Imagine staring at crime scene of a fresh murder victim, pipe in hand. You peer up to Watson and exclaim, “It is of the first importance not to allow your judgment to be biased by personal qualities.” While the job description of private detectives is not exactly the same as Sherlock Holmes’, his particular words offer much wisdom.
Minnesota is one of the five states with the highest concentrations of private investigators in the country. To become a licensed private detective/investigator in Minnesota, you must complete pre-assignment and continual training. Check the list of criminal justice schools in Minnesota for information on private investigation certificate programs and courses. An Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in Law Enforcement or Criminal Justice, plus previous experience as a security or sworn officer, will help make you a successful, cutting-edge private detective.
Alternatively, you may want to complete a criminal justice degree in Minnesota with a specialization in paralegal studies, emergency management, law enforcement, corrections or other disciplines to become qualified to be one of the state’s thriving professionals, such as a police officer, paralegal, emergency management specialist, correctional officer and more.
Argosy University
Campus Location: Eagan, MN
Programs Offered: Criminal Justice, Psychology
School Website: www.argosy.edu
Brown College
Campus Location: Mendota Heights, MN
Programs Offered: Criminal Justice
School Website:
Capella University
Campus Location: Minneapolis, MN
Programs Offered: Criminal Justice, Emergency Mgmt, Homeland Security, Human Services, Legal Studies, Public Safety, Security Mgmt
School Website: www.capella.edu
Cardinal Stritch University
Campus Location: Edina, MN
Programs Offered: Public Safety Mgmt
School Website:
DeVry University
Campus Location: Edina, MN
Programs Offered: Tech Mgmt - Criminal Justice
School Website: www.devry.edu
Globe University
Campus Location: Minneapolis, MN
Programs Offered: Criminal Justice, Legal Admin Asst, Paralegal
School Website:
Minnesota School of Business
Campus Location: Brooklyn Center, MN
Programs Offered: Criminal Justice, Legal Admin Asst, Paralegal
School Website:
Minnesota School of Business Online
Campus Location: Richfield, MN
Programs Offered: Criminal Justice, Paralegal
School Website:
Rasmussen College
Campus Location: Online, MN
Programs Offered: Crime Scene Evidence, Financial Investigations, Homeland Security, Human Services, Paralegal, Police Ed
School Website:
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Programs: Associates AABA Criminal Justice Administration, Bachelors BSCJ Law Enforcement
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Programs: BS in Criminology and Criminal Justice, Bachelor of Science in Sociology, Bachelor of Science in Political Science
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Programs: BA Social and Criminal Justice, MA Organizational Management Public Administration, MBA Public Administration, Master of Public Administration, BA Political Science and Government, BA Homeland Security and Emergency Management, BA Social and Criminal Justice Political Science and Government, BA Social and Criminal Justice Corrections Management, BA Social and Criminal Justice Forensics, BA Social and Criminal Justice Homeland Security, BA Social and Criminal Justice Security Management, BA Law Enforcement Administration, BA Organizational Management Human Resources Management, BA Social Science No Concentration, BA Sociology
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Programs: Master of Criminal Justice
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Programs: PhD Criminal Justice, MS Criminal Justice, BS Criminal Justice, MPH Social and Behavioral Sciences, DPA General Public Administration, MPA General Public Administration, BPA General Public Administration, PhD Public Safety Leadership, MS Public Safety Leadership, BS Homeland Security, BS Security Management, DSW General Social Work
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Programs: Associates ASCJ Criminal Justice, Associate of Science in Paralegal studies, Master of Science in Management Criminal Justice
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Programs: Criminal Justice Associatess, Criminal Investigations, Homeland Security Associates, Paralegal Associates, Criminal Justice Bachelors, Homeland Security Bachelors, Paralegal Bachelors, Master of Science in Criminal Justice
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Programs: Associate of Arts in Criminal Justice, Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice
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Programs: BS in Public Safety Administration, MS in Criminal Justice Law Enforcement, MS in Criminal Justice Legal Studies, MS in Leadership Disaster Preparedness & Executive Fire Leadersh, BS in Public Safety and Emergency Management, Master of Public Administration with an Emphasis in Government a, BS in Justice Studies, BS in Sociology
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Programs: Associate of Criminal Justice in Law Enforcement
