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Hennepin Tech's Peace Officer Training program, certified by the Minnesota Board of Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST board), provides both the academic and skills training needed for law enforcement.

Hennepin Tech’s Peace Officer and Public Safety graduates are known for their knowledge and experience with diverse communities and the various populations within those communities, their strong tactical skills, and exceptional interpersonal communication and critical thinking skills.

We develop our police officer skills training and education programs with input from the community and stakeholders, focusing on addressing systemic and structural inequities. Our Peace Officer courses emphasize equity, evidence-based practices, and data-informed approaches. We train culturally competent peace officers who are ready to serve all people and communities with dignity and respect.

Students learn Minnesota statutes, the U.S. Constitution, criminal and traffic law, and develop skills needed for daily law enforcement. Our experienced faculty bring a wide range of law enforcement backgrounds to the classroom, preparing students to deliver justice effectively.

The coursework in this program includes student participation in simulated scenarios such as, but not limited to mental health, in-progress crimes, traffic stops and sexual assault.

Metro State University offers several programs and paths to becoming a police officer or correctional officer. At the School of Criminology and Criminal Justice, we are dedicated to preparing students to become skilled, ethical, and effective peace officers. Our Criminal Justice BA with Police Studies Certificate is a Professional Peace Officer Education (PPOE) program designed for students who wish to become “license-eligible” in Minnesota. Certified by the Minnesota Board of Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST Board), our program provides you with a comprehensive education in criminal justice, with a focus on the practical skills and knowledge needed to succeed in the field of policing. Our experienced faculty includes current and former police professionals who bring real-world experience and expertise to the classroom. Throughout your studies, you will gain an understanding of the criminal justice system, the principles of evidence-based policing, and the challenges facing peace officers today. Our program is structured to help you develop critical thinking and decision-making skills, as well as the ability to work effectively with diverse communities. 

We offer a range of hands-on learning opportunities, including coursework in mental illness crisis intervention, simulated exercises, and mock crime scenes, all of which will give you a taste of what it's like to work in policing. 

Rasmussen University offers a hybrid or an in-person degree in order to to pursue your goals of becoming a police officer. With a law enforcement degree or certificate, you can serve your community by becoming a positive influence and role model in law enforcement. The selection standards and training needed to be a police officer in Minnesota are among the highest in the nation. At Rasmussen, you have the option of pursuing an Academic Certificate or an Associate's degree. Our Associate's degree provides real-world, practical training with experienced instructors. Already have a conferred MN Post approved Associate's or Bachelor's degree? In as few as six months,12 you could complete the 24 credits of physical skills training to add an Associate's degree in Law Enforcement. Whether you pursue our Academic Certificate in as few as nine months or Associate’s Law Enforcement degree in as few as 18 months, know that you will be gaining the skills you need to pursue this challenging and rewarding field.

The University of St. Thomas criminal justice program is an interdisciplinary study of crime and deviance, which borrows heavily from sociology, psychology, and political science. You explore topics such as the role police play in our society, while examining the intricacies of the judicial process and the effectiveness of current correctional policies and practices. In addition, you have opportunities to take courses on topics related to constitutional rights and liberties, psychopathology & the anatomy of violence.You gain skills in social scientific research and intercultural competence, integral skills for our increasingly globalized world. You learn to innovate, communicate and solve problems for the 21st century. We promote academic excellence with a focus on transferable skills in research, theoretical analysis of crime and criminal behavior, and much more.