What is a Law Enforcement Bachelor Degree?
A Bachelor's degree in law enforcement prepares students for work within the nation's police force, be it at the county, state, or federal level, serving as the natural starting point for those interested in pursuing a career as a police officer. Students will learn about the duties of law enforcement officers, conflict resolution, criminal prosecution, and general administration of police precincts. Police officers occupy a key role in community relationships, law enforcement, and the courts, and a bachelor's degree in law enforcement will equip students with the tools necessary to effectively and fairly uphold the law. Students will learn about the central mission of law enforcement officials, as key figures in a community's betterment, whose aim is to improve quality of life and share civic duties. Furthermore, a degree in this field will prepare students with knowledge in criminology, crime scene investigation, and research methods. Due to the nature of the profession, the degree's contents and the workforce's requirements will vary to fit the specific needs and legislation of different geographic locations.
The Best Bachelor Degree Programs in Law Enforcement
| School | Tuition* | Acceptance Rate | Graduation Rate | Financial Aid % | Placement Services | Career Services | Accepts | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | CUNY John Jay College of Criminal Justice | $7470 | 41% | 52% | 85% | Yes | Yes | AP Credits |
| 2 | SUNY College of Technology at Canton | $8650 | 85% | 47% | 95% | Yes | Yes | AP / NCCRS Credits |
| 3 | University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus | $9335 | 67% | 52% | 82% | Yes | Yes | AP Credits |
| 4 | Western Illinois University | $12940 | 57% | 51% | 88% | Yes | Yes | AP / ACE / NCCRS Credits |
| 5 | University of Mississippi | $8828 | 88% | 66% | 86% | Yes | Yes | AP Credits |
| 6 | Tiffin University | $26110 | 69% | 39% | 100% | Yes | Yes | AP / ACE Credits |
| 7 | University of New Haven | $40440 | 83% | 62% | 99% | Yes | Yes | AP Credits |
| 8 | Ferris State University | $12376 | 87% | 47% | 95% | Yes | Yes | AP Credits |
| 9 | Southwest Minnesota State University | $8874 | 64% | 50% | 97% | Yes | Yes | AP Credits |
| 10 | Unity College | $30000 | 98% | 58% | 100% | Yes | Yes | AP Credits |
| 11 | Southwestern Oklahoma State University | $7695 | 91% | 35% | 93% | Yes | Yes | AP / NCCRS Credits |
| 12 | South Dakota State University | $9114 | 90% | 56% | 93% | Yes | Yes | AP Credits |
| 13 | Washburn University | $8704 | No Available Data (2019-2020) | 46% | 92% | Yes | Yes | AP Credits |
| 14 | Eastern Kentucky University | $9876 | 94% | 45% | 98% | Yes | Yes | AP Credits |
| 15 | University of Central Oklahoma | $7753 | 84% | 36% | 91% | Yes | Yes | AP / NCCRS Credits |
| 16 | East Central University | $7052 | 59% | 37% | 88% | Yes | Yes | AP / ACE Credits |
| 17 | Regent University | $18620 | 86% | 57% | 99% | Yes | Yes | AP / NCCRS Credits |
| 18 | The College of Saint Rose | $33386 | 87% | 61% | 100% | Yes | Yes | AP / NCCRS Credits |
To get a more in-depth look at our school ranking methodology, please visit our ranking methodology page.
Tuition information is based on published tuition and required fees, per data by the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES).
Law Enforcement Bachelor's Degree Concentrations
Law enforcement encompasses a broad spectrum of duties, jurisdictions, and challenges. Students can choose to specialize in different branches of law enforcement's many services. Most bachelor's degrees will offer the opportunity to begin a specialization while still studying. Some examples of specializations include:
- Police Management and Operations
- Crime Scene Investigative Sciences
- Crime Intelligence
- Community outreach and conflict resolution
- Fiscal Crimes Investigation
Curriculum for a Bachelor's Degree in Law Enforcement
Before enrolling in a particular law enforcement degree, check with your desired university for more specific information on the required curriculum. Some institutions offer a more vocational and technical approach, usually focusing on police work, and are best suited for those interested in becoming police officers themselves. Others center around policy and criminal law. Degree curriculum may involve:
- Criminal Law: Courses focused on criminal law provide students with an understanding of the legal definitions of crime, intent, and punishment. They contextualize crime within the court system and allow students to better grasp the relationship between law enforcement officers and prosecutors.
