Minnesota Criminal Justice Schools
- 39 schools offering criminal justice degrees in Minnesota are in our database. (see below)
- 18 offer associate’s degrees or certificates, 14 of them offer bachelor’s degrees and above, 4 offer a mix of bachelor’s and master’s and 3 offer PHD’s
- We found no schools in Minnesota ranked in US News and World Reports that have a criminal justice program
- According to Kiplinger’s, Minnesota has 2 universities ranked in the top 100 for “Values in Public Colleges”; #20 University of Minnesota, Twin Cities Campus, Minneapolis, MN; and #34 University of Minnesota, Morris, Morris, MN
- 10 campus-based and online schools in Minnesota are available for requesting information.
Spotlight School
Programs:
- BA in Criminal Justice (Homeland Security Emphasis)
- BA in Criminal Justice
- BA in Criminal Justice (Victim Advocacy)
- And more...
Profiles of Well Known Schools in Minnesota
University of Minnesota, Crookston: The Criminal Justice Department at University of Minnesota, Crookston offers three Bachelor of Science degrees in criminal justice fields that can be pursued as single or double majors. The Criminal Justice BS prepares students with the skills and understanding of law enforcement needed to begin a career in this field, with a concentration in either law enforcement or corrections. This program is certified by the Minnesota Board of Peace Officer Standards & Training (POST), which qualifies graduates to apply for licensure as Minnesota police officers. The university also offers a BS in Law Enforcement Aviation, a unique program that trains students to become law enforcement pilots for local, state, and federal agencies that is also POST certified. An internship program for future law enforcement pilots is available. Those interested in criminal justice with a focus on natural resources may be interested in the school’s BS in Natural Resources Law Enforcement, a POST certified program that equips students to enter careers as law enforcement officers protecting the country’s natural resources in accordance with the law.
Minnesota State University: Minnesota State University has the Department of Sociology and Corrections, which offers the only Bachelor of Science in Corrections in the state in addition to a masters and certificate program. The department has the JOLT (Joint Opportunity to Learn a Thrive), a course dedicated to students who wish to work in juvenile probation. Corrections majors are required to complete 450 internship hours to graduate and can do so within state agencies, correctional institutions and victim services. The 19 full time faculty are experts in corrections and related focuses such as juvenile delinquency, correctional law and social organization. The Master of Science in Sociology: Corrections has been designed for individuals that want to pursue leadership and management positions in state, federal or private institutions.
Minnesota Criminal Justice Salary and Jobs
| Occupation | Number Employed | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | 4,880 | $44,320 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | 1,990 | $77,940 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | 1,200 | $71,580 |
| Police and Sheriff’s Patrol Officers | 8,250 | $55,960 |
Data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics as of May 2011.
Minnesota Criminal Justice Degrees
Minnesota is an ideal choice for those interested in criminal justice education and careers. The University of Minnesota administers a full range of degree programs for those who like to live and dream big. Schools like Hamline University and Macalester College offer excellent criminal justice programs in more intimate settings. Multiple campus branches of career-focused Rasmussen University are conveniently situated across the state, with the option to achieve an online degree, including an associate’s degree in one of the hottest new specialties, Homeland Security. Those interested in taking advantage of the flexibility of online programs might take a look at the associate’s, bachelor’s, and master’s degree programs in criminal justice available at Kaplan and Phoenix.
Salaries for many criminal justice jobs are competitive and offer great benefits. The average annual salary for police officers in Minnesota is $55,200 1 while police first line supervisors earn an average of $77,440.1 Many criminal justice jobs have a positive outlook as the population grows and security continues to be critical for businesses and governments. Many good job opportunities can be found in the paralegal field, homeland security, and cybersecurity.
With job opportunities in both the private and public sector, a criminal justice education is excellent preparation for an exciting career. Federal budget allocations for Homeland Security have created a wealth of career prospects for those with the specialized training to perform them. Not all positions require a four year degree; ATF agents are one example. CSI jobs generally are awarded to police officers who attend the kind of special instruction offered in criminal justice programs, or alternatively to those who obtain a degree in that specialty.
Minnesota’s Criminal Justice Employment Outlook 2, 3, 4, 5
Online and Minnesota Criminal Justice Schools
If you live in Minnesota, we recommend the following accredited campus-based and online criminal justice programs for students interested in pursuing associate’s, bachelor’s and master’s degrees in the growing field of criminal justice.
