Find the right UMGC degree, specialization, or certificate for your professional and educational goals. Use the compare option to decide between multiple programs of interest.
Criminal Justice (Law Enforcement Track)
Bachelor of ScienceThese program requirements are for students who enroll in the 2024-2025 academic year.
Program Highlights
- Understand the system: Understand the roles and responsibilities of police, courts, and corrections within the American criminal justice system.ÌýÂ
- Evaluate policies: Develop an understanding of criminal justice policies and procedures and explore how they affect diverse social groups.ÌýÂ
- Develop knowledge: Develop high-level ethical reasoning, analytical skills, research skills, and professional knowledge.ÌýÂ
- Analyze law: Understand substantive, procedural, and evidentiary law in theory and in practice.Ìý
Required Courses
This track takes into account your previous experience and anticipates that you may be able to transfer up to 60 credits toward your degree for your law enforcement experience and police academy graduation.ÌýThe remainder of the curriculum consists of 60 credits of specialized major courses and general education requirements:Â
- (3 Credits, CCJS 360)Â
- (3 Credits, CCJS 495)Â
- (3 Credits, CJLE 314)Â
- (3 Credits, CJLE 343)Â
- (3 Credits, PACE 111P)Â
- (3 Credits, WRTG 111)Â
- (3 Credits, WRTG 112)Â
- (3 Credits, MATH 105)Â
- (3 Credits, PHIL 110)Â
- (3 Credits, PHIL 140)Â
- (3 Credits, PSYC 100)Â
- (4 Credits, BIOL 103)Â
- (1 Credit, LIBS 150)Â
- (3 Credits, CMSC 100)Â
- (1 Credit, CMST 100B)Â
- (3 Credits, BEHS 220)Â
- (3 Credits, CJLE 395)Â
- (3 Credits, BIOL 320)Â
- (3 Credits, PHIL 304)Â
- (3 Credits, CJLE 481)Â
- (3 Credits, BEHS 453)Â
Career Preparation
This online program track is specially designed to help current and former law enforcement officers obtain the skills they need to advance in local/state police departments, federal law enforcement agencies, and other areas.
Please note: This track does not lead to a law enforcement certification. However, our specialized coursework anticipates your experience as a police officer, while our general bachelor’s degree in criminal justice does not require specific training or experience in a law enforcement agency.Ìý
Experience Recommended for Success in the Program
Please see this program track’s admission requirements.Ìý
Total Program Credits
120
Transfer Credits
Up to 90
Format
- All courses available online
- See special eligibility requirements
Tuition Per Credit
- $324 per credit (in-state)
- $499 per credit (out-of-state)
- $250 per credit (military)
- Other fees may apply
Admission Requirements
To take this specific track of courses at UMGC, you will need to meet all the following eligibility requirements:Â
- You must have graduated from a police academy in the United States that is recognized by a state or political subdivision of a state as providing training that is sufficient for an individual to be certified as a law enforcement officer in that state with arrest powers (state/local jurisdiction).
- After your academy graduation, you must have completed any field training requirements and been employed as a full-time police officer in a U.S. state or political subdivision of a state.Ìý
- This employment must have been in the detection and prevention of crime, and you must have had arrest powers in the state or political subdivision.Ìý
- You must be currently certified as a police officer with arrest powers in a U.S. state or political subdivision.Ìý
- If you are not currently certified, you must be eligible for recertification as a police officer in the original or last certifying state or political subdivision without having to attend another police academy.
- Example: In Maryland, a previously certified law enforcement officer can be re-certified without attending another police academy for up to three years after being separated from their law enforcement position.Ìý A former police officer in Maryland who meets all of the other eligibility requirements would then be considered eligible in the same way a currently certified police officer is for three years after their separation from law enforcement.
Military-Specific Details
This program does not have military restrictions. It is available to all eligible civilian and military-affiliated students.
State-Specific Details
This program does not have state-specific restrictions.
Public Safety Administration
Bachelor of ScienceThese program requirements are for students who enroll in the 2024-2025 academic year.
Program Highlights
- Analyze best practices: Analyze the unique aspects and best professional practices associated with the field of public safety administration within the United States.
- Learn legal frameworks: Analyze the legal framework within the United States that outlines the obligations and limitations of public safety entities with respect to their employees, constituents, and the public at large.
