Bachelors in Law Enforcement

A Bachelor’s in Law Enforcement degree will teach you about different aspects of working as a law enforcement officer in the United States. Courses include criminal law, tactical communications, criminology, law enforcement and professional responsibility, community relations, conflict resolution, law enforcement research methods, psychology, criminal justice and investigation, defensive techniques, traffic management and forensic analysis, etc.



Graduates of this program can pursue employment with the police department, FBI (Federal Bureau of Investigation), private security firms, Department of Homeland Security and private security agencies, etc.   

If you are passionate about a career in law enforcement, then you should consider earning a Bachelor’s in Law Enforcement degree. Read this guide to find out what the program entails and how you can benefit from it.

What Is Law Enforcement?

Law Enforcement is the system/procedure employed by any government to enforce the law of the land. Under this system, a group of designated personnel is authorized to deter, rehabilitate and/or punish people who break the rules and regulations governing that place.

Police is the most common law enforcement agency in any country. The US is no different where each city has its own police force. Other bodies that work within the law enforcement domain in America include the FBI (Federal Bureau of Investigation), Department of Homeland Security, Department of Justice, United States Marshals Service, etc.

What Can You Do with a Bachelor’s in Law Enforcement?

With a Bachelor’s in Law Enforcement degree, you can take up a number of different jobs. These include Correctional Officer, First-Line Supervisor of Police and Detective, Private Investigator, Probation and Parole Officer, Loss Prevention Specialist, Police and Sheriff’s Patrol Officer, FBI (Federal Bureau of Investigation) Agent, Private Security Officer, State Trooper, Crime Scene Investigator and Fraud Investigator, etc.

The salary details of a few of these jobs have been provided in the next section. All the data has been gathered and reproduced from the official 2019 records of the US Bureau of Labor Statistics.

First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives

First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives are responsible for overseeing and coordinating the activities of police officers under their command.

Annual Median Salary, 2019

$91,090

Job Outlook, 2018-2028

5% (Police and Detectives)

Annual Mean Salary, 2019

$94,950

State with the Highest Employment Level, 2019

New York

13,230

State with the Highest Salary, 2019

California

$158,120
 

Police and Sheriff’s Patrol Officers

Police and Sheriff’s Patrol Officers are responsible for maintaining law and order within their city/county/state. Their duties involve patrolling a designated area, managing traffic, investigating accidents and arresting suspected criminals, etc.

Annual Median Salary, 2019

$63,150

Job Outlook, 2018-2028

5% (Police and Detectives)

Annual Mean Salary, 2019

$67,600

State with the Highest Employment Level, 2019

California

72,380

State with the Highest Salary, 2019

California

$105,220
 

Private Detectives and Investigators

Private Detectives and Investigators are hired by people on their own to gather information about financial, personal or legal matters. They are not on the payroll of any law enforcement agency but may collaborate with them for various reasons. 

Annual Median Salary, 2019

$50,510

Job Outlook, 2018-2028

8%

Annual Mean Salary, 2019

$57,000

State with the Highest Employment Level, 2019

Florida

4,350

State with the Highest Salary, 2019

District of Columbia

$69,790
 

What to Expect from a Bachelor’s in Law Enforcement Degree Program?

A Bachelor’s in Law Enforcement degree will teach you about Tactical Communications, Criminal Law, Community Relations, Law Enforcement and Professional Responsibility, Criminology, Law Enforcement Research Methods, Conflict Resolution, Criminal Justice, Psychology, Traffic Management, Defensive Techniques and Forensic Analysis, etc. 

How to Choose a Bachelor’s in Law Enforcement Degree Program?

While picking a Bachelor’s in Law Enforcement degree program at any school, you must consider things like accreditation status of the program, curriculum, fee structure, likely research opportunities and location of the campus, etc. The Western Illinois University, California State University, West Virginia State University and the City University of New York are all excellent options to study for a Bachelor’s in Law Enforcement.      

Bachelor’s in Law Enforcement Admission Requirements

There may be slight differences in the entrance requirements of various schools. However, you will probably need a High School Diploma or the alternative GED (General Educational Development) Certificate to enroll into any Bachelor’s in Law Enforcement program.

How Long Does It Take to Get a Bachelor’s in Law Enforcement?

A bachelor’s degree in Law Enforcement would typically take four years to complete with a full-time study format. However, many colleges are now offering online or part time programs to allow students develop their own pace of study.

What Are the Requirements to Get a Bachelor’s in Law Enforcement?

To get into a bachelor’s in law enforcement program, students are advised to check in detail the admission requirements of the college they intend on applying to. Common requirements would involve a minimum GPA, transcripts, application package, letters of recommendation, test scores and an application fee. In addition to these, you will also have to select a concentration. Common concentration options include Police Administration, Corrections, Emergency Management and Public Safety.

How Much Can I Make after I Get a Bachelor’s in Law Enforcement?

The amount of money you make after getting a bachelor’s in law enforcement would depend on the career path you choose. You may become a Police Officer/Detective, Probation Officer/Correctional Treatment Specialist or a Private Investigator. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Police and Detectives made an annual median income of $63,380 in 2018. 

Frequently Asked Question(s)

Q:What kind of work can I get after completing the bachelor in policing and law enforcement degree?

