What is an online bachelor’s degree in criminal justice with a law enforcement track?

UMGC's criminal justice program law enforcement track is specially designed for current and recent police officers who want to receive up to 60 credits for their law enforcement experience and police academy graduation. These credits can be applied as part of UMGC's policy to accept up to 90 credits overall toward a bachelor's degree from a variety of sources. Because of this, students who have earned college credits for coursework substantially similar to courses required for the law enforcement track may be eligible to transfer in those credits as well. Our online bachelor’s degree program in criminal justice is uniquely designed to provide you with an understanding of crime and criminal behavior, criminal justice administration, the roles of practitioners within the criminal justice system, and the in-depth critical thinking and ethical decision-making strategies necessary to meet the professional demands of the field of criminal justice. The capstone course is designed to help you apply principles of interagency cooperation, critical thinking, and systems approaches to solve practical problems in a criminal, investigative, or related field while building practical, in-demand skills such as problem-solving, case study analysis, strategic planning, teamwork, and professional writing. If you're looking for the online criminal justice degree program without the admission requirements specifying experience in law enforcement agencies, consider our standard criminal justice degree program.

How long does it take to get an online bachelor's degree in criminal justice with the law enforcement track?

The online criminal justice degree is a 120-credit program with courses offered year-round. Within this specific criminal justice degree track, you’ll be able to transfer up to 60 credits toward your degree for your law enforcement experience/police academy graduation (and up to 90 transfer credits overall). The track's curriculum contains 60 credits of specialized coursework that you may be able to finish in two years or less.

What background do I need to get an online bachelor’s degree in criminal justice with the law enforcement track?

In order to be eligible for this criminal justice program law enforcement track, you will need to meet a series of eligibility requirements, submit a written statement, and provide supporting documentation indicating that you have met the eligibility requirements. These eligibility requirements include graduating from a police academy, completing field training, and working (or recently working) as a law enforcement officer who holds arrest powers and serves in a crime detection/prevention capacity. The criminal justice degree track admission requirements are designed to help you turn your experience in law enforcement agencies and police agencies into credit hours that can accelerate your path toward a bachelor's and help support your career advancement, either within your department or in other criminal justice jobs. You'll need a background in state or local law enforcement that includes graduation from a police academy (restrictions may apply). As part of the application process, you'll need to provide documentation supporting your eligibility.

What UMGC student organizations are available to criminal justice majors?

Pi Gamma Mu (Social Science Disciplines) Pi Gamma Mu recognizes outstanding scholarship in the social sciences. UMGC's Maryland Theta chapter was recently added to the society’s Roll of Distinction and was also the winner of the 2020 UMGC Student Organization Awards Best in Show Activities and Events Award. It is available to undergraduate students. Membership is by invitation only. You must have completed at least 45 credits toward your degree to be eligible. If you have earned at least 20 credits in social science coursework (including at least 9 credits at UMGC) and have a GPA in the top 35 percent, you may be invited to join. For more information, please email marylandtheta@umgc.edu.

Criminal Justice Bachelor's (Law Enforcement)

DEGREE AT A GLANCE

120 credits
Transfer up to 90 credits
All courses available online
See special eligibility requirements

TUITION RATES

$324 per credit (in-state)
$499 per credit (out-of-state)
$250 per credit (military)
Other fees may apply

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Are you a career law enforcement officer ready to take the next step in your academic journey? Are you recently separated from a law enforcement career? Perhaps you're retired and looking for your next challenge? The law enforcement track within the online bachelor’s degree program in criminal justice at University of Maryland Global Campus may be the right fit for you. With a generous transfer credit policy, convenient online courses geared toward your needs, multiple start dates, and access to lifetime career services, UMGC provides the flexibility and support you need. You can also save money with a variety of scholarship opportunities for eligible students. Get started today!