University of Phoenix
Campuses: Online
Popular Degrees:
- A.A. in Criminal Justice
- B.S. in Criminal Justice Administration - Human Services
- B.S. in Criminal Justice Administration - Management
Capella University
Campuses: Online
Popular Degrees:
- MS - Criminal Justice
- PhD - Criminal Justice
- BS - Criminal Justice
Keiser University
Campuses: Online
Popular Degrees:
- Criminal Justice, BA
- Criminal Justice, MA (Online Only)
- Homeland Security, BA (Online)
Walden University
Campuses: Online
Popular Degrees:
- B.S. in Human Services - Criminal Justice
- B.S. in Criminal Justice - Crime and Criminals
- B.S. in Criminal Justice
Kaplan University
Campuses: Online
Popular Degrees:
- MS in Criminal Justice - Law
- MS in Criminal Justice
- BS in Criminal Justice
Post University
Campuses: Online
Popular Degrees:
- B.S. in Human Services / Criminal Justice
- B.S. in Criminal Justice - Law Enforcement
- B.S. in Criminal Justice
Brandman University Online
Campuses: Online
Popular Degrees:
- BA in Criminal Justice (Homeland Security Emphasis)
- BA in Criminal Justice
- BA in Criminal Justice (Victim Advocacy)
Grand Canyon University
Campuses: Online
Popular Degrees:
- M.S. in Criminal Justice: Legal Studies
- B.S. in Justice Studies
- M.S. in Criminal Justice: Law Enforcement
Tip: If you don’t live near a campus-based school that offers a program of interest, consider an online degree or a university in an adjacent state (Wisconsin, Iowa, South Dakota, and North Dakota).

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Directory of Minnesota Universities Offering Criminal Justice Degrees
Academy College (Minneapolis, MN)
Criminal Justice Degrees Offered:
Associate of Applied Science | Security Administration
Alexandria Technical College (Alexandria, MN)
Criminal Justice Degrees Offered:
Associate of Arts | Law Enforcement
Bachelor of Arts | Law Enforcement
Bemidji State University (Bemidji, MN)
Criminal Justice Degrees Offered:
Associate of Science | Criminal Justice
Bachelor of Science | Criminal Justice
Brown College (Mendota Heights, MN)
Criminal Justice Degrees Offered:
Associate of Applied Science | Criminal Justice
Bachelor of Science | Criminal Justice
Capella University (Minneapolis, MN)
Criminal Justice Degrees Offered:
Bachelor Degree | Criminal Justice (online program)
Bachelor Degree | Homeland Security (online program)
Bachelor of Science | Criminal Justice (online program)
Bachelor of Science | Emergency Management (online program)
Bachelor of Science | Homeland Security (online program)
Bachelor of Science | Security Management (online program)
Certificate | Criminal Justice (online program)
Doctor of Philosophy | Public Safety: Criminal Justice (online program)
Doctor of Philosophy | Public Safety: Emergency Management (online program)
Doctor of Philosophy | Public Safety: Public Safety Leadership (online program)
Master of Science | Public Safety: Criminal Justice (online program)
Master of Science | Public Safety: Emergency Management (online program)
Master of Science | Public Safety: Public Safety Leadership (online program)
Masters Degree | Criminal Justice (online program)
PhD | Criminal Justice (online program)
Central Lakes College-Brainerd (Brainerd, MN)
Criminal Justice Degrees Offered:
Associate of Applied Science | Criminal Justice
Associate of Applied Science | Natural Resources Law Enforcement
Associate of Science | Criminalistics
Certificate | Criminal Justice
Century College (White Bear Lake, MN)
Criminal Justice Degrees Offered:
Associate of Applied Science | Computer Forensics
Associate of Applied Science | Public Safety
Associate of Science | Criminal Justice
Associate of Science | Law Enforcement
Concordia University St. Paul (Saint Paul, MN)
Criminal Justice Degrees Offered:
Bachelor of Arts | Criminal Justice
Master of Arts | Criminal Justice
Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College (Cloquet, MN)
Criminal Justice Degrees Offered:
Associate of Applied Science | E-Crime
Associate of Science | Corrections
Associate of Science | Law Enforcement
Certificate | Computer Forensics
Globe University (Minneapolis, MN; Woodbury, MN)
Criminal Justice Degrees Offered:
Associate of Applied Science | Criminal Justice
Hamline University (Saint Paul, MN)
Criminal Justice Degrees Offered:
Bachelor of Science | Criminal Justice
Certificate | Forensics
Certificate | Peace Officer
Hibbing Community College (Hibbing, MN)
Criminal Justice Degrees Offered:
Associate of Applied Science | Law Enforcement
Certificate | Law Enforcement
Inver Hills Community College (Inver Grove Heights, MN)
