In today’s fast-paced world, pursuing higher education has become more accessible than ever, thanks to the proliferation of online colleges.
For those interested in law enforcement, an online degree offers the flexibility to balance career aspirations with personal commitments. Whether you’re aiming to advance in your current role or transition into a new career in criminal justice, numerous online programs cater to various aspects of law enforcement.
This guide reveals the top 10 online colleges for law enforcement, detailing their unique features, curriculum, and career opportunities for graduates.
Online Colleges for Law Enforcement
1. American Public University System
Salary Score: A+
Median Earnings: $49,354
Online Enrollment: 38,969 enrolled
Annual Tuition: $7,360
The American Public University System (APUS) is a private institution offering a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice. This degree program has two law enforcement concentrations: Organizational Law Enforcement and Maritime Law Enforcement. Requiring 120 credit hours, full-time students typically complete this degree in around four years. APUS has an open admissions policy with an 18% graduation rate.
Students at APUS utilize MyClassroom, an online learning management system (LMS), to complete their courses. The core curriculum covers various components of law enforcement, including the interaction between different jurisdictions and the study of criminal behavior and crime causation.
Key required courses include Criminology, U.S. Law Enforcement, and Constitutional Law, with a senior seminar in criminal justice concluding the program. Graduates can pursue careers at local, state, and federal agencies, as well as in corrections and the military.
Financial Aid Recipients: 88%
Average Aid Package: $5,607
Average Graduation Rate: 46%
Retention Rate: 90%
Recommend Rate: 68%
School Type: For Profit
2. Bellevue University
Salary Score: A
Median Earnings: $43,733
Online Enrollment: 8,150 enrolled
Annual Tuition: $8,790
Bellevue University is a private institution offering a Bachelor of Science in Intelligence and Security Studies, requiring 127 credit hours. Full-time students can typically complete this degree in around four years. Bellevue University accepts all applicants, with a graduation rate of 50%.
Courses are delivered online through Blackboard, allowing students flexibility in completing their studies. The curriculum provides a comprehensive understanding of security issues on both national and global scales, with classes such as Foundations in Intelligence and Counterintelligence, Rogue Leaders and Outlaw States, and Radical Religion and Political Extremism. Graduates are prepared for entry-level roles in homeland security, civilian law enforcement, and government agencies.
Financial Aid Recipients: 76%
Average Aid Package: $4,990
Average Graduation Rate: 41%
Retention Rate: 51%
Recommend Rate: 68%
School Type: Nonprofit (Private)
3. Metropolitan State University
Salary Score: A
Median Earnings: $42,056
Online Enrollment: 1,691 enrolled
Annual Tuition: $9,684
Metropolitan State University (Metro State) offers a Bachelor of Science in Law Enforcement for Licensed Peace Officers, requiring 120 credit hours. The program includes three tracks based on the student’s prior education or experience in law enforcement. Full-time students typically complete the degree in around four years. Metro State has a 62% acceptance rate and a 57% graduation rate.
Metro State uses Brightspace as its LMS, providing both synchronous and asynchronous online courses. The curriculum covers legal and ethical principles of policing, criminology theories, and the significance of diversity and community interaction.
Required courses include Criminology and Public Policy, Diversity in Criminal Justice, and Ethics and Professionalism in Criminal Justice. Students must also complete an internship or a research project as a capstone. Graduates can pursue careers as law enforcement officers.
Financial Aid Recipients: 100%
Average Aid Package: $8,322
Average Graduation Rate: 33%
Retention Rate: 64%
Recommend Rate: 71%
School Type: Nonprofit (Public)
4. Purdue Global
Salary Score: A
Median Earnings: $41,882
Online Enrollment: 32,313 enrolled
Annual Tuition: $14,445
Purdue Global is a public institution offering a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice – Law Enforcement, requiring 180 credits. Full-time students typically complete the degree in four years. Purdue Global has a 100% acceptance rate and a 30% graduation rate.
Courses are delivered online through Brightspace, with flexible start dates to accommodate students’ schedules. The core curriculum aims to enhance students’ understanding of the U.S. criminal justice system and prepare them for entry-level positions or career advancement in law enforcement.
Required courses include Criminal Procedure, Applied Criminal Justice Ethics, and Managing Criminal Justice Organizations. A bachelor’s capstone in criminal justice is also required. Career opportunities include roles in law enforcement and private security.
Financial Aid Recipients: 60%
Average Aid Package: $8,815
Average Graduation Rate: 28%
Retention Rate: 17%
Recommend Rate: 74%
School Type: Nonprofit (Public)
5. Southern New Hampshire University Online
Salary Score: A-
Median Earnings: $40,917
Online Enrollment: 116,225 enrolled
Annual Tuition: $9,600
Southern New Hampshire University Online (SNHU) offers a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice – Police Administration and Operations. Students must complete 120 credit hours, typically within four years. SNHU has a 94% acceptance rate and a 40% graduation rate.
SNHU uses Brightspace for online coursework, providing a flexible learning format. The curriculum includes crime analysis techniques, community policing best practices, and professional communication in law enforcement.
Required courses include Crime Analysis and Effective Police Service, Crisis Intervention for Police, and Leadership and Management in Criminal Justice Organizations. An internship of 150 hours is also required. Graduates can find employment as correction officers, probation officers, and police detectives.
Financial Aid Recipients: 81%
Average Aid Package: $4,434
Average Graduation Rate: 38%
Retention Rate: 62%
Recommend Rate: 61%
School Type: Nonprofit (Private)
6. Bemidji State University
Salary Score: A-
Median Earnings: $40,717
Online Enrollment: 1,136 enrolled
Annual Tuition: $10,130
Bemidji State University (BSU) offers an online Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice with four emphases: corrections, police science, tribal justice, and victimology.
