Program Highlights

Make a positive impact in the world. Prepare to become a police officer.

As a student in our law enforcement degree and police academy training program, you’ll benefit from the experience of taking 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.
You’ll graduate from this program as a certified police officer, ready to enforce the law at local, state and federal levels with such agencies as the FBI, U.S. Marshals Service, Border Patrol or U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
The Associate of Applied Science in Criminal Justice law enforcement degree and police academy training program, you’ll learn the skills needed to carry out the law and gain real-world experience through classroom and field training.

At a glance

Credit Hours

Years (Avg.)

86%

Students who receive scholarships, grants or financial aid

Learn Your Way

Criminal Justice - Conc. Law Enforcement Academy classes are taught through both Baker Online and Online Live. Plus, general education and prerequisite courses are typically available through Baker Online, Online Live, and on all campuses throughout Michigan.

Learn More

Why Study Criminal Justice?

Law enforcement officers are entrusted with protecting lives and property. Their duties vary depending on whether they work at local, state or federal agencies and can range from general law enforcement and crime prevention to specialized work in drug enforcement, national security investigations, or enforcing fish and wildlife laws.

While these careers may be stressful, physically challenging and mentally demanding, the opportunity to save lives and serve the greater good can be satisfying and personally rewarding.

Career Facts

$65,100

Median Yearly Income

Outlook 2018–2028

$106,090

Median Salary for Executives

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Curriculum

The Baker College Associate of Applied Science in Criminal Justice law enforcement degree and police academy training program 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

CRJ 2010

Criminal Law

Description

Explores the criminal justice system using classic and contemporary case law to provide a foundation of legal knowledge. The course also examines the principles underlying the definition of crime including its contemporary application. Furthermore, this course focuses on the interrelationship between criminal law and the criminal justice system.

CRJ 2990

Law Enforcement Academy

Description

Requires attendance at a MCOLES-certified basic police academy that runs for 16 weeks from start to end. Regional training academies are located throughout the state of Michigan. All training academies are required to teach, as a minimum, the state's basic training curriculum, which is 594 hours in length. At the completion of the academy, all graduates are required to pass a licensing examination administered by the state.

CRJ 2810

Criminal Justice Work Experience I

Description

Provides students an opportunity to share current experiences for the didactic components of the program. Requires students to perform a minimum of 150 hours of paid/unpaid work experience in a criminal justice agency under the supervision of appropriate personnel to allow students to develop skills and gain training in their major field. Students must achieve 73% or better in all coursework and 73% or better on all evaluations to receive credit for this course.

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In Their Words

“I chose Baker College because the flexibility of the curriculum to allow me to work full time and attend online classes, and the assistance you get from counselors to guide you toward obtaining your degree.”

Additional 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 career in law enforcement.

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.

Accreditation

Baker College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission / 230 South LaSalle St., Suite 7-500, Chicago, IL 60604-1411 / 800-621-7440 / www.hlccommission.org.

Classes Available Anywhere

This program is offered in-person on our campuses in Cadillac, Jackson, Muskegon, and Owosso. Baker College online programs are available to students across the country. In Michigan our students come from Ann Arbor, Auburn Hills, Cadillac, Dearborn, Detroit, Flint, Grand Rapids, Jackson, Lansing, Kalamazoo, Muskegon, Owosso, Traverse City, and many other locations. Beyond Michigan, our online graduates hail from Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, and other states.

Associate of Applied Science

Criminal Justice (Concentration in Law Enforcement and Police Academy)

Program Highlights

Make a positive impact in the world. Prepare to become a police officer.

Credit Hours

Years (Avg.)

Students who receive scholarships, grants or financial aid

Learn Your Way

Why Study Criminal Justice?

Career Facts

Median Yearly Income

Outlook 2018–2028

Median Salary for Executives

Curriculum

Additional Requirements

Law Enforcement Academy (Police Academy)

Accreditation

Classes Available Anywhere

On Campus Unavailable

Available on Baker Online

Available on Online Live