Criminal Justice Degrees Offered:
Associate of Science | Criminal Justice
Associate of Science | Law Enforcement
Leech Lake Tribal College (Cass Lake, MN)
Criminal Justice Degrees Offered:
Associate of Applied Science | Law Enforcement
Metropolitan State University (Saint Paul, MN)
Criminal Justice Degrees Offered:
Bachelor of Applied Science | Computer Forensics
Bachelor of Arts | Criminal Justice
Bachelor of Human Services | Human Services (Corrections concentration)
Bachelor of Science | Law Enforcement
Bachelor of Science | Law Enforcement (Major Completion for Licensed Peace Officers)
Certificate | Law Enforcement License
Minneapolis Community and Technical College (Minneapolis, MN)
Criminal Justice Degrees Offered:
Associate of Applied Science | Computer Forensics
Associate of Applied Science | Criminal Justice
Associate of Applied Science | Homeland Security (online program)
Associate of Applied Science | Law Enforcement
Minnesota School of Business (Blaine, MN; Brooklyn Center, MN; Elk River, MN; Moorhead, MN; Shakopee, MN; Waite Park, MN)
Criminal Justice Degrees Offered:
Associate in Applied Science | Criminal Justice (online program)
Associate in Criminal Justice | Criminal Justice
Associate in Criminal Justice | Criminal Justice (online program)
Associate of Applied Science | Corrections (online program)
Associate of Applied Science | Criminal Justice
Associate of Applied Science | Criminal Justice (online program)
Associate of Applied Science | Law Enforcement
Associate of Applied Science | Law Enforcement (online program)
Associate of Science | Criminal Justice
Bachelor in Science | Criminal Justice (online program)
Bachelor of Science | Criminal Justice (online program)
Minnesota State Community and Technical College (Fergus Falls, MN)
Criminal Justice Degrees Offered:
Associate of Science | Criminal Justice
Certificate | Correctional Officer
Certificate | Fire Service Preparation
Minnesota State University-Mankato (Mankato, MN)
Criminal Justice Degrees Offered:
Bachelor of Arts | Law Enforcement
Bachelor of Science | Corrections
Bachelor of Science | Law Enforcement
Minnesota State University-Moorhead (Moorhead, MN)
Criminal Justice Degrees Offered:
Bachelor of Arts | Criminal Justice
Minnesota West Community and Technical College (Granite Falls, MN)
Criminal Justice Degrees Offered:
Associate of Arts | Corrections
Associate of Science | Law Enforcement
National American University (Bloomington, MN; Brooklyn Center, MN)
Criminal Justice Degrees Offered:
Associate of Applied Science | Paralegal Studies
Bachelor of Science | Paralegal Studies
Normandale Community College (Bloomington, MN)
Criminal Justice Degrees Offered:
Associate of Science | Criminal Justice
Associate of Science | Law Enforcement
North Central University (Minneapolis, MN)
Criminal Justice Degrees Offered:
Certificate | Criminal Justice (online program)
Certificate | Homeland Security (online program)
Masters Degree | Criminal Justice (online program)
Masters Degree | Homeland Security (online program)
PhD | Criminal Justice (online program)
PhD | Homeland Security (online program)
North Hennepin Community College (Brooklyn Park, MN)
Criminal Justice Degrees Offered:
Associate of Science | Criminal Justice
Associate of Science | Law Enforcement
Northland Community and Technical College (Thief River Falls, MN)
Criminal Justice Degrees Offered:
Associate of Science | Criminal Justice
Diploma | Law Enforcement Career Transition (online program)
Rasmussen College (Bloomington, MN; Brooklyn Park, MN; Eagan, MN; Lake Elmo, MN; Mankato, MN; St. Cloud, MN)
Criminal Justice Degrees Offered:
Associate Degree | Corrections (online program)
Associate Degree | Criminal Justice (online program)
Associate Degree | Forensics (online program)
Associate Degree | Homeland Security (online program)
Associate in Criminal Justice | Corrections (online program)
Associate in Criminal Justice | Crime Scene Evidence (online program)
Associate in Criminal Justice | Homeland Security (online program)
Associate in Criminal Justice | Law Enforcement (online program)
Associate in Law Enforcement | Law Enforcement
Associate in Office Management | Legal/Criminal Justice (online program)
Associate of Science | Corrections (online program)
Associate of Science | Crime Scene Evidence (online program)
Associate of Science | Crime Scene Investigation (online program)
Associate of Science | Criminal Justice (online program)
Associate of Science | Homeland Security
Associate of Science | Homeland Security (online program)
Associate of Science | Law Enforcement
Associate of Science | Law Enforcement (online program)
