Law Enforcement (BS)

Summary

The peace officer program is designed for individuals seeking a professional career as a peace officer in multicultural and diverse communities at the individual, local, state, federal, and global levels. 

Catalog Year

2022-2023

Degree

Bachelor of Science

Major Credits

53

Total Credits

120

Locations

Mankato

This program satisfies licensure-to-practice standards for Minnesota and may satisfy standards for other states or US territories.

Licensure/Certification Disclosure

Update Your Major

Program Requirements

Required General Education

Examines the making of criminal law, the evolution of policing, the adjudication of persons accused of criminal law violations, and the punishment of adult offenders.

Prerequisites: none

Goal Areas: GE-05, GE-09

Diverse Cultures: Purple

A critical consideration of definitions of juvenile delinquency, emphasis on micro and macro level of struggle in which delinquent behavior takes place, critique of current theories on delinquency, and the juvenile justice response to delinquency.

Prerequisites: none

Goal Areas: GE-05, GE-09

Diverse Cultures: Purple

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

Lower-Division Core Courses

The foundational tenets of peacekeeping are based on building relations between peace officers and the communities they serve. The student will be introduced to the value of positive interactions between peace officers and the populations they serve, as well as how negative interactions can impact public perception, funding, and trust. Students will also learn ways to incorporate problem-solving strategies and critical analysis on both micro and macro levels to address community and peacekeeping concerns.

Prerequisites: none

The history, development, and application of criminal laws and criminal procedures in the criminal justice system.

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 the rules, statutes, criminal laws, and traffic laws that directly relate to the role of a peace officer in the State of Minnesota.

Prerequisites: none

This course will introduce students to theoretical concepts in sociology, social psychology, psychology, and criminology pertaining to human behavior. Students will gain an understanding of how individual and societal factors influence the behaviors of the people they serve, as well as how those same factors influence the police officer personality. Students will also be introduced to many of the mental disorders they will encounter in the field so that they may more easily identify those in crisis when in the field and determine the most appropriate course of action to assist them.

Prerequisites: none

Upper-Division Core Courses

Overview of the characteristics of victims, victim-offender relationships, societal victimization, victim's rights and services, and restorative justice. The focus will be on developing effective criminal justice responses to the victims/survivors and the perpetrators.

Prerequisites: none

This course is designed to provide peace officer students with the foundational information, tools, and skills needed to improve interpersonal communications with coworkers and the public from all ethnic and cultural groups. This course also provides some historical information so students can contextualize and better understand why particular groups may distrust and resist peace officers and the criminal justice system as a whole.

Prerequisites: none

The mental and physical wellbeing of peace officers will be focused on and students will be required to assess their vulnerabilities to intrapersonal and interpersonal stressors. Students will develop tactics and strategies for managing their mental and physical wellbeing, while understanding how those strategies may have to change over time. Must be a major or minor in Corrections, Criminal Justice, Law Enforcement, or Peace Officer Program.

Prerequisites: none

The course will provide the student with a solid foundation in effective peace officer communications and prepare the student analytically for a career as a peace officer. This course also has a writing intensive requirement that involves drafting, editing, and reviewing a variety of written assignments.Must be a major or minor in Corrections, Criminal Justice, and/or Peace Officer (Law Enforcement) Programs.

Prerequisites: none

Advanced Crime Theory & Prevention provides an overview of the nature and causes of crime and victimization. Using a multidisciplinary approach, the course surveys theories of criminal behavior at the macro- & micro-level. Students will learn how to evaluate criminological theories. The course also covers the link between theory and crime prevention efforts, focusing primarily on how crime prevention efforts employed by legislatures, police, courts, and corrections agencies in the United States are derived from theory.

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 criminal justice.

Prerequisites: none

This course will cover the basic techniques of writing reports, memoranda, forms, and other documents used in the peace officer profession. This is a writing-intensive course that will not only fulfill MN POST Report Writing requirements, but will also require students to compose numerous documents and respond to writing feedback throughout the semester.

Prerequisites: none

Senior Seminar is a capstone course that is specifically designed for Peace Officer Program students to be eligible to become licensed peace officers. This course will assist the student in several areas to include preparation for the MN POST test, interviewing skills, critical thinking and decision making skills, scenario based learning, and job application skills.

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

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

Includes street fighting techniques and personal safety tips.

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 or CJ credits, 6 credits must be at the 300-400 level.

Prerequisites: none

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

Examines the making of criminal law, the evolution of policing, the adjudication of persons accused of criminal law violations, and the punishment of adult offenders.

Prerequisites: none

Goal Areas: GE-05, GE-09

Diverse Cultures: Purple

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 history, development, and application of criminal laws and criminal procedures in the criminal justice system.

Prerequisites: none

General Education Course * 3 credits

Spring - 16 Credits

Discussion of theories of value and obligation.

Prerequisites: none

Goal Areas: GE-06, GE-09

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 peace officers and the populations 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 * 4 credits

Diverse Cultures Course * 3 credits

Second Year

Fall - 16 Credits

Students in this course approach writing as a subject of study by investigating how writing works across a variety of contexts.

Prerequisites: none

Goal Areas: GE-1A

An extensive study of the rules, statutes, criminal laws, and traffic laws that directly relate to the role of a peace officer in the State of Minnesota.

Prerequisites: none

This course will introduce students to theoretical concepts in sociology, social psychology, psychology, and criminology pertaining to human behavior. Students will gain an understanding of how individual and societal factors influence the behaviors of the people they serve, as well as how those same factors influence the police officer personality. Students will also be introduced to many of the mental disorders they will encounter in the field so that they may more easily identify those in crisis when in the field and determine the most appropriate course of action to assist them.

