How do I get a Law Enforcement Degree?

Depending on the level of education the student wants to pursue, getting a law enforcement degree could mean a number of different things. There are a few different degrees one could pursue in this area. One is known as police science; another is known as criminal justice, but others exist as well. If going to college, the student will also have the choice of earning an Associate's degree or a Bachelor's degree, depending on what the particular law enforcement program offers.

Getting a law enforcement degree is dependent on what one wants to do with the degree. Law enforcement is much more than simply police officers patrolling the streets. Some may want a degree in criminal justice administration, which will help the student learn how to manage a police department or correctional institution. Others may want a law degree in order to become a prosecutor, which is another part of law enforcement.

An Associate's degree in law enforcement degree takes two years to earn. Thus, for those who want to get through the classes quickly and find a job, this offers a faster way to do that. Often, there are not as many general education, or core, credits required to earn this degree. Also, even those who are earning Bachelor's degrees will often go ahead and pick up this degree along the way. This allows them to enter the workforce while possibly continuing to work toward a Bachelor's degree in police science or criminal justice.

A Bachelor's degree is more typical of what many people envision when there is talk of a college degree. Getting a four-year law enforcement degree will include a substantial amount of training in police activities, court systems and likely even psychology, especially abnormal or deviant psychology. Those choosing to go this route will spend more time in school, but get a more thorough education that could include internships and other specialized training.

Though not really a degree, those wanting to become a police officer could simply opt for law enforcement certification, which is offered through a police academy. Even a student who receives a law enforcement degree through college will likely have to attend the police academy for this certification before starting a job. These classes usually take a matter of weeks to complete, and provide training in state law, civil rights, arrest techniques and weapons training. In many jurisdictions, this is all that is required to become a patrol officer, though having a degree would certainly make a candidate more competitive.