Advance Your Career with a Specialized Law Enforcement Track

If you meet the eligibility requirements, apply, and are accepted to this program, you may be able to transfer up to 60 credits for your law enforcement experience and police academy graduation. UMGC policy allows you to transfer up to 90 credits overall toward a bachelor's degree from a variety of sources. So, if you are a police academy graduate with law enforcement experience and college credits, you may be eligible to transfer in more than the 60 credits specified in this track.

Of the remaining 60 credits in this 120-credit criminal justice degree curriculum, you will benefit from our subject matter expertise while taking focused courses that address key areas.

Take convenient online courses that complement your experiences as a police officer.
Develop a deeper understanding of constitutional policing principles and contemporary community policing practices.
Benefit from hands-on general education courses in your field like advanced law enforcement writing and communication practices for de-escalation.
Conclude the program with a comprehensive capstone course designed to allow you to apply principles of interagency cooperation, critical thinking, and systems approaches to solve practical problems in the criminal justice system.

Looking for the General Criminal Justice Degree?

If you’re not eligible for the law enforcement-specific track but are still interested in this subject area, please see our general online bachelor’s degree in criminal justice.

Search Course Catalog

These requirements are for students who enroll in the 2024–2025 academic year. For prior year requirements, visit our catalog archive.

Read the Catalog

Bachelor’s Degree Requirements

In addition to the specific course requirements outlined on each bachelor’s degree webpage, UMGC maintains certain requirements for all bachelor’s degrees.

See Degree Requirements

Develop Vital Skills in Criminal Justice

Criminal justice practitioners need to develop deeper knowledge and career-focused skills to meet the increasing professional demands of the field. While state and local law enforcement agencies do not require a criminal justice degree to be hired, many related technical fields and promotional opportunities require higher education. In addition, some federal law enforcement agencies now require at least a bachelor's degree for new hires.

Our faculty refresh and update the online program curriculum regularly with a focus on helping students achieve the following:

Understand the System

Understand the roles and responsibilities of police, courts, and corrections within the American criminal justice system.

Evaluate Policies

Develop an understanding of criminal justice policies and procedures and explore how they affect diverse social groups.

Develop Knowledge

Develop high-level ethical reasoning, analytical skills, research skills, and professional knowledge.

Analyze Law

Understand substantive, procedural, and evidentiary law in theory and in practice.

Unlock Your Career Potential

This online program track is specially designed to help current and former law enforcement officers obtain the skills they need to advance in local/state police departments, federal law enforcement agencies, and other areas.

Please note: This track does not lead to a law enforcement certification. However, our specialized coursework anticipates your experience as a police officer, while our general bachelor’s degree in criminal justice does not require specific training or experience in a law enforcement agency.

Vernon H., Woodbine, MD

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Practice Real-World Skills in Your Courses

Throughout the criminal justice degree curriculum, your instructors will assign coursework that will help you prioritize real-world skills and hands-on experiences. In past courses, students have been able to complete the following projects:

Analyze a fact pattern and discern what facts are relevant to criminal culpability and why. Consider general criminal law concepts and specific statutes in your analysis.
Assume the role of a law enforcement administrator and develop an appropriate action plan to address a complex crime or law enforcement problem in a community-based capacity.
Based on a description of a serial murder investigation, identify facts and items that are significant to the criminal investigation and explain their importance.

Because academy training and law enforcement experience are substituted for some coursework in the law enforcement track, the experiences of our students may vary.

Explore UMGC Insights

Gain insight from our faculty and staff and delve deeper into a range of topics, including criminal justice careers, prior learning, transfer credits, and more.

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Prepare for a career protecting and serving the public.

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Criminal Justice (Law Enforcement Track)

Bachelor of Science

Public Safety Administration

Bachelor of Science

Management: Criminal Justice Management

Master's Concentration

Online Bachelor's Degree: Criminal Justice (Law Enforcement Track)

Criminal Justice (Law Enforcement Track)

DEGREE AT A GLANCE

TUITION RATES

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Advance Your Career with a Specialized Law Enforcement Track

Looking for the General Criminal Justice Degree?