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We are reimagining our law enforcement major and changes are forthcoming Summer 2023 to meet new Minnesota State requirements.

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Law Enforcement BS Track 1

About The Program

Metro State’s School of Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice (SLC) originated in the Minnesota legislature, by statute, to “advance the profession of law enforcement.” SLC has been a leader in professional peace officer education and applied police research for over 30 years. Our program, certified by the Minnesota Board of Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST Board), prepares students for the rigors of 21st Century policing by emphasizing social and racial justice, ethical, evidence-based policing, community engagement, and peace officer health and wellness.

We offer three possible law enforcement bachelor’s degree tracks:

  1. Track 1: Designed for students who wish to become “license-eligible” in the state of Minnesota. In accordance with Minnesota Rules 6700.0300, the POST Board has established learning objectives for professional peace officer education in four categories: (1) core competencies; (2) foundational knowledge; (3) the performance of peace officer duties and tasks; and (4) tools, techniques and tactics (also known as “skills”). The POST track covers all of them and upon degree completion, students may take the peace officer licensing exam.

  1. Track 2: Designed for students who have already earned an associate’s degree in law enforcement and/or are “license-eligible” in the state of Minnesota. This “Transfer Pathway” track allows students to upgrade their associate’s degree to a bachelor’s degree and gain a competitive advantage for job placement in the field.

  1. Track 3: Designed for licensed peace officers, our Law Enforcement Major Completion Program (LEMCP) allows working peace officers to upgrade their associate’s degree to a bachelor’s degree and gain a competitive advantage for career advancement in the field.

Our Mission

SLC is committed to providing peace officer education programs designed to eliminate systemic and structural inequities; developed using community and stakeholder input; and focused on equity-minded, evidenced-based, and data-informed practices. Our programs deliver, monitor, and assess education and training of culturally competent peace officers who are prepared to deliver justice and serve all people and communities with dignity and respect.

Outcomes for students pursuing a bachelor’s degree in law enforcement

Students pursuing Track 1, the POST certified law enforcement will learn to:

  • Apply key ethical and legal principles associated with policing in the 21st century
  • Articulate and apply leadership principles associated with policing in the 21st century
  • Apply criminological theories to practical situations law enforcement officers’ encounter
  • Analyze, evaluate and apply concepts of diversity to personal, professional and community interactions

Interested in pursuing a bachelor’s degree in law enforcement?

If you do not have a current degree and want to become license-eligible in Minnesota, Metro State’s first degree track, for POST certified law enforcement, is a great option available to those interested in law enforcement careers. We know that you are looking to invest a lot of time, money and effort into continuing your education, so we prioritize providing innovative, high-quality educational experiences from instructors who are experts in their fields.

How to enroll

Current students: Declare this program

Once you’re admitted as an undergraduate student and have met any further admission requirements your chosen program may have, you may declare a major or declare an optional minor.

Future students: Apply now

Apply to Metropolitan State: Start the journey toward your Law Enforcement BS Track 1 now. Learn about the steps to enroll or, if you have questions about what Metropolitan State can offer you, request information, visit campus or chat with an admissions counselor.

Get started on your Law Enforcement BS Track 1

Program eligibility requirements

To be eligible for acceptance to the law enforcement major, students must submit a School of Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Undergraduate Program Declaration Form when the following is completed:

  • 30 credits
  • GELS/MNTC writing requirements
  • Cumulative Metropolitan State GPA of 2.25
  • SLC Pre-major Advising Workshop (PAW)

All law enforcement pre-majors should work closely with an advisor from the School of Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice (SLC).

Applicants interested in a career in Minnesota law enforcement must review the website for the Minnesota Board of Peace Officer Standards and Training to obtain the most current information regarding requirements and minimum selection standards for licensure eligibility.

Note: Emergency Medical Responder is required to be eligible to take the POST exam and must be approved by the Minnesota Emergency Medical Services Regulatory Board (EMSRB).

Courses and Requirements

SKIP TO COURSE REQUIREMENTS

For every undergraduate degree at Metro State:

  • 120 total credits
  • 40 upper-division credits
  • 30 credits completed at Metro State
  • 40 general education credits in 10 goal areas (Minnesota Transfer Curriculum, typically met by a community college A.A. degree)
  • 8 upper-division liberal studies credits
  • 3 Racial Issues Graduation Requirement (RIGR) credits
  • A minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0

For the Law Enforcement BS (Track 1):

  • 62 total credits:
    • 48 credits of required coursework
    • 8 credits of directed electives
    • 6 credits of "Skills" practicum
      • Skills admission is by application only. Please contact PPOE Coordinator Dr. Chuck MacLean with questions: chuck.maclean@metrostate.edu
  • 24 major credits must be taken at Metro State (i.e., courses with a CJS or LAWE prefix)
  • All major courses must be completed with a grade of C- or higher.

