Top Online Bachelor's in Law Enforcement Programs for 2019
The desire to serve and protect is a noble one. Students can prepare for this worthy career by completing a law enforcement degree online. Not all law enforcement agencies demand a bachelor's degree for entry-level positions, but many do. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that the federal government, which requires a bachelor's, was the highest-paying industry for law enforcement professionals in 2016.
Globalizing society, developing technologies, and ever-evolving security threats are changing the nature of law enforcement. Employers often seek degree-holding candidates who are equipped to address these complex issues. With a law enforcement degree, you'll enjoy greater career mobility, higher earning power, and opportunities for advancement throughout your career.
What are the Best Online Bachelor's in Law Enforcement Programs?
Top 20 Online Bachelors in Law Enforcement for 2019
Admissions Rate
57%
Graduation Rate
56%
Online Enrollment
21%
Retention Rate
86%
Default Rate
7%
UMass-Lowell's online law enforcement degree requires students to earn at least 120 credits. The bachelor of science in criminal justice guides students through 51 criminal justice credits that are spread across 18 core and elective courses. Learners study policing, homeland security, criminal profiling, violence in America, and much more. Degree candidates also complete 12 general core and six free elective courses. Students interested in pursuing an accelerated master's degree in the field may count two courses toward graduate degree requirements. Due to state restrictions, residents in Arkansas, Kansas, and Minnesota may not apply to the university. Prospective students should submit the online application along with high school transcripts or GED scores. Admissions decisions are made on a rolling basis. In-state and out-of-state students pay the same tuition rate.
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What Will I Learn in an Online Law Enforcement Program?
While most law enforcement degrees cover the same material, there will be some variations between course listings. For any school you're considering, check the program carefully. A typical online law enforcement degree includes classes like the ones listed below.
Policing in America: This class offers an examination of contemporary policing. Class topics include the evolution of law enforcement in America, the role of police today, crime and disorder, control and discretion, moral pitfalls, legitimacy, public support, community policing, police organizations, and police culture.
Crime and Delinquency: This course explores crime from socioeconomic, symbolic, psychological, and biological perspectives. Topics include the historical social, political, cultural, and organizational forces that created our criminal justice system.
Gender, Race, Class, and Crime: Law enforcement will be examined through the lenses of race, gender, and class. The implications of each of these lenses will be applied to criminal laws, programs, and practices. Students will assess perspectives of victims, offenders, and practitioners.
Terrorism Seminar: Participants will gain working knowledge of chemical, radiological, biological, and nuclear weapons. Topics include international prevention efforts, overview of active terrorist threats, and threat response problem-solving.
Introduction to Homeland Security: This class is a study of the institutions and entities involved in the protection of the US. Students will explore all components of federal, local, and state police agencies. Implementation of the Homeland Security Act is covered in detail.
What can I do with an Online Law Enforcement Degree?
A law enforcement degree online can qualify you for entry-level positions as a police officer in a local, state, or federal law enforcement agency. If you already have experience on the force, completing your bachelor's can put you in position for a promotion. Below, we've listed a few of the best jobs for those who complete their degree in law enforcement online.
Police officers are responsible for enforcing the law at the street level. Officers patrol neighborhoods, monitor potential threats, and deter crime. In the event of crime, they arrest and transport offenders, keeping meticulous records and later appearing at trial to testify. Duties include investigating crime, interviewing suspects, collecting evidence, documenting evidence, and maintaining crime scenes. Other roles often include community outreach and education.
Median Salary: $50,793
Job Outlook and Salary
The overall employment outlook for law enforcement online graduates is about average; jobs are projected to grow 7% by 2026. The table below shows the number of employed police and detectives in 2016, and the number of jobs the BLS projects in 2026. Geography can have an enormous impact on salaries and the number of available jobs. As you plan your future in this exciting field, carefully weigh the options that your current area offers. If your local options are limited, consider relocating to a market that offers higher salaries, greater opportunities for advancement, or both.
| Employment, 2014 | Projected Employment, 2024 |
|---|---|
| 807,000 | 860,300 |
Salary Growth by Experience
Below, we've illustrated the median salaries of the three most popular jobs for graduates of online law enforcement schools. Employers value analytical and investigative skills in police work and compensate accordingly. As with most professions, years of service result in financial rewards.
To determine the best online bachelor's in law enforcement programs, we looked at the most important factors prospective students, mainly common predictors of future success and a school's commitment to online programs. This boils down to admissions rate, student loan default rate, retention rate, graduation rate, and the percent of students enrolled in online classes. All data points are taken from information provided by colleges and universities to the National Center for Education Statistics.
Each factor is weighted evenly in order to give an objective view and determine the best online bachelor's in law enforcement programs. To calculate our rankings, we looked at a school's ranking when organized by a single factor, and then averaged each category's ranking to find an overall score: Admissions Rate (20%) + Default Rate (20%) + Retention Rate (20%) + Graduation Rate (20%) + Percent of Students Enrolled in Online Classes (20%) = Final score.