- Evaluate challenges: Evaluate the challenges associated with the professional obligation to address concurrent public safety emergencies and the challenges associated with the development of effective corresponding mitigation plans.
- Consider ethical frameworks: Evaluate the unique ethical framework associated with the field of public safety administration and the corresponding decision-making process required of public safety professionals.
- Assess leadership skills: Assess the leadership attributes most commonly associated with exceptional professionals within the field of public safety administration.
Required Courses
- (3 Credits, PSAD 302)
- (3 Credits, PSAD 304)
- (3 Credits, PSAD 306)
- (3 Credits, PSAD 408)
- (3 Credits, PSAD 410)
- (3 Credits, PSAD 414)
- (3 Credits, PSAD 416)
- (3 Credits, FINC 331)
- (3 Credits, BMGT 317)
- (3 Credits, PSAD 495)
Related Required Course
The following may be applied to general education requirements:
- (3 Credits, IFSM 300)
Career Preparation
This program is a great fit for mid-level professionals in public safety administration who are looking to advance in their careers by honing their skills in leadership, data analysis, and threat management. The skills you learn in this program can be applied to careers in the public sector, the non-profit sector, the government, or the military. Potential job titles available for graduates of this program include public safety director, emergency management administrator, school safety and security director, occupational health and safety specialist, and battalion chief.
Experience Recommended for Success in the Program
No previous experience is needed.
Total Program Credits
120
Transfer Credits
Up to 90
Format
- All courses available online
- Select hybrid courses available
Tuition Per Credit
- $324 per credit (in-state)
- $499 per credit (out-of-state)
- $250 per credit (military)
- Other fees may apply
Admission Requirements
This program follows standard UMGC admission requirements.
Military-Specific Details
This program does not have military restrictions. It is available to all eligible civilian and military-affiliated students.
State-Specific Details
This program does not have state-specific restrictions.
Management: Criminal Justice Management
Master's ConcentrationThese program requirements are for students who enroll in the 2024-2025 academic year.
Program Highlights
- Design programs: Design criminal justice programs such as crisis intervention teams, drug court programs, and more.ÌýÂ
- Assess risk: Analyze threats and assess risks within the context of law enforcement and public safety.Ìý
- Conduct studies: Conduct in-depth vulnerability studies for a mock public safety scenario.Ìý
- Study legal issues: Apply legal knowledge to criminal justice management.ÌýÂ
- Learn to lead: Learn how to lead and manage organizations.ÌýÂ
- Communicate effectively: Communicate, report, and write professionally and effectively.Ìý
Required Courses
This program requires a total of 36 credits.Ìý
Initial RequirementÂ
- (0 Credits, UCSP 615)
This course must be taken within the first 6 credits of study (if required). The UCSP 615 requirement may be waived if you previously earned a graduate degree from a regionally accredited institution. For more information, contact your academic advisor.
Core CoursesÂ
- (6 Credits, MGMT 630)Â
- (3 Credits, MGMT 640)Â
- (3 Credits, MGMT 650)Â
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- (3 Credits, CJMS 600)Â
- (3 Credits, CJMS 610)Â
- (3 Credits, CJMS 620)Â
- (3 Credits, CJMS 630)Â
- (3 Credits, CJMS 640)Â
- (3 Credits, CJMS 650)Â
- (3 Credits, CJMS 660)Â
Capstone CourseÂ
- (3 Credits, MGMT 670)Â
Career Preparation
This program is designed to help you prepare for a career in criminal justice or meet the degree requirement for advancement in law enforcement agencies. In addition, federal law enforcement agencies often base promotion on factors that include education and previous experience. Potential job titles include program manager, program officer, intelligence analyst, and special agent.Ìý
Experience Recommended for Success in the Program
We recommend that you have recent experience in finance or accounting, as well as statistics. Strong writing skills are also encouraged.Ìý
Total Program Credits
36
Transfer Credits
Up to 12
Format
- All courses available online
Tuition Per Credit
- $534 per credit (in-state)
- $659 per credit (out-of-state)
- $336 per credit (military)
- Other fees may apply
Admission Requirements
This program follows standard UMGC admission requirements.
Military-Specific Details
This program does not have military restrictions. It is available to all eligible civilian and military-affiliated students.
State-Specific Details
This program does not have state-specific restrictions.