A:The career prospects for someone with a Bachelor in Policing and Law Enforcement degree are vast. You can find work in several departments of the Criminal Justice field. Some of the positions you can work in include police officer, prison officer and parole officer while you can also choose to work privately as a consultant or security adviser.

Q:What are the areas of study in the Legal Research and Writing Course of the Bachelor degree in Law Enforcement?

A:The Bachelor degree in Law Enforcement degree program has a specialist course on Legal Research and Writing. The 4 credits worth course starts off with how to effectively communicate the terms in a legal setup and how to perform the desired legal research. Students also get to learn how to bring forward a case from infancy all the way to the final stages of being disposed.

Q:What are the contents of the course on Personal Finance in the Bachelors in Law degree program?

A:The Bachelors in Law degree program has designated course on Personal Finance. This course is worth 3 credits in total. It is structured to offer the students with a much more consumer oriented overview of the practical applications of the concepts of economics. There is also ample emphasis on the process of budgeting and decision making.

Q:As I read on what career can you choose after the Bachelor of Policing, there was mention of the course on Organic Analysis.What are the contents of this course?

A:It is quite common to find the mention of the course on Organic Analysis while reading on what career can you choose after the Bachelor of Policing. This course is of around 4 credits in total. It is designed to offer the students understanding of the instruments as well as techniques to examine the evidence of organic nature.

Q:What are the prerequisites for bachelor in law enforcement?

A:There are various schools that offer a bachelors degree in law enforcement and they will have their own prerequisites for admission. However generally speaking, to be enrolled into a bachelors program a candidate should have a high school diploma. In addition to this some schools may ask for a personal essay and letters of recommendation.

Q:Could you tell me a bit about the law enforcement degree programs ?

A:One of the most popular degrees in this field is Bachelors of Law Enforcement, Policing & Investigation program. It takes about 3 to 4 years to complete, unless you are pursuing this degree online, then the time span may vary. Some of the major courses taught in this program are: Elements and Methods of Investigation, Criminal Law and Investigation, Terrorism and Homeland Security, Police Ethics and Culture, History and Theories of Crime Prevention.

Q:What would be the benefits of a bachelors in law enforcement online, and what are its career options?

A:The biggest benefit of earning a Bachelor' degree in Law Enforcement online is that you have the freedom to pursue your courses in your own time and space while still holding on to your full time job. Also studying online is much cheaper than studying on-campus. As far as the future prospects of getting a Bachelor in Law Enforcement, Policing & Investigation is concerned; let me tell you that anyone with this degree is heading for an exciting career in law enforcement. After this degree you can end up in careers with Police, FBI and State troops agencies.

Q:Can you describe the program coursework of a bachelor' criminal justice investigation/ law enforcement degree?

A:A bachelor of criminal justice investigation/ law enforcement program lasts for four years. It undertakes to study legal system, judicial processes, criminal psyche, investigative techniques, criminology theories, correctional therapies, crime analysis, evidence collecting and more. The subjects may vary from institute to institute. Hand on experience can be taken by pursuing an internship in a legal setting.

Q:What are some the careers that are viable after completing a bachelors to become law enforcement officers?

A:There are many positions with regards to law enforcement that can be applied for. The most popular among these include detectives, FBI agents, county sheriffs, civil rights investigators, fraud investigators, officers in the department of homeland security, an intelligence analyst in the NSA, the administrator of a police program or an undercover narcotics officer with the DEA.

Q:Can you tell me about bachelors in law enforcement jobs?

A:There are a number of law enforcement jobs you can go for with a bachelor degree in this field. For example, you can choose to join the police force and become a police officer. However, you will be required to take extra training for this field. On the other hand, you can join the security sector and work as a security specialist, probation officer, or even a private investigator.

Q:As I was reading about bs in law subjects. I found out that it is not easy to get admission in a law school. Why is that so?

A:The admission requirements for law schools and programs vary. You need to have at least a high school diploma to qualify for such programs. The school may demand a LSAT score from you. So it is recommended that you take the LSAT exam prior to applying for admission in any law school. You may also have to bring a few letters of recommendation.

Q:I wish to go for a Bachelor in Law Enforcement Policing and Investigation Online. How can it be cost effective?

A:If you are going for an online Bachelor in Law Enforcement Policing and Investigation, you can save various costs that are normally associated with on-campus education. Online programs do not require you to spend on textbooks, travelling, or hostel accommodation. Tuition costs of online programs are also less due to their inherently efficient setup.

Q:When searching on what jobs can I get with a law enforcement degree, I came across employment prospects. What are they?

A:Employment prospects would come up when researching on what jobs can I get with a law enforcement degree. Employment prospects are the possible positions students can hold after graduating from a specific degree. In this case, law enforcement degree. Police agents, detectives, FBI and DEA agents as well as corrections officers are just some of the job prospects of law enforcement graduates.

Q:What will a degree in law enforcement lead to? Tell me a little?

A:A degree in law enforcement will lead to a variety of jobs in the law enforcement sector. You can choose to work as a police officer, patrol officer, probation officer, or even consider applying in the FBI, CIA, and homeland security department. Law enforcement jobs are in high demand nowadays. Take a look at our page for more detail.

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