- Police Systems and Practices: Students come to understand not only the extent of a police officer's role as they exercise their powers and fulfill their duties, but their standing within a wider system. Namely, police precincts and the communities they serve.
- Ethics in Criminal Law: Courses with a substantive ethics core analyze the role that ethical considerations play in a law enforcement officer's work. They seek to instill a profound notion of justice, truth, and fairness within every aspect of a police officer's duties.
A list of free online law enforcement courses can be found here.
How Long Does It Take to Get a Bachelor's in Law Enforcement?
Similar to most bachelor's degrees, a law enforcement degree typically requires four years of coursework. However, additional training provided by police departments will vary in length based on geographic setting and the concentration of choice. Some colleges or universities offer students the chance to experience work on the ground through internship programs at the appropriate state or county police force. This internship experience is typically designed to last a year and may be optional, depending on the where you decide to apply for your bachelor's degree.
How to Choose a Law Enforcement School & Bachelor's Program
The first thing to consider when applying for a bachelor's degree in law enforcement is location. After all, the courses studied within those programs closely relate to each state's legislature and may require out-of-state transfer students to take extra courses to fill in some of the gaps. A lot of college programs in this area offer students the chance to partake in internships while studying. Most of these internships take place at local police departments and other law enforcement agencies.
Another important factor is the branch of law enforcement one is most interested in. After all, law enforcement's purview is wide and can be translated into a variety of careers. For example, fish and game wardens - considered a part of the federal law enforcement body - will often combine a law enforcement major with a minor in a relevant field such as biology or conservation. Federal agents who tackle white collar crimes will combine studies in criminal justice with accounting. Choose a college or university than can best allow you to explore your desired route within law enforcement.
Accreditation for Bachelor's in Law Enforcement Degrees
To be eligible for work within a certain state's police force, be sure to review the individual degree's accreditation status with the state's law enforcement education and training certification body. This ensures that the degree you will receive is compatible with a given police department or agency's requirements. Most college programs regarding law enforcement will study the given state's law. Transferring from one state to another to work may entail further training.
Some police departments and law enforcement agencies participate to be accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc. in order to earn the distinction of being certified as efficient, responsible, and transparent bodies. Should they be accredited, their requirements for potential candidates could be different and perhaps more specialized.
Law Enforcement Licensure and Certification
All police departments will require that a candidate successfully pass a specialized training prior to becoming a licensed police officer. The specifics of that training will vary slightly depending on the precinct. After all, the needs of a community will vary greatly depending on its setting; a precinct in a dense, urban neighborhood will be very different from a rural county. Some precincts are home to a diverse population and may favor police officers who can speak two languages and therefore, better serve their communities. More detailed information on police academy training can be found here.
Certificates in Law Enforcement
Some of the concentrations in which a law enforcement official could seek certification include:
- Threat management
- Community outreach
- Juvenile criminal law
- Cybersecurity and cyber-crimes
- Tax law
- Criminal prosecution
Each government agency will require officers to stay up to date with the latest procedures.
Given the breadth of work law enforcement entails, different concentrations and levels of jurisdiction will require additional and more specific certification. To become a federal agent, for example, an applicant will receive further training at federal facilities. For higher levels of command, a master's degree in an area relevant to the specific agency is often expected.
What Can I Do with a Bachelor's Degree in Law Enforcement?
More often than not, a bachelor's degree in law enforcement is channeled into a career in the nation's police force. This branch of law enforcement spans all levels of government, from county police departments to federal agencies. There are many specific professions under the umbrella of law enforcement, from tax fraud investigation all the way to police dog training. The following are some of the career paths that become available to someone who has received a degree in law enforcement.
- Police Patrol Officer: This area of law enforcement occurs at the local level, where individuals work with police departments at the county or state level. Their duties usually involve responding to emergency calls, and ensuring the safety of communities around the country.
- Detectives: A detective works at a police department and collects evidence, carries out investigations, and corroborates information pertinent to pending criminal cases. They work closely with prosecution officials to ensure the legal and just resolution of criminal cases.
- Federal Agents: While a police officer's jurisdiction and area of interest is limited to the state or county they work in, a federal agent (often working at the Federal Bureau of Investigation) has a wider view. They deal with crimes that violate federal law, those that cross state lines, or any that involve specially designated crimes or considerable sums of money, such as tax fraud.
