Metropolitan State University's first online law enforcement students are working their way toward bachelor's degrees in the only law enforcement degree program in the United States to offer the entire major online. The first cohort, a group of 16 men and women, began in the spring of 2005 and will spend four semesters together online taking required courses such as:
Minnesota is the only state requiring all entry-level police officers to have two-year college degrees. This online major completion program is for those who wish to continue their education and obtain four-year degrees in order to enhance their potential for professional advancement.
"Obtaining a four-year degree is a way for officers to distinguish themselves among their colleagues," said Ginny Lane, Executive Director of the School of Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice at Metropolitan State University. "Many law enforcement officers who decide to pursue a four-year degree do so online because they are already working full-time in the field. This offers them a convenient way to advance their education without interrupting their career."
It was this convenience that prompted Granite Falls Deputy Sheriff Tim Yerigan to seek his degree online. "For me, it was the only way to keep working," he said. "With rotating shifts, deputy sheriffs can't schedule traditional classes. We don't know when we will be on duty from one week to the next."
According to Lane, officers may be able to utilize professional experience for some credit if they sign up for a prior learning assessment. Faculty then can assess an officer's prior learning based on set, measurable criteria. "This is not as easy as it may sound," she explained. "While we want to recognize the prior learning and work experience that many of our students have, officers still need to demonstrate that they know the material and have the skills."
In addition to convenience, online law enforcement classes provide officers with an opportunity to compare work situations with their peers in other departments. Yerigan agreed this was an important benefit for him. "Every week, we have good dialogue," he said. "Sometimes it is about a particular case; other times it is about general issues. Last week we talked about working with the media. It was good to hear a variety of opinions."
Cohort participants include municipal police officers as well as members of sheriff's departments. Agencies sometimes provide tuition reimbursement for educational opportunities.
In order to participate in the Metropolitan State Online Law Enforcement Major Completion Program, students must be a licensed peace officer, either active or inactive, with a two-year degree from an accredited college or university. They must have completed 30 general education semester credits, including two writing courses, with a minimum GPA of 2.25 on a 4.0 scale.
Metropolitan State University (www.metrostate.edu), a member of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities System, provides high-quality, affordable academic and professional degree programs at the bachelor's and master's levels. It is the only state university in the Twin Cities metropolitan area. For further information about its online Law Enforcement program, visit www.metrostate.edu/slc/onlinelaw.html