Online Master’s Degree in Policing

A top online Master’s Degree in Policing prepares an individual to enter into administrative or police leadership roles. An accredited online masters degree in policing is designed to help professionals in criminal justice fields advance and take on new challenges in this exciting field. Work can be in the public or private sectors, such as in government positions and private investigator businesses.

Online Master’s Degrees in
Requirements

Students who seek to achieve an online master degree in policing from an accredited online school should be able to think objectively and process information quickly. Candidates should have a good grasp of the law and be able to process information quickly, with criminal justice experience or related coursework. Bachelor’s degrees that could be accepted for an accredited online masters degree program in policing could include:

• Bachelor of Science in Policing
• Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice
• Bachelor of Science in Legal Studies

Students who pursue an online master’s degree in policing often find positions in criminal justice fields, including government investigative positions.

Online Policing Master’s Degree Education

Good online master’s degree programs in policing typically require 60 credits and take between 3 to 4 years to complete. The types of policing degrees offered by the best policing master’s programs online include:

• Master of Science in Policing
• Master of Science in Criminal Law
• Master of Science in Crime Scene Investigation
• Master of Science in Policing

Information on Policing Courses

Coursework in a policing master’s degree program online focuses on criminal justice courses and information processing. Students study legal issues and policy in identifying crime, gathering evidence, and prosecuting crime. A masters degree in policing is evaluated through informative papers on pertinent subject matter, comprehensive exams, and scholarly discussion with fellow students. Final comprehensive exams must be passed in each subject. A sample of courses include:

• Laws and Criminal Procedures
  This course examines fourth amendment standards, including cause to search, warrants, and exceptions. Special problem searches and Miranda principles are covered, and confession and privilege will be discussed. Prosecution issues will finish off this course.
• Psychology of Different People
  This psychology course explores aspects of social psychology, including social cognition, social perception, self-knowledge, conformity, and group processes. Emphasis is placed on interaction and behaviors such as aggression and pro-social behavior.
• Comparative Criminal Justice
  Students compare criminal justice systems using an international perspective in this course. Focus is on legal traditions, and the American perspective on criminal law. An international perspective will also be covered in depth.
• Interviewing and Interrogation
  Students in this course are guided through the law office environment. Discussion covers the defendant’s perspective, and the plaintiff’s perspective, witness issues, documentary issues and e-documents, expert witnesses, witness preparation, and litigation.
• Policing
  Policing basics are explored in this course. Students focus on denial of service attacks, malware, assessing a security system, encryption, internet fraud, industrial espionage, cyber terrorism, and information warfare.

Specializations and Concentrations

Policing is a broad area in criminal justice fields that could encompass investigating crime, gathering evidence, and prosecuting crime. Students can specialize in areas that lead to government employment or provide options in the private sector. Concentrations that could be offered could include:

• Police Investigation
• Private Investigation

Careers in Policing

Careers in policing are wide ranging for graduates of master’s degree programs from quality online colleges. There is the choice of local, state, and federal government opportunities, advancement to supervisory roles, and private business. Students often become professionals attaining the following titles:

• Sheriff
  Sheriffs are elected to their posts and perform duties similar to those of a local or county police chief. They supervise operations and employees, and manage caseloads to ensure investigations run smoothly and consistently. Sheriffs can make a wide range of salaries depending upon the size of the area and department, with an average income between $51,020 and $65,500. Sheriffs can expect some growth of about 8% according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
• Private Detective
  Private detectives work independently and are hired to conduct unofficial investigation into a variety of matters. They connect clues to uncover facts about legal, financial, or personal matters and gather additional evidence for criminal and civil trials. They are also employed to aid in gathering information for custody cases, missing person cases, and divorce proceedings. Private detectives can earn an average of $30,870 to $59,060 annually with a projected growth of 22% by the year 2018 according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
• Policing Investigator
  Policing investigators participate in investigative functions, prepare investigative reports, coordinate investigations and maintain high level of cooperation between departments to ensure security. Policing investigators can earn an average of $63,000 annually.
• Corporate Investigator
  Corporate investigators conduct internal and external investigations for corporations. They investigate employee issues such as substance use, abuse of expense accounts, theft of merchandise or knowledge, and violations of company policy. Corporate investigators can earn an average of $76,640 annually with a projected growth of 22% by the year 2018 according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
• FBI Agent
  Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) agents are responsible for investigating violations of Federal law and conducting sensitive national security investigations. Agents may conduct surveillance, monitor court-authorized wiretaps, examine business records, investigate white-collar crime, or participate in sensitive undercover assignments. They also interview witnesses and suspects to determine the proper course of action. FBI agents receive law enforcement availability pay scale in addition to special federal salary rates, and can expect growth of about 17% according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

An accredited online masters degree program in policing provides the graduate with the ability to move into upper level positions in law enforcement in a variety of fields. Graduates can apply for advancement or seek coveted government positions in the CIA or FBI. A master’s degree program in policing presents an individual with great opportunity for career growth.