The program requires 120 credits, with courses such as Criminal Justice and Society, Research Methods and Statistics for Criminal Justice, Judicial Process, Criminology and Delinquency, and Criminal Law.
An internship is available but not required. Graduates can work in various roles such as corrections or probation officers, police officers, and sheriff’s deputies. BSU is a public university with a 75% acceptance rate and a 50% graduation rate.
Financial Aid Recipients: 92%
Average Aid Package: $7,381
Average Graduation Rate: 50%
Retention Rate: 71%
Recommend Rate: 75%
School Type: Nonprofit (Public)
7. University of Colorado Denver
Salary Score: A-
Median Earnings: $39,827
Online Enrollment: 2,172 enrolled
Annual Tuition: $26,818
The University of Colorado Denver offers an online Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice with three tracks for careers in law enforcement, victim advocacy, or the general criminal justice system. The program requires 120 credit hours and takes about four years of full-time study. Students also complete a semester-long internship for hands-on experience. The graduation rate is 48%, and the acceptance rate is 72%.
The curriculum includes classes in criminal justice theory, technology and criminal justice, corrections, courts, and law enforcement. The program provides a comprehensive understanding of the criminal justice system, preparing students for various career paths in the field.
Financial Aid Recipients: 94%
Average Aid Package: $9,384
Average Graduation Rate: 44%
Retention Rate: 70%
Recommend Rate: 90%
School Type: Nonprofit (Public)
8. Park University
Salary Score: A-
Median Earnings: $39,411
Online Enrollment: 5,043 enrolled
Annual Tuition: $12,671
Park University (PU) offers an online Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice Administration with concentrations in corrections, law enforcement, and security. The program requires 120 credit hours, including core classes in criminal law, criminology, criminal procedure, administration, and research. An internship, senior writing project, and senior seminar are required for graduation. PU has a 24% graduation rate, reflecting its open admissions policy.
Park University, based in Parkville, Missouri, serves a high number of online students, with 68% of undergraduates attending fully online. Graduates can pursue careers in various criminal justice fields.
Financial Aid Recipients: 93%
Average Aid Package: $7,043
Average Graduation Rate: 41%
Retention Rate: 59%
Recommend Rate: 82%
School Type: Nonprofit (Private)
9. Western Illinois University
Salary Score: B+
Median Earnings: $38,130
Online Enrollment: 1,053 enrolled
Annual Tuition: $14,406
Western Illinois University (WIU) offers an online Bachelor of Science in Law Enforcement and Justice Administration, requiring 120 credits. Courses include Crime Scene Investigation, Juvenile Justice, Quantitative Techniques for Criminal Justice, and Diversity, Ethics, and Professionalism in Criminal Justice. Students must complete an internship, a comprehensive exam, and a foreign language or global issues class to graduate.
WIU places student interns at over 1,400 agency partners nationwide, and graduates work in federal agencies, correctional institutions, state police departments, and sheriff’s offices. The university has a 72% acceptance rate and a 51% graduation rate.
Financial Aid Recipients: 94%
Average Aid Package: $15,632
Average Graduation Rate: 47%
Retention Rate: 67%
Recommend Rate: 89%
School Type: Nonprofit (Public)
10. Ashland University
Salary Score: B+
Median Earnings: $37,937
Online Enrollment: 520 enrolled
Annual Tuition: $24,140
Ashland University (AU) offers an online Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice with five tracks: general criminal justice, law enforcement administration, correctional administration, criminology and research, and legal studies.
The program requires 120 credit hours and includes core classes in ethics, research methods, criminology, and victimology. Students can participate in advanced research or a field internship.
Courses are available every eight weeks, accessible 24/7. Graduates can find positions in law enforcement, corrections, forensics, probation and parole, security, or cybersecurity. AU has a 70% acceptance rate and a 68% graduation rate.
Financial Aid Recipients: 99%
Average Aid Package: $18,290
Average Graduation Rate: 60%
Retention Rate: 70%
Recommend Rate: 91%
School Type: Nonprofit (Private)
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What are the advantages of pursuing an online degree in law enforcement?
Pursuing an online degree in law enforcement offers several advantages, including flexibility in scheduling, the ability to balance work and personal life, and access to a wide range of resources and expert faculty. Online programs often provide the same rigorous curriculum as on-campus programs, ensuring that students receive a comprehensive education.
2. Are online law enforcement degrees respected by employers?
Yes, online law enforcement degrees from accredited institutions are respected by employers. Many universities that offer online programs are well-established and have a reputation for quality education. Employers recognize the commitment required to complete an online degree and value the skills and knowledge that graduates bring to the field.
3. Can I transfer credits from previous coursework to an online law enforcement program?
Most online law enforcement programs accept transfer credits from accredited institutions. The process typically involves submitting transcripts and course descriptions for evaluation. It’s advisable to check with the specific college or university for their transfer credit policy to ensure that your previous coursework will be accepted.
Conclusion
Choosing the right online college for a degree in law enforcement can significantly impact your career trajectory. The programs listed here offer diverse specializations, flexible learning options, and robust support systems to help you succeed.
By carefully considering factors such as curriculum, faculty expertise, and career services, you can find a program that aligns with your professional goals.
Embark on your educational journey with confidence, knowing that these top programs are designed to equip you with the skills and knowledge necessary for a successful career in law enforcement.