Overview

Develop a Foundation in Public Safety

In the criminal justice system, police officers, detectives and investigators rely on strong and supportive leaders behind the scenes to perform effectively on the front lines. These leaders are charged with upholding public trust, promoting professional ethics and ensuring that all officers adhere to policies and procedures. If you have a desire to position yourself for possible career advancement while serving and protecting those in your community, earning a bachelor’s degree in law enforcement advancement may be an ideal first step.

The Bachelor of Science in Law Enforcement Advancement degree at Grand Canyon University covers all components of the justice system while emphasizing advanced leadership models for law enforcement professionals. In this program, you will have the opportunity to prepare for professional growth by developing the skills to guide your agency through the challenges of policing diverse communities and safeguarding the public from various threats.

Bachelor of Science in Law Enforcement Advancement

Offered By

College of Humanities and Social Sciences

Class Settings

Online

Tuition Rate

Online: $485 per credit [More Info]

Cost of Attendance

Course Information

Credits: 120

Campus: 15 weeks

Online: 7 weeks

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Transfer Credits

Up to 90 credits, only 84 can be lower division

Credits: Fill out the Lopes Eval to find out what will transfer

Admission Requirements

Admission Requirements (Bachelor's)

16+ years old
High School Graduate
3.0+ Unweighted GPA

OR 2.5+ Unweighted GPA and

ACT: 19
SAT: 1000*

Admission requirements may differ based on degree level, program and modality, or transfer status. Some programs of study may require a higher GPA and/or other qualifying criteria for admission. Please review full admission and program requirements in the University Policy Handbook.
*Math and reading only on a 1600 point scale (test date after 3/1/2016). SAT score of 1380 required for 2400 point scale (test date before 3/1/2016).

Why GCU

Earn Your Degree in Law Enforcement Advancement Online

The online law enforcement degree provides the flexibility to complete your studies on your own schedule, seamlessly fitting education into your busy life. With guidance from experienced faculty, you can gain valuable insights and access helpful online resources, all while studying from the comfort of your home while maintaining your current full-time career. This supportive environment can enhance your learning experience.

Coursework

Bachelor’s Degree in Law Enforcement Course Topics

You will explore a variety of essential topics that can help you prepare for a career in criminal justice. Courses in this program are designed to teach you the knowledge and skills to lead and navigate the complexities of the law enforcement field effectively.

This program empowers future leaders to gain competencies in the following key areas of the criminal justice field:

Law enforcement administration
Public engagement
Law enforcement communication
Ethical servant leadership

This degree offers you the opportunity to gain self-confidence in your leadership style as you examine the core principles of communication, team-leading and ethical practices in law enforcement. In addition, you will examine the function, organization, issues and practices of law enforcement agencies throughout the U.S.

GCU’s degree in law enforcement online focuses on servant leadership. You will be expected to develop skills to effectively communicate your organization’s mission and vision to diverse audiences and key stakeholders.

You will also be taught competencies in:

Recommending strategies to mitigate crime’s impact on vulnerable populations
Creating plans addressing community needs with input from diverse stakeholders
Developing strategies to foster trust and build relationships with multicultural community members

As part of GCU’s Christian learning community, you will be taught leadership skills that place special importance on contributing to the greater social good. In coursework and discussion forums, you will explore the fundamentals of how to inspire and lead others through established, modern theories with the ethical principles of servant leadership.

Additionally, this degree examines topics of significance to future law enforcement leaders, such as:

Constitutional law
Statutory law
Case law interpretation
Modern issues such as strategic policing and cybercrime

This online degree program will teach you how to use ethical principles to build and maintain ethics-driven law enforcement organizations.

As a graduate, you will be expected to:

Apply principles of Christian ethics to law enforcement settings
Develop policies that define codes of conduct that reflect an agency's guiding principles
Create strategies to instill a culture of ethical behavior in law enforcement agencies
Develop techniques for creating a culture of accountability through consistent, fair and transparent reviews of departmental conduct

Program Capstone

Toward the end of your online law enforcement degree, you’ll complete a capstone course where you’ll create a community policing strategic plan through a detailed process. This hands-on project reinforces your learning and can equip you with practical skills to make a meaningful impact in your community.

Careers

Career Opportunities in Law Enforcement

Schooling for law enforcement professionals is designed to provide these future leaders with the skills needed to guide and support their teams on the front lines.

Earning a degree in law enforcement online may prepare you to pursue future career opportunities or to apply to an advanced criminal justice degree program.

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

If you want to learn more about schooling opportunities for law enforcement professionals, read our answers to these frequently asked questions.

Within the law enforcement field, there are typically three main areas — uniformed officers, support staff and detectives and investigators. If you want to help families and communities through advocacy and policy change, then you may want to consider a justice studies degree. On the other hand, a bachelor’s degree in law enforcement is an appropriate choice for those looking to pursue a leadership role in law enforcement.

