15 Most Prestigious Schools for Police in the US - Police Science, Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement
Schools for Police in the US
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The field of policing is complex and ever-evolving, necessitating extensive training and education in our country. Law enforcement has become more complex and difficult to evade these days. U.S. police officers are highly educated people; most have bachelor's degrees or higher, and many take relevant courses at prestigious police academies before entering the force.

The latest ranking by KnowInsiders.com includes schools that offer Criminal Justice, Law Enforcement, Police Science, Cybersecurity, and even online programs for those interested in becoming police officers.

You can get training in everything from patrolling to investigating to crime prevention to report writing at these institutions. And you'll be ready to take on the many challenges of law enforcement and policing, such as dealing with suspects who resist arrest, using force ethically, and forging trusting relationships with the communities you serve. It takes good, educated, and motivated people to succeed in the noble field of law enforcement.

The Best Colleges for a Criminal Justice Degree

The most affordable schools offering degrees in criminal justice have been compiled into this list for your convenience. The selection process takes into consideration graduation rates, as well as affordability and accreditation.

1. Arizona State University

A criminology and criminal justice degree from Arizona State University examines the causes and effects of crime while drawing upon concepts from sociology, psychology, and biology. Additionally, the course offers educational opportunities through more than 200 partner institutions.

The university has a 58% graduation rate.

2. University of Michigan-Dearborn

The University of Michigan-Dearborn's criminology and criminal justice program uses ideas from social and behavioral sciences to examine how crimes and law enforcement are related. Students also learn about how the criminal justice system functions in an open democracy and how to apply theory and practices to improve community outcomes (Best Value Schools, 2021).

To allow students to earn a master's degree, the university extends the program by one year. 50% of students graduate from it.

3. California State University-Long Beach

The Western Association of Schools and Colleges has granted regional accreditation to California State University, Long Beach. The university is located in the Los Angeles beach district on a 322-acre campus. Students can prepare for careers in law enforcement, social services, policy and government, and forensic sciences with its criminology and criminal justice degree. Along with courses on crime analysis, criminal trials, forensic analysis techniques, and advanced crime, students also complete placements and internships. They will also learn how to use digital tools like software for crime analytics.

About 65% of students graduate from this school.

4. Indiana University-Bloomington

With over 110,000 students, Indiana University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. Through its criminal justice program, the university trains students to work as law enforcement and corrections officers. The topics of private security, workplace crime, military bases, and youth and the law are covered in class discussions. Additionally, students have the option to enroll in electives like criminal justice psychology, crime and race relations, and crime and gender relations (Best Value Schools, 2021).

About 78% of students graduate from this school.

5. University of Georgia

The University of Georgia offers a criminal justice degree that combines innovative teaching and research methodologies with additional criminology discussions. Institutions of social control, law and ethics, and criminal behavior all come up for discussion. According to the university, its program is a fantastic entry point for a pre-law degree.

About 85% of students graduate from this school.

The Best Schools for A Degree in Police Science and Law Enforcement

1. John Jay College

A Bachelor of Science in Police Studies is offered by John Jay College (City University of New York), and it instructs students in criminal justice, police science, patrol operations, and community policing. From this school, students can learn more about police systems and labor relations in policing.

John Jay College of Criminal Justice, which was established in 1964, has evolved to become a leader in justice education on a global scale. Through its extensive liberal arts and professional program, the college trains students to serve the public as moral leaders and responsible citizens.

New York residents pay $3,165 in tuition (12–18 credits), while out-of-state students pay $560 per credit hour.

2. George Washington University

Associate's and bachelor's degrees in police science are available from George Washington University, preparing students for positions in leadership and law enforcement. Students learn to analyze, solve problems, use technology, and comprehend how a crime affects a community through this program. The primary standards, tactics, and guiding principles of contemporary policing are discussed by law enforcement experts (Bachelors Degree Center, n.d.).

Tuition costs $39,000.

3. St. Mary’s University of Minnesota in Winona

St. Mary's University of Minnesota was listed among the top universities in the country for 2012 by US News and World Report. The university offers a Bachelor of Science in Police Science at its Apple Valley Center and Twin Cities campuses.

Tuition costs $400 for each credit.

4. Florida State University

A robotic approach to combating crime, according to Florida State University, will not be effective. The university also maintains that developing critical and independent thinking abilities as well as learning from outstanding professors are the most crucial tools in preventing crime.

Online criminology degrees from Florida State University provide working students with a flexible option and a once-in-a-lifetime chance to learn from eminent academics. Before beginning the program, the associate of arts degree must be completed (Bachelors Degree Center, n.d.).