Prerequisites: none

General Education Course * 3 credits

General Education Course * 3 credits

Spring - 15 Credits

A critical consideration of definitions of juvenile delinquency, emphasis on micro and macro level of struggle in which delinquent behavior takes place, critique of current theories on delinquency, and the juvenile justice response to delinquency.

Prerequisites: none

Goal Areas: GE-05, GE-09

Diverse Cultures: Purple

Elective Course in Major * 3 credits

General Education Course * 3 credits

Diverse Cultures Course * 3 credits

General Elective 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

Writing Intensive Course * 3 credits

General Elective Course * 3 credits

Spring - 16 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

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

This course focuses on the intellectual aspects of law enforcement from the perspectives of communication, interpersonal relations, and critical thinking. The course will provide the student with a solid foundation in effective law enforcement communications and prepare the student intellectually for a career as a law enforcement officer. This course also has a writing intensive requirement that involves drafting, editing, and reviewing a variety of written assignments.

Prerequisites: none

General Education Course * 3 credits

General Education Course * 4 credits

Fourth Year

Fall - 13 Credits

This course will cover the basic techniques of writing reports, memoranda, forms, and other documents used in the law enforcement profession. This is a writing-intensive course that will not only fulfill MN POST Report Writing requirements, but will also require students to compose numerous documents and respond to writing feedback throughout the semester.

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 criminal justice.

Prerequisites: none

Elective Course in Major * 3 credits

General Elective Course * 3 credits

Spring - 15 Credits

Senior Seminar is a capstone course that is specifically designed for Law Enforcement students to be eligible to become licensed peace officers. This course will assist the student in several areas to include preparation for the MN POST test, interviewing skills, critical thinking and decision making skills, group work and presentations, scenario based learning and application of law to the scenarios.

Prerequisites: Admission to the program.

Transfer Pathways

A Transfer Pathway is a partnership between the Minnesota community colleges and Minnesota State University, Mankato. The Pathway suggests a plan for students with a specific associate degree to complete the last two years for a designated bachelor’s degree.

Students who are transferring to Minnesota State Mankato from a Minnesota community college should meet with an advisor in your college advising office to ensure the Pathway is an appropriate option for completing your degree.

More information on Transfer Pathways is available at https://mnsu.edu/pathways/about/

Third Year

Fall - 16 Credits

Overview of the characteristics of victims, victim-offender relationships, societal victimization, victim's rights and services, and restorative justice. The focus will be on developing effective criminal justice responses to the victims/survivors and the perpetrators.

Prerequisites: none

This course is designed to provide peace officer students with the foundational information, tools, and skills needed to improve interpersonal communications with coworkers and the public from all ethnic and cultural groups. This course also provides some historical information so students can contextualize and better understand why particular groups may distrust and resist peace officers and the criminal justice system as a whole.

Prerequisites: none

Students will engage in community experiences, public service interactions, experiences with a variety of diverse groups, and/or interactive panels that will provide for opportunities to reflect, observe, conceptualize, and grow as a future criminal justice professional.

Prerequisites: none

Elective Course in Major * 3 credits

Elective Course in Major * 3 credits

Elective Course in Major * 3 credits

Spring - 15 Credits

The mental and physical wellbeing of peace officers will be focused on and students will be required to assess their vulnerabilities to intrapersonal and interpersonal stressors. Students will develop tactics and strategies for managing their mental and physical wellbeing, while understanding how those strategies may have to change over time. Must be a major or minor in Corrections, Criminal Justice, Law Enforcement, or Peace Officer Program.

Prerequisites: none

The course will provide the student with a solid foundation in effective peace officer communications and prepare the student analytically for a career as a peace officer. This course also has a writing intensive requirement that involves drafting, editing, and reviewing a variety of written assignments.Must be a major or minor in Corrections, Criminal Justice, and/or Peace Officer (Law Enforcement) Programs.

Prerequisites: none

General Education Course * 3 credits

Diverse Cultures Course * 3 credits

Fourth Year

Fall - 16 Credits

Students will engage in community experiences, public service interactions, experiences with a variety of diverse groups, and/or interactive panels that will provide for opportunities to reflect, observe, conceptualize, and grow as a future criminal justice professional.

Prerequisites: none

Advanced Crime Theory & Prevention provides an overview of the nature and causes of crime and victimization. Using a multidisciplinary approach, the course surveys theories of criminal behavior at the macro- & micro-level. Students will learn how to evaluate criminological theories. The course also covers the link between theory and crime prevention efforts, focusing primarily on how crime prevention efforts employed by legislatures, police, courts, and corrections agencies in the United States are derived from theory.

Prerequisites: none

This course will cover the basic techniques of writing reports, memoranda, forms, and other documents used in the peace officer profession. This is a writing-intensive course that will not only fulfill MN POST Report Writing requirements, but will also require students to compose numerous documents and respond to writing feedback throughout the semester.

Prerequisites: none

General Elective Course * 4 credits

General Elective Course * 2 credits

Spring - 13 Credits

This course is designed to provide peace officer students with a more thorough understanding of a variety of ethnicities, cultures, and groups in Minnesota and elsewhere throughout the country.

Prerequisites: none

Senior Seminar is a capstone course that is specifically designed for Peace Officer Program students to be eligible to become licensed peace officers. This course will assist the student in several areas to include preparation for the MN POST test, interviewing skills, critical thinking and decision making skills, scenario based learning, and job application skills.

Prerequisites: none

Elective Course in Major * 3 credits

Elective Course in Major * 3 credits

General Elective Course * 3 credits