Law Enforcement
Undergraduate Programs
Description
Law Enforcement prepares students to pursue a career as a peace officer by emphasizing the role of critical thinking of a peace officer in a free society by respecting and upholding the law, procedural justice, and the rights of all people. Students learn through evidence-based practices to be of high integrity, compassionate, dedicated, and attentive, as well as aware of implicit bias and discriminatory practices in our diverse and changing community, nation, and world.
Majors |
Program | Locations | Major / Total Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Law Enforcement BS | BS - Bachelor of Science |
|
53 / 120 |
Certificates |
Program | Locations | Major / Total Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Law Enforcement POST CERT |
|
28 / 28 |
Minors |
Program | Locations | Total Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Peace Officer Studies Minor |
|
19 |
Policies & Faculty
Policies
PEACE OFFICER POLICIES
Admission Requirements
- Admission to the degree is granted by the department.
- Admission requires satisfaction of departmental GPA and course prerequisites as well as POST board documentation. Since these requirements are subject to change, students should contact the Criminal Justice Department Office for current admission requirements.
- Both academic and physical agility standards are course requirements for which passing grades are necessary to graduate with the licensing option degree.
- Admission to the licensing degree requires a student must have completed 3 of the 5 lower-division common core courses, CJ101, and CJ255 with a “C” or higher in each course, and a cumulative GPA of 2.6 or higher in the completed CJ courses.
- Must have a cumulative GPA in the major of 2.6 or higher.
GPA Policy. Students seeking to graduate with a peace officer bachelor’s degree must have an earned 2.6 GPA in the major. They must also earn a grade of “C” or higher in all required criminal justice classes with a CJ designator, POL111, and SOC101.
P/N Grading Policy. All criminal justice classes with a CJ designator, except CJ498, must be taken for a grade.
Repeated Course Policy. Students majoring in the Peace Officer program may not repeat a CJ, LAWE, or CORR course more than once, and no more than three different LAWE, CJ or CORR classes (including those accepted as transfer credits) may be repeated within a five year period.
Minimum Courses Policy. All students, including transfer students, majoring in the Peace Officer program must take a minimum of five (5) different CJ classes at Minnesota State Mankato for a total of not less than fifteen (15) credit hours. All students, including transfer students, seeking a minor in Peace Officer Studies must take a minimum of three (3) different CJ classes at Minnesota State Mankato for a total of not less than nine (9) credit hours.
Minnesota Licensure. The student must successfully complete the Peace Officer Program major and an integrated skills program, as well as meet other POST Board and Minnesota State Mankato requirements before being approved to take the POST Board licensure examination. This includes being certified in first aid and CPR (First Responder or EMT currently qualify). Only graduates of certified two and four year academic programs that also meet the requirements of the skills program providers may enter an integrated skills program. The license examination is administered by POST and covers those items included in the POST Board learning objectives.
Note: Since POST Board rules change from year to year, we advise students to contact the program director, the program academic advisor or their assigned academic advisor for current rules regarding licensure.
-----------------------------
PEACE OFFICER POST PREP CERTIFICATE POLICIES
- Students must have a conferred Bachelor's degree before they start the certificate, this certificate cannot be completed in concurrence with the B.S. in Criminal Justice at MSU Mankato.
- Students must achieve a "C" or better in each course with an overall GPA of 2.6 in the certificate.
Contact Information
109 Morris Hall
Main Office 507-389-2721https://sbs.mnsu.edu/academics/law-enforcement/
Faculty
Chair
- Pat Nelson, PhD
Academic Advisor
- Jonathan Moore, M.S.
Field Experiences Coordinator
- Jessica McLaughlin, M.S.
Faculty
100 Level
Credits: 3
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
Credits: 3
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
200 Level
Credits: 3
Introduction to academic concepts and issues in corrections, with emphasis on student professional development. The course includes a 50-hour service learning component to be completed outside of class. Correction majors should take this course as early as possible.Prerequisites: none
Credits: 3
This course will introduce students to the numerous agencies and organizations that make up the criminal justice system and its components. A primary goal for this course is to help students prepare for, as well as succeed in, a criminal justice system career.Prerequisites: none
Credits: 3
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
Credits: 4
The history, development, and application of criminal laws and criminal procedures in the criminal justice system.Prerequisites: none
Credits: 3
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
Credits: 3
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
Credits: 3
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
Credits: 3
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
300 Level
Credits: 3
A sociological perspective to examine the history of drug use and abuse in the United States. Multicultural issues in drug abuse, international drug distribution networks, prevention efforts, and legal issues will be discussed.Prerequisites: none
Credits: 3
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
Credits: 3
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
Credits: 3
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
Credits: 3
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
Credits: 3
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
Credits: 3
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
Credits: 3
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
Credits: 3
A more in-depth survey of methods and techniques for the investigation of crimes. This course builds off the foundation of LAWE233: Criminal Investigation.Prerequisites: LAWE 233
Credits: 3
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
Credits: 3
JOLT is a collaborative effort between the University and several probation offices. Students will mentor delinquents in the community and be mentored by local probation officers. This is a year-long commitment.Prerequisites: none
Credits: 1
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
Credits: 1-3
An examination of issues facing criminal justice today in constantly changing legal, social and cultural environments. Topics will vary and may be repeated for credit.Prerequisites: none
Credits: 1-3
An examination of issues facing law enforcement today in constantly changing legal, social and cultural environments. Topics will vary and may be repeated for credit.Prerequisites: none
400 Level
Credits: 3
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
Credits: 3
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
Credits: 3
Addresses theoretical roots, historical developments, and current practices of probation, parole, and other community corrections programs. Special attention is given to innovative, future approaches to community corrections. Writing intensivePrerequisites: none
Credits: 3
Principles and methods of individual and group counseling with juvenile and adult offenders; development of interpersonal helping skills, negotiation, and mediation skills.Prerequisites: none
Credits: 3
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
Credits: 3
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
Credits: 3
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
Credits: 1
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
Credits: 3
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.
