Median Pay: $65,540

Typical Entry-Level Education: Bachelor's

Job Outlook: About 64,500 openings for police and detectives are projected each year.

Above information sourced from 2021 data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

A minimum 2.0 GPA is the requirement for admission at Union Commonwealth University. 

Requirements for Law Enforcement B.S. Major (Online Only) | 30 Hours

LAWS 101 Introduction to Law Enforcement

(3 credit hours)

The modern study of law enforcement encompasses a wide range of topics requiring an understanding of both theoretical concepts and applied practices. This course is intended to utilize both perspectives to provide students with a broad and well- structured foundation for further studies in law enforcement. Topics include (but are not necessarily limited to) law enforcement history; an overview of local, state, and federal agencies; the functions of modern law enforcement organizations; recent trends in criminal behaviors; homeland security; and policing ethics.

LAWS 220 Substantive Law for Enforcement Professionals (3 credit hours)

 This course provides students with a historical understanding of criminal law, an overview of general legal principles including possible defense to a criminal charge, and an awareness of the fundamental nature of law.

LAWS 230 Constitutional Procedure for Enforcement Professionals (3 credit hours)

This course focuses on the constitutional rights of criminal defendants as interpreted by the U.S. Supreme Court. Students discuss Supreme Court decisions and identify their significance for the justice system.

LAWS 240 Homeland Security (3 credit hours)

This course addresses the functions of homeland security as they relate to government, industry, and the community. The key functions of threat prevention, crisis response, and operations recovery are addressed from a variety of perspectives, given that homeland security is a responsibility shared by government agencies, the private sector, and individuals, and encompasses a broad spectrum of professional career positions throughout our society. This course provides an overview of the elements involved in the homeland security function, as well as the challenges critical infrastructure managers in government and industry can and will face maintaining mission operations and staff accountability in the midst of multiple overlapping roles and responsibilities in our rapidly changing world.

LAWS 300 The Criminal Courts (3 credit hours)

This course provides students with an overview of the criminal justice system and its processes. It examines the courtroom work group, the trial process, and challenges to the process. It also provides an overview of the juvenile court system.

LAWS 303 Criminal Investigation for Enforcement Professionals (3 credit hours)

This course teaches students the fundamentals of criminal investigation by examining the processes involved in identifying and arresting criminal suspects, identifying the types of crimes and offenses, and in preparing for court.

LAWS 400 Criminal Justice Ethics (3 credit hours)

This course looks at the ethical dilemmas and professional problems faced by criminal justice personnel. Students review various ethical perspectives and discuss the practical applicability of ethical ideals.

General Electives, 9 hours with at least 6 hours at level 300+, to be selected from the following in consultation with Academic Advisor:

LAWS 305 Juvenile Justice (3 credit hours)

This course gives students an overview of American juvenile justice, in terms of both system and practice. It examines the juvenile offender, causes of juvenile crime, the juvenile court system, and juveniles in the adult court system. This course also looks at institutionalization, rehabilitation, the treatment of juveniles, and the future of juvenile justice in America.

LAWS 310 Corrections (3 credit hours)

This course provides an overview of the field of corrections. It reviews prisons and jails, correctional policies, agencies, prison life, and challenges facing corrections.

LAWS 320 Probation & Parole (3 credit hours)

This course focuses on adult and juvenile probation, parole, and related institutions.

LAWS 325 Interviewing & Interrogation (3 credit hours)

This course explores policing techniques and tactics used to combat and prevent crime. Emphasis is placed on the knowledge and working skills involved in the art of interviewing and interrogating witnesses and suspects, and the relevant legal parameters that must be followed during field procedures.

LAWS 405 Victimology (3 credit hours)

This course examines the causes of victimization and looks at theories associated with violent victimization. It analyzes the offender-victim relationship and presents ideas on preventing violence and responding to victimization.

