College of Science, Technology, and Health
Criminology and Criminal Justice, BA with Law Enforcement Emphasis
Public safety careers demand professionals who understand both the theory behind crime and the practical realities of law enforcement. 51福利社鈥檚 criminology and criminal justice degree with law enforcement academy emphasis combines rigorous academic study with certified police academy training, preparing you to serve your community as a sworn law enforcement officer. This accelerated path integrates a Bachelor of Arts in Criminology and Criminal Justice with the St. Louis County and Municipal Police Academy鈥攁llowing you to earn your degree and peace officer certification concurrently.
What distinguishes this criminal justice degree from standard programs? It鈥檚 the seamless integration of academic criminology with tactical law enforcement training. You鈥檒l study criminal law, policing theory, corrections, research methods, and criminal procedure in the classroom, then apply that knowledge during intensive police academy coursework covering defensive tactics, firearms training, emergency vehicle operations, criminal investigations, and community policing strategies.
Upon completing all requirements, you鈥檒l graduate with both a bachelor鈥檚 degree and POST (Peace Officer Standards and Training) certification, positioning you to begin your law enforcement career immediately without the gap between graduation and academy enrollment that most candidates face.
This isn鈥檛 a theoretical program about criminal justice鈥攊t鈥檚 professional training designed by and for law enforcement. The criminology and criminal justice curriculum covers essential topics like criminal justice systems, criminological theory, race and crime, victimology, and criminal investigation, while the police academy component prepares you for the physical, tactical, and psychological demands of patrol work. You鈥檒l train alongside peers who share your commitment to public service, guided by faculty and instructors with decades of law enforcement experience.
Key Program Facts
- 51 total credit hours: 45 major coursework + 6 electives
- Includes 15-credit St. Louis County and Municipal Police Academy
- Earn bachelor鈥檚 degree & post certification concurrently
- Combines academic criminology with tactical law enforcement training
- Graduate career-ready as a certified peace officer
Essential Skills & Insights
What makes an effective law enforcement officer? It鈥檚 not just physical fitness or tactical proficiency鈥攊t鈥檚 the ability to understand human behavior, make sound judgments under pressure, communicate across diverse communities, and uphold constitutional principles even in chaotic situations. The criminology and criminal justice degree with law enforcement emphasis develops five critical competency areas:
Criminological Knowledge 鈥� Understand why crime occurs, how criminal justice systems function, and what factors contribute to recidivism or rehabilitation
Legal & Procedural Expertise 鈥� Master criminal law, constitutional protections, arrest procedures, search and seizure standards, and rules of evidence
Tactical & Physical Readiness 鈥� Develop proficiency in defensive tactics, firearms, emergency vehicle operations, first responder protocols, and officer safety procedures
Communication & De-escalation 鈥� Learn crisis intervention, conflict resolution, community engagement strategies, and report writing skills essential to modern policing
Ethical Decision-Making 鈥� Navigate complex ethical dilemmas, understand implicit bias, apply procedural justice principles, and uphold professional standards
Faculty in the College of Science, Technology, and Health include former law enforcement officers, criminologists, and legal experts who bring both academic credentials and field experience into the classroom. Academy instructors are active or retired law enforcement professionals certified by Missouri POST.
Experiential Learning, Real-World Impact
Law enforcement skills develop through hands-on training, not lectures alone. That鈥檚 why the criminal justice program embeds practical experience throughout your education:
- Complete the full St. Louis County and Municipal Police Academy curriculum with active law enforcement instructors
- Participate in scenario-based training simulations for traffic stops, domestic disputes, active shooter response, and crisis intervention
- Qualify with department-standard firearms and demonstrate proficiency in defensive tactics
- Conduct ride-alongs with local law enforcement agencies to observe policing in action
- Engage in community policing projects and public safety initiatives
- Network with law enforcement professionals through guest speakers, career panels, and department recruiting events
Career Outlook
Law enforcement and criminal justice professionals protect communities, investigate crimes, and uphold public safety across diverse specializations. Graduates with a criminology and criminal justice degree and POST certification pursue careers such as:
- Police Officer / Deputy Sheriff
- State Trooper / Highway Patrol Officer
- Federal Agent (FBI, DEA, ATF, Secret Service, U.S. Marshals)
- Detective / Criminal Investigator
- Corrections Officer / Probation Officer
- Crime Scene Technician / Forensic Specialist
- Juvenile Justice Specialist
- Security Director / Loss Prevention Manager
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, police officers and detectives earn a median annual salary of $69,160, with experienced officers in federal agencies or specialized units earning significantly more. The BLS projects steady demand for law enforcement professionals through 2032. Many agencies offer competitive benefits including health insurance, retirement plans, paid training, tuition reimbursement for graduate degrees, and opportunities for advancement into supervisory or specialized roles.
Program Contact
Dr. Pernell Witherspoon
Professor, Criminal Justice
Phone: (636) 949-4987
Email: [email protected]
Dr. Billi Patzius
Professor, Criminal Justice
Phone: (636) 949-4511
Email: [email protected]
Frequently Asked Questions
The Law Enforcement Academy Emphasis is a specialized track within the Criminology and Criminal Justice BA that integrates the St. Louis County and Municipal Police Academy directly into your degree program. You鈥檒l complete 15 credit hours of POST-certified police academy training as part of your 51-credit bachelor鈥檚 degree, graduating with both your BA and peace officer certification. This allows you to enter law enforcement immediately without the typical gap between college graduation and academy attendance.
The program requires 51 credit hours total: 45 credit hours of major coursework (including 15 credits for the St. Louis County and Municipal Police Academy) plus 6 credit hours of electives.
Yes. Upon successful completion of the program, you will have earned your Bachelor of Arts degree and completed the full Missouri POST-certified police academy. This qualifies you to apply for sworn law enforcement positions in Missouri and many other states with reciprocity agreements.
The St. Louis County and Municipal Police Academy training covers all Missouri POST requirements, including defensive tactics, firearms qualification, emergency vehicle operations, criminal investigation techniques, arrest procedures, search and seizure laws, first aid/CPR, crisis intervention, de-escalation strategies, report writing, and community policing. Training is conducted by certified law enforcement instructors using scenario-based simulations and real-world case studies.
Students must meet the physical fitness standards required by the police academy, which include cardiovascular endurance, strength, and agility assessments. The Police Academy Preparatory course helps you prepare for these requirements before beginning the full academy. You鈥檒l also need to pass background checks, possess a valid driver鈥檚 license, and be at least 18 years old when starting academy training.
No. The Law Enforcement Academy Emphasis requires on-campus attendance due to the hands-on nature of police academy training鈥攆irearms qualification, defensive tactics, emergency vehicle operations, and scenario-based simulations cannot be completed remotely. However, Lindenwood offers an Online Criminology and Criminal Justice BA without the police academy component for students who prefer remote learning.
Graduates pursue careers as police officers, deputy sheriffs, state troopers, federal agents (FBI, DEA, ATF, Secret Service, U.S. Marshals), detectives, corrections officers, probation officers, crime scene technicians, juvenile justice specialists, and security directors. Your degree and POST certification position you for immediate entry into sworn law enforcement roles, with opportunities for advancement into supervisory positions, specialized units (K-9, SWAT, narcotics, investigations), or federal agencies. Graduates interested in leadership advancement can continue their education with Lindenwood鈥檚 Criminal Justice MS with Administration Emphasis or Crisis Response Support Emphasis.
Begin your application at . Select Criminology and Criminal Justice as your intended major and indicate interest in the Law Enforcement Academy Emphasis during your admissions interview or academic advising session.