Required Police Science Courses

PS302
Demographic Influences on Policing (3 cr.)
This course examines the changing demographics of society and the possible implications for law enforcement. It focuses on effective interaction and communication with diverse populations.

PS303
Application of Rules of Evidence (3 cr.)
This course examines the application of the rules of evidence based on constitutional, statutory and jurisdictional matters. This course is designed to build on the basic skills of the officers. Methods of interviewing and methods of maintaining crime scene integrity are discussed.

PS401
Police Ethics (3 cr.)
This course reviews various ethical philosophies to be used as a foundation for analysis and discussion of current ethical issues facing peace officers. Strategies to deal with these issues, the effect of departmental expectations upon conduct and the impact of officer behavior upon the community are discussed.

PS402
Emerging Technologies of Community Policing (3 cr.)
This course in community policing identifies techniques used for implementing community problem solving strategies. This course is designed to build on the basic skills of the officers. Students develop strategies to identify community problems and the emerging technologies available to address those problems.

PS403
Police Management and Leadership (3 cr.)
This course examines police leadership, police organizations, police management models and organizational designs. It addresses human resource management issues including recruitment, development, motivation and job design.

PS490
Police Science Capstone (3 cr.)
Prerequisite: All other requirements of the Police Science Program
This course integrates knowledge, skills and tools developed in previous courses and provides an opportunity to apply them to a selected topic. Each student selects an issue currently confronting law enforcement professionals, clearly defines the question using appropriate references and resources, and creates a proposal which addresses the question. The proposal must be suitable for formal presentation to police administrators or a professional organization and the student presents the proposal to classmates.

MG301
Accounting I (3 cr.)
This course is an introduction to financial accounting and accepted accounting principles. Topics include accounting terminology, financial statements and transactions, the accounting cycle, and record keeping.

MG305
Managerial Ethics (3 cr.)
This course seeks to expose students to the important moral issues that arise in various organizational contexts; to provide students with an understanding of the social, political, and economic environments within which those problems occur; to introduce students to the ethical concepts that are relevant for resolving those moral dilemmas; and, to assist students in developing necessary reasoning skills.

MG307
Leadership and Decision Making (3 cr.)
This course presents, examines, and seeks to apply a broad survey of theory and research on leadership and decision making. The course critiques classical and scientific management perspectives, assesses the human relations movement, and considers contemporary theories and practices of leadership and decision making such as contingency views and social systems theories.

MG340
Personnel Management (3 cr.)
This overview course examines the variety of personnel functions performed in organizations. It includes planning, job analysis and design, job description, recruiting and hiring, training, performance management, regulation, evaluation, benefits, and labor law.

MG401
Principles of Management (3 cr.)
This course stresses management functions as an integral part of the business organization. Attention is given to management, organization, communication, decision making, coordination, and supervision. Behavioral and quantitative perspectives are presented.

MG405
Organizational Culture and Change (3 cr.)
This course endeavors to help students gain a broad-based understanding of the nature and function of organizations. It is based on the idea that skilled leaders and managers develop a knack for reading situations with multiple scenarios in mind. In turn, ways of dealing with change are forged out of expanded and even disparate views of organizations.

MG406
Marketing Management (3 cr.)
Both market research and planning are included in this course. Emphasis is on managing the marketing function. Students create a marketing plan and learn how to implement it.

MG407
Financial Management (3 cr.)
The focus of this course is on understanding financial issues such as acquisition, asset and liability management, and cash flow budgeting. Students analyze typical financial problems and methods to address them.

MG408
Project Management (3 cr.)
This course emphasizes leadership concepts related to project management. Students learn the skills and procedures needed to take a project from definition through completion.

MG410
Applied Statistics (3 cr.)
Prerequisite: College Algebra
This course presents the theory and procedures of data analysis. Students are taught basic measurement principles, measures of central tendency and dispersion, simple probability, data display, and an overview of statistical inference.

MG415
Total Quality and Team Development (3 cr.)
The movement toward total quality or continuous improvement is the focus of this course. It reviews the phenomenon of quality, key theories and theorists, statistical process control and briefly touches on ISO9000. Because one of the key components of quality is team development, special emphasis is placed on assisting the student in effective team management.

