Guide to Online Associate's Degrees in Law Enforcement

Let me guess: you’re the type that loved playing cops and robbers as a kid. You spend your evenings watching “NYPD Blue“, “CSI“, and “Colombo” (when you can find it on reruns, that is), and you have a collection of handcuffs and billy clubs that any street cop would envy. If this sounds like you, then a healthy outlet for your obsession might just be getting your law enforcement associate degree.

Think about it: you’d have the chance to make a real difference in your community, not to mention the huge perk of getting to drive a super fast car through all the red lights from time to time. Yep, there are definitely some perks to being a law enforcement officer.

The nice thing about getting your associate degree in law enforcement is that classes are really fun. You’ll get to learn about topics like these:

Forensics
Sociology
Principals of Abnormal Behavior
Crisis Management
Intro to Criminal Justice
Human Relations
Criminal Investigating
Evidence Handling
And much more!

Another great thing about getting your law enforcement associate degree is that this field is expected to grow rapidly in the coming years, especially as more and more officers retire.

You can also make a comfortable living with this exciting career. Patrol Officers earn anywhere from $28,000 to $68,000 per year. Detectives and law enforcement managers earn between $36,000 to $96,000 each year. Not too bad, right? Especially considering the fact that you’re doing incredibly rewarding work, and getting to have fun putting the bad guys in jail.

It’s important to realize that if you want to make the big bucks and move up the ladder in law enforcement, then getting a law enforcement associate degree probably won’t be enough. It’s definitely a great first start, but if you have your sights set on being a detective or higher, you’ll definitely want to continue your education to get a law enforcement Bachelor’s Degree. The more education and skills you have, the more likely you are to advance quickly through the ranks.

There are also several different paths you can take with a law enforcement associate degree. If you’re not interested in becoming a state or local patrol officer, then you can pursue a career in the FBI, Border Patrol, Food and Drug Administration, or Homeland Security. There are many different agencies in the local and national government that employ law enforcement officers, so finding one you’re interested in working with is crucial to your happiness in this field.

Still wondering if law enforcement is right for you? Well, go down this list and see if you have any of these traits:

You can be graceful under pressure
You care about your community
You’re compassionate
You’re responsible
You’re in great shape and you’re committed to staying that way
You have a high moral character
You can make good, quick decisions even when you’re under stress
You have great communication skills
You have no problem following instructions

Any of these strike a chord? Well, hopefully so, since these are just some of the traits that make a great law enforcement officer.

This is definitely a field where you’ll never be bored, so if your goal is NOT to be behind a desk everyday, then getting a law enforcement associate degree is a smart choice for you.

Guide to Online Associates Degree Programs

Associate degree holders generally have better job prospects than those with only a high school diploma. Earning an associate degree usually takes two years, and doing so in at an online school can be much more convenient than at a traditional campus. Below are the top accredited online schools offering associate degrees in the US.

	With one of the largest offerings of accredited online associate degrees, Post University is consistently highly rated by its students because of its flexibility and affordability. All associate degrees offered are fully accredited. Post was founded in 1890 and has been providing highly-rated degree programs to students ever since with an emphasis on practicality and application. Read full school profile » Request Information
	The University of Phoenix was one of the first accredited colleges to offer online degrees. Today, it has grown to become one of the nation's largest universities through its online division and campuses coast to coast. They remain one of the top choices for students looking for an associates degree online because of the broad array of choice and affordability they offer students. Read full school profile » Request Information
	With perhaps the largest number of online associates degrees offered, Kaplan University's degrees are fully accredited, affordable, and offer a flexibility that many other online schools cannot match. This unrivaled selection spans several industries, hundreds of specializations, and all degree levels of education, empowering students to choose their own path to a career. Read full school profile » Request Information
	One of the nation's leading Christian universities, Liberty offers a broad range of accredited associate degrees online. Their incorporation of moral and ethical considerations into study make them a popular choice for students seeking a well-rounded education built on academic integrity. Established in 1985, Liberty University has one of the longest-standing online education programs in the country. Read full school profile » Request Information
	The online associates degrees at Everest University can be completed in under 2 years, making this a great way for students to quickly works towards their life goals. An associates degree can give you a jump-start on your career and open opportunities around every corner. Many of the programs help students pursue positions in ever-growing fields. Read full school profile » Request Information
	Virginia College offers a wide range of accredited associates programs. VC takes several steps in helping students pays for college by offering financial aid to those who qualify, including textbooks in the tuition cost, and providing online programs that can be completed under two (2) years, giving students a quick way to jump start their careers. Read full school profile » Request Information
	DeVry University is a highly-regarded leader in education with campuses across the nation and several online degrees available. DeVry focuses on providing degrees centered in the technology industry or fields that require a broad understanding and need for technical skills. DeVry has several highly popular degrees like Accounting, Web Graphic Design, Health IT, and Network Systems Administration. Read full school profile » Request Information
	Strayer University has over the last decade become one of the most respected schools offering accredited online associate degrees. Their strong reputation among employers, broad course offerings, and over one hundred years in education make them consistently a top choice for students. Strayer has over 85 campuses and 60,000 students currently attending online or at one of its campuses. Read full school profile » Request Information