Delivery: A mix of daytime, evening and online courses.
Start: Fall, Spring, or Summer; Full- or Part-Time.

About the Program

The Law Enforcement program is primarily designed to meet the professional and educational needs of students interested in becoming licensed peace officers. Students will:

  • Perform law enforcement operations such as SWAT, police car maneuvers, crime scene investigation, interrogation, counter-terrorism, threat assessment, and firearm safety
  • Analyze the causes and effects of criminal behavior and delinquency to keep our communities safe
  • Strengthen your mind and body through rigorous mental and physical training, including advanced self-defense tactics

After meeting core POST (Peace Officer Standards and Training) requirements for education, you will apply to attend a skills-providing institution for your final semester. Upon completion of the degree at Century, you are eligible to take a POST exam to become POST certified and to apply for law enforcement positions in Minnesota. You may also transfer to other colleges or universities to pursue a bachelor’s degree.

Law Enforcement Transfer Pathway AS Degree

The Law Enforcement AS degree offers students a powerful option: the opportunity to complete an associate degree whose course credits will directly transfer to designated Law Enforcement bachelor’s degree programs at Minnesota State universities. The entire curriculum has been carefully designed so that you can complete a specific associate degree at a Minnesota State College and transfer to a Minnesota State University to earn a bachelor’s degree. Transfer Pathways can be a great resource for saving time and money as you work toward graduation.

Minnesota State universities include Bemidji State University, Metropolitan State University, Minnesota State University, Mankato; Minnesota State University, Moorhead; Southwest Minnesota State University; St. Cloud State University; and Winona State University.

Transfer Pathway degrees may transfer to colleges and universities outside of the Minnesota State system, such as private and out-of-state schools. It is highly recommended that students interested in this possibility contact their intended transfer school, advisor/counselor, and program instructors for academic planning assistance.

Planning for Your Program

Peace Officer Minimum Selection Standards

Request for Information

Cost & Financial Aid

As a two-year public community and technical college, Century College receives funding from the State of Minnesota, keeping tuition rates significantly lower than private colleges and universities. With affordable tuition rates and financial aid and scholarship opportunities, our students avoid student loan debt.

Financial Aid

Century College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, and our programs qualify for financial aid including grants, loans, and college work-study. Eligibility for financial aid is determined annually based on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Century College’s Federal School Code is 010546.

Scholarship Opportunities

Each year, the Century College Foundation awards more than $300,000 in scholarships to Century College students involved in several areas of study. Students are encouraged to create an account and apply for scholarships online.

Tuition Cost per Credit Comparison: Century College $206.41, University of MN - TC $555.13, Priva...

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Law Enforcement Testimonials

Chang Her - Law Enforcement Alum“My Law Enforcement degree from Century College allowed me to be where I am at today, and to do wha... Michael Thao - Law Enforcement Alum“When I think of why I chose the Law Enforcement program at Century College, three words come to...

Transfer

Law Enforcement instructor giving a lecture.

Potential Job Titles

Two law enforcement officers
  • Police and Sheriff Patrol Officers
  • Compliance Officers
  • Parking Enforcement Officers
  • Animal Control Officers

Salary Data

Police and Sheriff Patrol Officers
Average Wage: $30.66/hour
Top Earners: $36.87/hour

Parking Enforcement Officers
Average Wage: $17.66/hour
Top Earners: $25.72/hour

Compliance Officers
Average Wage: $36.43/hour
Top Earners: $52.41/hour

Animal Control Officers
Average Wage: $22.23/hour
Top Earners: $28.74/hour

 Information gathered pertains to the seven-county metro area - careerwise.minnstate.edu

Prerequisites

You will need to possess a valid driver’s license, be able to pass an MN Human Services background study, and not be prohibited by state or federal law from possessing a firearm. See the “Peace Office Minimum Selection Standards” under Planning for Your Program for additional information. Once you complete the program, you will be eligible to take the Minnesota POST Board 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 to enter the law enforcement profession.

Additional Requirements

  1. You are required to complete 80 hours of criminal justice-related service learning to complete this program. This service learning requirement will be met upon completion of CJS 2081 & CJS 2085 with a grade of C or higher in each course. You are advised not to enroll in both courses during the same semester.
  2. Core requirements for the Peace Officer Standards and Training Board (POST) must be completed or currently enrolled in to apply to attend the final semester of academic courses prior to Skills. Successful registration for this semester requires a C or higher in each of the nine prerequisite courses and a 2.5 GPA in these courses. A college cumulative GPA of 2.0 is also required. Contact Law Enforcement faculty at lawenforcement@century.edu.
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Certification Disclosures

    Program Faculty

  • Experience: Ms. Swanson has been a police officer for 21 years, and has served as the Chief of Police for the White Bear Lake Police Department since 2014.
    Education: BA, Social Work, University of Minnesota; Law Enforcement, Metroplitan State University; MA, Organizational Management, Concordia University
    Julie Swanson
    Faculty/Program Director
    Bio
    Criminal Justice
    E 3563
    651-779-3494
  • Sara Edel
    Faculty/PPOE Coordinator
    Law Enforcement Program
    E 3563
    651-779-3981
  • Experience: Captain Hager has served in Law Enforcement for the past 22 years as an Officer, Detective, School Resource Officer, DARE Officer, Canine Handler, Narcotics Investigator, Sergeant and Captain for the State of North Dakota, the City of Lino Lakes, the University of Minnesota Police Department and, most recently, for the City of White Bear Lake. He has taught in higher education since 2015.
    Teaching Approach: “My servant-teaching style focuses on equipping students with the knowledge and skills they need to, not only succeed in their selected fields, but also to recognize their unique ability to move their professions forward. I attempt to impart any wisdom, learned from both successes and failures I’ve experienced, to students in an attempt to encourage them to recognize their own potential and opportunities for growth. Specifically unique to policing, my wish is to leave the profession better than how I found it and in the better prepared hands of our future leaders.”
    Education: MA, Emergency Management, Walden University; BA, Metropolitan State University
    Hobbies: Family & Basketball
    Dale Hager
    Faculty
    Bio
    Criminal Justice
    E 3563
    651-779-3494

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