Online law enforcement programs teach students how to think critically, manage emergencies, conduct investigations, and communicate effectively within the field. Students may gain training on the process of the criminal justice system, aspects of the law, and methodologies surrounding criminal investigation. Law enforcement programs are ideal for individuals who enjoy working on a team, interacting with others, and upholding public safety. Students may earn a career diploma or certificate as well as an associate, baccalaureate, or master’s degree in the field.

Graduates of law enforcement degree programs may seek employment at local police agencies, private security firms, or federal agencies. Career opportunities for law enforcement graduates include police officer, corrections officer, or private security guard.

Available Degree Levels

• Career Diploma: Varies
• Certificate: One to two years to complete
• Associate Degree: Two years to complete
• Bachelor’s Degree: Four years to complete
• Master’s Degree: One to two years to complete

Online law enforcement diploma programs provide students with a basic overview of the field through coursework that may cover police report writing, criminal procedure, and state criminal codes. As these are typically transition programs, students may be required to hold an associate degree at minimum in order to enroll.

Certificate programs in law enforcement may introduce students to the basics of the law, criminal justice system, and criminal justice investigation methods. Some programs may also provide additional, advanced training in a particular area within the field, such as public safety, private security, or corrections. Typical coursework may include fundamentals of policing, police proficiencies and procedures, and serving special populations.

Online associate-level degree programs in law enforcement provide students with the necessary skills and knowledge to work in various positions in law enforcement, either at the local or federal level. These programs may equip students with the essential critical thinking, evidence handling, crisis management, and criminal report writing skills to work in law enforcement agencies. Curriculum for these programs may include general education coursework and classes specific to the program, such as criminology, juvenile justice, ethics, and policing in America.

Bachelor’s degree programs in law enforcement arm students with the professional knowledge and technical skills related to criminal justice and administrative law. Students take liberal arts courses in addition to core law enforcement courses, such as survey of criminal investigation, security management, traffic administration, and civil law. In addition to providing students with a strong foundation in criminal justice and law, these programs may serve as an educational base for more advanced training in the a particular area within the field.

An online master’s degree in law enforcement is designed for students who have already earned a bachelor’s degree and want to specialize their studies in the field. Coursework may cover homeland security, issues in terrorism, and quantitative methods in criminal justice research. These programs typically allow students to individualize their experience by concentrating in a particular area of interest, such as fraud management, homeland security, or forensic science.

Career Options

Graduates of law enforcement diploma, certificate, and degree programs possess a thorough understanding of the criminal justice system as well as legal and police procedures. Thanks to skills in police report writing, traffic administration, and interpersonal communication, graduates may be able to adequately perform the many job duties required of law enforcement professionals. Graduates may find work at the local, state, and federal level in criminal justice agencies, private security organizations, juvenile corrections, or fire service.

Possible career fields include:

• Police Officer
• Detective
• Security Guard
• Corrections Officer
• Parole Officer