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Criminal Justice Studies

MCTC's Criminal Justice Studies Program will equip you to understand the causes and prevention of crime and to work effectively in the criminal justice field as a law enforcement officer, correctional officer, or in the courts or probation fields.

Your coursework will give you a broad professional education in the criminal justice system, including police, courts and corrections and how they work together. As a foundation for your studies, you will take liberal arts classes in related subjects such as psychology and sociology. Program courses will cover drugs in the community, juvenile justice, family violence, intercultural communications, the relationship between police officers and their communities, and more.

By completing the A.S. Degree in Criminal Justice Studies, you can easily transition to MCTC's Law Enforcement Certificate Program to prepare yourself to take the State peace officer license examination. You must be a U.S. Citizen to be licensed as a police officer in the State of Minnesota. There is a separate application process to enroll in the Law Enforcement Certificate Program. Call 651-999-7600 for details. To become a correctional officer or a police officer, you will be required to successfully pass extensive criminal background checks.

A four-year degree is needed for some criminal justice positions. MCTC has an articulation agreement with Metropolitan State University.

Degrees, diplomas and certificates

Refer to the 2009-10 College Catalog for the requirements to degrees, diplomas and/or certificates available through the Criminal Justice Studies program.

Read MCTC's articulation agreements with other colleges and universities.

Faculty/staff listing

Name Office Phone
Abel, Michael 612-659-6000
Faculty
Ackerknecht, Lloyd CCJLE 651-999-7600
Law Enforcement
Adamek, John CCJLE 651-999-7600
Faculty
Affeldt, Roxanne CCJLE 651-999-7600
Law Enforcement
Auren, Tracy CCJLE 651-999-7600
Law Enforcement
Balvin, Aaron 651-999-7600
Continuing Education
Beaudette, William 651-643-3434
Faculty
Breitbarth, Jadelle CCJLE 651-999-7614
Cont Ed Law Enforcement
Burns, Dale CCJLE 651-999-7600
Faculty
Cudd, Charles CCJLE 651-999-7600
Law Enforcement
Cumming, William CCJLE 651-999-7627
Faculty
D'Meier, Kristinea H.3104 612-659-4403
Faculty
Davis, Lisa CCJLE 651-999-7600
Faculty
Draper, Tom CCJLE 651-999-7600
Faculty
Fieldseth, Paul 651-999-7600
Law Enforcement
Flakne, Peggy CCJLE 651-999-7615
Customer Service Specialist Prin
Foster, Jennifer 612-659-6000
Law Enforcement
Gaiters, Christopher 612-659-6000
Faculty
Gilbertson, Danny 612-659-6000
Law Enforcement
Gleason, David CCJLE 651-999-7616
Faculty
Grothem, Dean CCJLE 651-999-7600
Faculty
Haider, Anna CCJLE 651-999-7610
Customer Service Specialist Int
Haller, Thomas CCJLE 651-999-7600
Law Enforcement
