Top Online Bachelor's in Law Enforcement Programs for 2019

Saint Leo University’s degree in law enforcement, the bachelor of arts in criminal justice, requires students to earn 120 credits. The curriculum includes 39 credits of criminal justice core courses. Classes are taught by field-trained faculty who help students explore topics in substantive criminal law and procedure, ethics, police administration, criminal behavior, and more. Students are required to take a 15-credit, five-course concentration. Learners also complete general core requirements – courses that explore spirituality and religion – and 39 credits of electives. Applicants should submit high school transcripts or GED scores. While the university asks for scores from examinations like AP tests, it does not require ACT or SAT scores. In-state and out-of-state students pay the same tuition rate.

Anderson University’s online law enforcement degree helps students understand the criminal justice system on a macro and micro level, which prepares them for local and national positions. The bachelor of arts in criminal justice consists of 128 credits. Students take major-related courses along with general education requirements. The program also includes foreign language and Biblical tradition components. Applicants should submit transcripts from all attended educational institutions, and freshmen should submit ACT or SAT scores as well. Transfer applicants with less than 24 college semester hours should also submit ACT or SAT scores. The campus is located in Anderson, South Carolina. In-state and out-of-state students pay the same tuition rate.

The bachelor of science in criminal justice at Penn State allows students to study law enforcement online. The 120-credit curriculum explores many topics, such as criminology, ethics, security, police administration, and alternatives to incarceration. Students are also able to pursue an 18-credit minor in homeland security, which serves as preparation for positions in the private and public sectors. Coursework is delivered asynchronously. The university recommends this program for first-time freshman and transfer applicants. All applicants should submit appropriate transcripts. First-time freshman do not need to submit standardized test scores. Proof of English proficiency may be required. Pennsylvania residents receive a moderate tuition discount. Military students are eligible for reduced tuition as well.

EKU’s law enforcement degree, the bachelor of science in police studies, is available completely online. The 120-credit program may be completed entirely at EKU or through a combination of institutions, as EKU accepts up to 90 transfer credits. The major consists of 54-57 credits, which includes police studies core courses and major-related electives. Students must also complete general core and elective classes. All courses are delivered asynchronously. Students with fewer than 24 college credits should have a minimum high school GPA of 2.5 and must submit ACT or SAT scores. Applicants with college credits should also submit college transcripts. Tuition is the same for all students, regardless of state residency.

Hampton University offers an online degree in law enforcement in the form of a bachelor of science in criminal justice. The 120-credit curriculum takes a multidisciplinary approach to exploring criminology and law enforcement. Students study criminal law, psychology, juvenile delinquency, social psychology, terrorism, and homeland security. General education and elective courses are included in the four-year curriculum. The program concludes with a senior practicum. Applicants should submit their high school transcripts or GED scores. A 250–300-word personal essay is also required. Transfer applicants should provide official college transcripts. The university, which is located in Hampton, Virginia, does not require SAT or ACT scores. In-state and out-of-state students pay the same tuition rate.

Point Park University’s bachelor of science in criminal justice consists of 120 credit hours that may be completed in two to four years, depending on how many credits a student transfers in. The curriculum includes 42 thematic core and 12 free elective credits. The remaining 66 credit hours are divided between major and departmental core courses and major-related electives. Applicants should file the free online application and submit official high school or college transcripts. ACT or SAT scores are not required. Transfer students must have completed 12 college credit hours or have studied at the college level for at least six months. They must also have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0. All students pay the same tuition rate, regardless of state residency.

NSU's bachelor of arts in criminal justice is comprised of 120 credits, which takes about four years of full-time study to complete. Students take courses in a variety of disciplines, such as psychology, political science, and sociology. They are also required to complete general core requirements in the arts and humanities. Law enforcement degree applicants should submit high school or college transcripts or GED scores. ACT or SAT scores are also required for freshman applicants. Transfer applicants with fewer than 18 college credits should submit high school transcripts and may also need to submit standardized test scores if they have not completed the required math and English courses. Online students do not pay out-of-state fees or extra tuition.

CityU of Seattle offers an online law enforcement degree that uses a multidisciplinary approach to train students for careers within three areas of emphasis: corporate security investigation, cyber forensic investigation, and justice administration. The bachelor of science in criminal justice requires students to earn 180 credits. Courses are taught by professors who have field experience. The program concludes with a five-credit capstone course. Applicants should submit high school or college transcripts or GED scores. Standardized test scores are not required. Students with military experience or training from a prior criminal justice program are eligible to count those experiences toward lower-level degree credits. All online students pay the same tuition rate.