Credits: 4
A comparison of criminal justice philosophies, structures, and procedures found in various countries around the world. Same as POL 449.Prerequisites: none
Credits: 4
History, philosophy, techniques and countermeasures to terroristic and law intensity threats to public order. Both domestic and international terror. The blurring of the lines between low intensity conflict/terrorism and multinational high intensity crime. Same as POL 425.Prerequisites: none
Credits: 3
This course explores the history, development and current role of federal law enforcement in the United States. This course also explores the history, implementation, and role of Homeland Security, along with the integration of purpose, action, and enforcement between Homeland Security, federal law enforcement, and local law enforcement with a lens of legal, policy, and cooperation strategies at the federal, state, and local levels.Prerequisites: none
Credits: 3
This course complements the learning experience of traveling on a faculty led study abroad trip. The focus will be a comparison of terrorism, political violence, and counter-terrorism activities in the United States to the same activities in the visited countries based on readings, research, observation, and participation. Instructor permission is required to register for this course.Prerequisites: Must be accepted into a faculty led study abroad trip.
Credits: 3
This course complements the learning experience of traveling on a faculty led study abroad trip. The focus will be on a comparison of international justice systems in a variety of countries based on readings, research, observation, and participation. Instructor permission is required to register for this course.Prerequisites: Must be registered and approved for a faculty-led study abroad program.
Credits: 4
Legal procedures by which state and federal administrative agencies exercise legislative, judicial and executive powers. Emphasis is placed on the constitutional position of administrative agencies, the rule making process, the power of agencies to decide rights and obligations concerning individual cases, and judicial control of administrative action.Prerequisites: none
Credits: 4
Review of selected U.S. Supreme Court decisions relating to the powers of the President, Congress and the Judiciary, as well as the division of power between the states and the federal government. Focus is on case briefing, underlying rationales, and the development of individual analytical abilities.Prerequisites: none
Credits: 4
Review of selected United States Supreme Court decisions interpreting important freedoms contained in the Bill of Rights and the 14th Amendment. Focus is on the rationale which underlies decisions and its impact on American political social processes. Provides an opportunity to exercise and develop individual analytical abilities through analysis of Court's reasoning. Same as POL 454.Prerequisites: none
Credits: 4
An examination of the structure, jurisdiction and processes of federal and state courts. Emphasis is placed on selection of judges and justices and on the dynamics of judicial decision-making. Same as POL 475.Prerequisites: none
Credits: 1-3
This course explores topics in criminal justice beyond what is covered in the existing curriculum. Students study specialized topics of current importance in the field. Specific topics will change depending on the term and instructor. May be retaken with a change of topic.Prerequisites: none
Credits: 1-3
This course explores topics in law enforcement beyond what is covered in the existing curriculum. Students study specialized topics of current importance in the field. Specific topics will change depending on the term and instructor. May be retaken with a change of topic.Prerequisites: none
Credits: 12
Field Practicum & Capstone Experience is a hybrid experiential learning course where students complete a 400-hour internship experience within an agency that manages justice-involved persons while participating in other professional development & experiential learning opportunities that vary from semester to semester. In addition to their internship experiences, students can expect guest speakers, facility tours, training, and/or other educational experiences to be offered in-person, or via teleconference. Required for the Corrections major. Formal application required. Contact Director of Criminal Justice Field Studies to apply.Prerequisites: none
Credits: 1-12
Field placement with a criminal justice agency or related organization. Provides a learning experience in which the student can integrate and apply knowledge and theory derived from curriculum. Can only be taken P/N, must have permission to register.Prerequisites: none
Credits: 1-12
Field placement with a law enforcement agency or related organization. Provides a learning experience in which the student can integrate and apply knowledge and theory derived from curriculum. P/N only.Prerequisites: none
Credits: 1-3
Advanced study and research on topics not currently available in existing courses. May be repeated with a change of topic. Requires advisor and instructor approval of topic.Prerequisites: none
Credits: 1-3
Advanced study and research on topics not currently available in existing courses. May be repeated with a change of topic. Requires advisor and instructor approval of topic.Prerequisites: none