Bachelor Degree | Corrections (online program)
Bachelor Degree | Criminal Justice (online program)
Bachelor Degree | Homeland Security (online program)
Bachelor in Criminal Justice | Client Services and Corrections (online program)
Bachelor in Criminal Justice | Criminal Offenders (online program)
Bachelor in Criminal Justice | Homeland Security (online program)
Bachelor in Criminal Justice | Investigation and Law Enforcement (online program)
Bachelor of Science | Client Services/Corrections (online program)
Bachelor of Science | Corrections (online program)
Bachelor of Science | Criminal Justice
Bachelor of Science | Criminal Offenders (online program)
Bachelor of Science | Homeland Security (online program)
Bachelor of Science | Investigation/Law Enforcement (online program)
Bachelor of Science | Investigations in Law Enforcement (online program)
Bachelor of Science | Investigations/Law Enforcement (online program)
Certificate | Official Peace Officer (online program)
Certificate | Peace Officer Education (online program)
Ridgewater College (Willmar, MN)
Criminal Justice Degrees Offered:
Associate of Applied Science | Law Enforcement (online program)
Associate of Arts | Corrections
Associate of Arts | Law Enforcement
Riverland Community College (Austin, MN)
Criminal Justice Degrees Offered:
Associate of Science | Corrections (online program)
Associate of Science | Law Enforcement
Rochester Community & Technical College (Rochester, MN)
Criminal Justice Degrees Offered:
Associate of Science | Criminal Justice
Associate of Science | Law Enforcement
Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota (Winona, MN)
Criminal Justice Degrees Offered:
Bachelor of Science | Criminal Justice | Corrections
Bachelor of Science | Criminal Justice | Law Enforcement
Bachelor of Science | Police Science
Master of Arts | Public Safety Administration
Undergraduate Certificate | Security Management
Southwest Minnesota State University (Marshall, MN)
Criminal Justice Degrees Offered:
Bachelor of Arts | Law Enforcement
Bachelor of Science | Law Enforcement
St. Catherine University (Saint Paul, MN)
Criminal Justice Degrees Offered:
Bachelor of Arts | Global Search for Justice
St. Cloud State University (Saint Cloud, MN)
Criminal Justice Degrees Offered:
Bachelor of Arts | Criminal Justice
Bachelor of Science | Insurance and Risk Management
Master of Science | Criminal Justice
Master of Science | Public Safety
University of Minnesota-Crookston (Crookston, MN)
Criminal Justice Degrees Offered:
Bachelor of Science | Corrections
Bachelor of Science | Criminal Justice
Bachelor of Science | Law Enforcement
University of Phoenix (Saint Louis Park, MN)
Criminal Justice Degrees Offered:
Associate Degree | Criminal Justice (online program)
Associate of Arts | Criminal Justice (online program)
Bachelor Degree | Criminal Justice (online program)
Bachelor of Science | Criminal Justice Administration (online program)
Bachelor of Science | Organizational Security and Management (online program)
Master of Science | Administration of Justice and Security (online program)
Masters Degree | Criminal Justice (online program)
University of St. Thomas-Minnesota (Saint Paul, MN)
Criminal Justice Degrees Offered:
Bachelor of Arts | Criminal Justice
Vermilion Community College (Ely, MN)
Criminal Justice Degrees Offered:
Associate of Applied Science | Parks and Recreation
Associate of Applied Science | Wildland/Wildlife Law Enforcement
Associate of Science | Law Enforcement
Associate of Science | Wilderness Management
Certificate | Seasonal Park Law Enforcement Ranger Training
Walden University (Minneapolis, MN)
Criminal Justice Degrees Offered:
Bachelor Degree | Criminal Justice (online program)
Bachelor Degree | Homeland Security (online program)
Bachelor of Science | Criminal Justice
MPA | Terrorism/Mediation (online program)
Masters Degree | Forensics (online program)
PhD | Criminal Justice (online program)
PhD | Homeland Security (online program)
References:
(1) Bureau of Labor Statistics: http://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_MN.htm
(2) Bureau of Labor Statistics: http://www.bls.gov/lau/ see state on page for current unemployment rate
(3) USA TODAY/Moody’s Analytics/BLS: http://www.usatoday.com/money/economy/2009-02-06-new-jobs-growth-graphic_N.htm
(4) Occupational Supply & Demand System / OCDS Georgia State University for the U.S. Department of Labor: http://www.occsupplydemand.org/OSD_SelectOcc.aspx?chk=2&ST=ZZ
(5) The Sunshine Review: http://sunshinereview.org/core/home (select state budget button)
Page Edited by Charles Sipe.




