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Police Studies Certificate

College of Community Studies and Public Affairs / School of Criminology and Criminal Justice
Undergraduate certificate

About The Program

Welcome to our flagship program for aspiring peace officers! Our Professional Peace Officer Education (PPOE) program, certified by the Minnesota Board of Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST Board), offers a pathway to policing for anyone who wants to become “license-eligible” in the state of Minnesota. 

Our Police Studies Certificate is open to any degree-seeking student at Metro State University and is part of our own Criminal Justice BA with Police Studies Certificate. For School of Criminology and Criminal Justice students, the Police Studies Certificate fulfills all major directive electives.

Our Police Studies Certificate is also open to anyone who has already earned an associate's degree (or higher) in any discipline from a regionally accredited college/university. Perfect for career-changers and working adults, the stand-alone Police Studies Certificate can be completed in as little as three semesters (fall, spring, and summer).

Program Structure

Our 30-credit Police Studies Certificate includes the same Professional Peace Officer Education (PPOE) coursework required for degree-seeking students majoring in criminal justice. Hence, certificate students take courses alongside our degree-seeking students.

The stand-alone certificate starts fall semester. Courses are offered on-campus and/or online/hybrid during the fall and spring semesters. The “Skills” practicum courses are offered summer semester, in-person, during the day (Monday–Friday).

Program Mission

We are 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 the education and training of culturally competent peace officers who are prepared to deliver justice and serve all people and communities with dignity and respect. 

Police Studies Certificate Student outcomes

In accordance with Minnesota Rules 6700.0300, the Minnesota Board of Peace Officer Standards and Training (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;
  4. tools, techniques, and tactics (also known as “skills”).

Our Police Studies Certificate covers them all and upon degree completion, students may take the peace officer licensing exam.

Gainful Employment Disclosure: Gainful employment programs are those "that prepare students for gainful employment in a recognized occupation." Public institutions are required to report this information for all undergraduate and graduate programs that are Title IV eligible and that lead to certificates, diplomas, graduate certificates, or specialist awards. Degree programs at all levels are not considered to be gainful employment programs.

Interested in pursuing our Police Studies Certificate?

If you want to join the ranks of the 10,000 peace officers who protect and serve this land of 10,000 lakes, our Police Studies Certificate is a fast and affordable way to become license-eligible in Minnesota. All prospective policing students should work closely with an advisor. Please contact: Criminology.Advising@metrostate.edu

Advance Your Education

How to enroll

Program eligibility requirements

Our Police Studies Certificate provides a pathway to policing for career-changers and people not already "license eligible" in the state. Applicants must hold an associate's degree (or higher) in any discipline to enter this program unless enrolled in Metro State's Criminal Justice BA with Police Studies Certificate or another bachelor's program.

Prospective students should apply directly to the School of Criminology and Criminal Justice for admission. For assistance, contact Criminology.Advising@metrostate.edu.

Apply to Metro State now

Start the journey toward your Police Studies Certificate now. Learn about the steps to enroll or, if you have questions about what Metro State can offer you, request information, visit campus or chat with an admissions counselor.

Get started on your Police Studies Certificate

Courses and Requirements

SKIP TO COURSE REQUIREMENTS

Standards for admission into a certified PPOE Program minimally include:

  • Passing a psychological evaluation to determine you are not a danger to yourself or others during participation in courses that are mentally, physically, and psychologically challenging;
  • Passing a criminal history screening to determine you have not been convicted of a disqualifying crime;
  • Passing a medical screening and a physical fitness test.

Minnesota Rules 6700.0700 sets “minimum standards for peace officer license eligibility” and these standards go beyond those required for entry into our program. Minnesota Rules 6700.1500 further sets “standards of conduct for licensed peace officers.” Go to the following links for more information:

Minimum Selection Standards for Peace Officer License Eligibility [Minn Rules 6700.0700]

Standards of Conduct for Licensed Peace Officers [Minn Rules 6700.1500]

Emergency Medical Responder certification approved by the Minnesota Emergency Medical Services Regulatory Board (EMSRB) is also required to take the peace officer licensing exam. Please check the Minnesota Board of Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) website for more information on standards and rules.

Course Requirements (30 credits)

+ Recommended Prerequisite
+ Professional Peace Officer Education "Theory" (18 credits)

Transfer coursework must be from a regionally accredited college or university certified by the Minnesota Board of Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) to offer the Professional Peace Officer Education (PPOE) required for licensure.

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

In this applied writing course, students learn how to choose the ideal modality for message delivery considering the purpose, location, and audience, and how to effectively present technical information orally and in writing. Students will practice writing reports in a style and format that best communicates the actions and behavior of others and allows the reader to determine the facts of a specific case. They prepare multiple incident-based reports, interview summaries, memos, executive summaries and management correspondence to a professional standard. Students also become familiar with courtroom personnel, procedures, and protocols; rules of evidence, discovery, and admissibility; how to present legal testimony and evidence; and basic techniques for handling hostile attorneys.

Full course description for Police Communication, Report Writing, and Courtroom Testimony

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 Policing

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

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

+ Choose one:

This course focuses on justice system responses to victim and offender special populations, including women, children, elderly people, LGBTQ+ people, immigrant populations, and people with physical, developmental, behavioral, and sensory disabilities. This course teaches critical incident stress management for first responders and crisis intervention, de-escalation, and other skills for responding to mental illness and substance use signs.

Full course description for Crisis Response, Mental Illness, and Working with Special Populations

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

+ Professional Peace Officer Education "Skills" (12 credits)

Students complete coursework at Hennepin Technical College, typically during the summer, and transfer credits to Metro State. Admission requires applying to Hennepin Technical College and submitting a skills program application.

This course meets Minnesota Board of Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) learning objectives pertaining to the performance of peace officer duties and tasks, and the tools, tactics, and techniques of professional peace officer education. This course is part of the ¿skills¿ curriculum with instruction focused on crime scene and evidence.

Full course description for Crime Scene and Evidence

This course meets Minnesota Board of Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) learning objectives pertaining to the performance of peace officer duties and tasks, and the tools, tactics, and techniques of professional peace officer education. This course is part of the ¿skills¿ curriculum with instruction focused on effectively and safely responding to crimes in progress.

Full course description for In Progress Response

This course meets Minnesota Board of Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) learning objectives pertaining to the performance of peace officer duties and tasks, and the tools, tactics, and techniques of professional peace officer education. This course is part of the ¿skills¿ curriculum with instruction focused on traffic law and making vehicle stops.

Full course description for Traffic

This course meets Minnesota Board of Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) learning objectives pertaining to the performance of peace officer duties and tasks, and the tools, tactics, and techniques of professional peace officer education. This course is part of the ¿skills¿ curriculum with instruction focused on defensive and control tactics.

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