Online Law Enforcement Degree

Total tuition for this degree program may vary depending on your educational needs, existing experience, and other factors.

Estimate your costs, potential savings and graduation date.

AIU offers a professionally-focused Online Law Enforcement Degree program that is designed to help provide students with the opportunity to develop knowledge in police theory, law-enforcement practice and organizational management in the field of law enforcement.

Study the relationship between police and the communities they serve and explore the fundamentals of criminal justice, including police ethics, public policy, and how to develop programs that can empower communities to reduce crime. Successful completion of AIU’s Online Law Enforcement Degree can provide students with an industry-focused look at the law enforcement field and the relationship between police agencies and the communities they serve.

Our Online Law Enforcement program can help you learn how to:

• Explain the historical context of policing in the U.S. and the essential differences between police services at the different levels of government
• Define the role of police and their relationship to other components of the criminal justice system including courts, corrections and forensic science
• Explain the organizational structure, administrative practices and operating procedures of modern police agencies in the handling of personnel and their functions
• Identify specific law enforcement strategies to address community policing, terrorism and homeland security, cultural diversity and drugs and crime
• Apply and use critical knowledge skills of the U.S. Constitution and its practical application to law enforcement and criminal procedure
• Identify and analyze ethical issues related to decision-making processes associated with moral dilemmas in policing

Download program detail PDF

For an Online Law Enforcement Degree, your classes may include:

Community Oriented Policing

This course examines the relationship between police agencies and the communities they serve. Topics will include traditional relations and public policy as well as new programs designed to involve the community in resolving crimes in the community. Students will also examine issues involving police ethics and the public image of police agencies in the media.

Crime and Substance Abuse

This course examines drug abuse and its relationship to crime. Topics include the statistical relationship between drugs and crime, drug laws and courts, drug prevention programs and public policy concerning the use and abuse of substances.

Administration of Criminal Justice

This course focuses on the challenges administrators face in law enforcement, courts, and corrections. Students will examine the various organizational frameworks in the criminal justice system and the concepts, organizational principles, and models associated with these criminal justice agencies.

Advanced Law Enforcement

This course provides an in-depth analysis and systematic study of the principles of law enforcement and policing. It covers the administration, organization and activities of the police in the United States. Topics such as homeland security, terrorism and cybercrime are also addressed.

Criminalistics

Criminalistics is part I of a two part series. This course is a survey course of forensic science. The course content will focus on defining "forensic science"; recognizing practices of legitimate, junk and fraudulent science; examining the properties of physical evidence; discussing the scope, potential and limitations of a variety of forensic sciences; examining analytical techniques applied by forensic scientists; evaluating the criteria for admissibility of scientific evidence; and discussing the ethical responsibilities of forensic scientists.

Terrorism and Homeland Security

This course presents an overview of the key security issues facing the United States in both the areas of Homeland Security and Terrorism. It introduces students to the changing dynamics of homeland security at both the national and state levels. Students will explore the various dynamics of providing security in different settings. Additionally, the history and future of terrorism will be examined.

Criminal Investigation

This course explores the elements of investigation including crime scenes, witnesses and evidence, and includes such topics as investigative techniques, evidence documentation, interrogation and arrest. The course addresses the particulars of investigating major crimes.

Crime Mapping and Analysis

This course introduces basic concepts in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) applications in criminal justice. The class is designed to provide an overview of the use of maps in policing. Emphasis is on learning how to properly design, construct, manipulate, and interpret maps.

University Catalog

Course content subject to change.

From grants to military service to transfer credits, see the variety of ways you can save time and money on your Online Law Enforcement Degree at AIU:

• Scholarships & Grants – AIU offers a number of institutional scholarships and grants that can help eligible students offset the program cost and help reduce out of pocket costs
• Military Discounts – AIU Online offers a 45% tuition reduction to active military undergraduate students and a 20% tuition reduction to active military graduate students, including members of the Reserves and National Guard
• Transfer Credit – AIU’s transfer-friendly policy lets you transfer in up to 75% of the qualifying credits you need toward your degree*
• Prior Learning Credit – You can receive credits for past college courses, military service, or work experience

For more information, download AIU guides below:

• Financial Aid Guide – Our guide to financial aid can answer your initial questions and help you prepare to apply for financial aid
• Scholarships and Grants Guide – Learn about the scholarships and grants offered by AIU along with details about eligibility
• Transfer Credits Guide – This guide explores how to transfer your credits from other schools—and earn college credit for your past work and military experience

*Transfer credit is evaluated on an individual basis. Not all credits are eligible to transfer. See the University Catalog for transfer credit policies.

• Homeland Security Degree Online
• Online Corrections Degree
• Online Forensic Science Degree