Depending on your career goals, GCU offers additional undergraduate concentrations for future law enforcement professionals, including:

A law enforcement degree program aims to challenge you to develop your critical thinking, communication and leadership skills. You’ll dive into key areas like criminal procedure, strategic planning and policing competencies. At GCU, our dedicated faculty members are committed to supporting your progress.

Many students choose to earn an online degree for the convenience and flexibility it can provide. GCU is an accredited university, which provides a foundation of trust for quality education. As a student in this program, you will be taught by faculty who are knowledgeable in criminal justice and other relevant fields.

Courses

Course List

Credit Summary

General Education Requirements34-40 credits

Major44 credits

Open Elective Credits36-42 credits

Degree Requirements120 credits

General Education Requirements

General Education coursework prepares Grand Canyon University graduates to think critically, communicate clearly, live responsibly in a diverse world, and thoughtfully integrate their faith and ethical convictions into all dimensions of life. These competencies, essential to an effective and satisfying life, are outlined in the General Education Learner Outcomes. General Education courses embody the breadth of human understanding and creativity contained in the liberal arts and sciences tradition. Students take an array of foundational knowledge courses that promote expanded knowledge, insight, and the outcomes identified in the University's General Education Competencies. The knowledge and skills students acquire through these courses serve as a foundation for successful careers and lifelong journeys of growing understanding and wisdom.

Competency

4 Total Credits

Course Description

Upon completion of the Grand Canyon University's University Foundation experience, students will be able to demonstrate competency in the areas of academic skills and self-leadership. They will be able to articulate the range of resources available to assist them, explore career options related to their area of study, and have knowledge of Grand Canyon's community. Students will be able to demonstrate foundational academic success skills, explore GCU resources (CLA, Library, Career Center, ADA office, etc), articulate strategies of self-leadership and management and recognize opportunities to engage in the GCU community.

Competency

9-12 Total Credits

Competency

4 Total Credits

Competency

11-12 Total Credits

Course Description

Graduates of Grand Canyon University will be able to use various analytic and problem-solving skills to examine, evaluate, and/or challenge ideas and arguments (mathematics, biology, chemistry, physics, geology, astronomy, physical geography, ecology, economics, theology, logic, philosophy, technology, statistics, accounting, etc.). Students are required to take 3 credits of intermediate algebra or higher.

Competency

6-8 Total Credits

Course Description

Graduates of Grand Canyon University will be able to demonstrate awareness and appreciation of and empathy for differences in arts and culture, values, experiences, historical perspectives, and other aspects of life (psychology, sociology, government, Christian studies, Bible, geography, anthropology, economics, political science, child and family studies, law, ethics, cross-cultural studies, history, art, music, dance, theater, applied arts, literature, health, etc.). If the predefined course is a part of the major, students need to take an additional course.

Core Courses

JUS-105

4 Total Credits

JUS-220

4 Total Credits

JUS-301

4 Total Credits

JUS-309

4 Total Credits

JUS-323

4 Total Credits

Course Description

This writing-intensive course covers the many facets of what it means to be a responsible and effective public servant leader. The course examines the ethical principles that are required of those working as public servants, so they are prepared to make moral judgments in the execution of their duties. This course instills professional ethics in a law enforcement workforce through effective leadership.

COM-312

4 Total Credits

Course Description

This course is designed to introduce the concepts and theories relevant to understanding conflict communication and the negotiation process. In this course, students are introduced to various elements of conflict and negotiation communication across a variety of contexts including interpersonal, organizational, and international. Upon completion of this course, students will be able to analyze power dynamics in relationships, identify conflict styles and tactics, and apply intervention techniques in contexts that are relevant to their future relationships and careers.

MGT-410

4 Total Credits

COM-457

4 Total Credits

Course Description

In this course, students learn what it takes to build healthy relationships in the workplace. Students investigate the role of motivation, emotional intelligence, diversity, and ethical behavior in promoting effectiveness at work. The class focuses on “people” skills and utilizing these skills in an increasingly team-based and customer-oriented workplace. Content provides opportunities to become more effective in discerning, ethical, flexible, and perceptive behaviors while working with people. Special attention is given to the challenges students will face in interpersonal communication at work and the opportunities that a workplace environment offers in building social virtuosity.

MGT-420

4 Total Credits

Course Description

Drawing upon real-world management situations, this course is a study of individual and group behavior in organizations through detailed coverage of the functions of management, individual differences/diversity, leadership, motivation, decision making, organizational design, and organizational change and development. Emphasis is placed on how an understanding of organizational behavior leads to effective management practice.

JUS-481

4 Total Credits

JUS-484

4 Total Credits

GCU cannot and will not promise job placement, a job, graduate school placement, transfer of GCU program credits to another institution, promotion, salary, or salary increase. Please see the Career Services Policy in the University Policy Handbook.
Please note that this list may contain programs and courses not presently offered, as availability may vary depending on class size, enrollment and other contributing factors. If you are interested in a program or course listed herein please first contact your University Counselor for the most current information regarding availability.
Please refer to the Academic Catalog for more information. Programs or courses subject to change

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