Is an Online Degree in Policing Right for You?

With law enforcement being such a hands-on job, you may not think that an online course can provide you with the knowledge and skills required to work in these areas. An online policing degree is aimed at professional police officers or those who have retired from the profession to help prepare them for law enforcement leadership roles or careers in related fields. If you are considering undertaking an online policing degree, here are just a few of the basics that you will need to consider.

What are the courses?

Online policing degrees vary, as there is a wide range of roles and jobs within law enforcement. If you have a certain role in mind, it is important to do your research and plan out your academic journey to make sure you are prepared and know what is expected of you. It may not be possible to study online for the type of role you want, but there are also plenty of courses that can help you develop personally and professionally, giving you opportunities and skills that look good on your resume and will help your policing career.

Who is this course for?

As previously mentioned, you may need to have prior experience or education in order to undertake your desired degree. For example, one police studies degree is specifically designed for those who are working as police officers or who have retired and are:

• Retired from or employed by a particular kind of law enforcement organization or a police station.
• First Nations Police Service employed police officers.
• Governmental agencies employed police officers.

These are just a few of the entry criteria that you must meet in order to study a particular course. There are also plenty of requirements and personal traits that help to make a police officer, and it is a combination of personal and professional skills.

What are the career options?

Law enforcement is a wide industry, and the term encompasses many different roles and jobs. You may already have an idea of the area in which you would like to work. Others may be unsure of exactly where they want to be. Some general career outcomes of an online policing degree can include:

• Inspector
• Detective
• Staff Sergeant
• Chief of Police
• Sergeant Major

These are only a few of the many law enforcement roles you could work in. Some police degrees prepare you specifically for leadership roles. You may choose a degree that focuses on post-policing careers in a related field. This is where extra training and qualifications are really useful, as they can give you the most up-to-date knowledge and skills to help you progress in your career both in and out of law enforcement.

Why should you study online?

Distance learning and in-person study both have their pros and cons, and you may find that you prefer one or the other or a combination of both. With online courses, the benefits can include reduced costs, the opportunity to develop personal skills, flexible learning times, and the ability to learn from home.

Flexibility

Some online courses give you more freedom and control over when you learn and where. Flexible learning is a great way to develop your organizational skills, as well as make your coursework for you. Plenty of online courses are designed specifically for working adults and can be completed alongside your other commitments, such as a job or family. There is a huge amount of choice when it comes to picking your course, as the internet is such a vast resource. You can tailor your choices and find something that works for your requirement. This subject, location, teaching style, and commitment levels. This allows you to work on the course you need, create your learning environment and fully enjoy what you are learning.

When you are in control of your learning, you will be able to identify the different learning types and work out what kind of learner you are. This is valuable information, as you can then go on to tailor your course to work with your brain. In addition, you can develop learning methods that you can use over and over again. The ability to quickly absorb and retain information is useful in any workplace, and knowing your own learning type will help you to be able to do this.

Location

Your local university or educational institution may not offer the course that you need. This can lead to you wasting time and money on a course you don’t want or need and can slow down your educational journey. Online courses offer more people more access to that subject and level of education, especially when a lot of the learning is remote. Additionally, being able to study from your own home can relax you, as you are able to create your own learning environment and work at a pace that suits you. It is important to work in a space that promotes productivity, ensures that you can work to the best of your abilities, and keeps you focused.

Cost

Being a student can be very expensive, regardless of your age or the course you are taking. Students have to deal with various costs such as tuition fees, accommodation, travel, living expenses, and educational materials, and this can make studying unviable for many people. With an online course, some of these costs can be reduced. For example, learning at home helps you save money on renting campus accommodation and traveling to classes every day. It can also allow you to continue working and earning money while you are studying.

Online policing degrees are a useful way to boost your career, top up your skills, or train for a post-policing career that is in a similar field. There are several criteria you will need to meet depending on the course you choose. Therefore, it is important to have a plan and know what will be required of you. This is vital if you want help in achieving your dream career.