{"id":9859,"date":"2026-04-02T09:22:27","date_gmt":"2026-04-02T14:22:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.winona.edu\/academics\/?page_id=9859"},"modified":"2026-04-02T09:22:29","modified_gmt":"2026-04-02T14:22:29","slug":"police-science","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.winona.edu\/academics\/colleges\/liberal-arts\/sociology-criminal-justice-department\/programs\/police-science\/","title":{"rendered":"Police Science Program"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>The\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/w3.winona.edu\/DataServices\/WSUCatalog\/3352\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/w3.winona.edu\/DataServices\/WSUCatalog\/3352\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Police Science major<\/a>\u00a0teaches students the fundamentals of policing along with specialized knowledge including:\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>investigations<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>patrol operations<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>communications<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>intercultural competence<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>social scientific research<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>This program explores the complexities of the justice system along with important social context.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Students will learn how to make ethical decisions and the impact of policing on individuals, families, and society.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">POST Licensure<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>WSU provides the required courses for graduates to become licensed peace officers in Minnesota. This service is offered with WSU\u2019s accreditation and certification with the&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/mn.gov\/post\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Minnesota Peace Officers Standards and Training Board<\/a> (POST) and the university\u2019s PPOE program.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The selection and standards requirements to become a police officer in Minnesota are among of the highest in the nation.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The core courses in the major follow the learning objectives set by the POST Board and prepare students for the POST licensing exam after the successful completion of skills and the degree.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Transfer Pathways<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>If you have a Criminal Justice Transfer Pathways AS degree, you can earn a bachelor\u2019s degree in Police Science at WSU.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Eligible students must have completed\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.minnstate.edu\/admissions\/transfer\/mntc.html\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.minnstate.edu\/admissions\/transfer\/mntc.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Minnesota Transfer Curriculum<\/a>\u00a0(MnTC).<\/p>\n\n\n\n    <div class=\"panel panel--white\">\n        <div class=\"panel__container\">\n            <div class=\"panel__intro\">\n                            <div class=\"h3\">Experiential Learning<\/div>\n                        <\/div>\n            \n\n<p>The Criminal Justice program believes that students learn best through hands-on experience. Throughout our curriculum, we focus on building students\u2019 skills in communication, decision-making and critical thinking.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>These interactive exercises and assignments will help you be well-prepared for the workforce.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Learning in the Classroom<\/h3>\n\n\n<div class=\"feature-grid feature-grid--light\">\n                <div class=\"feature-block feature-block--33 wsu-block\">            <div class=\"feature-block__content\">\n                <div class=\"feature-block__title\">Forensic Interviewing<\/div>\n                <div class=\"feature-block__description\"><p>We offer training in the methods and practice of interviewing people who have been victims of a crime. <\/p>\n<p>Our course Forensic Interviewing of Children features scenario-based training with mock interviews centered around the most recent forensic interviewing protocols.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n            <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n                <div class=\"feature-block feature-block--33 wsu-block\">            <div class=\"feature-block__content\">\n                <div class=\"feature-block__title\">Verbal De-escalation<\/div>\n                <div class=\"feature-block__description\"><p>Not only will you examine verbal de-escalation practices like Verbal Judo, but also participate in mock verbal de-escalation scenarios. <\/p>\n<p>Verbal de-escalation is an important skill for all criminal justice professionals, and helps you practice communication methods. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n            <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n                <div class=\"feature-block feature-block--33 wsu-block\">            <div class=\"feature-block__content\">\n                <div class=\"feature-block__title\">Report Writing<\/div>\n                <div class=\"feature-block__description\"><p>Writing is one of the most important skills for working in the Criminal Justice field. Our program ensures that students learn the technical writing skills that are necessary for success.<\/p>\n<p>Our program offers training in case summaries, pre-sentence investigations reports, arrest and incident reports, and many other types of writing common to the profession.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n            <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n                <div class=\"feature-block feature-block--33 wsu-block\">            <div class=\"feature-block__content\">\n                <div class=\"feature-block__title\">Data Analysis<\/div>\n                <div class=\"feature-block__description\"><p>The future of criminal justice will be driven by data, which is why we offer our students foundational data analysis skills.<\/p>\n<p>You will learn how to analyze data, conduct research, and use statistical software when making data-driven or evidence-based decisions.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n            <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n                <div class=\"feature-block feature-block--33 wsu-block\">            <div class=\"feature-block__content\">\n                <div class=\"feature-block__title\">Offender Assessments<\/div>\n                <div class=\"feature-block__description\"><p>Our corrections majors learn how to conduct and analyze common assessments like the LSI-R or LCSMI-R. <\/p>\n<p>Students then utilize those assessments to make informed decisions and craft management plans in different scenarios.