what are the course you whaen doing your degree in law enforcement

by Dr. Samson Gottlieb II 6 min read

  1. Criminal Justice. Criminal justice is one of the best degree options for people in law enforcement because it directly addresses relevant topics.
  2. Psychology. A degree in psychology can give you an understanding of the feelings, behaviors, and thought processes that lead to criminal activity.
  3. Law. A background in law is in high demand throughout the law enforcement field. Many law enforcement agencies struggle to attract sufficient talent with a background in criminal law.
  4. Forensics. Forensics is one of the main responsibilities that law enforcement agencies are responsible for. ...
  5. Computer Science. Computer science is becoming increasingly important in the law enforcement field. ...
  6. Cyber Security. Cyber security is becoming a popular degree for people who want to get involved in law enforcement. ...
  7. Accounting. Accounting is an important competency that law enforcement agencies have depended on for thousands of years.
  8. Public Safety. Public safety teaches you the skills needed to help governments prepare for disasters and develop effective recovery plans.
  9. Homeland Security. Homeland security is a growing field because of the broad range of domestic threats that modern society faces.
  10. Political Science. Political science is a great option for starting a career in law enforcement because the field is ultimately dependent on the political environment.

What are the best majors for law enforcement?

  • Criminal Justice. A large portion of the core curriculum for criminal justice programs is the study and enforcement of criminal law.
  • Homeland Security. Homeland security majors are provided with a variety of law enforcement courses to prepare them for several different career paths in this field.
  • Cyber Forensics. ...

What can you do with a law enforcement degree?

  • Important Facts About Law Enforcement Degree Career Prospects
  • Security Guard. Security guards protect property and individuals from theft, damage or other illegal activity. ...
  • Gaming Surveillance Officer. ...
  • Police Officers. ...
  • Detective and Private Investigators. ...
  • Correctional Officers. ...
  • Fish and Game Wardens. ...

What jobs can you get with a law enforcement degree?

Career Guide: Jobs That Don’t Require a Degree

  • Computer Programmer. ...
  • Finance & Accounting Manager. ...
  • Graphic Designer. ...
  • Medical Transcriptionist. ...
  • Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) Working as a physical therapist assistant is a job you can get without a degree. ...
  • Project Coordinator. ...
  • Quantity Surveyor. ...
  • Social Worker. ...
  • Social media manager. ...
  • Senior Software Engineer. ...

What colleges offer law enforcement?

Colleges That Offer Courses on Law Enforcement

  • Hennepin Technical College. The Law Enforcement Certificate program at Hennepin Technical College is accredited by the Minnesota Board of Peace Officer Standards and Training and is committed to providing students ...
  • Wilson Community College. ...
  • Northwestern Michigan College. ...
  • Erie Community College. ...

1. Psychology

Psychology is a good choice because it involves many areas of study including human behavior, social behaviors, and the root causes of crime. If you have a Bachelor’s degree in psychology, you will be well on your way to a rewarding career in the criminal justice field.

2. Sociology

The relationship between sociology and law enforcement is not always a simple one.

3. Criminology

It’s no wonder that Criminology is one of the most sought-after degrees for students seeking to pursue a career in law enforcement. This is a common avenue for police officers, detectives, enforcement agents, and more.

4. Criminal Justice as a Law Enforcement Degree

Similar to seeking a degree in Criminology, a degree in criminal justice can also be a helpful stepping stone to reach the next level in your career. Rather than trying to understand the motivations and behavior of criminals, criminal justice is a broader concentration which covers the multiple facets of this field.

5. Foreign Language Degrees

With America being the melting pot that it is, the number of communities with large populations of minorities continues to grow exponentially every day. Police have the challenging task of not only upholding the law, but they must also delicately balance how they interact with their communities. The U.S.

6. Law Enforcement Degree In Public Safety Leadership

Another valid degree to consider is one in law enforcement and public safety leadership. This type of degree is relatively new since it was crafted for those seeking to be stronger leaders in their field. It’s not offered by very many universities, which does impact how affordable obtaining said degree will be, but it can still advance your career.

8. Computer Science

The criminals of today are always advancing their methods, and so law enforcement has to adapt. Computer science and overall cybersecurity coursework will give police officers a set of skills to help them advance their careers.

Why is political science important for law enforcement?

Political science is a great option for starting a career in law enforcement because the field is ultimately dependent on the political environment. When new laws are passed, law enforcement agencies must understand how to respond effectively and to enforce the new legislation.

What is forensics in law enforcement?

Forensics is one of the main responsibilities that law enforcement agencies are responsible for. In order to prosecute a crime, investigators have to use forensics to prove that a crime was committed. Law enforcement agencies are, therefore, highly dependent on people who have a background in forensics.

Why do people get a psychology degree?

