An online master’s degree in law enforcement may provide students with the skills and training needed to work in specialized areas of law enforcement and criminal justice. In these upper-level programs, students may learn how to investigate crimes through crime scene investigating as well as prepare cases for court cases. Coursework within these programs may include criminal justice courses alongside a handful of electives and major-specific courses, such as fingerprinting, criminal law, and terrorism.

Upon graduation, students may pursue employment or further their education and enroll in a doctoral degree program. Master’s-level graduates may seek employment opportunities working for the government at local, state, and federal levels.

Program Overview

• Prerequisite: Bachelor’s Degree
• Program Length: One to two years to complete
• Post-Grad Options: Employment or Doctoral Program
• Projected Employment Growth: 7% (2010-2020)*

Program Coursework

The curriculum within an online master’s degree program in law enforcement may combine criminal justice courses alongside major-specific classes and electives. In these upper-level programs, students may study criminal behavior, theories of social control, and perspective of law enforcement. Core law enforcement courses may include the following:

• Fingerprinting
• Crime Scene Investigating
• Criminal Law
• Criminal Procedure
• Technology in Law Enforcement
• Youth Crime Problems
• Terrorism

Career Options

Graduates of online master’s-level programs in law enforcement may find careers working for the local, state, or federal government. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment opportunities for those pursuing careers as police officers and detectives are expected to increase by 7% from 2010-2020.*

Possible careers include:

• Police Officer
• Detective
• Chief of Police
• Deputy Chief
• Criminal Investigator

Continuing Education

Graduates of online master’s degree law enforcement programs may further their education and enroll in a doctoral program in law enforcement. These research-heavy PhD programs may provide students with additional training on criminal behavior, intervention and prevention, and public policy strategies in law enforcement.

*U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook