Law Enforcement Degree Program Highlights
Make a positive impact in the world. Prepare to become a police officer with an online criminal justice associate degree.
As a student in our law enforcement degree and police academy training program, you’ll benefit from the experience of taking criminal justice classes led by veteran law enforcement officers.
- Our small class sizes accommodate the needs of each student as they are guided through conflict resolution and other crisis management training. The classwork is enhanced by the hands-on training in corrections, criminal and juvenile justice, psychology, and ethics.
- As a graduate of the AAS Law Enforcement program, you’ll have passed the MCOLES exam to become a police officer in the state. You’ll be ready to be employed at an entry-level position at a police department.
- In the Associate of Applied Science in Criminal Justice with a concentration in law enforcement and police academy training, you’ll learn the skills needed to carry out the law and gain real-world experience through classroom and field training.
Learn Your Way
Criminal Justice courses are taught online. Plus, general education and prerequisite courses are typically available online and on all campuses throughout Michigan.
Learn MoreWhy Earn a Criminal Justice Online Degree?
Those who work within the criminal justice system help maintain social order by preventing and reducing crime and providing rehabilitation with the aim of restoring offenders back into the community, while making victims whole. Usually, people who work in this area are driven by a desire to help others, make the world a safer place, ensure equal justice for victims and offenders, or to make change in the systems The field is broad and multidisciplinary. A degree in criminal justice provides the foundation for many careers, including, but not limited to law enforcement, corrections, courts, homeland security, cybercrimes, investigations and the study of law.
Please Note: The Criminal Justice program does not require a background check for admission. However, students should be aware that many criminal justice careers require successful completion of a background investigation prior to employment or internship placement. Individuals with a criminal history may encounter restrictions in field placement opportunities and may not be eligible for employment in some areas of the criminal justice field. Students are encouraged to consult with program advisors to explore academic and career pathways aligned with their goals.
Law Enforcement Curriculum
The Baker College law enforcement degree and police academy training is a 2-year program, consisting of 120 credit hours (33 hours of major courses and 12 hours of law enforcement course requirements). Our curriculum includes 15 hours of general education, law enforcement academy (Police Academy) and two 150-hour work experiences.
Sample Courses
Criminal Law
Law Enforcement Academy
Introduction to Homeland Security

Additional Degree in Law Enforcement Requirements
Law Enforcement Academy (Police Academy)
We partner with several organizations that offer a certified Law Enforcement Academy to provide students with an option to graduate with a degree in criminal justice along with the skills, tools, methods, and credentials to pursue a criminal justice career. Students who successfully complete our criminal justice major along with the Law Enforcement Academy curriculum and program will receive certification as a police officer in the State of Michigan pursuant to the Michigan Commission on Law Enforcement Standards (MCOLES). A student will take most of his/her academic courses during the first year or two before applying for the Law Enforcement Academy. Students must complete a medical, vision, and hearing screening; pass the MCOLES Reading and Writing Test; pass the MCOLES Fitness Test; complete the application materials; and successfully complete the admission process to be admitted into the Academy. Students will receive 12 semester credits upon successful completion of the Academy. Students must be admitted into the Academy to remain in this program. Please read the Baker College Academy Disclosure.
On Campus Unavailable
Core courses for this degree program are not offered on campus.
For those interested, a selection of general education and prerequisite courses are available on campus each semester.
View campus locationsAvailable on Baker Online
Courses for this degree program are available through Baker Online.
100% online, this format offers flexible scheduling with 8-week semesters
Baker OnlineAvailable on Online Live
Courses for this degree program are available through Online Live.
100% online with set class times, this format offers live, real-time virtual learning.
Online Live