Complete your specialization in law enforcement online or on campus
Criminal Justice Associate's degree - Law Enforcement specialization
Law enforcement officers are relied upon by citizens, schools, and businesses to keep communities safe. As a graduate of our Criminal Justice program specialization in Law Enforcement, you will be prepared to enter the workforce as a law enforcement professional and help ensure the safety and security of people and property.
Our Law Enforcement specialization curriculum was developed with input from high-ranking criminal justice practitioners from across the nation and is unique at the Associate’s degree level. It includes law enforcement-specific coursework such as advanced report documentation, which is critical to effective and successful law enforcement work. You will also gain thorough real-world experience through our in-field coursework, projects, and assignments, including a ride-along with a local police officer.
Through our advance curriculum, our additional focus on developing your communication, ethics, and critical thinking skills, our in-field experience, and our instructors who are dedicated to developing your highest level of academic skills, you will gain a competitive advantage as you start your law enforcement career.
As a graduate of our Criminal Justice Associate’s degree with a Law Enforcement specialization, you can choose to enter the workforce, or you can choose to further your education by seamlessly transferring your credits into our Criminal Justice Bachelor’s degree.
Criminal Justice degree main page
Why Law Enforcement specialization?
This program in the field of law enforcement offers you the flexibility and convenience of online learning or the option of taking courses at one of our campuses located throughout the US.
Are you ready to learn more? We’ve spent more than a century at Rasmussen College preparing students for success. If you would like to know more about our school, what we offer our students or anything else, please fill out a contact request or call us at (888) 549-6755. One of our program managers can answer any questions you may have.
Law Enforcement Specialization Courses
Law enforcement requires you to retain a lot of information in order to effectively handle the situations you encounter in the field. You will need to think back to what you learned in your criminal justice courses and apply those skills and techniques toward your career in the justice system.
Some key courses include:
Crime Scene to Conviction: Critical Skills in Documentation
You will develop skills for proper report writing, including such documents as search warrants, police reports, and case documents. You will evaluate the impact of proper report writing, communication, and documentation on the outcome of legal proceedings, and review the importance of effectively translating written work into courtroom testimony.
Practical Psychology for Law Enforcement
You will examine how principles of psychology relate to law-enforcement work. You will explore fundamental concepts from a policing perspective, focusing on the real-world effects these principles produce on peace officers, their families, and the citizens they serve. You will review the short and long-term physiological and psychological effects of stress, trauma, and occupational experiences unique to the profession.
Legal Code for Law Enforcement
You will review penal statutes covering issues from homicide to misconduct, and will examine legislation and statutes that govern law-enforcement duties and responsibilities. You will learn how laws and procedures apply to specific populations like juveniles and domestic-violence victims.
View courses – Criminal Justice Associate’s degree Law Enforcement specialization
You can begin a career as a peace officer, probation support specialist, public safety specialist, community service officer, or law enforcement officer with your Criminal Justice Associate's degree with a specialization in Law Enforcement.
Law Enforcement Specialization Career Outlook
Between 2008 and 2018, the number of new positions in the law enforcement fields listed below is expected to increase by more than 100,000. The education you receive from Rasmussen College will help prepare you for any one of these exciting and rewarding careers.
Here is a snapshot of some possible careers:
Salary & growth statistics provided by the BLS ‡ |
25th Percentile | 50th Percentile | 75th Percentile | Projected Growth |
| Bailiffs | $26,740 | $37,950 | $53,730 | 8% |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $31,210 | $39,050 | $52,240 | 9% |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $40,450 | $53,210 | $67,990 | 9% |
| Transit and Railroad Police | $40,600 | $50,940 | $63,800 | 5% |
The Rasmussen College career placement services staff starts helping you even before you graduate – with your resume, cover letter, interviewing techniques and how to search for a great career. And it doesn’t end there – these services are available throughout your career.
‡"Occupational Employment Statistics Home Page." U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. U.S. Department of Labor, 27 July 2010. Web. 27 Sept. 2010.
"Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2010-11 Edition." U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. U.S. Department of Labor, Dec. 2009. Web. 29 Nov. 2010.
BLS salary data may not reflect expected entry level earnings.
Seamless Credit Transfer Policies
Transferring your credits doesn't need to be difficult. At Rasmussen College, our transfer policies are designed to maximize your credit transfer and minimize your time to graduation. View our official Transfer Policy for a full description of each policy.
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