In the world of military and law enforcement, the badge or uniform you wear represents more than just a job—it symbolizes a commitment to justice and safety. While the demands of the profession don't necessarily require a degree, there's value in pursuing one. Whether you're already in the field or considering a career in law enforcement, a degree or certificate can open new doors. Higher education can provide opportunities beyond the uniform while improving your skills and career prospects in ways that can benefit you and your community. LSU Online provides several degree options that can contribute to your success.
Transferable Skills and Knowledge
For law enforcement and military professionals, earning a degree in criminal justice is a natural progression that leverages the skills they've already acquired. Your experience in these fields has cultivated skills such as leadership, crisis management, and critical thinking—attributes that align with the demands of a criminal justice degree. As you go through the educational journey, you'll realize how these skills accelerate your academic success and empower you to make a faster and more significant contribution to the field. By bridging your professional background with a criminal justice degree, you’re increasing your overall skill set and improving your ability to protect and serve your community with greater expertise.
Career Advancement Opportunities
Earning a criminal justice degree can lead to several career advancement opportunities. In the military, it can pave the way for leadership roles and specialized positions, such as cybersecurity expert and intelligence officer. For police officers, a criminal justice degree fortifies their qualifications and teaches a broader perspective on crime control and community engagement. If you’re pursuing higher-ranking positions, like police chief, a degree can provide the advantage you need. Education is the key to staying competitive and evolving in your career, and a degree through LSU Online can help you achieve those goals.
Diverse Career Pathways
Criminal justice offers a wide range of career options, from policing and corrections to forensics and private security. A background in military or law enforcement complements these career paths and provides a strong foundation for success. Whether you're interested in working in the courts, corrections, or the FBI, your experience will be valuable in helping you build the career of your dreams.
Some alternative pathways you can pursue after earning a degree include:
- Fire Inspector
- Victim Advocate
- Drug and Alcohol Compliance and Enforcement Officer
- Homeland Security
- Crime Scene Investigator
Criminal Justice Options Available Through LSU Online
LSU Online offers access to programs that can contribute to your educational and career goals:
- Online Associate of Science in Criminal Justice: This associate in criminal justice program, offered through LSU Eunice and LSU Online, provides a comprehensive understanding of the criminal justice system, emphasizing the role of police, courts, and corrections. Graduates are prepared for various positions, including law enforcement officers, drug intervention specialists, cybersecurity experts, and intelligence officers.
- Online Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice: The online bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from LSU Alexandria offers a well-rounded education in criminal justice, with elective courses covering a range of specializations, from administration to forensics and correctional management. Graduates are equipped to work effectively in protective services, law and corrections, security management, court administration, and more.
Use Your Past Military and Police Training as Credit Towards Your Degree
We know that your time in the military or law enforcement has already equipped you with valuable knowledge and skills. LSU Online prioritizes allowing you to use your knowledge to finish your degree faster and more affordably. Through our Credit for Prior Learning program, we offer a seamless process for applying your training toward your criminal justice degree. This program means you can fast-track your education and focus on acquiring new knowledge and expertise to benefit your career.
More specifically, LSUA allows you to earn your degree with 30 credit hours (one year of college) awarded for police academy training and Credit for Prior Learning. The skills and knowledge acquired from your professional experience could be recognized as academic coursework.
Become a More Effective Law Enforcement Professional with LSU Online
LSU Online offers flexible, accessible, high-quality educational options that recognize your prior training and help you achieve your professional goals. Whether you're aiming for leadership positions, specialized roles, or a broader understanding of the criminal justice system, a degree through LSU Online can support your success. Explore our available programs, and apply today!
FAQs
What is the Credit for Prior Learning program at LSU Online for law enforcement and military students?
LSU Online’s Credit for Prior Learning program allows eligible military and law enforcement professionals to apply previous training and service experience toward academic credit requirements. LSU Alexandria’s online Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice, offered through LSU Online, may award up to 30 credit hours for qualifying police academy training, helping students accelerate progress toward their degree.
By recognizing prior professional experience, the program can help students reduce both the time and cost associated with completing a college degree while continuing to build career-ready knowledge and skills.
How does a criminal justice degree benefit active-duty military personnel seeking leadership roles?
A criminal justice degree can help active-duty military personnel strengthen leadership, analytical thinking, and decision-making skills relevant to both military and civilian career pathways. The curriculum builds on existing experience in areas such as crisis response, organizational structure, communication, and strategic problem-solving.
Criminal justice programs offered through LSU Online also help students explore topics related to public safety, community engagement, criminal law, and security operations that can support advancement into leadership and specialized professional roles.
What career paths are available with an online criminal justice degree beyond traditional law enforcement?
An online criminal justice degree can prepare graduates for career opportunities across public safety, corrections, security, investigations, compliance, and community support services. Potential career paths may include roles in homeland security, victim advocacy, corrections administration, private security, forensic support, emergency management, and regulatory compliance.
The broad curriculum helps students develop transferable skills in communication, critical thinking, ethics, and leadership that are valuable across multiple criminal justice and public service environments.
What is the difference between the Associate and Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice offered through LSU Online?
LSU Eunice’s online Associate of Science in Criminal Justice, offered through LSU Online, introduces students to foundational topics in policing, courts, corrections, and criminal justice systems. The associate degree is designed to help students prepare for entry-level career opportunities or continue into bachelor’s-level study.
LSU Alexandria’s online Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice, offered through LSU Online, provides more advanced coursework and broader specialization opportunities in areas such as forensics, correctional management, and security administration. The bachelor’s degree can help prepare students for leadership, supervisory, and specialized professional roles within criminal justice and public safety fields.
Why should a police officer consider earning a criminal justice degree while still working?
Earning a criminal justice degree while actively working in law enforcement can help officers strengthen professional knowledge, expand leadership skills, and prepare for future advancement opportunities. Flexible online learning allows students to continue balancing shift schedules and professional responsibilities while progressing toward educational goals.
The fully online criminal justice programs offered through LSU Online, combined with Credit for Prior Learning opportunities, can help working professionals apply existing experience toward degree completion while continuing to build skills relevant to leadership, community engagement, and public safety careers.