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n            <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n                <div class=\"feature-block feature-block--33 wsu-block\">            <div class=\"feature-block__content\">\n                <div class=\"feature-block__title\">Mock Interviews<\/div>\n                <div class=\"feature-block__description\"><p>The first step in landing a policing job is to have a successful job interview. <\/p>\n<p>Our Police Science students complete mock interviews during their senior year to help them succeed in their interviews as they enter the field. <\/p>\n<p>The interview panel features former and current police officers to better prepare the student for future interviews.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n            <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Learning Outside of the Classroom<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wsu-block tabs\">\n\n    <div class=\"tabs-nav\">\n        <button class=\"tabs__toggle\" tabindex=\"0\" aria-expanded=\"false\" id=\"tabbed-1\">Internships<\/button>\n<button class=\"tabs__toggle\" tabindex=\"0\" aria-expanded=\"false\" id=\"tabbed-2\">Field Trips<\/button>\n<button class=\"tabs__toggle\" tabindex=\"0\" aria-expanded=\"false\" id=\"tabbed-3\">Internship Fair<\/button>\n    <\/div>\n\n    <div class=\"tabs-content\">\n        <button class=\"tabs__mobile__toggle\">Internships<\/button>\n<div class=\"tabs__content__item\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><div><p>We require every student to complete a semester-long <a href=\"https:\/\/www.winona.edu\/academics\/colleges\/liberal-arts\/sociology-criminal-justice-department\/internships\/\">internship<\/a>\u00a0in:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Corrections<\/li>\n<li>Justice services<\/li>\n<li>Policing<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>The internship allows students to gain supervised, hands-on experience. Internships also allow students to form professional connections that may lead directly to job offers upon graduation.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<button class=\"tabs__mobile__toggle\">Field Trips<\/button>\n<div class=\"tabs__content__item\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><div><p>Our instructors bring students on many exciting field trips.<\/p>\n<p>Criminal justice students have visited the Medical Examiner\u2019s Office at the Mayo Clinic, jails, prisons, courts and more.<\/p>\n<p>Our instructors are always looking for exciting new visits for our students.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<button class=\"tabs__mobile__toggle\">Internship Fair<\/button>\n<div class=\"tabs__content__item\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><div><p>In the fall semester, the Criminal Justice program hosts an internship and career fair at the WSU.<\/p>\n<p>Over 30 organizations and employers attend the fair, and students can meet with these criminal justice professionals to talk about internships and careers.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n    <\/div>\n\n<\/div>\n\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n\n\n\n\n    <div class=\"panel panel--white\">\n        <div class=\"panel__container\">\n            <div class=\"panel__intro\">\n                            <div class=\"h3\">Contact the Sociology &amp; Criminal Justice Department<\/div>\n                        <\/div>\n            \n\n<div class=\"wsu-block grid grid--50\">\n    <div class=\"wsu-block contact-card mb-1\">\n   <div class=\"contact-card__content\">\n       <div class=\"contact-card__title h4\">\n           Department of Sociology &amp; Criminal Justice\n       <\/div>\n       <div class=\"contact-card__subtitle h4\">\n           Minn\u00e9 Hall 228\n       <\/div>\n       <div class=\"contact-card__description\">\n           <p>507.457.5222<\/p>\n\n       <\/div>\n       <a class=\"wsu-link contact-card__link\" href=\"mailto:criminal_justice@winona.edu\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"\">Email the Sociology &amp; Criminal Justice Department <\/a>\n   <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wsu-block contact-card mb-1\">\n   <div class=\"contact-card__content\">\n       <div class=\"contact-card__title h4\">\n           Mark Norman\n       <\/div>\n       <div class=\"contact-card__subtitle h4\">\n           Department Chair, Professor\n       <\/div>\n       <div class=\"contact-card__description\">\n           <p><span data-identifyelement=\"508\">Minn\u00e9 Hall <\/span>133<\/p>\n<p>507.457.5670<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.winona.edu\/academics\/colleges\/liberal-arts\/sociology-criminal-justice-department\/faculty\/mark-norman\/\">Learn more about Dr. Norman<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n       <\/div>\n       <a class=\"wsu-link contact-card__link\" href=\"mailto:mnorman@winona.edu\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"\">Email Mark Norman <\/a>\n   <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wsu-block contact-card mb-1\">\n   <div class=\"contact-card__content\">\n       <div class=\"contact-card__title h4\">\n           Dr. Rafael Narvaez\n       <\/div>\n       <div class=\"contact-card__subtitle h4\">\n           Sociology Program Coordinator, Professor\n       <\/div>\n       <div class=\"contact-card__description\">\n           <p><span data-identifyelement=\"508\">Minn\u00e9 Hall <\/span>223<\/p>\n<p>507.457.5699<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.winona.edu\/academics\/colleges\/liberal-arts\/sociology-criminal-justice-department\/faculty\/rafael-narvaez\/\">Learn more about Rafael Narvaez<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n       <\/div>\n       <a class=\"wsu-link contact-card__link\" href=\"mailto:rnarvaez@winona.edu\" target=\"_self\" title=\"\">Email Dr. Rafael Narvaez<\/a>\n   <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wsu-block contact-card mb-1\">\n   <div class=\"contact-card__content\">\n       <div class=\"contact-card__title h4\">\n           Pattie Thompson\n       <\/div>\n       <div class=\"contact-card__subtitle h4\">\n           Office Manager\n       <\/div>\n       <div class=\"contact-card__description\">\n           <p data-identifyelement=\"507\"><span data-identifyelement=\"508\">Minn\u00e9 Hall 212<\/span><\/p>\n<p data-identifyelement=\"511\"><span data-identifyelement=\"512\">507.457.5418<\/span><\/p>\n\n       <\/div>\n       <a class=\"wsu-link contact-card__link\" href=\"mailto:Pattie.Thompson@winona.edu\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"\">Email Pattie Thompson<\/a>\n   <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>If you are interested in being a police officer, WSU offers a Police Science major to prepare you for the complexities of social justice in law 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