MG417
Information Systems (3 cr.)
This course examines information systems and related management techniques. The course provides an introduction to the role of computer systems in the flow of organizational information. The planning involved in the information flow is presented with concepts such as analysis, development, design, implementation and maintenance of information and computer systems. A basic knowledge of computer systems is expected prior to enrollment.

MG418
Strategic Management (3 cr.)
This course emphasizes short- and long-term planning that is vital to a healthy, changing organization. Topics include plan development, policy formulation, implementation, and evaluation.

MG420
The Future of Organizations (3 cr.)
This course examines several suggestions concerning how our future work will play out in organizational settings. It examines topical issues such as size, complexity, mission, boundaries, leadership, communication, and values. Moreover, it considers what actions might be taken to address these issues in a contemporary context.

MG440
Collective Bargaining and Labor Relations (3 cr.)
Basic labor theory and collective bargaining are taught as viewed by labor, management, government, and public institutions. Also included are the formation, substance, and administration of a labor agreement, current labor law, and the role of the National Labor Relations Board.

MG445
Entrepreneurship (3 cr.)
Students are taught the conception, initiation, and management of new business ventures including the identification of need, problems, risks, and opportunities. The ethics of innovation are stressed.

MG446
Occupational Safety and Loss Control (3 cr.)
This course presents an overview of occupational accident prevention programs such as risk management, loss control, techniques of measurement, cost of accidents, location effects, identification of accident sources, and problems of selective corrective action. Also presented is an introduction to the federal Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 on operations, systematic self inspection, and compliance procedures. The societal responsibility toward a safe work place is stressed.

Communications Courses

CM309
Professional Writing (3 cr.) required
This writing course provides strategies for developing a clear, concise writing style. Students organize, write, and edit a variety of material pertinent to professional situations.

CM310
Oral Communications (3 cr.) required
Communication skills pertinent to organizational settings form the foundation of this course. Students practice a methodology for speech design and delivery, interpersonal communication skills, networking skills, and effective meeting strategies.

CM312
Computer Applications (3 cr.)
This course introduces students to computer technology and its applications for managers. It requires no previous experience with microcomputers and includes an introduction to both hardware and software.

CM409
Technical Writing (3 cr.)
This course deals with expository writing for a select audience. Students learn documenting techniques and will analyze and interpret scientific data for written briefs, reports, proposals and other technical communication pieces.

Police Science Elective Courses

PS306
Police Officer Wellness (2 cr.)
This course is designed to foster individual wellness through examining the effect of work environment upon officers. It examines Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and strategies for creating a sense of well-being.

PS310
Introduction to Geographical Information Systems (G.I.S.) (3 cr.)
This course introduces the basic concepts of geographical informational systems, including purpose, hardware, software and applications to the law enforcement community.

PS404
Juvenile Justice (2 cr.)
This course examines the impact of juvenile crime, juvenile rights, the processing of juvenile arrests, juvenile crimes that may be prosecuted as adult crimes, investigative techniques and access to advocacy groups.

PS405
Violence as a Culture (3 cr.)
This course examines the historical perspectives of violence, causes of violence, why violence is perpetuated in many environments and how it impacts society.

PS406
Property Crimes (3 cr.)
This course examines the impact of white collar crime, tax evasion, identity theft and other non-violent crimes. Methods of investigation, preventative techniques and access to advocacy groups will be discussed.

PS409
Violent Crimes Against the Person (2 cr.)
This course focuses on serial criminals, homicide, criminal sexual assault and other violent crimes. Methods of investigation, preventative techniques and access to advocacy groups are discussed.

PS411
Crimes Against the Family (2 cr.)
This course focuses on child sex abuse, child pornography, family abuse and family violence. Methods of investigation, preventative techniques and access to advocacy groups are discussed.

PS415
Special Investigations (3 cr.)
This course focuses on organized crime, gang activity, cyber crime and terrorism. Methods of investigation and preventative techniques are discussed.

PS420
Peace Officer Bill of Rights (2 cr.)
This course examines Minnesota Statute 626.89 and compares it to similar statutes. Topics include anti-quota laws, officer liability, use of force, high-speed pursuits and other areas that provide constant scrutiny of officer conduct.

PS421
Supervision (3 cr.)
This course examines first line supervision responsibilities such as scheduling, daily operations, coaching, training, performance issues, discipline, employee development and mentoring. It addresses the transition from police officer to supervisor and ethical situations involved in supervision.