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Programs: BS in Criminal Justice, BSCJ Computer Crime, BSCJ Corrections, BSCJ Crime Scene Investigation, BSCJ Forensic Psychology, BSCJ Homeland Security, BSCJ Law Enforcement, AAS in Criminal Justice, MS in Criminal Justice, MSCJ Corrections, MSCJ Global Issues in Criminal Justice, MSCJ Law, BS in Criminal Justice Administration and Management, MS in Homeland Security and Emergency Management, BS in Legal Studies, BS in Paralegal Studies, AAS in Paralegal Studies, MS in Legal Studies, MSLS Education and the Legal System, MSLS Legal System and the Media, BS in Environmental Policy and Management, BS in Public Administration and Policy, AAS in Public Administration, BS in Political Science, Master of Public Administration, MPA Criminal Justice, MPA General MPA
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Programs: AA Criminal Justice, BA Criminal Justice, AA Homeland Security, BA Homeland Security, BA Legal Studies, AA Paralegal Studies
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Programs: BS in Criminal Justice
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Programs: Criminal Justice AAS, Criminal Justice BS
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Programs: Online Masters in Criminal Justice, Post-Master Certificate in CJ with Homeland Security Specializat, Online Homeland Security Certification
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Programs: Master of Business Administration Criminal Justice, AA in Criminal Justice, BA in Criminal Justice, BA in Criminal Justice Criminalistics Specialization, BA in Criminal Justice Homeland Security Specialization, Master of Science in Criminal Justice, Master of Science in Criminal Justice Forensic Science, Master of Social Work Management
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Programs: Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice, Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice Corrections Specializati, Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice Crime Scene Investigatio, Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice Cyber Crime Specializati, Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice Law Enforcement Speciali, Bachelor of Science in Legal Studies, Master of Public Administration, Master of Public Administration Non Profit Specialization, Master of Public Administration Public Policy Specialization, Master of Public Administration Criminial Justice Specialization, Master of Science in Criminal Justice, Master of Science in Criminal Justice Homeland Security Speciali, Master of Science in Criminal Justice Corrections Specialization, Master of Science in Criminal Justice Cyber Crime Specialization
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Programs: MBA Public Administration, Master of Public Administration, Bachelor of Business Administration Legal Studies, BS in CJ Criminal Justice Administration, BS in CJ Computer Security and Forensics, BS in CJ Homeland Security and Emergency Management, BS in CJ Homeland Security Technology, Associate in Arts in Criminal Justice
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Programs: Master of Science in Criminal Justice- Crime Analysis , Master of Science in Criminal Justice- Forensic Psychology, Master of Science in Criminal Justice- Homeland Security Adminis, Master of Science in Criminal Justice- Justice Administration
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Programs: Associates Criminal Justice, Master of Science Administration of Justice and Security, Bachelor of Science in Organizational Security and Management, Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice Administration, Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice Administration Human S
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Programs: Associates Criminal Justice, Associates Paralegal Studies, Bachelors Criminal Justice, Bachelors Paralegal Studies, Masters Criminal Justice, Bachelors Criminal Justice Homeland Security
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Programs: Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice Criminal Justice Managem, Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice Homeland Security, Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice Human Services for Crimi, Master of Public Administration General, Master of Science MS in Forensic Psychology General, Master of Science MS in Forensic Psychology Mental Health Applic, PhD in Human Services Self-Directed Clinical Social Work, PhD in Human Services Self-Directed Criminal Justice, PhD in Public Policy and Administration Mixed-Model General, PhD in Public Policy and Administration Mixed-Model Criminal Jus, PhD in Public Policy and Administration Mixed-Model Public Polic, PhD in Public Policy and Administration Mixed-Model Public Safet, PhD in Public Policy and Administration Course-based General, PhD in Public Policy and Administration Course-based Criminal Ju, PhD in Public Policy and Administration Course-based Homeland Se, PhD in Public Policy and Administration Course-based Law