Criminal Justice Degrees Overview in Minnesota
Graduates of criminal justice colleges in Minnesota can find various promising career paths in law enforcement, the court system, and corrections. Criminal justice professionals can work in both the public and private sectors.
Depending on the career and specific role you choose, you may need an associate degree or bachelor’s degree in criminal justice. Some professionals, like attorneys, must possess a graduate degree or professional training.
How Minnesota Compares to Criminal Justice Nationally
Minnesota offers many criminal justice career paths for graduates. What you qualify for varies depending on your level of education, previous experience, and area of specialization.
Some of these roles earn better salaries than the national average, while others earn less. For example, bailiffs in Minnesota earn less than the national average, but correctional officers and jailers earn more than the national average.
Compare salaries for more criminal justice careers in Minnesota using the table below.
| Career | National Average Salary (2022) | Minnesota Average Salary (2022) |
|---|---|---|
| Bailiffs | $54,680 | $48,280 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $54,760 | $55,650 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $91,610 | $82,410 |
| Forensic Science Technicians | $69,260 | $76,890 |
| Paralegals and Legal Assistants | $62,840 | $63,450 |
| Police and Sheriff’s Patrol Officers | $71,380 | $76,420 |
| Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists | $64,920 | $74,630 |
| Security Guards | $36,700 | $38,140 |
Featured Online Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
Where to Go After Criminal Justice School in Minnesota
After you graduate with a criminal justice degree in Minnesota, you can start looking for jobs. Explore our list of potential employers for criminal justice graduates in the state. The type of education and experience you need to work at these employers varies.
Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP
The largest law firm in Minnesota, this organization employs legal assistants, paralegals, lawyers, and other people involved in the legal system.
Federal Bureau of Prisons
Minnesota is home to several federal prisons where criminal justice professionals like correctional officers and prison guards can find jobs.
Frederickson
One of the biggest law firms in Minnesota, Frederickson hires attorneys, paralegals, law students, and support staff.
Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office
Hennepin County includes Minneapolis. The Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office hires criminal justice professionals to work in peace officer and civilian roles including 911 dispatch, forensic science, background investigations, and inmate transport.
Internal Revenue Service
The IRS has offices in Minnesota that hire criminal justice grads for roles like criminal investigator.
Mall of America
The Mall of America in Bloomington, Minnesota, hires for various crime prevention and security-related positions.
Minnesota Department of Corrections
The Minnesota Department of Corrections offers many opportunities for criminal justice professionals throughout the state, including openings for trainee corrections officers, corrections officers I and 2, sergeants, and wardens.
Minnesota Department of Public Safety
The Minnesota Department of Public Safety advertises hundreds of law enforcement and regulatory jobs each year in law.
Professional Resources for Criminal Justice in Minnesota
Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences
Founded in 1963, ACJS is an international group dedicated to advancing scholarly work and the profession of criminal justice. The membership organization puts on an annual meeting, collects job postings, and releases publications.
American Correctional Association
Corrections practitioners can join ACA to get professional development and training opportunities, debate current issues in the field, and get discounts on publications and events. The group offers a discounted student membership rate.
American Society of Criminology
This international membership organization focuses on the study and profession of criminology. Members can serve on committees, attend an annual meeting, access a career center, and receive two regular publications.
CorrectionsUSA
A membership organization for the corrections community, CorrectionsUSA represents more than 80,000 correctional officers employed at public correctional facilities across the country.
Department of Homeland Security Student Opportunities and Programs
Criminal justice majors can explore scholarships, internships, and other training opportunities related to national security available through the Department of Homeland Security.
Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association
Federal law enforcement officers can join FLEOA to get access to legal representation, member discounts, scholarships, and networking opportunities through local chapters. The organization does legislative work on behalf of the profession.
Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension
A division of the Minnesota Department of Public Safety, the BCA offers specialized law enforcement services, including criminal justice training.
Minnesota Crime Victim Rights
This reference guide for criminal justice professionals and agencies outlines Minnesota statutes related to victim rights. The guide helps professionals and agencies comply with their legal obligations to victims.
Minnesota Justice Research Center
This criminal justice reform organization works on policy development and research and education projects to make the justice system more equitable.
Minnesota Public Criminal History Search
Students and criminal justice professionals can use this free service from the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension and the Minnesota Department of Public Safety to search for public criminal history records.
National Criminal Justice Association
The NCJA helps criminal justice agencies develop good criminal justice policies. Members work in all segments of the justice system and include corrections, law enforcement, courts, and elected officials.
Robina Institute of Criminal Law and Criminal Justice
Housed at the University of Minnesota, this institute focuses on nonpartisan criminal justice research. Its areas of expertise include probation and parole supervision, juvenile justice, and sentencing law and policy.
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