Minneapolis Community and Technical College logo

Law Enforcement

Law Enforcement Website

MCTC's Law Enforcement Program will prepare you to become a professional law enforcement officer who thinks clearly, applies communication and human behavior principles to the job, and effectively uses hands-on skills as the situation requires.

MCTC's Center for Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement is accredited by the Minnesota Board of Peace Officer Standards and Training and is the only program in the Twin Cities that provides both the academic and skills components of the mandated law enforcement curriculum. As a result, your coursework will be varied - from learning Minnesota statutes and the U.S. Constitution, to studying criminal and traffic law, to training for the many skills used in daily law enforcement, such as:

Faculty members include current and past law enforcement officers who will use their broad experience as well as some of the latest technologies to give you the best and most practical training possible. For example, decision shooting exercises use DVD technology with interactive scenarios so you can learn to think and react quickly to life-threatening situations. You also may find yourself confronting typical law enforcement problems in a realistic simulation lab, where your actions and techniques are videotaped for later review and analysis.

To enter the program, you will need to possess a valid driver's license, be able to pass a criminal background check, and not be prohibited by state or federal law from possessing a firearm. You also must purchase a uniform, utility belt and gym wear and have sufficient strength, flexibility and cardiovascular endurance to satisfactorily complete the firearms, defensive tactics and patrol tactics included in the skills portion of the program.

Once you complete the program, you will be eligible to take the State's peace officer licensing examination required to be eligible for entry-level law enforcement positions with State, county or local government. You must be a U.S. citizen, however, to enter the law enforcement profession.

MCTC has an articulation agreement with Metropolitan State University, should you decide to pursue a four-year degree.

Degrees, diplomas and certificates

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

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

Faculty/staff listing

No records were found that match your search criteria. You may want to double-check your search criteria and try again.

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.
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?
Tuition rates for degree/prerequisite credits is the same as the general tuition. 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 $480.00 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 student enrolling in the Professional Licensing Program, click here for current scholarship information.
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 located?
We are located at: 1380 Energy Lane, Suite 104 St. Paul, MN 55108 (651) 999-7600. Map and directions.
Does MCTC offer law enforcement continuing education courses?
Yes,
  • Data Practices - Novmeber 14-15, 2007
  • Report Writing - Spring of 2008
  • Firearms Instructor - Fall of 2008
  • Data Privacy Update - November 20, 2007
  • Field Training Officer - November 27-28-29, 2007
Call 651-999-7615 for more information.
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.
submit this form