Thank you for your interest in the Law Enforcement Program at Minnesota State University in Mankato, Minnesota. The Law Enforcement Program at MSU is a part of the university’s Department of Political Science and Law Enforcement. The program has an outstanding reputation in Minnesota and in the Upper Midwest for providing quality professional education in law enforcement. Students in our program have a variety of career goals, including becoming a police officer, deputy sheriff, state trooper, conservation officer, federal agent, military officer, attorney, policy analyst, crime analyst, insurance investigator, and many others.
The program is one of the largest on campus with over 400 majors. The program’s courses are delivered by 7 full-time faculty and a number of adjunct instructors. The faculty and our adjuncts have many years of local and federal law enforcement experience and other criminal justice system experience. The faculty are also actively involved in scholarship—publishing in the field, presenting at professional and academic conferences, and engaging in cutting-edge, nationally-recognized research.
The program currently offers two options for students. Option I is the pre-licensing track for those interested in becoming Minnesota peace officers. Option I is a broad major and therefore does not require a minor. The curriculum in Option I is approved by the Minnesota Peace Officers Standards and Training (POST) Board for meeting the academic portion of the professional peace officer education (PPOE) requirement for licensure. An Option I degree, in conjunction with an approved clinical skills program, meets the complete education requirement for licensure in Minnesota. Due to an agreement between Minnesota State University and Hibbing Community College, students have the option of completing the clinical skills requirement in Mankato during the final Spring semester of their college career.
Option II also results in a bachelor degree in law enforcement. However, it does not meet the Minnesota licensing requirements. Fewer law enforcement courses are required to complete Option II than are required for Option I. Option II does require a minor. Option II is ideal for students who are certain they do not wish to become Minnesota peace officers (e.g. they intend to seek law enforcement employment in another state, they intend to go on for law school or graduate school, etc.).
Beginning in the 2005-2006 academic year, it is anticipated that the Law Enforcement Program will offer a 6-course Certificate in Law Enforcement Management. The courses will be delivered entirely online. The certificate is awaiting final university approval.
We invite you to explore the program’s web pages for further information. You are also welcome to contact us if you have any questions about the Law Enforcement Program. Thanks again for your interest.
Dr. Tamara Wilkins, Law Enforcement Director
