Best Online Law Enforcement Degrees

Overview

Situated in the small, historic city of Natchitoches, LA, Northwestern State University of Louisiana is a four-year public university with an impressive online presence. The school is ranked among the top 150 regional schools in the South according to U.S. News and World Report and NSU’s online bachelor’s program also ranks among the best in the country.

Program Features

NSU offers an online Bachelor of Science in Unified Public Safety Administration which will prepare you for entry into federal, state, and local agencies. This affordable program strives to meet the national need for better prepared UPSA professionals by fusing essential analytical skills with leading-edge industry perspectives. And you’ll be able to tailor the degree to your own career aspirations by choosing one of four concentrations:

• Law Enforcement Administration
• Fire and Emergency Medical Service Administration
• Emergency Management Administration
• Public Facilities Management

Notables

NSU’s online BS in Unified Public Safety Administration major is comprised of 49 credits within a 123-credit program. Online learning at NSU is engaging and consists of a variety of methods, including Powerpoint lectures, discussion boards, blogs, webinars, and group projects. Students also have opportunities to interact with faculty. And online students pay in-state tuition no matter where they live, making this degree an affordable – as well as a reputable – option.

Overview

Founded in 2007, CSU-Global Campus is the online campus of the renowned public Colorado State University system. Headquartered in Greenwood Village, CO, the school offers flexible, high-quality online programs to meet the educational needs of adult learners in Colorado and beyond. And their Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement program ranks among the best in the country, according to U.S. News and World Report.

Program Features

CSU-Global offers an online Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement Administration that combines essential managerial skills with a deep knowledge of law enforcement.  CSU-Global is a national leader in online learning, and the combination of flexibility, academic rigor, and engaging learning tools make this program hard to beat. Courses include:

• Applying Leadership Skills
• Introduction to Criminal Justice
• Criminology

Notables

CSU-Global’s BS in Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement Administration consists of 10 three-credit core courses as part of a full 120-credit bachelor’s degree. A unique feature of CSU Global Campus programs is the Awards of Completion and Skills Endorsements that students earn as they study. By the time you graduate, you’ll be able to show employers your mastery of industry-relevant subjects that highlight specific skills and knowledge.

Overview

Located in Tallahassee, FL, Florida State University is a large, public research university and home to one of the most historic campuses in the state. FSU’s online programs rank among the best in the country according to U.S. News and World Report. And its criminology and law enforcement programs have an outstanding reputation for ground-breaking research and excellence in teaching.

Program Features

FSU’s College of Applied Studies offers an online Bachelor of Science in Law Enforcement Intelligence – Public Safety and Security which provides students with concrete skills.  As a student, you’ll learn from leaders in the fields of criminology, underwater crime scene investigation, and defense administration. And FSU prides itself on faculty-student interaction, so online students are mentored by highly-experienced practitioners and scholars. Courses include:

• The Criminal Justice System
• Computer Applications in Criminal Justice
• Ethics in Policing and Intelligence

Notables

FSU’s online BS in Law Enforcement Intelligence is a 60-credit major program for students with an Associate of Arts degree.  FSU’s program includes a required professional capstone project which provides experience working with a professional public safety and security entity. Internship opportunities range from employment with the Naval Criminal Investigative Service and the FBI to NASA, NOAA, and the Scientific Committee on Oceanic Research.

Overview

Located in Richmond, KY, Eastern Kentucky University is a mid-sized public institution that ranks among the top public regional universities in the South according to U.S. News and World Report. EKU provides academically challenging programs that prepare students for rewarding careers. And their online programs extend this mission to nontraditional students well-beyond the university’s traditional service area.

Program Features

If you’re interested in a career as a law enforcement officer, EKU offers an online Bachelor of Science in Police Studies that will prepare you to begin a career in the field.  As a student, you’ll explore topics such as contemporary policing strategies, crime patterns, technology, and ethics. You’ll experience a supportive learning environment in which you can continue to work as you study. And you’ll benefit from EKU’s 40+ years of experience in  police education. Courses include:

• Criminal investigation
• Ethics
• Operations

Notables

EKU’s online Bachelor’s of Police Studies is a 120-credit program, though students can transfer up to 90 credits from another institution. You’ll have the opportunity to select from a wide range of minors, allowing you to explore interests or make use of prior credits. And at EKU, online courses take place in accelerated 8-week terms, which will propel you through the program faster than traditional programs.

Overview

Located in Anderson, SC, Anderson University is a small, private, Christian liberal arts university which is affiliated with the Southern Baptist Convention. The school has a reputation for innovative programs and flexible delivery as well as a commitment to academic excellence. U.S. News and World Report ranks the school at #73 among regional universities in the South.

Program Features

Anderson University offers an online Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice with a concentration in Law Enforcement for adults seeking a career in police work and law enforcement. Unlike many online undergraduate programs which require students to have completed their general education requirements prior to starting coursework in their major area, Anderson University allows students to complete the entire degree online. Courses in the law enforcement concentration include:

• Psychology and the Law
• Executive Criminal Justice
• Constitutional Law

Notables

Anderson University’s online BA in Criminal Justice is a 128-credit program comprised of general education requirements, a wide range of courses in the Criminal Justice major, and 12 credits in the concentration. At Anderson University, online courses are delivered in accelerated 8-week sessions, allowing you to complete the entire degree in eight semesters of full-time study. This is a great program for working adults wanting to complete a bachelor’s degree on their own time.