Notes:

  • The 24 major credits count toward the 30 credits completed at Metro State
  • CJS 101 counts toward MTC Goal 5
  • CJS 340 counts toward MTC Goals 5 and 8 and upper-division liberal studies
  • CJS 350 counts toward MTC Goal 5 and upper-division liberal studies
  • CJS 354 counts toward MTC Goal 5 and upper-division liberal studies
  • CJS 360 counts toward MTC Goals 5 and 7, upper-division liberal studies, and RIGR
  • CJS 375 counts toward MTC Goals 6 and 9, and upper-division liberal studies
  • LAWE 367 counts toward MTC Goal 3

Course Requirements (62 credits)

+ Foundation (6 credits)

This course provides an overview of the American criminal justice system with an emphasis on the roles and duties of police, courts, and corrections. Students examine current and future issues of the system such as due process, administration of justice, ethics, community policing, technology, and rehabilitation efforts. The course illustrates the criminal justice process from the initial violation of the criminal law, to the punishment and release of convicted persons, including juveniles.

Full course description for Introduction to Criminal Justice

This course introduces students to the fundamentals of academic research, critical thinking and professional development related to the discipline of criminal justice and law enforcement. Students learn to search, locate, retrieve, evaluate, and document research sources as well as prepare research papers using writing and citations styles expected in criminal justice and law enforcement courses. The course will also broaden students' understanding of the direct and indirect criminal justice professional opportunities and equip students with the tools to pursue careers in the field.

Full course description for Foundations in Criminal Justice

Note: CJS 101 and CJS 201 are prerequisites for most required CJS and LAWE classes and some directed electives.

+ Core (34 credits)

Professional Peace Officer Education:

This course meets corresponding learning objectives of the Minnesota Board of Peace Officer Standards and Training. Examines law enforcement practices and applications from both constitutional and legal perspectives in these topic areas: constitutional considerations; legal processes pertaining to warrants, subpoenas, orders and summons; contacts, detentions and arrests; knowledge and application of the Minnesota criminal and traffic codes, statutes and regulations; legal foundation for peace officer use of force; and peace officer rights and liabilities.

Full course description for Legal Studies in Law Enforcement

This course presents a juvenile justice system overview, with emphasis on Minnesota Rules of Juvenile Court Procedure. The historical and philosophical development of the juvenile justice system is discussed, along with a comparative analysis of U.S. juvenile and adult criminal justice systems. Students learn about resources available to criminal justice practitioners and addresses the specific needs of juveniles in crisis.

Full course description for Juvenile Justice

This course meets corresponding learning objectives of the Minnesota Board of Peace Officer Standards and Training. Examines the application of a guardian versus warrior mindset within law enforcement to build trust and legitimacy between agencies and the public. Implicit bias, procedural justice, and reconciliation are explored in the context of conflict management/resolution. Emphasis on the patrol function along with both contemporary issues and future trends including de-escalation strategies, intelligence led policing, data practices and interaction with the media, computer forensics and cyber-crime, homeland security and terrorism, criminal gangs, organized crime, and vice crimes.

Full course description for Policing in the 21st Century

This course meets corresponding learning objectives of the Minnesota Board of Peace Officer Standards and Training. Examines the police response and investigation of missing persons and crimes of violence, including child and vulnerable adult abuse and neglect, domestic violence and sexual assault. Other topics addressed include victims and victims' rights, the Americans with Disabilities Act and special communications situations, crisis intervention and mental illness, community notification and conflict and management.

Full course description for Law and Human Behavior

LAWE 210, LAWE 210L*, LAWE 220, LAWE 280, LAWE 301, LAWE 301L*, LAWE 321 LAWE 321L*, and CJS 375, must be completed at a Minnesota Board of Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) certified college or university prior to the final Skills practicum. *LAW210L, LAWE301L, and LAWE 321L are Skills labs that must be taken concurrently with their corresponding courses (e.g., students take LAWE 210 and LAWE 210L in the same semester). Skills labs are charged at Skills tuition rates (see Tuition and Fees).