Helgerson, Andrew T.3069 612-659-6000
Faculty
Hoppert, Steven CCJLE 651-999-7600
Faculty
Hubbard, Brian CCJLE 651-999-7600
Law Enforcement
Hummel, Melissa --
Faculty
Hutchinson, Jerome CCJLE 651-999-7600
Cont Ed - Law Enforcement
Jacobs, William CCJLE 651-999-7628
Faculty
Jorgensen, John CCJLE 651-999-7600
Faculty
Kim, Interna 612-659-6000
Law Enforcement
Kotasek, Richard CCJLE 651-999-7600
Faculty
Kreun, Mark CCJLE 651-999-7600
Faculty
Leach, Bradley --
Faculty
Lonetti, Valerie 651-999-7600
Continuing Education
Lowther, Jesse 651-999-7600
Faculty
Lynaugh, Joshua CCJLE 651-999-7600
Law Enforcement
Maier, Paul CCJLE 651-999-7600
Law Enforcement
Marose, Donald CCJLE 651-999-7600
Faculty
Marquardt, Nichole 612-659-6000
Law Enforcement
Martin, James CCJLE 651-999-7600
Faculty
Martinez, William CCJLE 651-999-7600
Faculty
Masson, Mylan CCJLE 651-999-7617
Director
Meyer, Steven 651-999-7600
Law Enforcement
Mickman, Alison --
Law Enforcement
Millard, Emily 651-999-7600
Faculty
Moeller, Dallas CCJLE 651-999-7600
Faculty
Moore, Stephen CCJLE 651-999-7600
Law Enforcement
Morris, Christine H.2606 612-659-6000
Cont Ed - Law Enforcement x4491
Mortinson, Anthony CCJLE 651-999-7600
Law Enforcement
Myhre, Linda CCJLE 651-999-7600
Faculty
Nace, John CCJLE 651-999-7600
Faculty
Nadem, Siar CCJLE 651-999-7600
Law Enforcement
Nash, Mary --
Faculty
Nguyen, Khang 651-999-7600
Faculty
Padilla, Tony 612-659-6000
Faculty
Pearson, Jamie CCJLE 651-999-7600
Law Enforcement
Penney, Robert CCJLE 651-999-7600
Faculty
Peterson, Michael CCJLE 651-999-7600
Faculty
Pfaff, Jeffrey CCJLE 651-999-7600
Faculty
Phillips, Kelly 612-659-6000
Faculty
Pierce, Mark CCJLE 651-999-7600
Faculty
Rasmussen, Dave CCJLE 651-999-7618
Faculty
Reyes, Mario 651-999-7600
Law Enforcement
Robinson, Stuart CCJLE 651-999-7600
Faculty
Rollwagen, Kristin CCJLE 651-999-7600
Faculty
Rudolph, Eva 612-659-6000
Law Enforcement
Sauvageau, Todd CCJLE 651-999-7600
Law Enforcement
Scully, Lila H.3303 612-659-6418
Faculty
Semantel, Mickey CCJLE 651-999-7600
Law Enforcement
Sheffert, Brandon 612-659-6000
Law Enforcement
Sipes, Nichole 651-999-7600
Faculty
Smith, Mike H.2617 612-659-6456
Faculty
Strickland, Daniel 651-999-7600
Law Enforcement
Sutich, Jeanne CCJLE 651-999-7600
Faculty
Szczepanik, Jane 651-999-7600
Faculty
Tocko, Daniel 651-999-7600
Tomaszewski, Jeffrey 651-999-7600
Law Enforcement
Tschida, Angela CCJLE 651-999-7600
Law Enforcement
Vaughn, Timothy CCJLE 651-999-7600
Law Enforcement
Vomastek, John CCJLE 651-999-7630
Faculty
Watson, Shawn CCJLE 651-999-7600
Faculty
Watt, Alan 612-659-6000
Law Enforcement
Whittaker, Douglas CCJLE 651-999-7600
Law Enforcement
Wickelgren, Steven CCJLE 651-999-7600
Law Enforcement
Wierson, Andrew 651-999-7600
Faculty
Windschitl, Melissa 612-659-6000
Faculty
Worsley, Tracy T.3069 --
Faculty
Zerhusen, Kirsten CCJLE 651-999-7613
Office & Admin Spec Prin