LAWS 410 Criminology (3 credit hours)

This course explores policing techniques and tactics used to combat and prevent crime. Emphasis is placed on the knowledge and working skills involved in the art of interviewing and interrogating witnesses and suspects, and the relevant legal parameters that must be followed during field procedures.

LAWS 481 Special Topics: Law Enforcement

A topics course that explores a wide range of possible topics like, but not limited to, comparative police systems, women in policing, the issue of excessive force, and many more.

Law Enforcement Minor Requirements (24 Credit Hours)

Requires 24 semester hours including:

LAWS 101 Introduction to Law Enforcement (3 Credit Hours)

The modern study of law enforcement encompasses a wide range of topics requiring an understanding of both theoretical concepts and applied practices. This course is intended to utilize both perspectives to provide students with a broad and wellstructured foundation for further studies in law enforcement. Topics include (but are not necessarily limited to) law enforcement history; an overview of local, state, and federal agencies; the functions of modern law enforcement organizations; recent trends in criminal behaviors; homeland security; and policing ethics.

9 hours of Police Science courses, choose 3:

LAWS 200 Community Policing (3 Credit Hours)

This course provides students with a broad perspective on the evolving relationship between policing agencies and citizens. This relationship forms a tentative framework for the resolution of issues arising between the two. As both a philosophy and an organizational strategy, community policing expands the scope of law enforcement activity to encompass partnerships with the community which facilitate mutual support and participation of all concerned parties. Coverage includes consideration of and strategies to address the current climate of suspicion associated with racial profiling and threats posed by terrorism, both of which have eroded the community trust which is indispensable to effective policing.

LAWS 205 Patrol Operations (3 Credit Hours)

This course introduces students to a range of topics relating to police operations. Coverage includes basic concepts of patrolling, patrol techniques, police communications, vehicle operations, controlled substances, field interviews, arrests, officer safety, racial profiling, police force staffing and deployment, and crowd and riot control. A segment is also devoted to the future of law enforcement.

LAWS 210 Traffic Enforcement (3 Credit Hours)

This course acquaints students with basic elements in traffic enforcement practice. Topics include the history of traffic laws and future trends, impaired driving, tolerances and officer discretion, low and high risk stop tactics, one-officer and multi-unit response protocols, approach strategies, issues and tactics in pursuit driving, traffic point control, and hit and run and crash related investigations.

CRJU 302 / LAWS 302 Methods & Problems of Investigation (3 Credit Hours)

The course introduces the student to the fundamentals of police science investigation. An overview of the current problems that law enforcement investigators face will be addressed. Also, a comparative analysis of different agencies will be outlined. Cross-listed with CRJU 302.

CRJU 302 / LAWS 302 Methods & Problems of Investigation (3 Credit Hours)

The course introduces the student to the fundamentals of police science investigation. An overview of the current problems that law enforcement investigators face will be addressed. Also, a comparative analysis of different agencies will be outlined. Cross-listed with CRJU 302.

PLSC 307 / LAWS 307 Criminal Justice Administration (3 Credit Hours)

A study of the administrative principles and management practices of criminal justice organizations including police agencies, courts, and correctional institutions. Cross-listed with PLSC 307.

LAWS 206 Topics in Law Enforcement (3 Credit Hours)

Provides in-depth coverage of topics not included in the regular Law Enforcement Studies curriculum.

6 hours of Public Law courses, choose 2:

CRJU 205 Criminal Law (3 Credit Hours)

Substantive law course providing an introduction to criminal law including the origins and principles of criminal law, criminal liability, criminal defenses, and crimes against persons and property. (Alternates [F] / [S] with CRJU 201.)

Or

CRJU 201 Criminal Procedure (3 Credit Hours)

Substantive law course examining prevailing legal standards for arrest, search and seizure, self-incrimination and confessions, the exclusionary rule, and other matters pertaining to suspect rights and governmental prerogatives in the context of criminal proceedings. (Alternates [F] / [S] with CRJU 205.)