Theory and methods:

This course introduces the scientific research process and the data sources and methods used in criminology and criminal justice. It trains future professionals in policing, courts, and corrections to be critical consumers of data, statistics, and research with the goal of achieving "research literacy" - the ability to access, interpret, and evaluate empirical information and apply it to policy and practice decisions. Students explore research design, including the selection and specification of a research problem, and qualitative and quantitative methods. They also learn how to identify quality research for their work within the criminal justice system and how to judge if something is "evidence-based" or not.

Full course description for Research Methods in Criminal Justice

This course focuses on theories, concepts, narratives, and myths of crime and delinquent behavior. Contemporary issues and controversies within the criminal justice field are explored in social, political, and economic contexts. Special emphasis is placed on the roles of race, class, gender, and culture in relation to the etiology, prevention, control, and treatment of crime and delinquency. This course is committed to general theoretical debate, examination of the interrelation between criminological theory and research, and empirical analyses of policy and practice.

Full course description for Criminology and Public Policy

Diversity, inclusion, and ethical decision-making:

This course provides an in-depth examination of the opportunities and challenges of delivering criminal and juvenile justice services in a multicultural society. The course provides students with a knowledge of the diversity that exists in communities, as well as criminal and juvenile justice agencies. It provides both theoretical and practical information to respond effectively to diversity issues. Examples of community issues include conflict resolution, crime prevention, victimization, and strategies to improve community relationships. Significant focus is given to issues of race, racism, and systemic racism.

Full course description for Diversity in Criminal Justice

Examines a range of moral dilemmas criminal justice practitioners are likely to face in their careers. Using both moral theory and detailed case examples, students learn to apply moral principles and concepts to a given situation, recognize the relevance of moral principles and concepts, and apply their individual moral philosophy and ethical principles to resolve these situations in a satisfactory manner. This course meets corresponding learning objectives of the Minnesota Board of Peace Officer Standards and Training.

Full course description for Ethics and Professionalism in Criminal Justice

+ Community Engagement (4 credits)

Pick one:

The purpose of this course is to educate and encourage the development of globally competent and active citizens and leaders who will be able to contribute to improving social issues. The course is designed to provide students with the knowledge, skills, and attitudes to be engaged, responsible, and effective members of a globally interdependent society. Students will reflect on their role as an active citizen in a democracy while exploring how social, racial, political, geographical, and other factors influence current and future challenges a community needs to address. This course will have a community engaged learning component.

Full course description for Citizenship: Community Involvement

This course is designed to allow students to develop a working understanding and knowledge of Restorative Justice. Restorative Justice looks at the concept of justice through nontraditional and alternative viewpoints. Rather than focus on "what is the crime, who did the crime and what should the punishment be," Restorative Justice focuses on "who has been harmed, what was the harm and who is responsible to repair the harm." Students will examine Restorative Justice from historical, sociological, criminological and psychological perspectives. Throughout the course, a wide range of specific "restorative practices" will be studied, reviewed and analyzed. Some of the concepts the course will explore are trauma and healing, conflict transformation, issues related to juvenile justice, and alternative processes such as Victim-Offender Dialogue and the Circle Process. This course will have a community engaged learning component.

Full course description for Restorative Justice

+ Capstone (4 credits)

Pick one:

With an emphasis on experiential learning, the capstone course allows students to combine an internship experience in a criminal justice setting with academic work to support career pathways, synthesize undergraduate experiences, and develop deeper understanding of criminal justice issues. During the semester, students must complete at least 160 hours of service at an internship field site. Note: With support from their academic advisors, students are responsible for securing their own internship opportunities and must do so one month prior to registering for CJS-489.

Full course description for Criminal Justice Capstone Internship

Note: Students take Capstone in their last semester. CJS 301, CJS 320, CJS 360, and CJS 375 are prerequisites for CJS 489 and CJS 490.

+ Law Enforcement "Skills" Practicum (6 credits)

Admission to Skills is by application only. Prior to applying, students must work closely with their advisor to prepare. Please contact PPOE Coordinator Dr. Chuck MacLean with questions: chuck.maclean@metrostate.edu

The primary goal of this course is to provide content and scenarios related to traffic stops and investigations. This course is designed to give students an understanding of the knowledge and skills required to perform the duties of a police officer. This course is one of 5 that make up the Skills curriculum required to prepare students to successfully complete the Minnesota Board of Peace Officer Standards and Training peace officer licensing examination.

Full course description for Traffic and Investigations

The primary goal of this course is to provide content and scenarios related to defensive tactics. This course is designed to give students an understanding of the knowledge and skills required to perform the duties of a police officer. This course is one of 5 that make up the Skills curriculum required to prepare students to successfully complete the Minnesota Board of Peace Officer Standards and Training peace officer licensing examination.

Full course description for Defensive Tactics

The primary goal of this course is to provide content and scenarios related to firearms. This course is designed to give students an understanding of the knowledge and skills required to perform the duties of a police officer. This course is one of 5 that make up the Skills curriculum required to prepare students to successfully complete the Minnesota Board of Peace Officer Standards and Training peace officer licensing examination.

Full course description for Firearms

+ Directed Electives (8 credits)

Must have a CJS or LAWE prefix. Must be upper-division credits.

Classes on policing:

This course examines the fundamental principles and practices of emergency management including how it functions within the homeland security enterprise. Mass shootings, acts of terror, infrastructure collapse, and natural disasters all are examples of emergencies examined in this course. This course also explores the human and economic costs of emergencies and the intended and unintended consequences of intervention.

Full course description for Emergency Management for Law Enforcement

This course asks, critically, what are police for? It provides an introduction to American policing focused on the philosophy and controversial history of the profession, (Constitutional) limitations imposed on law enforcement in a democratic society, and the role and place of police in the total criminal justice process. The course critically dissects police culture and provides a survey of critical issues confronting peace officer professionals, including police selection, training, and socialization; police corruption and misconduct; and officer safety and wellness.

Full course description for Policing and Society

This course examines current issues confronting law enforcement officers and their agencies relative to the provision of police services to local communities. An example of the issues which are examined include: the role of police in a democratic society; management and policy development in law enforcement agencies; the paradigm shift from professional crime control policing to community oriented policing; police selection, training and socialization; the importance of diversity in policing and its relevance to provision of services to diverse communities; and the psychological and physical challenges associated with policing.

Full course description for Contemporary Issues in Policing

This course critically examines the (sub)culture of policing (i.e., the beliefs, attitudes, and behaviors exhibited by those in law enforcement) and the representation of policing in culture (i.e., the reproduction of media propaganda that is favorable to law enforcement). This course explores complex interactions between police culture and issues relating to racism and police use of force, ethical policing, and officer safety and wellness. This course also introduces the concept of police abolition, a process that requires communities to create alternatives to policing in the event that police culture cannot be reformed.

Full course description for Police Culture

This course examines how social science can and should be used to guide police practice and evaluate police outcomes. With an emphasis on scientific literacy, this course offers an introduction to research design and evaluation methodology, including the art of effective research collaborations and how to manage ethical dilemmas. It explores research focused internally within the police organization and research focused externally on crime, public trust, legitimacy, and other policing outcomes.

Full course description for Applied Police Research

This course is designed to expand students' understanding of the roles of criminal court at the federal, state, and local levels. As the intermediate step between law enforcement and corrections, courts are an integral part of the criminal justice system. The course will explore the power and limitations of the judicial branch of government with regard to its role in the criminal justice system, as well as learn about the roles of various court professionals and develop a detailed understanding of the court process.

Full course description for The Criminal Court System

This course explores the past, current and future trends in security management. The basic concepts, tools and practices that comprise security management are examined. Students learn how to identify and minimize risk in a private setting. They also learn the basics of physical security and access control as well as how to identify potential liability in the security field. In addition, this course examines various career opportunities in security management.

Full course description for Introduction to Security Management

This course examines the operation of criminal justice organizations and provides students with a conceptual foundation to explore the workings of the criminal justice system. Emphasis is placed on understanding internal and external influences on the operations of criminal justice agencies including the people, practices and events that shape criminal justice administration.

