Law Enforcement Degree
Associate's Degree
Next program start date
January 06, 2025
Finish in as few as
18 months1
Learning includes
- On-Campus and Online Classes
- Field Experience
January 06, 2025
18 months1
With a Law Enforcement Associate’s degree you will be able to train to become a Minnesota police officer and make a positive impact in your local community. The Law Enforcement Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree can be completed in as few as 18 months and provides real-world, practical training and Law Enforcement studies from experienced instructors.1 Receive hands-on Law Enforcement experience at the HERO Training Center, a state-of-the-art facility providing realistic and immersive law enforcement training simulations. You can complete your Law Enforcement Associate’s degree in as few as six months if you already have a conferred Associate’s degree and only need to continue working on the necessary skill requirements for professional licensure, allowing you to earn a second Associate’s degree.1
The Law Enforcement Associate’s degree program is not aligned to the standards of any professional licensing body other than the MN POST and is not intended to satisfy professional licensure requirements of any professional licensing agency in any other state.
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Our Law Enforcement program is approved by the Minnesota Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) Board.2 Graduates are eligible to sit for the Minnesota Peace Officer Licensing Exam after they have successfully completed the required academic and skills training.
Our Law Enforcement curriculum gives you the knowledge and skills you need in preparation for law enforcement and to make a positive impact on your local community.
A Law Enforcement degree from Rasmussen University can help set you up for success in this growing field.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the projected job growth potential between 2020 and 2030 for Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers is 7%.3
Study the psychology of the criminal mind and the impact of child development on delinquency, and participate in courtroom scenarios to gain an understanding of the legal system.
Develop quick-response muscle memory and the critical-thinking skills you need to make life-and-death decisions under high-pressure situations.
Utilize advanced writing and human interaction skills to help you succeed in your communication and reporting duties.
Gain extensive experience on the proper use and application of firearms.
Explores the role of law enforcement in serving special populations in our communities. It focuses on mental illness, substance abuse and other disabilities. Examines law enforcement’s work with victims and covers cultural diversity in policing.
Delves into the various communication and problem-solving skills required to be successful in law enforcement. Examines effective interpersonal skills, written skills and communication techniques appropriate for the incident or audience. Topics covered are crisis intervention and crisis management techniques, the importance of effective listening, and interviewing skills.
Examines the ethical dilemmas encountered by law enforcement professionals. Analyzes the roles of discretion, bias and professionalism in the field. Also examines sources and effects of stress in law enforcement and explores preparation for and management of stress.
27 Courses to Complete
90 Credit Hours
Rasmussen University is committed to making education more affordable for all students. Our tuition estimating tool can help you visualize the cost of your degree and see what savings opportunities are available to help you achieve it.
Entrance requirements at the Rasmussen University School of Justice Studies vary depending on the program. We do not require enrolling students to submit standardized test scores; however, every entrant must have at least a high school diploma or the equivalent.
Professional Peace Officer Education (PPOE): This program meets standards established by the Minnesota Peace Officer Standards and Training Board (MN POST) for persons who seek employment in Minnesota as a peace officer. Graduates of this program may need to successfully complete additional academic coursework, training, practical/skills and fitness standards before becoming eligible to sit for the MN Peace Officer Licensing Exam.
Our Law Enforcement Associate’s degree is a hybrid experience designed to give you the benefits of online learning and access to state-of-the-art facilities. Students will complete the skills portion of the program at the HERO Training Center, a state-of-the-art facility that provides hands-on, immersive law enforcement training. See below to find a hybrid Law Enforcement program near you.