People who graduate with psychology degrees are in high demand in the law enforcement field because they can help law enforcement agencies to understand why crime occurs in the first place. When the psychology of criminals can be understood, law enforcement agencies can take preemptive actions to prevent crimes from occurring while minimizing their consequences.

What can a criminal psychologist do?

Many criminal psychologists are also able to work in a consulting capacity for law enforcement agencies or for the private sector.

What are the challenges that law enforcement faces?

One of the biggest challenges that law enforcement agencies face is understanding whether they can prosecute certain types of activities. If you have a background in law, you can help your law enforcement agency to make good decisions that will help to provide more justice to your community.

Why is it important to have a background in law?

In fact, with a background in law, you will be an important addition to almost any law enforcement team. The fields of law enforcement and law are highly compatible, so you can also leverage your background in law enforcement to achieve further advancement by assisting private law practices.

Why is criminal justice important?

Criminal justice is one of the best degree options for people in law enforcement because it directly addresses relevant topics. When you get a degree in criminal justice, your studies will almost exclusively focus on topics that you will use on a daily basis as a law enforcement officer.

Undergraduate Degrees Lay the Foundation

While it’s not impossible to snag a law enforcement job without a college degree — only 30.2% of the country’s police officers hold a four-year degree — more education does improve job prospects. With that in mind, which are the best degrees for law enforcement at an undergraduate level?

Graduate Degrees Help Build a Career That Lasts

Climbing the career ladder in law enforcement, as in many professions, sometimes requires education or training beyond a bachelor’s degree.

National University Makes it Easy to Obtain a Degree for Your Law Enforcement Career

At National University, we want nothing to stand in your way of getting the degree you want. We offer programs at over 20 campuses across California and Nevada, with convenient online degree options that allow you to work at your own pace for most of our programs.

Law Enforcement Officer Education Requirements And Degrees

There are several education requirements to become a law enforcement officer. Law enforcement officers usually study criminal justice, law enforcement or business. 47% of law enforcement officers hold a bachelor's degree and 26% hold a associate degree.

10 Best Universities For Law Enforcement Officers

In a lot of cases, a higher education can mean a higher salary or even a better job. That's why we found out the best colleges for law enforcement officers. We based this list on these metrics: admissions rate, retention rate, mean earnings of students working, ratio of working vs.

19 Best Online Courses for Law Enforcement Officers

Sometimes things are just better when you get to stay in your pajamas all day. That includes school. We found top courses for law enforcement officers from Udemy, Coursera, EDX, and ed2go that will help you advance in your career. Here are essential skills you need to be a law enforcement officer:

Best Law Enforcement Officer Certifications in 2021

The IACA is committed to developing and administering a comprehensive training and credentialing program to provide analysts, as well as departments, both the framework for excellence and the mechanism for achieving it.

How long does it take to get a law enforcement degree?

Most bachelor's in law enforcement programs take four years to complete, though online programs can offer faster paths to graduation. While not always required, internships are highly recommended. Most programs culminate in a capstone project. Some advanced positions in law enforcement require a bachelor's degree.

What can I do with a bachelors in law enforcement?

Many graduates with a bachelor's degree in law enforcement serve in policing, criminal justice, and public safety careers. Law enforcement programs tend to offer customizable concentrations tailored to each student's individual career aspirations in fields like law enforcement, criminal investigation, and corrections.

What is a concentration in law enforcement?

A concentration in law enforcement within a criminal justice program provides a comprehensive understanding of the U.S. criminal justice system and policing policy. Coursework covers topics like ethics, law enforcement techniques and procedures, and criminal law. Public Safety.

What degree do I need to become a police officer?

Got it! Earning a bachelor's degree in law enforcement can launch the careers of aspiring police officers, detectives, and parole officers. Bachelor's degree-holders exceed the minimum education requirement for police academy training and entry-level positions.

How much do probation officers make?

According to the BLS, probation officers make a median annual wage of $55,690.

What is public safety?

Public Safety. A concentration in public safety trains students to protect all members of the public in an emergency like a natural disaster, community health crisis, or public event. Some schools offer combined concentrations in public safety and emergency management. Corrections.

What is a law enforcement degree?

A degree in law enforcement prepares students to complete specific on-the-job training programs that are typically required for positions in fields such as policing, detective work, corrections, and probation.

Program options

Associate Degree in Law Enforcement - Two Year Duration An associate degree in law enforcement lays the foundation for students to pursue entry-level jobs in the field or a higher-level degree.

Degrees similar to law enforcement

Police Science Degree programs in police science prepare students for all aspects of police and security work: patrolling, investigating, crime prevention, community relations, report writing.

Skills you'll learn

While learning about the criminal justice system and developing the specific hard skills required to work in law enforcement, students also cultivate a set of soft skills, which are becoming increasingly valued across the job spectrum:

What can you do with a law enforcement degree?