Full course description for Organization and Administration in Criminal Justice

This course provides an overview of the U.S. Intelligence Community and examines how the community supports foreign policy and homeland security. Students examine the intelligence cycle and the structure, constraints, and oversight of the agencies that comprise the intelligence community. Specific attention is given to collection operations, analysis, and dissemination of finished intelligence products to consumers, with emphasis on how global intelligence is used to protect and police local communities. Also explored is how intelligence products build a common operational picture for national security management at top levels of government and how intelligence analysis supports Homeland Security by assisting federal, state, and local political leaders and law enforcement officials. Students also discuss human intelligence operations, counterintelligence, UAV (drone) operations, interrogation, and detention, and the moral, ethical, and legal framework inside which those disciplines…

Full course description for The U.S. Intelligence Community

Classes if you like CSI:

This course will provide the student with a general overview and a better understanding of the wide range of disciplines found within the forensic sciences. Fundamental topics such as forensic anthropology, forensic entomology, forensic pathology, and forensic accounting will be discussed. In addition 'traditionally' recognized topics in forensic science such as DNA, Trace Evidence, Impression Evidence, Drugs, and Questioned Documents will be covered. The course instructor will utilize multi-media in a lecture format, utilizing case-studies, video supplements and expert guest speakers.

Full course description for Exploring Forensic Science

This course is intended to develop the student's skills and knowledge in the field of crime analysis. Students will become familiar with the variety of tasks and issues encountered within the public and private sectors by a crime analyst. Students will also participate in group activities to build knowledge and skills associated with the different functions of a crime analyst.

Full course description for Crime Analysis

This course is an interdisciplinary study of psychology in the criminal justice system. Students will focus on the application of psychological theories (e.g., developmental, neuropsychological, and social learning approaches) to criminal behavior, as well as the influence of psychological principles on law enforcement, court processes and corrections. Some topics may include forensic psychology, race and policing, wrongful convictions, jury decision making and effective interventions in corrections.

Full course description for Psychology and the Criminal Justice System

This course presents an overview of white collar crime. Students explore theories of white collar crime and corporate criminal liability. The investigation, prosecution and sentencing of white-collar offenders are examined. "Crime in the suites" is compared to "crime in the streets." Issues related to diversity are explored.

Full course description for White Collar Crime

Classes on violence:

This course examines the causes, effects, treatment, and prevention of all types of violence against women and children. Topics to be covered include, but are not limited to, domestic violence; rape and sexual assault; lethality, family dynamics and response to familial violence; incest; sexual harassment; physical child abuse and sexual exploitation; infanticide; female genital mutilation; paraphilias; trafficking; vulnerable victims; trauma and cumulative trauma; limitations; sentencing and collateral consequences; indeterminate civil commitment; predatory offender registration; and sexual slavery, manipulation, and extortion.

Full course description for Sexual Violence and Child Exploitation

This course examines the nature and extent of gangs in America. It addresses the history of gangs, why young people join them and strategies to mitigate risk associated with participation as well as associated crime. It considers variations among street gangs, and contrasts these with other groups, including security threat groups in prison and organized crime. Attention is focused on individual risks associated with gang membership, group pro dynamics, and macro-level impact of gangs and gang behaviors on individuals and communities. The role of the community and the criminal justice system in gang prevention, intervention, and suppression is also considered.

Full course description for Gangs

This course offers a global perspective on homicide with cross-cultural and international comparisons. Students analyze trends in homicide offending and victimization and predictors of lethal violence. Special emphasis is given to the profiles and motivations of serial killers and mass murderers. Homicide clearance rates, investigative techniques that enhance the probability of offender identification, gun control, and the deterrent effect of capital punishment, among others, are topics examined in this course.

Full course description for Homicide Studies

This course explores the emergence and manifestation of terror and terrorism from a range of historical, political, sociological and cultural perspectives. It further explores the interpretation of, and response to, contemporary manifestations of terror and terrorism, global and domestic. Emphasizing the diverse and contested nature of terror as both concept and practice, a number of case studies are highlighted to explore the complex connections between order, power, authority, security, and terror. The organizational forms and objectives of terrorist organizations, and the range of strategies available in response to the demands and challenges posed by global terror and a growing variety of domestic terrorist groups and individuals are also considered.

Full course description for Terrorism and Counterterrorism

Students will explore the nature and extent of the violence problem in the United States using a tripartite approach, which incorporates patterns, explanations, and interventions. The course will cover the history and epidemiology of violence; roots of violence, including biological, psychological, and sociological causes; specific types of violence; media portrayals of violence; the physical, emotional, social, economic, and political consequences of violence; and ways to control and prevent violence in our communities, including criminal justice and public health approaches.

Full course description for Violence in America

Classes on victims and offenders:

This course will be comprised of material on three main topics: women as offenders, women as victims of gendered violence, and women working in the criminal justice system. Women's involvement in criminal activity has been ignored by traditional criminological theories/theorists. This course will examine the frequency and nature of women's involvement along with the more modern theories which we can use to understand these phenomena. Students will also learn about the issues surrounding gendered violence including stalking, domestic violence, and sexual assault. Finally, students will learn about the special issues surrounding women's work in the traditionally male-dominated fields of corrections and law enforcement.

