Updated
10/10/2023
While some entry-level careers in law enforcement require only a high school diploma and completion of a police academy program, a college credential can help you stand out among candidates and qualify you for higher-paying positions and leadership roles. From certificate programs to graduate degrees, there are options at every level. Accredited online programs are also readily available, providing a convenient option for those already working in the field and others who can benefit from the added flexibility of remote learning. Read on to explore this year’s best online law enforcement degree programs, learn about the curriculum and the different types of programs offered online, and much more.
Best Online Colleges for Law Enforcement in 2024
With so many options available in law enforcement education and training, how do you know which one is right for you? To help you decide, we looked at a variety of online law enforcement programs across the U.S. in terms of online program availability, quality, accreditation, and affordability. The ranking below highlights the best overall colleges for earning your law enforcement degree online in 2024.
College Ranking Methodology
Generate List of Eligible Schools and Programs
To be eligible for this ranking, schools were required to meet the following criteria based on government data provided by The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS).
- Institutional accreditation from an organization recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
- At least one program in the subject area offered partially or fully online.
- Career placement and academic counseling services.
Assign Weightings
After generating the list of eligible schools, the STEPS data team then assigned weights and ranked schools based on their performance in a variety of key categories. Affordability metrics received the heaviest weightings, followed by online learning and academic quality metrics (equally weighted).
Affordability
- Relative cost of attendance compared to peer schools on the list. Based on in-state tuition for undergraduate students per academic year.
- Percentage of students who receive institutional financial aid (directly from the school).
- Average amount of institutional financial aid awarded.
Online Learning
- Number of online programs in subject area self-reported by school to the U.S. Department of Education.
- Percentage of students at the school taking at least one class online.
Academic Quality
- Student-to-faculty ratio.
- Percentage of full-time, first-time students graduating within 6 years.
About Our Data
All STEPS rankings use the latest official data available from The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS). Most recent data pull: August 2023
Accreditation Glossary
ABHE: Association for Biblical Higher Education, Commission on Accreditation
ABHES: Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools
ACCJC: Western Association of Schools and Colleges Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges
ACCSC: Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges
DEAC: Distance Education Accrediting Commission
HLC: Higher Learning Commission
MSCHE: Middle States Commission on Higher Education
NECHE: New England Commission of Higher Education
NWCCU: Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
SACSCOC: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
TRACS: Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools, Accreditation Commission
WSCUC: Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission
1
Waynesburg, Pennsylvania
Waynesburg University offers a Master of Arts in Criminal Investigation completely online. The online coursework allows flexibility in scheduling for students who are juggling a career or family responsibility along with their education. This program can be taken either full time or part time. Students can expect to take courses in advanced criminal investigation, effective behavior analysis, financial crime investigations, drug crime investigations, complex and special investigations, gang and organized crime investigations, and prosecutorial strategies. To be admitted into this program, students must have a bachelor's degree, an official copy of their transcripts, and a current resume. There will also be an application interview where potential students may be asked about their past work history.
Program Highlights:
Master of Arts in Criminal Investigation
- Credits: 30
- Length: 1 year
- Cost: $705 per credit
- Mode: Online
- Accreditation: MSCHE
College Ranking Methodology
Generate List of Eligible Schools and Programs
To be eligible for this ranking, schools were required to meet the following criteria based on government data provided by The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS).
- Institutional accreditation from an organization recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
- At least one program in the subject area offered partially or fully online.
- Career placement and academic counseling services.
Assign Weightings
After generating the list of eligible schools, the STEPS data team then assigned weights and ranked schools based on their performance in a variety of key categories. Affordability metrics received the heaviest weightings, followed by online learning and academic quality metrics (equally weighted).
Affordability
- Relative cost of attendance compared to peer schools on the list. Based on in-state tuition for undergraduate students per academic year.
- Percentage of students who receive institutional financial aid (directly from the school).
- Average amount of institutional financial aid awarded.
Online Learning
- Number of online programs in subject area self-reported by school to the U.S. Department of Education.
- Percentage of students at the school taking at least one class online.
Academic Quality
- Student-to-faculty ratio.
- Percentage of full-time, first-time students graduating within 6 years.
About Our Data
All STEPS rankings use the latest official data available from The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS). Most recent data pull: August 2023
Accreditation Glossary
ABHE: Association for Biblical Higher Education, Commission on Accreditation
ABHES: Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools
ACCJC: Western Association of Schools and Colleges Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges
ACCSC: Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges
DEAC: Distance Education Accrediting Commission
HLC: Higher Learning Commission
MSCHE: Middle States Commission on Higher Education
NECHE: New England Commission of Higher Education
NWCCU: Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
SACSCOC: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
TRACS: Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools, Accreditation Commission
WSCUC: Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission
1
Utica, New York
At Mohawk Valley Community College, students can obtain an online associate degree in Criminal Justice: Law Enforcement that can be completed in just 17 months. This program is only available for working police officers, veteran officers, or those who have earned pre-employment police training college credit. The program is designed to be taken one course at a time and will culminate with graduates receiving their associate degrees. To help busy students schedule their lives, the school provides the full course schedule at the beginning of the term to allow for planning. This program will give working professionals new promotional opportunities, special positions, and more retirement opportunities. Students accepted into the program will have access to an educational advisor, an online community, and financial aid.
Program Highlights:
Associate in Applied Science in Criminal Justice: Law Enforcement
- Credits: 64
- Length: 17 Months
- Cost: $2,581 per semester (resident), $3,871.50 per semester (non-resident)
- Mode: Online
- Accreditation: MSCHE
How Do Online Law Enforcement Degree Programs Work?
Law enforcement online degree programs are available at every educational level, from undergraduate certificates to graduate degrees. The online program works well for busy working professionals since most formats allow for asynchronous learning, which means you can complete the work at your own pace as long as regular deadlines are met to keep you moving toward completion of credentials. Formatting such as online textbooks, lectures, and video chats provide a solid foundation of knowledge, while hands-on training takes place at local corrections facilities and police departments. In addition to classwork, students who want to work in a police department often need to complete their state’s police academy program, which sometimes is included as part of the school’s graduation plan.
Common Classes in Online Law Enforcement Degree Programs
All law enforcement programs teach certain aspects about the profession and the field at large. As a result, many of the courses taken are similar from one school to another, though professors present material in varying ways. The courses detailed below are representative of what you can expect to find in a typical law enforcement program.
Introduction to Criminal Justice or Criminology
This introduction to the field of criminology, criminal justice, and policing covers the history of law enforcement, how the corrections system operates, and the role of police and other law enforcement officials in society.
Ethics of Law Enforcement and Policing
Introduction to Criminal Justice or CriminologyClimate Science
This course looks at the sometimes thorny ethical and moral issues those in law enforcement might face. In addition to guidelines, theories, applications, and methods that have ethical requirements, students learn about the legal cases that govern changes in the field.
Fundamentals of Criminal Law
This course includes a strong overview of Constitutional law, the rights of the accused and the victim, how to abide by the laws during po