Tuition is $215 per credit for in-state students and $721 for out-of-state students.

The Best Schools for The Diverse Police Science Degrees

According to Bachelors Degree Center (n.d.), the following section provides a listing of some of the most prestigious schools for law enforcement that offer a variety of degrees in police science. These degrees ensure that graduates will have a successful future in the police force.

1. Ohio University

For those who want to study the criminal justice system and earn a liberal arts degree at the same time, Ohio University offers the Criminology Special Curriculum. Additionally, this program equips students with the fundamental principles of advanced criminology or law. After completing the program, students will be awarded a sociology degree with a focus on criminology.

For in-state students, the cost of tuition is $5,268 per semester, while it is $9,750 for out-of-state students.

2. Cedar Crest College

There is a behaviorally focused program at Cedar Crest College. Students are prepared to help prevent crimes and respond to ones that have already occurred by learning the causes of criminal behavior in this program.

The entire curriculum includes a 220-hour senior experience that enables students to put their knowledge to use and find work. Additionally, a career in the criminal justice system is promised. The college's interns and graduates are esteemed for their moral character and breadth of knowledge (Bachelors Degree Center, n.d.).

Tuition is at $35,000.

3. Hawkeye Community College Police Academy

Police departments that employ officers can enroll in a certificate program at Hawkeye Community College. Programs for reserve officer certification are also provided by the college. Additionally, it offers instruction in safe firearms handling.

Tuition costs $3,150 annually.

4. Miami University, Oxford, Ohio

The Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice program at Miami University offers a liberal arts perspective on crime, justice, punishment, policing, and the legal system. The course imparts abilities in communication, technology, problem-solving, analytical and critical thinking, and more. The objective is to create students who are knowledgeable, skilled, and prepared to succeed in their future careers as police officers (Bachelors Degree Center, n.d.).

Tuition costs $25,122 per school year for in-state students and $41,229 for out-of-state students.

5. George Mason University

Criminology, the law, and society are studied from a dynamic perspective at George Mason University. Students will build a strong foundation in research, methodology, theories, and justice systems at this university, among other things. The knowledge and abilities required to comprehend crime and injustice, how criminals and civil justice institutions react, and how to improve social circumstances will be instilled in graduates.

Tuition costs $5,376 per semester for in-state students and $15,699 for out-of-state students.

6. Oklahoma Baptist University

With its criminal justice degree program, Oklahoma Baptist University equips students to take a more comprehensive view of the entire criminal justice system (Bachelors Degree Center, n.d.). Students who earn this degree are taught about criminal law and policy, police and prison systems, and other topics.

Tuition is at $21,630.

The Best Colleges With The Cybersecurity Courses

→ Check: Top 10+ Most Prestigious Online Courses for CyberSecurity Today

The use of computer systems to monitor and prevent crimes committed online is what is known as cybersecurity. The following is a list of the most reputable educational institutions that provide training in cybersecurity.

1. Drexel University

The National Security Agency has designated Drexel University as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cybersecurity (Cyber Degrees, 2021). A full-time, on-campus cybersecurity degree is offered by the university, and students may choose to specialize in either computing technology or computing security. Transfer students with at least two years of experience can also enroll in a part-time online degree completion course.

Network administration, IT security, and open servers are the prerequisites for the foundational courses at Drexel. On-campus tuition is $17,956 per term, and online tuition is $530 per credit. There are 74% of graduates.

2. Maryville University of Saint Louis

A cybersecurity degree with a focus on business laws is available from Maryville University in Saint Louis. Each student receives an iPad, and they collaborate with a coach to tailor the curriculum. General education, business, cybersecurity, and elective subjects are all covered in the curriculum.

On-campus students pay $24,766 in tuition annually, while online students pay $622 per credit. There are 74% of graduates.

3. DePaul University

The Department of Homeland Security and the National Security Agency have designated DePaul University as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cybersecurity. Through its College of Computing and Digital Media, which concentrates on information systems security engineering, DePaul offers a cybersecurity degree.

To train students in virtual private networks (VPNs), firewalls, and threat detection and preventive measures, the university has a security facility outfitted by Cisco (Cyber Degrees, 2021). The annual cost of tuition is $40,551 and the graduation rate is 71%.

4. St. John University

For students interested in careers in law enforcement and Fortune 500 companies, St. John University offers a cybersecurity degree. The course emphasizes fundamental computation, programming, and mathematics.

Tuition is $1,439 per credit and the graduation rate is 61%.

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