How to Become a Police Officer
The specific path to becoming a police officer will vary according to geographic location. In general, however, most police departments require applicants have a completed high school diploma. A bachelor's degree in law enforcement can be a substantial boost, helping candidates gain a deeper understanding of a police officer's role. For further information, read How to Become a Police Officer, detailing the steps required should you be interested in this career.
The median salary for a police officer will vary according to the level of government in which they serve. In 2019, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, a police officer working in local government earned an annual salary of $63,410, while law enforcement in state government earned $68,610, and federal law enforcement earned $88,060. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics also states that the percent change in employment for police officers is projected to increase by 5% between 2019 and 2029.
How to Become a Detective
A detective is usually a police officer who, through on the ground experience, has been promoted. Therefore, the path to becoming a detective follows a police officer's path closely, with additional years of experience. Most precincts will require further training and certification to promote a candidate to detective. As it requires a deeper understanding of the law as well as a different set of skills, it is not uncommon for police departments to expect detectives to have more advanced college degrees. The median pay for detectives reflects a higher degree of specialization; according to the BLS the nationwide median income for detectives lies at $83,170, with added pay and benefits for those with relevant college degrees and certification. Read Become a Police Detective for additional information on how to pursue becoming a detective.
Professional Organizations in Law Enforcement
Law enforcement is a robustly represented profession, with a wide variety of professional organizations at the local, state, and federal levels. Some examples include:
- National Association of Police Organizations: On of the largest police organizations in the country, the NAPO represents over 241,000 law enforcement officers in chapters throughout the country. They represent policemen and women's interests through political action and advocacy. Joining offers members special discounts and pension benefits.
- Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association: The FLEOA is a nonprofit organization that brings together over 26,000 federal law enforcement agents from around the country. Apart from representing agents' interests in several legislative committees, they provide legal advice, discounts, scholarships, and networking opportunities.
- Women in Federal Law Enforcement: WIFLE is a nonprofit organization devoted to advocating for women in law enforcement organs across the country and ensuring equal representation in the workforce. They offer women leadership training programs, grant scholarships, and organize events to increase women's visibility in the profession.
What Other Kinds of Law Enforcement Degrees Are There?
Associate's Degrees in Law Enforcement
An associate's degree in law enforcement will typically center around the technical aspects of police work. Such a program is best suited for those interested in pursuing a career as correctional officers, transit police officers, security guards, among others. An associate degree will last around two years and can be obtained at a local community college. Students will be prepared for an entry-level position in law enforcement agencies, usually at the local level.
Master's Degrees in Law Enforcement
As you look to advance your career within law enforcement bodies around the country, a master's degree in fields such as Criminal Justice offer an opportunity to delve deeper into the law and criminal prosecution. Many such programs offer students insights into advanced investigation methods, the legal framework of case law, crime prevention and prediction, and such. Students applying for a master's degree are commonly interested in managerial positions within law enforcement agencies. To apply for one, proof of completion of a prior bachelor's degree is required. Some programs may require you to perform specialized research and write a final thesis.
Doctoral Degrees in Law Enforcement
A PhD in law enforcement typically centers around criminal justice and criminology. Its focus may be a legal one, pushing students to explore the philosophy of law, its applications, and the ethics of police work. Other programs revolve around advanced criminology techniques, using statistical models for crime prediction, specialized crime scene investigation, and other more technical branches of law enforcement. As with any doctoral degree, these involve a significant time investment for research, as students prepare a dissertation as their final work. To be eligible for admission into a law enforcement doctoral degree, a student must have completed a master's degree in a related field in an accredited school.
Financial Aid and Scholarship Information for Bachelor's in Law Enforcement Degrees
A useful resource when looking for what financial aid is available to you for studying law enforcement is the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Be sure to review and complete the online application to find which programs are available to you.
The following are some organizations that offer scholarships for those interested in a career within law enforcement agencies. Check with your college of choice for any other available scholarships; many are granted by local outreach groups and police departments.
- WIFLE Annual Scholarship: The Women in Federal Law Enforcement organization grants a promising student with funds to pursue a career in the nation's police force. Review the full application requirements at the official WIFLE website
- NOBLE: The National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives has chapters all around the country, where community outreach programs seek to diversify the police force's members by granting young students of African American descent with scholarships to jump-start their careers. Scholarship opportunities are continuously being posted on NOBLE's website.