Frequently asked questions

How do I know if I am eligible to apply for the Professional Licensing Program?
Before you start the application process, check to see if you meet the minimum admission standards. The admission standards can be found in the CCJLE brochure, Professional Licensing Program.
When are applications for the Professional Licensing Program accepted?
Applications are accepted for students to begin the Professional Licensing Program each Fall and Spring semester. A degree seeking student meeting the application criteria outlined in the CCJLE brochure may apply if he/she is in the last semester of completing the prerequisite courses. Certificate students should have their college transcripts reviewed before applying. See the Law Enforcement home page of the web site for the current opening and closing dates for applications.
Where do I get an application for the Professional Licensing Program?
Call the Center for Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement at 651-999-7600 for an application packet. The packet consists of an application form, a Minimum Selection Standards Advisory Form, Criminal Conviction Advisory Form, and an Admission Preference Certification Form. The CCJLE also requires official college transcripts as part of the application process.
Can I waive any prerequisite or Professional Licensing Program courses if I've taken a similar course at another school?
Applicants who completed equivalent courses may file a waiver of requirement form for any courses they believe fulfill the prerequisite courses. If you are a degree-seeking student from any of the five consortium colleges you must obtain the waiver form from your home campus' registrar's office. If you are a certificate student you must have your transcripts reviewed by the CCJLE assistant director to determine if any of your previous coursework may be substituted for prerequisite and/or Professional Licensing Program courses.
Will the CCJLE accept experience in lieu of prerequisite or Professional Licensing Program courses?
It is possible to obtain credit for material mastered outside of the classroom by successfully completing examinations for certain degree requirement credits. This must be accomplished through your home college by following whatever process they have established. However, credit obtained through experience will not be granted for courses required in the Professional Licensing Program.
Do I need a conditional offer of employment from a police agency to gain admission to the Professional Licensing Program?
No. Preference for admission may be given to students who have submitted an Admission Preference Certification Form signed by a chief or sheriff. The qualifications and instructions for submitting that form are included with the application packet.
How and when will I know if I have been accepted into the Professional Licensing Program?
Applicants to the Professional Licensing Program will be notified of their admission status by mail approximately one month after the application deadline.
How much is tuition?
The cost per credit tuition rates for both residents and non-residents may be found on the “How much are tuition and fees” webpage located in the Current Students section of our website. Also, financial aid is available to qualified students. The tuition rate for the Professional Licensing Program is higher due to the added expense of providing specialized instruction, such as firearms training and simulation exercises. Students enrolling in the Law Enforcement Practicum (second semester) will also be required to pay a $428.00 driving school fee in addition to tuition.
Are there any other expenses involved with attending the Professional Licensing Program?
In addition to books and supplies, students enrolled in the academic, theory-based courses will be required to wear a class uniform (navy blue BDU pants, white oxford shirt, and navy blue sweatshirt). Students enrolled in the practical, skills-development course will be required to purchase defensive tactics uniforms (sweat pants, gym shorts, T-shirt) utility belt and accessories, as well as the class uniform described above. Books, uniforms and equipment will cost approximately $700 over the two-semester program.
Can I receive financial aid?
Student financial aid is available through the Minneapolis Community and Technical College Financial Aid Office. For more information, call the Financial Aid Office at 612-659-6240.
Are scholarships available?
Minneapolis Community and Technical College degree seeking students interested in scholarships should contact the Financial Aid Office, 612-659-6240, or the Student Affairs Office, 612-659-6313, for scholarship information. Other sources of scholarship information include the World Wide Web and public library. For students enrolling in the Professional Licensing Program, current scholarship information is posted on the Law Enforcement front page.
How do I register for classes?
Minneapolis Community and Technical College degree seeking students will register for degree and prerequisite courses as explained in the College catalog. Students from any institution who have been admitted to the Professional Licensing Program will receive registration information after receiving their formal admission letter.
How long does it take to complete the Professional Licensing Program?
For most degree seeking and certificate students the Program will take two semesters. Students are encouraged to take the four theory-based coursed in one semester. They may spread courses out over several semesters with prior approval of the assistant director. Students must complete the practical, skills-development course in one semester. To help facilitate individual student schedules, the academic, theory-based courses are offered in a cohort model, morning, afternoons, and evenings. Students may indicate a preference for a cohort, but are not guaranteed placement. The practical, skills-development course is also offered in a cohort model as well. Courses are offered in the morning, evening, and through an accelerated all day program (approximately nine weeks).
Must I be working toward or obtain my degree for Minneapolis Community and Technical College to be eligible to apply for the Professional Licensing Program?
No. Students may work toward their law enforcement degree from any of the five consortium colleges (Century, Inver Hills, Minneapolis, Normandale, or North Hennepin). Certificate students, those who already possess an associate or bachelors degree, no matter what their major, only need to insure they will have the prerequisite coursework completed before admission to the Professional Licensing Program.
Are summer classes available in the Professional Licensing Program?
CCJLE does not offer summer courses in the Professional Licensing Program.
Can classes be taken through the Internet?
Some courses for your degree may be available on the Internet, however, CCJLE does not currently offer any of the Professional Licensing Program courses on the Internet.
What are the CCJLE office hours?
The CCJLE office is open for business Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The office is closed on official State holidays. Classes, however, often run from 8:00 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Is there parking available at CCJLE?
There are designated, marked parking spots for students, staff and visitors in the front and back of the building. Parking is free.
How do I apply for the Minnesota POST Board licensing examination?
The application process to take the Minnesota POST Board peace officer licensing examination is outlined in Minnesota Rules, 6700.0500. You are encouraged to visit the POST Board web site for additional information concerning their rules. http://www.post.state.mn.us/
Does the CCJLE offer any Minnesota POST Board licensing examination review classes?
Any information concerning Minnesota POST Board licensing examination review classes will be posted on the Law Enforcement home page.
How can I contact a consortium school?
Members of the consortium can be contacted at the following numbers: Century Community and Technical College: 651-779-3200 Inver Hills Community College: 651-450-8500 Minneapolis Community and Technical College: 612-659-6000 Normandale Community College: 952-487-8201 North Hennepin Community College: 763-424-0702
Where is the Center for Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement loacted?
We are located at: 1380 Energy Lane, Suite 104 St. Paul, MN 55108 (651) 999-7600. Visit http://www.minneapolis.edu/aboutMCTC/maps.cfm#law for a map and directions.
What is the difference between a criminal justice studies degree and a law enforcement degree from MCTC?
The Criminal Justice Studies Associate in Science Degree program prepares students for careers in the criminal justice field, such as corrections, law enforcement, probation and the courts. It offers a broader course of study than the Law Enforcement Associate in Science Degree program. For Criminal Justice Studies students interested in pursuing POST Board peace officer licensing, the prerequisites courses required for admittance to the Professional Licensing Program will have been completed while they earned their degree. The Professional Licensing Program courses taken at the CCJLE (theory-based courses and the practicum) are credits earned beyond their degree. The Law Enforcement Associate in Science Degree program is specifically intended to prepare students for law enforcement careers.
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