Peace Officer FAQ

Applicants to Hennepin Technical College's Professional Peace Officer Education (PPOE) Program will be notified by email of their admission status approximately 30 days after the application deadline.

How do I know if I am eligible to apply for Hennepin Tech's Law Enforcement Professional Peace Officer Licensing Program?

Before you start the application process, check to see if you meet the minimum admission standards. The admission standards can be found in the following Minimum Selection Standards Advisory form.

When are applications for the Professional Peace Officer Education Program accepted?

Applications are accepted for students to begin the Professional Peace Officer Education Program each Fall and Spring semester; Summer (practical skills offered). A student meeting the application criteria outlined in the Application Checklist may apply if he/she is in the last semester of completing the prerequisite courses.

If you are unsure whether the courses taken at another college meet the prerequisites, contact Hennepin Tech's Law Enforcement program before applying.

• Applications for Fall semester are accepted February 15 to May 1
• Applications for Spring semester are accepted July 15 to October 1.
• Applications for Summer session are accepted December 1 to February 14.

Where do I get an application for the Professional Peace Officer Education Program?

1. The first step of the application process is to apply to Hennepin Technical College online within the application deadlines and submit official college transcripts.

   • The Law Enforcement Certificate major will only be available on the Hennepin Tech online application during the application date ranges.

   • When you apply to Hennepin Tech, you may be asked to activate your StarID. You will use StarID to login to your eServices account, etc.

2. The next step is to submit a program application.

   • The Law Enforcement Program Application consists of a Law Enforcement Program Application eForm a Minimum Selection Standards Advisory Form, Criminal Conviction Advisory Form, and an Admission Preference Certification Form.

   • Applications are available online only when applications are being accepted for a particular semester.

   • Please note: application to the program does not guarantee placement.

Will I need to take a fitness test?

Yes. The Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) Board now requires a fitness test. All Hennepin Tech students are required to pass a physical fitness test during the skills component.

Testing will be conducted on the Concept2 Rower at the 60 percentile according to a person's age, gender and weight. Applicants must row 2000 meters, scoring at or above the minimum 60 percentile on their test in order to pass the fitness test at Hennepin Technical College. The 2000 meter test takes place at the level 5 or damper setting 5 on the flywheel.

For more information please visit the Minnesota State Patrol Fitness Requirements for Trooper Trainees and Recruits webpage and enter your age, gender and weight to view requirements.

Will I need to take the Accuplacer Placement Test?

No. Because Law Enforcement Program applicants must have completed 9 general education prerequisite courses in order to be eligible to apply to the program, the Hennepin Tech Accuplacer Placement Test requirement will be waived when Hennepin Tech receives your official college transcripts.

Can I substitute any prerequisite or Professional Licensing Program courses if I've taken a similar course at another school?

If you are a degree-seeking student from any of the five Minnesota State consortium colleges, you must obtain a waiver of requirement form from your home campus' registrar's office showing the substituted course(s).

If you are a certificate student (non-degree seeking) you must have your transcripts reviewed by the PPOE Coordinator to determine if any of your previous coursework may be substituted for prerequisite and/or Professional Licensing Program courses.

Will Hennepin Tech's Law Enforcement program accept experience in lieu of prerequisite or Professional Peace Officer Education Program courses?

It is possible to obtain credit for material mastered outside of the classroom by successfully completing examinations for certain degree requirement credits. This must be accomplished through your home college by following whatever process they have established. However, credit obtained through experience will not be granted for courses required in the Professional Peace Officer Education Program.

Do I need a conditional offer of employment from a police agency to gain admission to the Professional Peace Officer Education Program?

No. Preference for admission may be given to students who have submitted an Admission Preference Certification Form signed by a chief or sheriff. The qualifications and instructions for submitting that form are included with the Law Enforcement Program application packet.

Must I be working toward or obtain my degree to be eligible to apply for the Professional Peace Officer Education Program?

No. Students may work toward their law enforcement degree from any of the five consortium colleges (Century, Inver Hills, Minneapolis, Normandale, or North Hennepin).

Certificate students, those who already possess an associate or bachelor's degree, no matter what their major, only need to insure they will have the prerequisite coursework completed before admission to the Professional Peace Officer Education Program.

Is Emergency Medical Responder (EMR) required to enter the Professional Peace Officer Education Program?

No, it is not a requirement to enter the program, but proof of completion of an EMSRB approved EMR certification/class is required before the PPOE Coordinator can sign off for the POST Licensing exam. Certification does not have to be current.

What is proof of EMR completion?

Proof can be an official college transcript, or Minnesota EMS Regulatory Board official certification card or E-Card. You can also provide official proof of EMT or Paramedic training.

How and when will I know if I have been accepted into Hennepin Tech's Professional Peace Officer Education Program?

All applicants to the Professional Peace Officer Education (PPOE) Program will be notified of their admission status approximately 1 month after the application deadline.

How much is tuition?

Tuition rates for degree/prerequisite credits is the same as the general tuition. The tuition rate for the Professional Peace Officer Education Program is higher due to the added expense of providing specialized instruction, such as firearms training and simulation exercises.

Students enrolling in the practical, skills-development classes (second semester) will also be required to pay a driving school fee in addition to tuition.

Are there any other expenses involved with attending the Professional Peace Officer Education Program?

