2023 Best Online Law Enforcement Degrees

American Public University System (APUS) is a private set of institutions offering a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice. This degree has two law enforcement concentrations: (1) Organizational Law Enforcement and (2) Maritime Law Enforcement. This degree requires 120 credit hours, which full-time students can complete in around four years. All applicants are accepted into APUS, with 18% graduating with degrees in hand.

APUS students use MyClassroom as their primary learning management system (LMS), where they can complete courses online. The core curriculum for this program teaches students about the various components of law enforcement, from the different jurisdictions and how they interact with one another to explorations of criminal behavior and crime causation. Among the required classes are Criminology, U.S. Law Enforcement, and Constitutional Law. Students are also required to complete a senior seminar in criminal justice. Career opportunities may be available at local, state, and federal agencies as well as corrections facilities and the military.

Bellevue University is a private institution with a Bachelor of Science in Intelligence and Security Studies requiring 127 credit hours. Students studying full time are likely to complete the degree in around four years. Bellevue accepts 100% of its applicants, with half of its enrolled students graduating.

Bellevue uses Blackboard as its LMS to deliver online coursework. This software allows students to finish their degrees completely online and on a schedule that meets their needs. The curriculum takes a broad look at security topics, both nationally and on a global scale, along with close examinations of the functions of intelligence agencies. Required classes include Foundations in Intelligence and Counterintelligence, Rogue Leaders and Outlaw States, and Radical Religion and Political Extremism. Students often graduate feeling prepared for entry-level roles in homeland security, civilian law enforcement, and government agencies.

Metropolitan State University (Metro State) is a public university offering a Bachelor of Science in Law Enforcement for Licensed Peace Officers that requires 120 credit hours. This program contains three tracks, depending on how much education or experience a student holds in law enforcement. Typically, students complete this program in around four years while studying at a full-time pace. The acceptance rate at Metro State is 62%, with 57% of students obtaining degrees.

At Metro State, students use the LMS Brightspace for their remote courses, which can be completed 100% online, with courses delivered synchronously and asynchronously. The curriculum explores the legal and ethical principles of policing, criminology theories, and the importance of personnel diversity and community interactions. Required classes include Criminology and Public Policy, Diversity in Criminal Justice, and Ethics and Professionalism in Criminal Justice. For the capstone project, students may choose between an internship or a research project. Graduates may explore roles as law enforcement officers.

Purdue Global is a public institution with a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice - Law Enforcement requiring 180 credits. The average completion time for this degree is four years for full-time students. Purdue accepts 100% of its applicants while maintaining a 30% graduation rate.

Purdue students use Brightspace as its LMS software that allows students to complete all their courses online. The program offers flexible start dates as well, so students can coordinate courses with their current schedules. The core curriculum for this program teaches students the skills needed to advance their current law enforcement career or seek entry-level positions in the field. This is done by developing an understanding of the philosophy and development of the U.S. criminal justice system. Here are three examples of required courses: Criminal Procedure, Applied Criminal Justice Ethics, and Managing Criminal Justice Organizations. Students must also complete a bachelor's capstone in criminal justice. Career opportunities for graduates include roles in law enforcement and private security.

Southern New Hampshire University Online (SNHU) is a private university offering a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice - Police Administration and Operations. In order to earn this degree, students must complete 120 credit hours, which is typically done within four years. SNHU's acceptance rate is 94%, with 40% of students graduating.

Online students at SNHU use Brightspace to complete their coursework. Through this LMS, classes are delivered online in a flexible format. The criminal justice curriculum teaches students crime analysis techniques, best practices for community policing, and how to communicate in a professional law enforcement environment. There are a number of required courses, such as Crime Analysis and Effective Police Service, Crisis Intervention for Police, and Leadership and Management in Criminal Justice Organizations. Students are also required to complete 150 internship hours. Graduates may find employment as correction officers, probation officers, and police detectives.