Becoming a Correctional Officer in Minnesota

The Minnesota Department of Corrections is nationally renowned for maintaining secure, humane, and largely non-violent correctional facilities. Through collaboration with lawmakers, communities, staff, and inmates, the state has a long record of efficient care and low rates of recidivism for incarcerated offenders. Given the growth that is occurring at county and state levels, the state has mounted an active recruiting campaign that spans all ten of the state's correctional facilities. Forecasted over the next 10 years, the industry is expected to grow from 4,208 male and female frontline correctional officers to 4,418 officers. In addition to new growth, recruitment efforts will also target vacancies through retirement, career moves and advancements. As part of the state's mandate articulates that it is imperative to provide inmates with educational opportunities, treatment for substance and mental health problems, as well as job training, the nature of the correctional officer role is changing and developing. If you're interested in reading more about this dynamic career opportunity in Minnesota, scroll down for more information.

33
Schools Analyzed
10
Schools Ranked

Top Schools Supporting Careers in Criminal Justice & Corrections

The following rankings are based on student data, published surveys, and other school and career data collected from several sources which include the following government agencies:

Data Sources

  • National Center for Education Statistics (NCES)
  • The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS)

By obtaining our base data set from the above data sources, schools were ranked using the criteria below:

  • Schools with less than 10 total graduates per year were omitted in order to maintain statistical integrity
  • Schools must have at least 1 graduate in the field of criminal justice
  • Only 4-year, 2-year, and technical public and private non-profit schools were included

Schools were sorted in order of the highest percentage of total students graduating with a degree in the field of criminal justice (CIPCODES: 43.0102, 43.0110, 43.0113, 43.0103, 43.0104, 43.0107, 43.0109, 43.0111, 43.0112, 43.0199).

1

Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College

2101 14th St, Cloquet, MN 55720-2342

Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College ranks 1st in our latest rankings with 117 students graduating from programs in criminal justice out of a total 788 students in the 2012-2013 school year.

Ranking Details

  • Percent of Graduates: 14.85%
  • Program Graduates: 117
  • Total Graduates: 788

School Details

  • School Type: Public, 2-year
  • Website: fdltcc.edu
  • School Size: 1,000 - 5,000
2

Alexandria Technical & Community College

1601 Jefferson Streeet, Alexandria, MN 56308

Alexandria Technical & Community College ranks second in our latest rankings with 279 students completing programs in criminal justice out of a total a thousand graduates in the 2012-2013 school year.

Ranking Details

  • Percent of Graduates: 14.72%
  • Program Graduates: 279
  • Total Graduates: 1,896

School Details

  • School Type: Public, 2-year
  • Website: alextech.edu
  • School Size: 1,000 - 5,000
3

Hennepin Technical College

9000 Brooklyn Blvd, Brooklyn Park, MN 55445

Hennepin Technical College ranks 3rd in our rankings with 234 students completing programs in criminal justice out of a total three thousand students in the 2012-2013 school year.

Ranking Details

  • Percent of Graduates: 6.90%
  • Program Graduates: 234
  • Total Graduates: 3,390

School Details

4

Hibbing Community College

1515 E 25th St, Hibbing, MN 55746

Hibbing Community College ranks 4th in our rankings with forty-three students graduating from programs in criminal justice out of a total 730 graduates.

Ranking Details

  • Percent of Graduates: 5.89%
  • Program Graduates: 43
  • Total Graduates: 730

School Details

  • School Type: Public, 2-year
  • Website: hibbing.edu
  • School Size: 1,000 - 5,000
5

Metropolitan State University

700 E Seventh St, Saint Paul, MN 55106-5000

Metropolitan State University ranks 5th in our latest rankings with 237 students completing programs in criminal justice and criminal justice out of a total 4,408 graduates from the 2012-2013 school year.

Ranking Details

  • Percent of Graduates: 5.38%
  • Program Graduates: 237
  • Total Graduates: 4,408
  • Programs:
    • Criminal Justice
    • Police Science

School Details

  • School Type: Public, 4-year
  • Website: metrostate.edu
  • School Size: 5,000 - 10,000
6

Vermilion Community College

1900 E Camp St, Ely, MN 55731

Vermilion Community College ranks 6th in our latest rankings with fifteen students graduating from programs in criminal justice out of a total 346 students from the 2012-2013 school year.

Ranking Details

  • Percent of Graduates: 4.34%
  • Program Graduates: 15
  • Total Graduates: 346

School Details

  • School Type: Public, 2-year
  • Website: vcc.edu
  • School Size: Less than 1,000
7

Inver Hills Community College

2500 80th St E, Inver Grove Heights, MN 55076-3224

Inver Hills Community College ranks seventh in our rankings with 83 students completing programs in criminal justice and criminal justice out of a total 1,938 students.

Ranking Details

  • Percent of Graduates: 4.28%
  • Program Graduates: 83
  • Total Graduates: 1,938
  • Programs:
    • Criminal Justice
    • Police Science

School Details

  • School Type: Public, 2-year
  • Website: inverhills.edu
  • School Size: 5,000 - 10,000
8

Bemidji State University

1500 Birchmont Dr, Bemidji, MN 56601

Bemidji State University ranks 8th in our rankings with seventy-four students completing programs in criminal justice out of a total 2,304 graduates in the 2012-2013 school year.

Ranking Details

  • Percent of Graduates: 3.21%
  • Program Graduates: 74
  • Total Graduates: 2,304

School Details

9

North Hennepin Community College

7411 85th Ave N, Brooklyn Park, MN 55445

North Hennepin Community College ranks ninth in our latest rankings with 89 students completing programs in criminal justice and criminal justice out of a total 2,822 students from the 2012-2013 school year.

Ranking Details

  • Percent of Graduates: 3.15%
  • Program Graduates: 89
  • Total Graduates: 2,822
  • Programs:
    • Criminal Justice
    • Police Science

School Details

  • School Type: Public, 2-year
  • Website: nhcc.edu
  • School Size: 5,000 - 10,000
10

Concordia University-Saint Paul

1282 Concordia Ave, Saint Paul, MN 55104-5494

Concordia University-Saint Paul ranks 10th in our rankings with fifty-three students graduating from programs in criminal justice and law enforcement administration out of a total a thousand students from the 2012-2013 school year.

Ranking Details

  • Percent of Graduates: 2.67%
  • Program Graduates: 53
  • Total Graduates: 1,984
  • Programs:
    • Law Enforcement Administration
    • Criminal Justice

School Details

  • School Type: Private, 4-year
  • Website: csp.edu
  • School Size: 1,000 - 5,000