and Pub, PhD in Public Policy and Administration Course-based Public Poli, PhD in Public Policy and Administration Course-based Public Safe, Bachelor of Science BS in Political Science & Public Administrat, Bachelor of Science BS in Criminal Justice Criminal Justice Mana, Bachelor of Science BS in Criminal Justice Homeland Security, Bachelor of Science BS in Criminal Justice Human Services for Cr, Master of Public Administration Homeland Security Policy and Coo, Master of Public Administration Law and Public Policy, PhD in Human Services Course-based Clinical Social Work, PhD in Human Services Course-based Criminal Justice, PhD in Public Policy and Administration Mixed-Model Law and Publ, Master of Science MS in Forensic Psychology Forensic Psychology , Master of Science MS in Forensic Psychology Program Planning & E, Master of Science MS in Forensic Psychology Psychology & Legal S
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Various criminal justice careers in Minnesota show a positive outlook for employment. (The average number of job openings per year is provided by Projections Central). These include:
- Police and Sheriff’s Patrol Officers – 250 openings/year
- Correctional Officers and Jailers – 140 openings/year
- Private Detectives and Investigators – 50 openings/year
- First-line Supervisors of Police and Detectives – 100 openings/year
- Lawyers – 370 openings/year
- Paralegals – 110 openings/year
- Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists – 60 openings/year
If you are interested in becoming a police or sheriff’s officer, check the list of criminal justice schools in Minnesota for law enforcement degree programs. Most police departments prefer candidates to have a minimum of an Associate’s (2-year) Degree. If you would like a career as a correctional or probation officer, consider taking a criminal justice degree in corrections, probations, human services, criminology or another related major. Take an online or campus program to become a paralegal and to lay the foundation down for a law degree, so you can eventually become a successful attorney earning $120,000 or more.
Minnesota boasts both a division of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) in St. Paul and one of Homeland Security’s Special-Agent-in-Charge field offices in Bloomington. To become an ATF Agent, it is a good idea to complete a criminal justice degree in Minnesota with a specialization in law enforcement, homeland security or criminology. To work for Homeland Security, look for information on counterterrorism, intelligence, cyber security and other homeland security degrees among the criminal justice schools in Minnesota.
Additionally, according to Career One Stop, one of Minnesota’s largest employers is SMSC Gaming Enterprise with approximately 4,500 personnel. Along with other positions, the company hires gaming surveillance officers for places like the Mystic Lake Casino. These security professionals keep high traffic gaming areas safe and look for questionable or violent behavior before they get out of hand. If this peaks your interest, you can patrol casino floors and audio-visual security equipment after completing casino security training at one of the criminal justice schools in Minnesota
| Career |
Employment Growth through 2018 |
Current Average Salary |
| Police and Sheriff’s Patrol Officers |
3% |
$53,000-57,000 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers |
4% |
$42,000-46,000 |
| Court Reporters |
6% |
$58,000-68,000 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators |
9% |
$68,000-70,000+ |
| First-line Supervisors of Police and Detectives |
3% |
$75,000-80,000 |
| Private Detectives and Investigators |
19% |
$40,000-43,000 |
| Paralegals and Legal Assistants |
14% |
$50,000-53,000 |
| Lawyers |
5% |
$120,000-130,000+ |
| Emergency Management Specialists |
13% |
$55,000-58,000 |
| Gaming Surveillance Officers and Gaming Investigators |
14% |
$29,000-32,000 |
| Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists |
14% |
$58,000-64,000 |
Sources: Growth Projections projectionscentral.com ~ Salary Range bls.gov
According to the National Institute of Corrections (NIC), Minnesota’s crime rate is 13% lower compared to the national average: its property crime rate is 10% lower and its violent crime rate is 35% lower.
The NIC adds that Minnesota’s number of individuals on probation is 64% higher than the rest of the country. With over 120,000 probationers, this suggests there is a high demand of probation officers and correctional treatment specialists. If you would like to help former inmates successfully re-integrate into society, take a criminal justice degree in Minnesota with a specialization in community corrections, adult or juvenile probation, law enforcement, criminology, human services, social work or another related discipline.
| Facility |
Number of Facilities/Offices |
Number of Inmates |
| Jails |
78 |
7,167 |
| Prisons |
8 |
9,650 |
| Probation/Parole |
31 counties have supervisory agencies; the rest are supervised by the Department of Corrections |
121,446 probationers 5,435 parolees |
Source: www.nicic.gov
