Law Enforcement (BS)

Catalog Year

2019-2020

Degree

Bachelor of Science

Total Credits

120

Locations

Mankato

Program Requirements

Required General Education

The course provides a survey of the institutions and processes of the criminal justice system with an emphasis on the role of law enforcement agencies in a free society. Political theories of justice are explored with theories of crime causation.

Prerequisites: none

Goal Areas: GE-05

Become informed enough to play your part in governing the United States. Start by learning about the Constitution, our rights and freedoms, how the national government works and the opportunities and challenges of citizen influence. Political Science methods, and the challenges of citizenship are emphasized.

Prerequisites: none

Goal Areas: GE-05, GE-09

Major Common Core

Research methodologies as they apply to correctional evidence-based practices are covered, as are strengths and limitations of various research practices, especially with respect to central correctional concepts such as risk, recidivism, and program evaluation. Students will gain experience with data sources, data collection, and basic interpretation of data analysis.

Prerequisites: none

A critical consideration of myths concerning crime, perspectives on crime and their assumptions, current criminology theory, and construction of alternative explanations related to crime.

Prerequisites: SOC 101 

This course explores the history of community policing and explains what community policing is and is not. It also examines what research has discovered about the relationship of the police with the community. The student will be introduced to the value of positive interactions between the police officer and the citizens they serve, as well as ways to incorporate problem-solving strategies on both small and large scales.

Prerequisites: none

The history and development of criminal law procedures and their application by law enforcement.

Prerequisites: none

The history, legal aspects of investigation, the evolution of investigations and forensics, procedures of crime investigations, procurement and preservation of evidence and interviewing.

Prerequisites: none

An extensive study of Chapter 609, Minnesota Criminal Code, and traffic law. Prereq: LAWE 231, admission to Option I or consent

Prerequisites: Admission to Option I, LAWE 231

This course will expose students to theoretical foundations of human behavior and explore specific law enforcement situations in which that information can be used.

Prerequisites: none

This course is designed to provide law enforcement students with the basic information, tools, and skills needed to improve interpersonal communications with coworkers and citizens from all ethnic and cultural groups. It is also intended to provide some historical information so students can contextualize and better understand why particular groups may distrust and resist law enforcement and the criminal justice system as a whole.

Prerequisites: none

Diverse Cultures: Purple

The purpose of this course is to develop in the student an insight into the dynamics of interpersonal violence, particularly sexual violence. The focus will be on developing effective law enforcement responses to the victims/survivors and the perpetrators.

Prerequisites: none

This course will cover the sources of intrapersonal and interpersonal stress in the law enforcement profession. Students will be required to assess their vulnerability to these stressors and develop their own strategies and tactics for coping.

Prerequisites: none

The course will examine ethics and leadership theory, interpretation, and application. Concepts such as vision, ownership, integrity, accountability, attitude, teamwork capability, monitoring, evaluation, and decision making will be interpreted through case studies of ethics and leadership in law enforcement.

Prerequisites: none

Provides students with specific procedures for handling various types of routine calls and situations and provides a base for handling those incidents which are not routine. Emphasizes critical thinking skills through discussion, assignments and evaluations. Prereq: Junior or senior standing

Prerequisites: Admission to Option I 

This is the capstone course for LAWE Option 1 and will include such topics as P.O.S.T. License review, ethics and interviewing skills.

Prerequisites: Admission to Option I

Required Courses - Choose 6 Credit(s). You may take the writing intensive or the regular section of each course.

This course focuses on the law enforcement approach to the juvenile justice system and how it has evolved in the United States. Theories of delinquency are reviewed. Minnesota Juvenile Code in emphasized.

Prerequisites: none

This course focuses on the law enforcement approach to the juvenile justice system and how it has evolved in the United States. Theories of delinquency are reviewed. Minnesota Juvenile Code in emphasized.

Prerequisites: none

The course focuses on the psychological aspects of law enforcement from the perspectives of communication, interpersonal relations, and officer safety. The course will have required accompanying readings and the materials which, along with the classroom interaction, should provide the student with a solid foundation to build effective communications and to start to prepare the student psychologically for a career as a law enforcement officer.

Prerequisites: none

he course focuses on the psychological aspects of law enforcement from the perspectives of communication, interpersonal relations, and officer safety. The course will have required accompanying readings and the materials which, along with the classroom interaction, should provide the student with a solid foundation to build effective communications and to start to prepare the student psychologically for a career as a law enforcement officer. This course also has a writing intensive requirement that involves drafting, editing, and reviewing written assignments.

Prerequisites: none

Major Restricted Electives

Required Physical Fitness Electives - Choose 1 Credit(s). Choose at least 1 credit

Prerequisites: none

Concepts and development of lifelong healthy exercise and nutritional habits.

Prerequisites: none

Goal Areas: GE-11

Theory and practice of aerobic conditioning.

Prerequisites: none

Goal Areas: GE-11

Participation and increase skill knowledge through activity in body building, physical conditioning, and aerobics.

Prerequisites: none

Goal Areas: GE-11

This class is open to all students. Please note, this is a physically demanding class. It is a comprehensive fitness program based on the latest military fitness techniques and principles. Students participate in and learn the components of an effective physical fitness program, with emphasis on the development of an individual fitness program and the role of exercise and fitness in one's life. In addition, students will achieve the highest standards of physical fitness in preparation for the Army Physical Fitness Test. This class is a pre-requisite for MSL 403.