PLSC 209 / CRJU 209 American Courts & Judicial Process (3 Credit Hours)

This course presents an overview of the development of federal and state court systems examining structure, administration, case flow, and interaction with other portions of the criminal justice and governmental systems. Cross-listed with PLSC 209.

Or

LAWS 301 The Law of Evidence (3 Credit Hours)

This course provides an introduction to the law of evidence. Coverage includes trial procedures, the exclusionary rule, relevance, classification of evidence, burdens of production and proof, standards of proof, demonstrative evidence, presumptions, the vagaries of eyewitnesses, privileges, admissibility, authentication, hearsay, impeachment, and expert testimony.

PLSC 486 / CRJU 486 Constitutional Law I: Civil Liberties (3 Credit Hours)

The development and interpretation of the Constitution examined through analysis of the decisions of the Supreme Court and secondary sources, focusing on the Bill of Rights and the Fourteenth Amendment. The course serves as an introduction to how our national heritage of civil liberties has been articulated by the Court to form law and legal doctrine over the course of two centuries, including consideration of the areas of privacy, public morality, defendant’s rights, and the death penalty. Prerequisites: CRJU 201 and CRJU 205, or permission from instructor. (Alternates annually with CRJU 483 / PLSC 483.) Cross-listed with PLSC 486.

Or

PLSC 483 / CRJU 483 Constitutional Law II: National Powers 3 credit hours

An overview of the United States Supreme Court’s interpretation of Articles I, II, and III of the federal Constitution. These articles divide the powers of the federal government between three ostensibly co-equal branches. The respective branches may only exercise those powers granted to them by the respective Articles. Powers not delegated to one of the branches are reserved to the states. These two constitutional principles - separation of powers and federalism - invariably generate conflicts among the three branches and between the branches and the various states. The Supreme Court’s efforts to arbitrate such conflicts are examined through analysis of its decisions and its efforts to interpret the “plain meaning” of the Constitution’s language, and to discern the “intent of the founders.” Cross-listed with PLSC 483. (Alternates annually with CRJU 486 / PLSC 486.)

6 hours of Interdisciplinary Foundations courses, choose 2:

SOCI 363 Corrections: Institutional and Community Based (3 Credit Hours)

Public policy issues and problems in juvenile and adult correctional settings are explored. An analysis of the modes of treatment/punishment of legal offenders and their families as a vulnerable population group will be made from a historical perspective, rehabilitation approaches, de-institutionalization, and community-based programs. Roles of the correctional officer will be examined in institutional settings, and in probation, parole, and community-based programs. Prerequisites: Open to Criminal Justice majors having upper division (junior) standing and permission from instructor. Open to Psychology and Sociology majors having upper division (junior) standing and permission from advisor and instructor.

Or

SOCI 464 Deviance & Criminology (3 Credit Hours)

This course will examine the relationship between deviance, crime, and society. Included in this class is the examination of how deviance and crime are defined, by whom, and why they are seen as problematic; also, the study of important trends in terms of how crime and deviance have changed over time. Prerequisite: SOCI 131 or upper division standing.

PLSC 470 / CRJU 470 Political Violence (3 Credit Hours)

The purpose of this course is to introduce the student to the issues relating to violence as a component of politics. Topics such as terrorism, warfare, and arms proliferation will be analyzed, as well as regional flashpoints such as the Middle East. Cross-listed with PLSC 470. Odd years only.

PLSC 306 / CRJU 306 Topics in Political Science / Topics in Criminal Justice (3 Credit Hours)

Provides in-depth coverage of topics not included in the regular Criminal Justice curriculum. Cross-listed with PLSC 306.

Note: satisfaction of the requirements for the minor in Law Enforcement Studies include the completion of a minimum of eighteen (18) unduplicated semester hours (hours not being counted towards the satisfaction of requirements for any other degree program)