Criminal Justice Certification in Minnesota

When you decide to start your career in criminal justice, you make a choice that can make your community safer and minimize the trauma caused by crime. This huge field spans dozens of possible career paths, and earning a certificate in criminal justice may help you get right into the classes that you need to pursue your chosen career.

This industry is always changing, which means that there’s always something new for you to learn. Minnesota is quite progressive in this area, which is why treatment courts have become a common fixture in Minnesota counties (Grand Forks Herald, 2016). These courts address mental health issues and addiction issues, rather than turning directly to incarceration.

How could a criminal justice degree in Minnesota change your future?

Find out now by contacting schools below.

What Kind of Criminal Justice Certificates are Available in Minnesota?

While many degrees are focused on a broad base of knowledge combined with applicable career skills, certificate programs are typically designed to concentrate on the skills needed for one or two career paths.

Since there are so many career paths in this field, there are many certificate options, and they can range from one semester in duration to two years.

Legal Assistant Technical Certificate Requirements (30 credits)

• Legal Office Procedures
  • In this course, learn how to efficiently manage a law office and meet the needs of your supervising attorneys.
• Legal Transcription
  • Built transcription skills that can help you transcribe meetings, court hearings, and client communication.
• Technology in the Law Office
  • Explore the technology you may use as a legal assistant, including computer applications and software.
• Keyboarding
  • This class helps you increase your typing skills and accuracy.

Law Enforcement Technical Certificate Requirements (30 credits)

• Criminal Investigation
  • Get a basic understanding of the criminal investigation process and what role police officers play in it.
• Legal Issues in Law Enforcement
  • Delve into common legal mishaps in this specialty and learn how to avoid them as you build your law enforcement career.
• Patrol Operations
  • Discover which protocols and procedures you are expected to use when you are on patrol.
• Minnesota Criminal and Traffic Codes
  • This course looks specifically at Minnesota law, particularly traffic laws and criminal statutes.

Fire Service Preparation Technical Certificate Requirements (27 credits)

• Firefighter Technical Skills
  • Develop a core set of hands-on skills that are used in fires, rescues, and other common emergencies.
• Fire Inspection and Code Enforcement
  • Instructors show students how to conduct fire inspections and enforce codes that prevent hazardous situations.
• Fire Rescue Techniques
  • Explore the techniques and procedures used in rescue missions.
• EMT Basic
  • Build a basic set of medical skills that can help you contribute at the scene of medical emergencies.

What Can I Do With a Criminal Justice Certificate in Minnesota?

Your criminal justice certification may put you on the path to quite a few in-demand criminal justice careers in Minnesota.

Police officers, who work a variety of schedules in many different community settings, may see a 6% increase in job openings through 2030 (CareerOneStop, 2022).

Paralegals generally work under the supervision of lawyers and keep a steady weekday schedule. Through 2030, paralegal job openings may swell 11% (CareerOneStop, 2022).

Firefighters work tough schedules, often working 24-hour shifts before getting a break. A 7% boost in job openings is predicted through 2030 (CareerOneStop, 2022).

In general, Minnesota has competitive salary ranges that make this a great place to get established. The average income for a police officer is $76,420 per year (Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2022). Paralegals bring in an average income of $63,450 per year (BLS, 2022). The average annual income for a firefighter is $46,880 (BLS, 2022).

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.

Discover which career path best suits you and which school can help you get there.

Request information from Minnesota criminal justice programs below.

Online programs may not be available in all areas