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School of Criminology and Criminal Justice Advising

Welcome to the student advising page for the School of Criminology and Criminal Justice. Our dedicated team of advisors is here to help you make the most of your academic journey and prepare you for a successful career in the criminal justice field. We can assist you with everything from course selection and degree requirements to internships and job placement. 

At the School of Criminology and Criminal Justice, we believe in empowering our students to succeed both academically and professionally. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. What is the difference between the criminal justice and police science majors? 

A. The Criminal Justice BA provides students with a comprehensive understanding of the criminal legal system and prepares them for a variety of careers working in crime prevention and community safety, including corrections and community corrections.  

The Criminal Justice BA with Police Studies Certificate is a Minnesota Board of Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST Board) certified Professional Peace Officer Education (PPOE) program for students interested in becoming police officers.  

The Police Science BS is a “transfer pathways” degree for students who have already completed an associate’s degree in policing and/or are currently serving peace officers. This is an advanced policing degree designed for practitioners looking to advance their careers.  

Q. What is the best class to take to sample the School of Criminology and Criminal Justice curriculum? 

A. CJS 101: Introduction to Criminal Justice or CJS 360: Diversity in Criminal Justice provides students with a good overview of the criminal justice system and may help students make decisions about their college and career goals. While taking courses at the School of Criminology and Criminal Justice, students can interact with instructors and peers to acquire further insights into these subjects. 

Q. Do any School of Criminology and Criminal Justice courses meet General Education, Liberal Studies, or Racial Issues Graduation Requirements? 

A. Yes! CJS 101 counts toward MTC Goal 5. CJS 340 counts toward MTC Goals 5 and 8 and upper-division liberal studies. CJS 350 counts toward MTC Goal 5 and upper-division liberal studies. CJS 354 counts toward MTC Goal 5 and upper-division liberal studies. CJS 360 counts toward MTC Goals 5 and 7, upper-division liberal studies, and RIGR. CJS 375 counts toward MTC Goals 6 and 9, and upper-division liberal studies. And CRIM 367 counts toward MTC Goal 3. 

Q. Can I complete my entire degree online? 

A.  We offer many online classes, but the criminal justice and police science majors are not exclusively online degrees—they were designed as on-campus or hybrid programs. We offer individual online courses subject to availability. 

Q. Where are classes held? 

A.  School of Criminology and Criminal Justice classes are mostly held at our state-of-the-art facility in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota, co-located with Hennepin Technical College. Any courses that you take outside of your major may be located at other university locations. Be sure to confirm class locations in eServices when you register. 

Q. Can I tour the Public Safety and Police Science Center? 

A. Due to increased security in this building, we do not offer tours. 

Q. What is a "cohort course" or "cohort code"? 

A. Cohort programs have a special admissions process and once admitted, students enroll in courses together as a cohort. Only cohort students may register for cohort courses unless otherwise indicated on the class schedule. 

Q. How do I get into a full or closed class? 

A. School of Criminology and Criminal Justice faculty are not permitted to grant capacity overrides. Students are expected to use priority registration; when a class fills, students should use the waitlist function when available. If extenuating circumstances exist, contact the instructor(s) directly. 

Q. What is credit for prior learning? 

A. Credit for prior learning allows students to earn academic credit for knowledge and skills gained outside of a traditional classroom setting, such as through work experience or self-directed learning. Once admitted to the School of Criminology and Criminal Justice, your advisor can review your continuing education records and help you create a plan that will incorporate your training, organize your experience, and demonstrate your knowledge in the academic area. 

Examples of continuing education that our students have used to fulfill elective requirements include: 

  • Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) continuing education 
  • Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Academy continuing education 
  • Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) Training 
  • Investigation courses 
  • DARE continuing education 
  • Intoxilyzer continuing education 

If you have questions about continuing education, contact Dr. Susan Hilal at 763.-657.-3767 or susan.hilal@metrostate.edu

Pre-major Advising Workshop 

(Currently being updated)

Forms and handouts (Currently being updated)

Course sequences are found on the program pages. 

Careers and Internships in Criminal Justice 

The School of Criminology and Criminal Justice helps prepare students for a range of challenging and exciting careers. These include municipal, county, state, and federal policing, criminal investigation, corrections supervision and administration, correctional treatment specialist and court administration. 

Our programs are designed for individuals interested in preparing for careers and for current practitioners who wish to enhance their knowledge and skills. Many of these career areas are projected to have marked growth in the coming years. 

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