Bachelor's in law enforcement programs
Whether you're fresh out of high school or interested in a new career, a bachelor's in law enforcement program can be ideal for those pursuing a career in public safety and policing. Discover admissions requirements, curriculum, and potential career options for bachelor's in law enforcement programs.
Explore online law enforcement programs
Why earn a bachelor's degree in law enforcement?
Expand your career opportunities
Improve your résumé and prepare for higher-ranking positions, including detective and various leadership roles.
Bolster your knowledge and skill sets
Learn new information and hone your critical thinking, communication, and leadership skills.
Pursue your studies on your own schedule
Online coursework can make it easier to juggle the responsibilities of school, work, and home.
Online bachelor's in law enforcement program overview
If you want to jumpstart a law enforcement career, an online bachelor's in law enforcement program can offer the necessary training to open doors. This specialized program focuses on everything from policing to criminal investigations, while a bachelor's in criminal justice program takes a broader approach.
If a hands-on career in policing and public safety sounds like a good fit, an online bachelor's in law enforcement program is likely the route for you. Courses generally focus on law, policing, and community engagement, helping prepare you for numerous law enforcement agencies.
What jobs can you get with a bachelor's degree in law enforcement?
After graduating from an online law enforcement bachelor's degree program, doors open to a sizeable list of careers in public safety and criminal justice. Your earning potential and job growth depend on multiple factors, but geographic location, technical specification, and professional experience can all play a role.
Common careers include police officer, corrections officer, probation officer, detective, and agent for federal entities like the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). Additionally, specialized training often opens up career options in areas like emergency management logistics, cybersecurity, and digital forensics.
Here are some common career paths, with salary and job outlook data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS):
Police officers
These law enforcement professionals work for a municipality, patrol areas, and respond to emergencies. Police officers write detailed reports and often ready cases for court.
- Median annual salary (May 2023): $72,280
- Projected job growth (2023-2033): +4%
Detectives
These law enforcement workers collect facts and evidence for criminal cases. Detectives utilize their expertise while working on serious offenses, including murders, robberies, and financial crimes.
- Median annual salary (May 2023): $91,100
- Projected job growth (2023-2033): +2%
Transit police officers
Whether for shipping hubs, ports, and public transportation stations, transit police officers oversee safety while handling any criminal issues that may occur.
- Median annual salary (May 2023): $72,250
- Projected job growth (2023-2033): +4%
Bachelor's in law enforcement program curriculum
Bachelor's in law enforcement programs seek to provide you with a deep knowledge of the United States criminal justice system while simultaneously helping you hone the skills necessary to jumpstart a career in the field.
What you'll study varies between programs, but you can expect to gain theoretical knowledge and practical skills that will help you handle complex law enforcement situations.
Common courses in the program include:
- Introduction to law enforcement
- Criminology
- Ethical issues in criminal justice
- Introduction to the law
- Cybercrimes
- Introduction to homeland security
- Ethical decisions and police
- Criminal investigation
- Contemporary police strategies
Further education in law enforcement
If you want to enhance your earning potential and competitiveness, a graduate degree or certificate can help.
Graduates from an online bachelor's in law enforcement program commonly pursue further education from graduate programs in criminal justice, law, and homeland security. These programs allow you to hone specialized skills that can potentially lead to leadership roles.
Many graduates often pursue a law degree, as this is a common platform for advanced roles in law enforcement. Additionally, additional training in cybersecurity can open doors to a rapidly growing field.
Admissions requirements for an online bachelor's in law enforcement program
Admissions requirements for your online bachelor's in law enforcement program can vary significantly between programs. Still, these typically include eligibility criteria and academic standards to ensure you're ready to enroll in college-level classes.
Some standard admissions requirements include:
- A high school diploma or GED
- A minimum GPA of 2.5
- Transcripts from your high school and any colleges you've attended
- SAT and ACT scores (if applicable)
- A personal statement
- Letters of recommendation