Overview

A top-ranked regional university located in Springfield, MO, Drury University is a small, private, liberal arts college. The school provides a traditional, liberal arts experience for students on campus while their College of Continuing Professional Studies extends their excellent programs to nontraditional students through high-quality online and evening classes.

Program Features

Drury University offers an online Bachelor of Science in Law Enforcement with a Leadership concentration. If you’re looking for an online program that blends practical investigative and procedural techniques with communication and leadership skills, this is an excellent option. Graduates are ready to take on careers in local, state, and federal justice systems. Courses in the major include:

• Introduction to Criminology
• Research Methods for the Behavioral Sciences
• Victimology

Notables

Drury University’s online BS in Law Enforcement is a 124-credit program, with 48 credits in the Law Enforcement major. The degree is offered in an entirely online format, but if you live near campus there is also the option to complete the degree in a hybrid format (online and on campus). And at Drury, all faculty are trained in online teaching techniques, so you can feel confident that they are on the forefront of web-based technology and educational advancements.

Overview

Headquartered in Charles Town, WV, American Public University is a private, regionally accredited, for-profit university.  The school provides professionally-oriented online degrees at the undergraduate and master’s level – with a special focus on students who have served in the US Military. APU’s online Bachelor’s programs rank among the top 100 nationally according to U.S. News and World Report.

Program Features

American Public University offers a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice which will bring you into contact with experienced criminal justice professionals. APU offers great value for their online programs, and its Criminal Justice degrees are among the most popular among students. You’ll gain a broad-based foundation in the areas of US law enforcement, criminology, investigations, law, and community relations. Courses include:

• Criminal Justice Administration
• US Law Enforcement
• Criminology

Notables

APU’s online BA in Criminal Justice is a 120-credit degree program which includes 30 credits in the criminal justice major with an additional 15 credits in a focused concentration (in areas like Maritime Law Enforcement and Organizational Law Enforcement). If you are looking for a program with an in-depth study of forensics, APU also offers an online BS in Criminal Justice that does just that.

Overview

Located near the banks of the Mississippi River in Cape Girardeau, MO, Southeast Missouri State University is a mid-sized public university and among the fastest growing institutions in the Midwest. According to U.S. News and World Report, Southeast ranks among the top 25 midwestern public regional universities and its online criminal justice programs have also received national acclaim.

Program Features

Southeast’s Department of Criminal Justice and Sociology offers an online Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice which provides broad based foundation for careers in criminal justice agencies. Southeast’s curriculum covers essential knowledge for crime prevention, protection, and rehabilitation – as well as an academic credential that will allow you to rise through the ranks. Students can choose from two degree tracks:

• Academic/University track
• Law Enforcement Academy track

Notables

Southeast’s online BS in Criminal Justice is a 120-credit program with 45 credits in the Criminal Justice major. Students choose between the Academic/University track which provides a theoretical understanding of Criminal Justice (and a path to graduate study) or the Law Enforcement Academy track which is has a practitioner orientation. All students in the Criminal Justice program take part in career preparation activities like internships, clinical opportunities, or study-abroad.

Overview

Located in Albany, NY, Excelsior College is a private, non-profit institution that specializes in career-oriented undergraduate and graduate degrees. With a strong commitment to making higher education accessible, Excelsior offers college credit for eligible forms of military training, industry-accredited training programs, and other education students have acquired outside a college classroom.

Program Features

Excelsior College’s School of Public Service offers a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice with a concentration in Law Enforcement and Public Safety. Specially designed for working adults, Excelsior’s program provides an excellent – and affordable – foundation for a career in law enforcement. You’ll learn essential skills from experienced professors and gain a strong understanding of subjects like:

• Procedures and evidence
• Community policing
• Public and private security
• Forensic pathology

Notables

Excelsior’s online BS in Criminal Justice is a 120-credit program with 33 credits in the Criminal Justice Major and Law Enforcement concentration. The Criminal Justice program also offers concentrations in other areas like National Security and Investigative Forensics. Check out their website for options. And Excelsior has an exceptionally generous transfer policy, granting credit for courses you have taken elsewhere.

Overview

Situated in Virginia Beach, VA, Regent University is a private, Christian research university. The school, which has a mission to develop Christian leaders, is one of an elite group to receive an “A” rating for its undergraduate liberal arts curriculum by the American Council of Trustees and Alumni. Regent has been offering online degrees since 2003 and prides itself on its rigorous, flexible, and affordable online programs.

Program Features

Regent University’s College of Arts & Sciences offers an online Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice with a concentration in Law Enforcement. The curriculum is presented from a Christian worldview, encompassing topics like criminal investigation processes and ethics, criminal law, juvenile justice and constitutional law. And as a leader in online learning, Regent is known for high-quality academics, first-rate faculty, and engaging online context. Courses include:

• Ethics in Criminal Justice
• Theories of Criminal Justice
• Law Enforcement Organization and Administration

Notables

Regent University’s BS in Criminal Justice is a 120-credit degree with 36 credits in the Criminal Justice Major and an additional 12 credits in the Law Enforcement concentration. Regent allows students to transfer a number of credits into the program but students must take at least 50 percent of the credits in the major at Regent. Graduates are prepared to enter careers in local, state, federal, or international law enforcement organizations.