Criminal Justice, Law Enforcement (Police Academy), BS

The Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice with a Law Enforcement (Police Academy) concentration offers a deep dive into the legal, ethical, and tactical world of modern policing. This degree expands your perspective beyond basic training, exploring the complexities of crime prevention, drug enforcement, and national security investigations. By integrating the police academy directly into your four-year degree, you gain a unique blend of strategic critical thinking and real-world preparation. This track is ideal for those who want a more robust academic background to support the physical and mental demands of the job, providing the professional edge needed to serve the greater good and advance within local, state, or federal agencies.

Academy Credits

Students who successfully complete our criminal justice BS LEA major must attend, and pass an accredited law enforcement academy in their state to become a law enforcement officer. Students take their academic courses before applying to a Law Enforcement Academy. Students must be admitted into an Academy to remain in this program. NOTE: Baker College makes no representation or guarantees about acceptance into any law enforcement academy or state licensing as a law enforcement officer. Please see the requirements for the applicable law enforcement academy and your specific state’s requirements.

Criminal Justice Major - 51 Hours

CRJ 1010 - Introduction to Criminal Justice Credits: 3
CRJ 1060 - Introduction to Corrections Credits: 3
CRJ 1410 - Criminology Credits: 3
CRJ 2410 - Juvenile Justice Concepts Credits: 3
CRJ 2510 - Ethical Issues in Criminal Justice Credits: 3
CRJ 2710 - Introduction to Courts Credits: 3
CRJ 3110 - Drugs, Crime and Society Credits: 3
CRJ 3350 - Cybercrimes Credits: 3
CRJ 3410 - Introduction to Forensic Science Credits: 3
CRJ 4210A - Scholarly Research in Criminal Justice Credits: 3
CRJ 4850 - Current Topics Seminar Credits: 3
CRJ 4910 - Criminal Justice Capstone Credits: 3
HLS 1010 - Introduction to Homeland Security Credits: 3
HUS 2350 - Trauma-Informed Care in Crisis Intervention Credits: 3
PSY 1110 - General Psychology Credits: 3
PSY 2250 - Psychology of Drug Use and Addiction Credits: 3
SWK 1110 - Poverty and Culture Credits: 3 (This course is equivalent to HUS 1110)

General Education - 27 Hours

COM 1010 - Composition and Critical Thinking I Credits: 3
Select One Communication Course from the Following:
COM 1020 - Composition and Critical Thinking II Credits: 3
COM 2010 - Interpersonal Communication Credits: 3
COM 2050 - Public Speaking Credits: 3
Select One Mathematics Course from the Following:
MTH 1150 - Quantitative Reasoning Credits: 3
MTH 1170 - College Algebra Credits: 3
Select One Mathematics Course from the Following:
MTH 1210 - Trigonometry Credits: 3
MTH 1510 - Calculus I Credits: 4
MTH 1350 - Pre-Calculus Credits: 4
MTH 2310 - Linear Algebra Credits: 3
MTH 2410 - Discrete Mathematics Credits: 3
MTH 2510 - Calculus II Credits: 4
MTH 2750 - Statistical Methods Credits: 3
MTH 3510 - Multivariable Calculus Credits: 4
MTH 4110A - Mathematical Reasoning and Proof Credits: 3
Select One Social Science Course from the Following:
ECN 2010 - Principles of Macroeconomics Credits: 3
ECN 2110 - Principles of Microeconomics Credits: 3
GEO 1050 - Introduction to Geography Credits: 3
POL 1010 - Introduction to Political Science Credits: 3
PSY 2050 - Self and Society Credits: 3
PSY 2150 - Psychology as a Science and Profession Credits: 3
PSY 2210 - Developmental Psychology Credits: 3
PSY 2310 - Industrial Organizational Psychology Credits: 3
SOC 2010 - Sociology Credits: 3
SOC 3050 - Personal, Civic and Global Perspectives Credits: 3
Select One Humanities Course from the Following:
BUS 2810 - Business Ethics and Culture Credits: 3
ENG 2410 - Creative Writing Credits: 3
HIS 1110 - Introduction to American History: 1865 to Present Credits: 3
HUM 3610 - Art Appreciation Credits: 3
HUM 3650 - Music Appreciation Credits: 3
HUM 3910 - Integrative Seminar Credits: 3
LIT 2010 - Introduction to Literature Credits: 3
SPN 1010 - Spanish I Credits: 3
Required General Education Electives - Credits: 9
- ELECTIVE - General Education Elective - Credits: 3
- ELECTIVE - General Education Elective - Credits: 3
- ELECTIVE - Scientific Inquiry Elective - Credits: 3

Concentration: Law Enforcement (Police Academy)/MCOLES Curriculum - 12 Hours

CRJ 2990 - Law Enforcement Academy Credits: 12

Academy Credits

We partner with several organizations which offer a certified Law Enforcement Academy to provide students with an option to graduate with a degree in criminal justice along with the skills, tools, methods and credentials to pursue a career in law enforcement. Students who successfully complete our criminal justice major along with the Law Enforcement Academy curriculum and program will receive certification as a police officer in the State of Michigan pursuant to the Michigan Commission on Law Enforcement Standards (MCOLES). A student will take most of his/her academic courses during the first year or two before applying for the Law Enforcement Academy. Students must complete a medical, vision and hearing screening; pass the MCOLES Reading and Writing Test; pass the MCOLES Fitness Test; complete the application materials; and successfully complete the admission process to be admitted into the Academy. Students must be admitted into the Academy to remain in this program. Students will receive credit for the following four courses upon successful completion of the Academy.

CRJ 1310 - Diversity in Criminal Justice Credits: 3
CRJ 2250 - Essential Skills in Criminal Justice Credits: 3
CRJ 2310 - Principles of Policing I Credits: 3
CRJ 3510 - Evidence Collection and Procedures Credits: 3

Electives - 30 Hours

Select from any Baker College undergraduate-level courses.