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Bachelor of Science

Criminal Justice (Concentration in Law Enforcement and Police Academy)

  • Academics
  • Undergraduate Studies
  • College of Social Science
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  • Criminal Justice (Concentration in Law Enforcement and Police Academy)

Online Criminal Justice Degree Program Highlights

Become the long arm of the law. Train to join the police force with a law enforcement degree.

Our bachelor’s degree in law enforcement and police academy training program gives you the chance to learn side-by-side with veteran law officers. Instructors are equipped to prepare you for your career in law enforcement through hands-on learning and an education about the principles of policing, evidence collection, cybercrime, psychology, first aid and much more. Our class sizes are limited to give each student one-on-one guidance through conflict resolution and other crisis management training.

  • Concepts of justice, duty and societal issues will be examined along with various ethical issues related to criminal justice topics. Interpersonal communication and writing skills germane to the criminal justice profession are practiced throughout the law enforcement degree.
  • As a graduate of the BS 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 in an entry to mid-level position at a police department.
  • When you graduate from this online criminal justice degree, you’ll be a certified police officer with a bachelor’s degree in law enforcement and police academy training, 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.

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At a glance
120
Credit Hours
4
Years (Avg.)
View Full Curriculum

Learn Your Way

Criminal justice classes in the law enforcement and police academy concentration 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.

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Why Earn an Online Degree for 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 enforcement of fish and wildlife laws. While these criminal justice 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.

Criminal Justice Curriculum

The Baker College BS in criminal justice and law enforcement degree with police academy training is a 4-year program consisting of 120 credit hours (78 hours of major courses and 12 hours of law enforcement course requirements). Our curriculum includes 30 hours of general education, law enforcement academy (Police Academy) and two 150-hour work experiences.

Sample Courses

Forensic Psychology

Description
Explores the application of psychology to legal issues and the justice system. Examines major areas of forensic psychology research with focus on police, court, and community settings. Some topics include interrogation, criminal investigation, eyewitness testimony, jury selection, determining competency in court settings, custody and guardianship issues, and risk assessment. Careers related to forensic psychology will be explored. This course is exclusive to the Bachelor of Science in Psychology Program (Online only).

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.

Criminal Justice Work Experience I

Description
Provides students an opportunity to share current experiences to 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
“Being a mom and working a full-time job, I knew I wanted the ability to continue to complete my Bachelor’s degree, with the freedom of an online option and Baker had exactly what I needed!”
Korrie Abotchi
Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice (Concentration in Law Enforcement & Police Academy)

Additional Criminal Justice Program 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 criminal justice degree along with the skills, tools, methods, and credentials to pursue a career in criminal justice. 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.

Program Locations

This program is offered at the following campus locations:

The Online Campus
Online
This page was last revised on October 20, 2025.
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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.

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Available 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 Online

Available 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
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