 July 7, 2021] www.bls.gov/oes/. Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, [career information accessed July 7, 2021] 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 July 15, 2020. Data is for persons age 25 and older who are full-time wage and salary earners. https://www.bls.gov/emp/chart-unemployment-earnings-education.htm
See catalog for admission requirements.

Justice Studies

Law Enforcement

Certificate, Associate's Degree

Knowledge Credit™

Institutional Accreditation

Hands-On Training

Law Enforcement

Certificate

Finish in as few as

Learning includes

Intended for

Prepares you for

Law Enforcement Degree

Associate's Degree

Finish in as few as

Learning includes

Intended for

Prepares you for

Not Sure This Degree Is Right for You?

Request More Information

How to Become a Police Officer: Your Step-by-Step Guide

Police and Sheriff’s Patrol Officers

BLS Median Salary:3

BLS Projected Growth 2019–2029:3

BLS Typical Entry-Level Education:

Transit and Railroad Police

BLS Earnings Data:3

BLS Projected Growth 2019–2029:3

BLS Typical Entry-Level Education:

Minnesota Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) Board

Professional Peace Officer Education (PPOE)

Criminal Justice

Paralegal

Human Services