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Career Description

With the Peace Officer/Public Safety Transfer Pathway A.S. degree, you can pursue careers in areas such as Minnesota peace officer, deputy, state patrol, conservation officer, or corrections officer.

Program Information

The Peace Officer/Public Safety Transfer Pathway offers students a direct route to becoming a licensed peace officer. This Associate of Science degree provides the necessary coursework for licensure as a peace officer, preparing graduates for careers in law enforcement. Additionally, the program is designed for students interested in continuing their education, as all course credits transfer seamlessly to designated Law Enforcement bachelor’s degree programs at Minnesota State universities. Students who complete this pathway and transfer to one of the seven Minnesota State universities will enter with junior-year status, ensuring that all courses apply directly to their bachelor’s degree in a related field. Minnesota State universities accepting these transfer credits include Bemidji State University, Metropolitan State University, Minnesota State University Mankato, Minnesota State University Moorhead, Southwest Minnesota State University, St. Cloud State University, and Winona State University.

Program Outcomes

Graduates will be able to:

• Demonstrate knowledge of structure, process and relationships between law enforcement, the courts and correctional systems;
• Process crime scenes from preliminary stage through disposition;
• Function in a multicultural society as a mature, adaptable citizen, while meeting the needs and challenges of clients and communities;
• Interpret and apply theory, law, policy and practice as it relates to juvenile delinquency and deviant behavior;
• Demonstrate an understanding of the roles of the legislative, judicial and executive branches and how they relate to criminal law;
• Apply knowledge of criminal law, constitutional law and Minnesota traffic code;
• Demonstrate strong and effective written and oral communication skills; and
• Understand the importance of ethics and ethical behavior in law enforcement.

Special Program Requirements

In addition to the program requirements, students must meet the following conditions in order to graduate:

• Students must achieve a grade of “C” or higher in all courses required in the program;
• College Cumulative GPA Requirement: cumulative grade point average (GPA) of credits attempted and completed at 91�Թ��� must be at least 2.0;
• College Technical Core GPA Requirement: cumulative GPA of credits attempted and completed towards the technical core of the diploma or degree must be at least 2.0;
• Residency Requirement: students must complete 25% of their credits at Central Lakes College;
• Courses required for Minnesota P.O.S.T. licensing must be completed within three (3) years of starting the certificate;
• Students must have a valid Emergency Medical Responder certification (or higher) at the time of the Post Board Exam.

Admissions

• Students must complete and pass a background check and Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI) with a psychologist approved by the Program Coordinator prior to being officially admitted into the program. The background check and MMPI will be completed during the first week of classes.

Please see the Criminal Justice Coordinator for further information.

Employment Statistics

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