Continued List of All Criminal Jusitice Programs in Minnesota

ProgramWebsite

Century College

3300 Century Ave N, White Bear Lake, MN 55110
Phone: (651) 770-3200

Minnesota State University-Mankato

South Rd and Ellis Ave, Mankato, MN 56001
Phone: (507) 389-1866

Rochester Community and Technical College

851 30th Ave SE, Rochester, MN 55904-4999
Phone: (507) 285-7210

Minnesota State University-Moorhead

1104 7th Ave S, Moorhead, MN 56563
Phone: (218) 477-4000

Saint Cloud State University

720 Fourth Ave. South, Saint Cloud, MN 56301-4498
Phone: (320) 308-0121

Normandale Community College

9700 France Ave S, Bloomington, MN 55431-4399
Phone: (952) 358-8200

Winona State University

8th and Johnson St, Winona, MN 55987-5838
Phone: (507) 457-5000

Southwest Minnesota State University

1501 State St, Marshall, MN 56258-5468
Phone: (507) 537-7678

Minneapolis Community and Technical College

1501 Hennepin Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55403-1779
Phone: (612) 659-6000

Central Lakes College-Brainerd

501 West College Drive, Brainerd, MN 56401-3900
Phone: (218) 855-8000

Leech Lake Tribal College

6945 Littlewolf Road NW, Cass Lake, MN 56633
Phone: (218) 335-4200

Minnesota State College-Southeast Technical

1250 Homer Rd, Winona, MN 55987
Phone: (507) 453-2700

Saint Mary's University of Minnesota

700 Terrace Heights, Winona, MN 55987-1399
Phone: (507) 457-1600

Riverland Community College

1900 8th Ave NW, Austin, MN 55912-1473
Phone: (507) 433-0600

Northland Community and Technical College

1101 Hwy One East, Thief River Falls, MN 56701
Phone: (218) 683-8800

Hamline University

1536 Hewitt Avenue, Saint Paul, MN 55104-1284
Phone: (651) 523-2800

University of Minnesota-Crookston

2900 University Ave, Crookston, MN 56716-5001
Phone: (800) 862-6466

University of Northwestern-St Paul

3003 Snelling Ave N, Saint Paul, MN 55113-1598
Phone: (651) 631-5100

Minnesota State Community and Technical College

1414 College Way, Fergus Falls, MN 56537-1000
Phone: (218) 736-1500

Ridgewater College

2101 15th Ave NW, Willmar, MN 56201
Phone: (800) 722-1151

Minnesota West Community and Technical College

1593 11th Ave, Granite Falls, MN 56241
Phone: (800) 658-2330

University of St Thomas

2115 Summit Ave, Saint Paul, MN 55105-1078
Phone: (651) 962-5000

St Catherine University

2004 Randolph Ave, Saint Paul, MN 55105
Phone: (651) 690-6000

Minnesota Correctional Officer Certification Requirements

The Department of Corrections in Minnesota requires an ongoing supply of career-minded, professional candidates for the role of Corrections Officer. This challenging position requires that candidates meet or exceed all of the states minimum requirements in order to ensure the safety of themselves, their colleagues, communities, and workplace. The process begins with the standard eligibility requirements for all Minnesota state jobs. Candidates will submit:

  • A complete and accurate application
  • Proof of age (18+ or 21+ depending on facility)
  • No felony convictions
  • Proof of U.S. citizenship
  • Valid Minnesota driver's license
  • Proof of military honorable discharge if applicable
  • High school diploma or GED; further qualifications and work experience an asset
  • No felonies or domestic violence charges

Having met the above eligibility criteria, candidates may prepare themselves for the second tier of rigorous assessments, designed to determine if a candidate is a good match for the role of corrections officer in one of the state penitentiaries or county jails. These assessments are as follows:

  • Physical fitness test
  • Physical medical assessment
  • Mental health assessment
  • Written test of knowledge
  • REACT video test of knowledge
  • Extensive background check

Candidates who have passed the assessments will be offered an opportunity to attend basic correctional officer training wherein the curriculum is designed to teach candidates the policies and procedures of the Minnesota DOC, with an emphasis on a hands-on approach and situational analysis. Only candidates who pass basic training will be considered ready for a position.

Minnesota Department of Corrections

1450 Energy Park Drive, Suite 200
St. Paul, MN
Phone: (651) 361-7200
http://www.doc.state.mn.us/PAGES/

Minnesota Correctional Officer Employment & Outlook

Correctional Officer Salary: Minnesota vs National Salary Comparison

Source: BLS State Cross-Industry Estimates 2011

The state of Minnesota is committed to serve and support correctional facilities in the state by encouraging growth in the field. To this end, the median income for front-line correctional officers throughout the state is somewhat higher at $46,400 than the median national income of $39,800. CareerInfoNet.org has published state and national trends at http://www.careerinfonet.org/occ_rep.asp?next=occ_rep&Level=&optstatus=011000000&jobfam=33&id=1&nodeid=2&soccode=333012&menuMode=&stfips=27&x=48&y=14 which predict that growth in Minnesota at 1% from now until 2022. This predicted rate of growth translates into approximately 140 jobs in the form of newly created openings and existing vacancies over the next decade.

Occupational Employment Statistics for Correctional Officers (http://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes333012.htm)

Minnesota Correctional Officer Salaries By Area

The table below lists career information obtained from the BLS for correctional officers in Minnesota. The table is sorted by total employment, with the largest metropolitan areas listed first.

AreaTotal EmploymentAverage Hourly WageAverage Annual Salary
Minneapolis, St. Paul, Bloomington2,510$23.14$48,140
Duluth340$22.68$47,170
Rochester160$23.35$48,560