Policing, Law Enforcement, and Investigation Law enforcement majors often find full-time employment with police departments. While some may take the traditional path and work as police officers or detectives, others seek to apply their knowledge of criminal justice, evidence handling, and data management in crime scene investigation positions.

How Can Earning a Degree in Criminal Justice Benefit My Career?

Some police departments require that recruits have a college degree, and most offer incentives for earning a degree related to criminal justice. These incentives often include tuition reimbursement, pay increases and promotion opportunities.

Do College-Educated Law Enforcement Officers Perform Better on the Job?

There are many factors, both personal and external, that can affect the job performance of law enforcement officers. But a recent article in the Chicago Sun-Times points to various studies showing strong correlations between an officer's college education and positive law enforcement outcomes.

How Can I Fit College Around My Law Enforcement Work Schedule?

Earning a criminal justice degree, although beneficial, might seem impossible given unpredictable work schedules, on-call hours and other life responsibilities. But Southeastern's online program allows students to complete coursework whenever and wherever they want.

Certificate programs in the field of law enforcement

Even though a college degree is not required by some departments, a certificate in the field of law enforcement is certainly a benefit. Since certificate programs are much shorter than associate or bachelor’s degree programs, they are often a preferred option for law enforcement candidates.

Law enforcement doctoral degrees

Getting a doctoral degree is the most successful point in one’s education regardless of the field of studies. For those who want to prepare themselves for high-level jobs in the area of law enforcement, the criminal justice Ph.D. program is the final step to take.

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Psychology

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Psychology is a good choice because it involves many areas of study including human behavior, social behaviors, and the root causes of crime. If you have a Bachelor’s degree in psychology, you will be well on your way to a rewarding career in the criminal justice field. There are many different concentrations that you can …
See more on westliberty.edu

Sociology

  • The relationship between sociology and law enforcement is not always a simple one. While the former often pertains to analyzing criminal justice from a cultural perspective, focusing on the individual element of criminal behavior, such as why a person breaks the law, and how society is influenced by that behavior, there is no easy answer to this question. However, law enforcement …
See more on westliberty.edu

Criminology

  • It’s no wonder that Criminology is one of the most sought-after degrees for students seeking to pursue a career in law enforcement. This is a common avenue for police officers, detectives, enforcement agents, and more. While psychology and sociology are great options for a degree, many of those working in law enforcement will probably find pursuing...
See more on westliberty.edu

Criminal Justice as A Law Enforcement Degree

  • Similar to seeking a degree in Criminology, a degree in criminal justice can also be a helpful stepping stone to reach the next level in your career. Rather than trying to understand the motivations and behavior of criminals, criminal justice is a broader concentration which covers the multiple facets of this field. It is another common degree among law enforcement professio…
See more on westliberty.edu

Foreign Language Degrees

  • With America being the melting pot that it is, the number of communities with large populations of minoritiescontinues to grow exponentially every day. Police have the challenging task of not only upholding the law, but they must also delicately balance how they interact with their communities. The U.S. is still a largely English-speaking country, but in certain towns and larger cities, not all ci…
See more on westliberty.edu

Law Enforcement Degree in Public Safety Leadership

  • Another valid degree to consider is one in law enforcement and public safety leadership. This type of degree is relatively new since it was crafted for those seeking to be stronger leaders in their field. It’s not offered by very many universities, which does impact how affordable obtaining said degree will be, but it can still advance your career. Not only will this degree deepen knowledge p…
See more on westliberty.edu

Law

  • While police officers need to have some understanding of laws and legal procedure, they often only need a good working knowledge of criminal law. But for police officers looking to move up in their career, studying law has quite a few benefits. For one, a law degree could position you to become an academy educator or instructor for new recruits. By educating new police officers, y…
See more on westliberty.edu

Computer Science

  • The criminals of today are always advancing their methods, and so law enforcement has to adapt. Computer science and overall cybersecurity coursework will give police officers a set of skills to help them advance their careers. From hackers to organized crime, law enforcement officers need to understand the technology used by criminals which threaten the lives of everyday citizens. Wi…
See more on westliberty.edu

Finance Or Accounting

  • Whether you’re wanting to branch out into a leadership role or you are looking into a role that seeks to thwart criminals behind financial crimes, there are several options to consider as far as getting a degree. In the realm of finance and accounting, police officers with an advanced degree can become good candidates for leadership roles where planning and resource management ar…
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Forensics

  • While the majority of police work involves stopping crimes, often crime scene investigators are also called into other situations including the scene of a death or accident. A forensic scientist will use a variety of tools to determine the cause of a crime or the behavior of a person after the event. Forensic science is also commonly referred to as forensic chemistry, forensic physics, for…
See more on westliberty.edu