What is a Bachelor's Degree in Law Enforcement?
As the name suggests, the degree is a four-year, undergraduate program that is offered by many universities. Law enforcement is a particular subsection of criminal justice, and the bachelor's degree helps students develop an understanding of this field in greater detail, preparing them for a professional career in related organizations at the municipal, state, or federal level.
Who Should Consider This Degree?
Students who are interested in becoming law enforcement officials, such as police officers or private investigators, will find a bachelor degree in law enforcement to be quite useful. That being said, the degree is also beneficial for those who wish to be a part of the administrative side of the field. The training and curriculum of the degree is designed to ensure that students are ready to handle real life situations involving possible criminal activity, and understand how to effectively oversee and operate a team of law enforcement officials.
What Will I Learn?
The bachelor's degree in law enforcement comprises a combination of topics, ranging from criminology to tactical communications and conflict resolution. The aim is to develop those skills which are required in a police officer or enforcement agent's daily conduct. Students will learn the best ways of communicating and negotiating with individuals in hazardous situations, and to resolve conflicts effectively and efficiently. They will also learn more about the criminal law system, and how to use it when preparing a case or processing a criminal. Furthermore, they will also be instructed in the code of conduct that they would need to adhere, and understand how to behave in a responsible and diligent manner. In addition to helping students hone their professional conduct, the bachelor degree in law enforcement will also enhance their critical thinking and problem-solving abilities. Students will have to think outside the box and learn how to apply their acquired knowledge in a variety of scenarios which vary in their threat levels to achieve the quickest resolution.
Future Prospects
The bachelor degree in law enforcement provides students with sufficient training for an entry-level job in the professional field. Career options range from corrections officer to a deputy for the sheriff. With adequate experience, a person may be able to work with federal agencies like the FBI as well. Those interested in more senior positions at the workplace can continue their education to a master's level. This will allow them to focus their learning in a particular area of law enforcement, and allow them to gain added knowledge which is useful in their line of work.
According to the US Bureau of Labor and Statistics, the expected growth in the employment of police and detectives is expected to be about five percent between 2012 and 2022, whereas jobs for private investigators are expected to increase by about eleven percent during the same period. Median wages for these occupations varied from $48,070 for game and fish wardens and $55,270 for patrol officers of sheriffs and police to $74,300 for criminal investigators and detectives. The final decision rests on your professional and personal preferences; the degree prepares you for a diverse array of positions.