Online Law Enforcement Degree

Law enforcement is a complex subject with many nuanced factors like policing ethics and community relations. Our online law enforcement classes balance policing principles and in-depth criminal justice concepts aimed at reducing crime.

Taking law enforcement courses online offers flexibility to earn your degree at your own pace. Mobile-friendly coursework allows you to study for your degree while still accommodating your other responsibilities.

You could be eligible to graduate in less time than you think. Speak to an Admissions Advisor to learn how to: transfer up to 75% of qualifying credits toward your degree at AIU¹; get credit for eligible military and work experience¹; and how to customize your education with intellipath^®.

Pursuing an online law enforcement degree with AIU may help you learn key criminal justice concepts and how law enforcement fits into the justice system. AIU’s online law enforcement classes can teach you how to apply knowledge of constitutional principles in relation to law enforcement and criminal justice. This degree is designed to teach contemporary policing in the U.S. and the role it plays alongside other criminal justice functions, like forensics, corrections, and homeland security.

Prerequisite for AIU’s online law enforcement degree program?

There are no prerequisites to enroll in AIU’s online law enforcement degree program. In fact, you may already be eligible to receive degree credit for life experience¹. Your dedicated Graduation Team will help support you along your academic journey, from enrollment to graduation.

Bachelor’s degree in law enforcement curriculum

This online law enforcement degree program has a strong criminal justice foundation and further delves into law enforcement history, policy, and practices. AIU offers a comprehensive law enforcement education that includes courses on community-oriented policing, criminalistics, terrorism and homeland security, and criminal investigation.

Criminal justice components explore drug abuse and policing, crime victim studies, crime and corrections fundamentals, juvenile justice, and other introductory courses on crime, security, and justice.

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

Programs vary by location.
Not all programs are available to residents of all states.
American InterContinental University, AIU, is part of the American InterContinental University System, which is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (hlcommission.org), a regional accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

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.

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.

What is a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice (BSCJ) with a Specialization in Law Enforcement degree?

AIU’s bachelor’s degree in criminal justice with a specialization in law enforcement is designed to provide knowledge, skills, and abilities relevant for pursuing potential opportunities in the law enforcement field. This degree program is designed to provide a comprehensive understanding of policing communities, protecting rights, and upholding industry ethics. Upon pursuing your law enforcement degree, you will study key criminal justice concepts and how law enforcement fits into the criminal justice system.

How long does it take to earn a BSCJ degree?

Our bachelor’s degree programs are designed as 48-month programs. However, many factors can impact your time to completion. The time it may take you to earn your BSCJ can be influenced by course loads, proficiency and/or transfer credits, and breaks.

What kind of courses will I take to earn a BSCJ in law enforcement degree?

As you work to complete your BSCJ degree, you will be immersed in courses such as: Community Oriented Policing; Criminalistics; Criminal Investigation; and Terrorism and Homeland Security.

When can I begin my BSCJ classes?

Courses for the Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice Degree with a Specialization in Law Enforcement start approximately every five weeks. Your actual start date is based on several factors, including receiving academic and financial documentation.

How many credits will I need to graduate with a BSCJ in law enforcement degree?

The BSCJ degree program consists of 180 credits. You may be eligible for transfer credit, which is evaluated on an individual basis. Not all credits are eligible to transfer. Please see the University Catalog for transfer credit policies.

Why should I pursue a BS in criminal justice with a specialization in law enforcement degree?

Upon earning your BSCJ in law enforcement degree, you should have a strong criminal justice foundation encompassing such topics as community-oriented policing, criminalistics, terrorism and homeland security, and criminal investigation. By studying key topics in law enforcement, you can: have knowledge of the historical context of policing in the U.S. and the essential differences between police services at the different levels of government; work to understand the role of police and their relationship to other components of the criminal justice system including courts, corrections, and forensic science; and be able to identify specific law enforcement strategies to address substantive issues such as community policing, terrorism and homeland security, cultural diversity, and drugs and crime.