Law Enforcement

The Law Enforcement Program at MSU is a part of the university's Department of Government. 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, loss prevention officer and many others.

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/early Summer of their college career. Option II also results in a bachelors degree in law enforcement. However, it does not meet the Minnesota licensing requirements.  Option II requires a minor. Option II is ideal for students who are already licensed or 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.).