Full course description for Women, Crime, and Justice

The Inside-Out Prison Exchange Program is an opportunity for a small group of students from Metropolitan State University and a group of residents who are in area correctional facilities to exchange ideas and perceptions about crime and justice, the criminal justice system, corrections and imprisonment. It is a chance for all participants to gain a deeper understanding of the criminal justice system through the marriage of theoretical knowledge and practical experience achieved by weekly meetings extended throughout the semester.

Full course description for Inside-Out: Prison Exchange Program

This course is designed to prepare criminal justice and law enforcement students to work with victims and to understand the complexity of victim issues. This course will look at victimization from a sociological, psychological, as well as, legal perspective. Students will be exposed to current research, ethical considerations in victim response, psychological phenomena common to crime victims, legal obligations for victim service providers, and resources available to victims.

Full course description for Victimology

This course is designed to allow students to develop a working understanding and knowledge of Restorative Justice. Restorative Justice looks at the concept of justice through nontraditional and alternative viewpoints. Rather than focus on "what is the crime, who did the crime and what should the punishment be," Restorative Justice focuses on "who has been harmed, what was the harm and who is responsible to repair the harm." Students will examine Restorative Justice from historical, sociological, criminological and psychological perspectives. Throughout the course, a wide range of specific "restorative practices" will be studied, reviewed and analyzed. Some of the concepts the course will explore are trauma and healing, conflict transformation, issues related to juvenile justice, and alternative processes such as Victim-Offender Dialogue and the Circle Process. This course will have a community engaged learning component.

Full course description for Restorative Justice

This course focuses on criminal justice system responses to special populations. The types of special populations addressed includes the mentally ill, the physically ill and disabled, individual on the autism spectrum, juveniles, the elderly, females, LGBTQ+ individuals, and immigrants, among others. The course addresses both offenders and victims within each of these special populations and highlights the role of critical incident and other training for law enforcement and first responders.

Full course description for Criminal Justice Response to the Mentally Ill and Other Special Populations

Classes on media, culture, and community:

This course provides students with international perspectives on criminal justice. Through a comprehensive review of cross-national research data, students examine the features, successes and failures of various distinct criminal justice systems around the globe and use that information to evaluate the American criminal justice system. By exploring justice institutions in other parts of the world, students learn that criminal justice systems are shaped by the values, norms, customs or standards of behavior characteristic of the society in which they are found.

Full course description for Comparative Criminal Justice

The purpose of this course is to educate and encourage the development of globally competent and active citizens and leaders who will be able to contribute to improving social issues. The course is designed to provide students with the knowledge, skills, and attitudes to be engaged, responsible, and effective members of a globally interdependent society. Students will reflect on their role as an active citizen in a democracy while exploring how social, racial, political, geographical, and other factors influence current and future challenges a community needs to address. This course will have a community engaged learning component.

Full course description for Citizenship: Community Involvement

This course provides an overview of the American criminal justice system with an emphasis on the roles and duties of police, courts, and corrections. Students examine current and future issues of the system such as due process, administration of justice, ethics, community policing, technology, and rehabilitation efforts. The course illustrates the criminal justice process from the initial violation of the criminal law, to the punishment and release of convicted persons, including juveniles.

Full course description for Community Building for Criminal Justice

…and everything else

Student-designed independent studies give Metropolitan State students the opportunity to plan their own study. This type of independent learning strategy can be useful because it allows students: to study a subject in more depth, at a more advanced level; to pursue a unique project that requires specialized study; to draw together several knowledge areas or interests into a specialized study; to test independent learning capabilities and skills; or to use special learning resources in the community, taking advantage of community education opportunities which, in themselves, would not yield a full college competence. Students should contact their academic advisor for more information.

Full course description for Criminal Justice Student Designed Independent Studies

Credit for Prior Learning is the method by which students may receive college credit for prior learning obtained through nontraditional means, such as military training/experience, the workplace, or independent study. The course for which credit is being sought must correspond in its content to a course that is currently offered at Metropolitan State University. Competence is demonstrated by passing the final examination of the corresponding course. Students should contact their academic advisor for more information.

Full course description for Criminal Justice Prior Learning