Best Colleges for Law Enforcement & Police Science

A high school diploma will get you into some police departments. However, many of them require recruits to have at least a relevant college certificate in addition to going through the agency's training academy. A degree is required for many federal positions. Read on to see what program level is best for your career plans in law enforcement and policing.

What Are the Various Program Levels for Law Enforcement and Police Science?

People who want to join a police force typically get a certificate or associate degree in policing or law enforcement. Many of these programs are structured to conform to the entry requirements for the relevant state police force. Some of them also afford existing police officers the opportunity for career advancement or staying up to date in the field.

To become an agent at a federal law enforcement agency such as the Federal Bureau of Investigation or the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, you would typically need a bachelor's degree. A bachelor's or master's degree will also enhance the chances of promotion for lower-rank police officers and detectives.

What Topics Are Covered in Non-Degree Programs?

Topics covered at a non-degree level in law enforcement and police science include evidence, organized crime, fingerprints, drugs, forensic evidence, terrorism, and dealing with juveniles. Other topics cover patrol procedures, emergency vehicle operation, firearms, accident investigations, report writing for criminal justice, and criminology.

What Schools Have Certificates or Associate Degrees in Law Enforcement and Police Science?

These are some of the schools offering certificate or associate degree programs in law enforcement and police science. Entrants to some programs may have to pass a medical and/or physical fitness test.

• The City College of San Francisco, California, offers a one-year Certificate in the Administration of Justice, which prepares students for entry-level positions in public safety and helps currently employed officers with their professional development.
• The College of Southern Nevada, in Las Vegas, offers a one-semester Certificate of Achievement in Criminal Justice - Law Enforcement Training Academy Emphasis. This also prepares the student to take the entrance exam for the Nevada state police.
• The College of Central Florida, in Ocala, has an Associate in Science in Criminal Justice Technology program. It requires two years of full-time study and prepares students for positions in law enforcement at the local, state and federal levels and in private industry.
• The Wayne County Community College District in Detroit, Michigan, offers an Associate of Applied Science in Law Enforcement Administration program. It is designed to prepare students to enter or advance in the criminal justice system.

What Is Covered by Degree Courses?

At both the bachelor's and master's degree levels, students can expect to cover topics such as criminal and crime scene investigation, interview and interrogation techniques, behavioral analysis, financial crime investigation, research in the justice system, and the process of adjudicating criminal cases. Also covered are digital evidence and computer crime, intelligence and homeland security, ethical decision making, conflict resolution, organizational behavior, the causes of crime, and ethics.

Which Bachelor's and Master's Degrees Are Available?

Depending on their focus, some programs are offered by a school's arts department, whereas others will lead to a science degree.

• The South University - Columbia, in South Carolina, offers a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice. The program can be completed in 45 months.
• Northern Vermont University, in Lyndon, also has a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice program. It offers internships at various law enforcement agencies, including at local and state police departments.
• Aspen University, in Denver, Colorado, has a Master of Science in Criminal Justice with a specialization in law enforcement management program. Its focus is to prepare students for leadership positions in law enforcement.
• Waynesburg University, in Pennsylvania, offers a Master of Arts in Criminal Investigation program that can be completed in one year of full-time study. With some added business subjects, students can combine this into a dual MA/MBA degree.

What Are the Job Prospects in Law Enforcement and Policing?

Due to the low rate of turnover in this field, applicants may face stiff competition. In addition to a degree, military experience and investigative experience will stand you in good stead. The ability to speak more than one language will also increase your prospects.