Prerequisites: none

Goal Areas: GE-11

Program Electives - Choose 9 Credit(s). Choose 9 LAWE credits, 6 credits must be at the 300-400 level.

Prerequisites: none

4-Year Plan

The 4-Year Plan is a model for completing your degree in a timely manner. Your individual 4-Year plan may change based on a number of variables including transfer courses and the semester/year you start your major. Carefully work with your academic advisors to devise your own unique plan.
* Please meet with your advisor on appropriate course selection to meet your educational and degree goals.

First Year

Fall - 14 Credits

Become informed enough to play your part in governing the United States. Start by learning about the Constitution, our rights and freedoms, how the national government works and the opportunities and challenges of citizen influence. Political Science methods, and the challenges of citizenship are emphasized.

Prerequisites: none

Goal Areas: GE-05, GE-09

The course provides a survey of the institutions and processes of the criminal justice system with an emphasis on the role of law enforcement agencies in a free society. Political theories of justice are explored with theories of crime causation.

Prerequisites: none

Goal Areas: GE-05

The history and development of criminal law procedures and their application by law enforcement.

Prerequisites: none

General Education Course * 4 credits

Spring - 16 Credits

This course explores the history of community policing and explains what community policing is and is not. It also examines what research has discovered about the relationship of the police with the community. The student will be introduced to the value of positive interactions between the police officer and the citizens they serve, as well as ways to incorporate problem-solving strategies on both small and large scales.

Prerequisites: none

The history, legal aspects of investigation, the evolution of investigations and forensics, procedures of crime investigations, procurement and preservation of evidence and interviewing.

Prerequisites: none

General Education Course * 3 credits

General Education Course * 4 credits

General Education Course * 3 credits

Second Year

Fall - 15 Credits

An extensive study of Chapter 609, Minnesota Criminal Code, and traffic law. Prereq: LAWE 231, admission to Option I or consent

Prerequisites: Admission to Option I, LAWE 231

This course will expose students to theoretical foundations of human behavior and explore specific law enforcement situations in which that information can be used.

Prerequisites: none

General Education Course * 3 credits

General Education Course * 3 credits

Writing Intensive Course * 3 credits

Spring - 15 Credits

This course focuses on the law enforcement approach to the juvenile justice system and how it has evolved in the United States. Theories of delinquency are reviewed. Minnesota Juvenile Code in emphasized.

Prerequisites: none

Research methodologies as they apply to correctional evidence-based practices are covered, as are strengths and limitations of various research practices, especially with respect to central correctional concepts such as risk, recidivism, and program evaluation. Students will gain experience with data sources, data collection, and basic interpretation of data analysis.

Prerequisites: none

This course will cover the sources of intrapersonal and interpersonal stress in the law enforcement profession. Students will be required to assess their vulnerability to these stressors and develop their own strategies and tactics for coping.

Prerequisites: none

General Education Course * 3 credits

Diverse Cultures Course * 3 credits

Third Year

Fall - 15 Credits

This course is designed to provide law enforcement students with the basic information, tools, and skills needed to improve interpersonal communications with coworkers and citizens from all ethnic and cultural groups. It is also intended to provide some historical information so students can contextualize and better understand why particular groups may distrust and resist law enforcement and the criminal justice system as a whole.

Prerequisites: none

Diverse Cultures: Purple

The purpose of this course is to develop in the student an insight into the dynamics of interpersonal violence, particularly sexual violence. The focus will be on developing effective law enforcement responses to the victims/survivors and the perpetrators.

Prerequisites: none

Elective Course in Major * 3 credits

General Education Course * 3 credits

General Elective Course * 3 credits

Spring - 15 Credits

Provides the knowledge and skills necessary in an emergency to help sustain life, reduce pain, and minimize the consequences of injury or sudden illness. Includes First Aid certification for the non-professional and all aspects of CPR for the non-professional and professional.

Prerequisites: none

Goal Areas: GE-11

he course focuses on the psychological aspects of law enforcement from the perspectives of communication, interpersonal relations, and officer safety. The course will have required accompanying readings and the materials which, along with the classroom interaction, should provide the student with a solid foundation to build effective communications and to start to prepare the student psychologically for a career as a law enforcement officer. This course also has a writing intensive requirement that involves drafting, editing, and reviewing written assignments.

Prerequisites: none

A critical consideration of myths concerning crime, perspectives on crime and their assumptions, current criminology theory, and construction of alternative explanations related to crime.

Prerequisites: SOC 101 

General Education Course * 3 credits

General Education Course * 3 credits

Fourth Year

Fall - 15 Credits

The course will examine ethics and leadership theory, interpretation, and application. Concepts such as vision, ownership, integrity, accountability, attitude, teamwork capability, monitoring, evaluation, and decision making will be interpreted through case studies of ethics and leadership in law enforcement.

Prerequisites: none

Provides students with specific procedures for handling various types of routine calls and situations and provides a base for handling those incidents which are not routine. Emphasizes critical thinking skills through discussion, assignments and evaluations. Prereq: Junior or senior standing

Prerequisites: Admission to Option I 

Elective Course in Major * 3 credits

Elective Course in Major * 3 credits

General Education Course * 2 credits

Elective Course in Major * 1 credits

Spring - 15 Credits

This is the capstone course for LAWE Option 1 and will include such topics as P.O.S.T. License review, ethics and interviewing skills.

Prerequisites: Admission to Option I

Elective Course in Major * 12 credits