Police Academy Schools with Training Program Information

Police academy training is required to become a police officer, though some schools offer some or all of this type of training through criminal justice programs. In conjunction with their law enforcement training for careers as police officers, students could earn a certificate, associate's degree or bachelor's degree in criminal justice.

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How to Select a Police Academy School

For students who'd like to enter a police academy but also want to obtain a traditional degree, it may be useful to consider combined criminal justice/police training programs. While studying criminal justice isn't required to become a police officer, nor will completing a criminal justice program alone qualify someone to become a police officer, some criminal justice programs incorporate police academy training. Requirements for a career on the police force vary by state, so it's recommended that students check to ensure even combined programs qualify them for a job as a cop.

Schools that offer police academy training as part of their criminal justice programs typically work closely with state law enforcement agencies that regulate professional career preparation and certification. Some schools operate an official law enforcement training academy on campus. Specialized facilities can include training tools like a firearms simulator.

Many criminal justice programs that offer a police academy track have a rigid degree completion process. Students are generally expected to complete certain classes prior to beginning police academy training. Most criminal justice programs have minimum academic, age, and physical fitness standards; background checks are also common. A pre-admission meeting with program administrators could also be required before beginning the police academy training part of the program. Many programs offer full-time study only. Police academy training generally concludes with a final exam and state certification that makes graduates eligible for state or local law enforcement jobs. Possession of this certification could exempt new hires from some required training in some states, as long as they're hired within a certain period of time after they've completed the program, generally two years.

Criminal Justice with Police Academy Track Program Overviews

Criminal Justice Certificate - Police Academy Option

This program may take less than two years to complete. The curriculum is generally limited to police academy training plus several foundational courses in police organization and professional ethics, traffic and public safety, first aid and emergency response training, and investigative skills. A physical conditioning component may also be required.

Associate of Applied Science in Criminal Justice

When this degree program includes police academy training, it's generally described as having a police academy option or track. The 2-year program often requires many of the same classes as the certificate program. Students are usually also required to take general education courses in fields like English and math.

Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice

This 4-year degree program usually offers a law enforcement track when it's combined with police academy training. Students learn the same hands-on skills as certificate and associate's degree students, such as police agency organization, police operations, investigative processes, public safety, first aid, and professional ethics. In additional to these and general education courses, bachelor's degree students also take expanded coursework in the field, such as criminology, juvenile justice, criminal law, and forensic science. An internship may also be required.

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