Tiffin offers a unique law enforcement degree online. The bachelor's in criminal justice in law enforcement utilizes the disciplines of behavioral science, law, and politics to teach students the academic and practical applications of those disciplines in the law enforcement field. Students also study homeland security, crime prevention and repression, and the design and policy of law enforcement agencies. The average degree completion time for the 120-credit program is 10 semesters, which is about four years. Prospective students should fill out the free online application. Standardized test scores are not required. Transfer applicants should provide official college transcripts. The university is located in Tiffin, Ohio. In-state and out-of-state tuition is the same. Financial aid is available to eligible students who submit the FAFSA.

New England College offers an online bachelor of arts in criminal justice. The 120-credit curriculum includes 44 credits of major courses, which provides a comprehensive introduction to many criminal justice topics, such as law enforcement practices, investigative techniques, and the impact of lawsuits on policy. Students also take 40 credits of general education courses and 36 credits of electives. The college is located in Henniker, New Hampshire, and all online students pay the same per-credit tuition rate, regardless of state residency. Online degree in law enforcement students may apply as first-time freshman or transfer learners. The college awards up to 90 transfer credits toward the criminal justice degree. ACT or SAT scores are not required for admission; applicants need only to file the application and submit official transcripts.

NKU’s bachelor of arts in criminal justice provides broad training in the law enforcement field that learners can apply towards a number of positions. The 120-credit curriculum explores criminal justice topics, such as culture, ethics, and policing in America. Students also hone their analytical and critical thinking skills through courses that focus on research. The university’s general education core reinforces those skills as well. The university encourages students to pursue electives or specialized interest areas within the law enforcement degree. Applicants should submit their high school transcripts or GED scores. ACT or SAT scores are also required. Transfer students should provide official college transcripts. The campus is located in Highland Heights, Kentucky. All online students pay the same tuition rate, regardless of state residency.

Bellevue University offers an online law enforcement degree. The school's bachelor of science in criminal justice helps students develop an in-depth understanding of the entire criminal justice system. The program emphasizes topics such as criminal behavior analysis, principles of law and ethics, contemporary social issues, strategic management, and policy development. The 127-credit curriculum includes 27 general education credits, 40 major credits, and 51 elective credits. Students also complete the nine-credit Kirkpatrick Signature Series, which focuses on American tradition, freedoms, and values. The university is located in Bellevue, Nebraska. All online students pay the same tuition rate, regardless of state residency. Military students pay a discounted tuition. Applicants should submit high school or college transcripts or GED scores. Standardized test scores are not required.

The bachelor of science in criminal justice provides insight into the criminal justice system. Students study law enforcement online in an accelerated format. The 120-credit curriculum includes 33 credits of general core and 18 credits of free elective courses to help students graduate with a well-rounded education. Students take 45 credits of criminal justice core courses and 18 credits of criminal justice electives, which teach students the necessary career skills. The university also offers a six-credit CAP program that places students into two criminal justice internships. First-time applicants should submit high school transcripts and ACT or SAT scores. They are also required to arrange a meeting with an adviser. Transfer applicants should submit official college transcripts and must schedule an advising appointment. All online students pay the same tuition rate.

Excelsior College’s online law enforcement degree is delivered asynchronously. The 120-credit bachelor of science in criminal justice (law enforcement and public safety concentration) program consists of 27 general education credits and a minimum of 33 major credits. The remaining credits are completed through electives and arts and science requirements. The criminal justice major has four optional concentrations: criminal justice administration, homeland security, investigative forensics, and law enforcement and public safety. Excelsior does not require special application procedures. Applicants need only file the application and submit high school or official college transcripts. A generous transfer policy awards up to 90 credits toward the criminal justice degree. The college is located in Albany, New York. All online students pay the same tuition rate.

Charter Oak State College’s bachelor of science in criminal justice allows students to concentrate in general criminal justice or victim advocacy. Students explore topics such as forensic science, abnormal psychology, and social problems’ impact on the workplace. Victim advocacy students learn about mental health, victim's rights, and other topics. This concentration requires an extra three-credit class. Learners need 120 credits to graduate, which includes general education courses and electives. The criminal justice major consists of 42 credits and includes a three-credit final capstone. Applicants to the law enforcement degree should submit official transcripts and standardized test scores. Students with military experience may receive college credit. Charter Oak State College is located in New Britain, Connecticut. State residents pay a discounted tuition.