Bachelor’s in Criminal Justice in Minnesota

Contact the schools listed below to learn more about criminal justice programs in Minnesota, including costs, curriculum, and admissions requirements.

The criminal justice system of Minnesota is responsible for making difficult decisions that affect people’s lives. You can feel prepared to make these important decisions by studying hard and becoming well-versed in the research behind criminal justice policies. Minnesota is tackling recidivism, a serious criminal justice issue, through re-entry courts that provide support to those at high risk of reoffending (Star Tribune, 2018).

Technology is used in other ways in Minnesota justice agencies. Dakota County uses an online safety map to keep children away from sex offenders’ homes during Halloween (Eagan Patch, 2018). With a degree from a criminal justice school in Minnesota, you could have the technological know-how that justice agencies look for. In many fields of criminal justice, there is a growing need for women and ethnic minorities. This may increase the amount of scholarships and other types of financial aid that are available to criminal justice students.

Criminal Justice Degrees in Minnesota

As a criminal justice student, you may take a wide variety of courses that introduce you to the world of crime and punishment. A bachelor’s degree in criminal justice typically requires the completion of 120 credits. This amounts to roughly eight semesters of full-time study. You may learn from instructors with extensive experience in the criminal justice industry and build connections in your community by completing an internship or externship.

To meet the learning goals of your chosen career path, you can plan on taking courses that cover many wings of the criminal justice system. Some of the core courses you may start with include Crime and Criminology, Introduction to Corrections, and Introduction to Policing. As you proceed through your curriculum, you may take courses like Criminal Law, Criminal Justice Diversity, Juvenile Delinquency, and Judicial Process.

Several schools in Minnesota offer sub-plans or concentrations, which allow you to prepare for one specific type of criminal justice career. These can include Forensics, Policing, Law Enforcement or Juvenile Justice, among many others.

As a Minnesota criminal justice student, you may have the opportunity to apply for different types of scholarships and grants. The Steve Cannon Memorial Scholarship is worth up to $1,000 each year. Many schools offer specific criminal justice scholarships to students who display financial need or academic strength.

Working With a Criminal Justice Degree in Minnesota

When you start your career, you may find that the job outlook is fairly stable for criminal justice graduates. Through 2030, CareerOneStop anticipates a 6% increase in police jobs (2022). In addition, a 4% increase in criminal investigation jobs is expected (CareerOneStop, 2022).

Salaries in Minnesota are typically slightly higher than the national average. Police officers in Minnesota earn an average of $76,420 per year (Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2022). The average salary for a correctional officer is $55,650 per year (BLS, 2022). Police detectives claim a median salary of $82,410 per year (BLS, 2022).

If you’re ready to take the next step in your criminal justice career, get started today. Request more information on criminal justice programs in Minnesota by contacting the schools you see listed below.

2022 US Bureau of Labor Statistics salary and employment figures for Minnesota contained here reflect national data, not school-specific information. Conditions in your area may vary. Data accessed November 2023.