Which South Dakota Colleges Offer Law Enforcement Training?

If you would like to pursue a career in law enforcement in South Dakota you have a few choices for where to get your training. This article covers associate's and bachelor's degree programs offered at four colleges in this state.

What You Need to Know

Two years of study is needed to complete an associate's degree in law enforcement. These programs are available at technical and community colleges. Your coursework includes general education requirements, and you may be offered or required to complete a practicum. These programs may also include firearms training.

You could also earn a bachelor's degree in the field, and this program takes four years to complete. Like the associate's degree programs, bachelor's programs require you to complete general education requirements, as well as including or recommending a practicum.

Associate's Degree Law Enforcement Programs in South Dakota

Southeast Technical Institute

In the southeast corner of the state, Southeast Technical Institute (STI) offers an AAS program in law enforcement geared to prepare you for a career as a highway patrol officer or private security officer. Course topics include accident investigation, multiculturalism, first responder procedures, and victimology, as well as firearms training and a law enforcement practicum. The South Dakota Law Enforcement Standards and Training Commission has approved the program to allow state certification through a reciprocity examination upon completion of your program.

• Program Name: Associate in Applied Science (AAS) in Law Enforcement Science
• Program Length: 2 years (full-time)
• Tuition and Fees: $6,240 (2018-2019)
• Prerequisites: High school diploma
• Admission Requirements: COMPASS placement examinations, criminal background check, drug screen
• School Type: 2-year, public community college; 2,166 undergraduates

Western Dakota Technical Institute

At the western edge of South Dakota, Rapid City's Western Dakota Technical Institute (WDT) offers an AAS in Law Enforcement Technology. Supportive coursework in the program includes topics in psychology, sociology, and technical communications. Program course topics include juvenile law enforcement, patrol procedures, and corrections. You'll also be able to receive training in firearms and emergency vehicle operations.

• Program Name: Associate in Applied Science (AAS) in Law Enforcement Technology
• Program Length: 2 years (full-time)
• Tuition and Fees: $7,710 (2018-2019)
• Prerequisites: High school diploma
• Admission Requirements: COMPASS placement tests or ACT/SAT scores, criminal background check, drug screen and personal interview
• School Type: 2-year, public community college; 1,061 undergraduates

Bachelor's Degree Law Enforcement Programs in South Dakota

University of Sioux Falls

The University of Sioux Falls offers a BA in Criminal Justice. Courses include social work, psychology, sociology, and political science. In your program, you may cover such topics as behavioral science statistics, white-collar crime and constitutional legal issues, as well as corrections and policing. Your program will also include a required professional practicum.

• Program Name: Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Criminal Justice
• Program Length: 4 years (full-time)
• Tuition and Fees: $18,280 (2018-2019)
• School Type: 4-year, private not-for-profit university; 1,615 students (1,319 undergraduates)

University of South Dakota

At the University of South Dakota (USD), you can pursue a BA or BS in Criminal Justice through a program offered through the College of Arts and Sciences. Your program will cover criminal prosecution, environmental law, and forensic science. You may also study topics covering penal systems, judicial process, and police administration. The program may prepare you to pursue graduate studies, such as the Master of Public Administration program at USD, with an emphasis in criminal justice. As an undergraduate, you may also wish to pursue a double major with sociology or political science.

• Program Name: Bachelor of Arts (BA) or Bachelor of Science (BS) in Criminal Justice
• Program Length: 4 years (full-time)
• Tuition and Fees: $9,061 in-state; $12,425 out-of-state (2018-2019)
• School Type: 4-year public university; 10,066 students (7,590 undergraduates)

To summarize, law enforcement degree programs in South Dakota exist at the associate's and bachelor's degree levels at community colleges as well as public and private universities.