Students enrolled in the practical, skills-development courses will be required to wear a class uniform (navy blue BDU pants, gray polo shirt, and navy blue sweatshirt). Students will also be required to purchase defensive tactics uniforms (sweat pants, gym shorts, T-shirt) utility belt and accessories, as well as the class uniform described above. Books, uniforms and equipment will cost approximately $1200 over the two-semester program.

Other expenses include: miscellaneous supplies, and the costs incurred for the medical and psychological evaluations, driving record, and a Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) background check.

Can I receive financial aid?

Student financial aid is available through the Hennepin Technical College Financial Aid Office.

• Hennepin Tech's school code is 010491.

For more information, call the Financial Aid Office at (952) 995-1300, or email: FA@HennepinTech.edu.

Are scholarships available?

A scholarship is a type of aid that does not need to be repaid. Students may apply for scholarships to help with their cost of education. These scholarships are provided by the college or outside contributors to students based on criteria determined by the donor.

For students enrolling in the Professional Licensing Program, download our current list of Law Enforcement Scholarships.

For more detailed information please refer to:

• Department of Education’s Guide to Student Aid
• Minnesota Office of Higher Education’s Get Ready for College

How do I register for classes?

Students who have been admitted to the Professional Peace Officer Education Program will receive registration information after receiving their formal program admission letter.

Will I be required to complete the Hennepin Tech New Student Orientation?

Yes. Students who have been admitted into the Professional Peace Officer Education Program must complete the Hennepin Tech New Student Online Orientation before registering for courses at Hennepin Tech.

How long does it take to complete the Professional Peace Officer Education Program?

For most degree seeking and certificate students the program will take two semesters. Students must take the five theory-based coursed in one semester. Students must complete the six practical, skills-development courses in one semester.

To help facilitate individual student schedules, the academic, theory-based courses are offered in a cohort model, morning (9:00 am to 11:50 am), afternoon (1:00 pm to 3:50 pm), and evening (5:00 pm to 7:50 pm). Students may indicate a preference for a cohort, but are not guaranteed placement.

The practical, skills-development courses are also offered in a cohort model as well. Courses are offered in the morning (8:00 am to 11:50 am), afternoon (1:00 pm to 4:50 pm), and evening (5:30 pm to 9:30 pm).

Theory cohort placement (morning, afternoon, or evening) determines skills cohort placement.

Are summer classes available in the Professional Peace Officer Education Program?

Yes. Hennepin Tech offers the skills-development classes of the Professional Peace Officer Education Program in the summer. Courses are held in an all-day cohort model (8:00 am to 4:50 pm).

Can classes be taken online?

The theory-based courses are currently online (synchronously). The skills-development courses are currently blended/hybrid.

What are Hennepin Tech's Law Enforcement program office hours?

The office is open for business Monday through Friday, 7:30 am to 5:00 pm. The office is closed on official State holidays. Classes, however, often run from 8:00 am to 9:30 pm.

Is there parking available?

There is parking in the front of the Public Safety & Police Science Center building. All students are required to pay a parking fee if they park a vehicle on campus. The fee is $3.53 per credit, and is added to the cost of tuition.

How do I apply for the Minnesota POST Board licensing examination?

The application process to take the Minnesota POST Board peace officer licensing examination is outlined in Minnesota Rules, 6700.0500. You are encouraged to visit the POST Board web site for additional information concerning their rules.

Does Hennepin Tech offer any Minnesota POST Board licensing examination review classes?

Any information concerning Minnesota POST Board licensing examination review classes will be posted on the Law Enforcement home page.

How can I contact a consortium school?

Members of the consortium can be contacted at the following numbers:

• Century College: 651-779-3300
• Inver Hills Community College: 651-450-3000
• Minneapolis Community and Technical College: 612-659-6000
• Normandale Community College: 952-358-8200
• North Hennepin Community College: 763-488-0391

Where is Hennepin Tech's Law Enforcement Program located?

We are located at:

What if I have something in my background that might prohibit me from becoming a police officer?

Please refer to the following POST Board requirements included on the Minimum Standards Advisory Form and Criminal Conviction Advisory Form.

If you have further questions, please call the PPOE Coordinator at 763-657-3700.

What is the difference between a criminal justice studies degree and a law enforcement degree from Hennepin Tech?

The Criminal Justice Studies Associate in Science Degree program prepares students for careers in the criminal justice field, such as corrections, law enforcement, probation and the courts. It offers a broader course of study than the Law Enforcement Associate in Science Degree program.

For Criminal Justice Studies students interested in pursuing POST Board peace officer licensing, the prerequisites courses required for admittance to the Professional Licensing Program will have been completed while they earned their degree.

The Professional Peace Officer Education Program courses taken at Hennepin Tech's Law Enforcement program (theory-based courses and the practicum) are credits earned beyond their degree. The Law Enforcement Associate in Science Degree program is specifically intended to prepare students for law enforcement careers.

Who do I contact if I have more questions about the Professional Peace Officer Education Program?

Call Hennepin Tech's Law Enforcement program at 763-657-3700 or Law.Enforcement@HennepinTech.edu

Does Hennepin Tech offer Law Enforcement Customized Training Services for licensed peace officers?

Yes, call 952-995-1345 or visit the CTS Law Enforcement Program for more information.