What do you learn in a bachelors in law enforcement?
Written by: Amanda Phagan, Edited by: Joey Morris
Published: July 25, 2025
A bachelor's degree in law enforcement provides a comprehensive foundation for a career in policing, public safety, or criminal justice.
Discover what you'll learn in a bachelor's in law enforcement program, and find out what requirements you'll need to meet to graduate in our guide.
What you will learn from a bachelor's in law enforcement program
A law enforcement bachelor’s degree program can equip you with the career-critical skills you need to succeed in various policing, corrections, and public safety jobs. Common law enforcement careers include
- Police officer
- Detective
- Corrections officer
- Probation officer
- Federal agent (FBI, DEA, DHS)
Most law enforcement bachelor’s programs cover core curriculum topics, such as:
- Criminal justice foundations
- Legal ethics
- Policing skills
- Investigation protocol
- Cybercrime threats
You may also be able to declare a concentration in a specialized topic like homeland security, digital forensics, crisis management, cybersecurity, or analytics. Many law enforcement bachelor’s programs include real-world training in the form of internships, capstone projects, and simulated fieldwork.
Bachelor's in law enforcement curriculum
Depending on your chosen degree, your core curriculum may vary. Here are a few common courses you may complete:
- Economics of crime: This type of course teaches students how economic factors can influence a person's criminal behavior and how crime can affect the economics of a community.
- Criminal psychology:: This course topic details how psychology influences people's actions, which helps to understand criminal motives.
- Comparative law: This course teaches students how laws and the legal system work across local and international jurisdictions.
Law enforcement specializations and concentrations
What you’ll learn in a bachelor’s in law enforcement depends largely on the specialization or topics you’re most interested in. Consider the following program options:
- Bachelor’s in law enforcement: Best suited for those who want to pursue a general career in public safety or policing; depending on the program, you may be able to specialize in a topic like forensics, crisis management, or homeland security.
- : This degree is best suited for those interested in policing; some programs offer a police academy track that prepares learners for formal police academy training.
- : Best suited for learners interested in counterterrorism, cybercrime, and information security; you may be able to concentrate in an area like criminal investigations, domestic violence, or terrorism studies.
Graduation requirements for a law enforcement bachelor's degree
Law enforcement bachelor's degrees are typically four-year programs that require 120 credit hours. You will need to complete a specific number of general elective credits, which will be quite similar across each degree program, followed by core courses and electives specific to your chosen field of study.
You may need to complete a capstone requirement, which may be a special project or an internship designed to demonstrate your learning. For example, if you choose a degree in criminal justice, you may be asked to complete an internship with your local police department, a federal agency, a victim advocacy organization, or a local court.
Explore bachelor's degrees in law enforcement
Ready to launch your law enforcement career? Whether you’re interested in cybercrime, homeland security, or criminal psychology, a bachelor’s degree in law enforcement can lay the groundwork for a rewarding career. Browse available programs today.