Law enforcement officers who have graduated from a Maryland police academy can be awarded 29 credits for coursework taken during their academy training. Officers can complete the associate degree requirements either online or in a face-to-face classroom format by taking 31 additional credits (22 credits of general education courses and nine additional credits in criminal justice courses).
Officers must take a minimum of 15 credits at FCC to receive the associate degree from FCC. If an officer/student has credits from another institution, those credits can be transferred to FCC, provided the credits are accepted by the FCC registrar.
* *Articulated from Maryland Police Corrections Training Commission and/or only offered at a Maryland Police Training Academy
Learning Outcomes
- Demonstrate effective verbal and nonverbal communications with law enforcement staff and the general public. This may include:
- effective communication skills in dealing with various types of people (e.g., hostile, angry, drunk, deranged, racist, etc.),
- identification of non-language and language-style factors that contribute to a negative response from the public (e.g., profanity, spitting, disrespectful attitude, etc.), and
- courteous, active listening.
- Apply concepts, principles and practices of the criminal justice system to affect successful resolution to potentially and commonly-encountered policing situations. This may include:
- identifying basic psychological responses of victims and
- calming and controlling a distraught person.
- Demonstrate ability to identify a given crime, crime classification and section number utilizing the Annotated Code of Maryland and/or the Digest of Criminal Laws and knowing the conditions under which certain procedures are appropriate. This may include:
- subpoena procedures,
- booking procedures, and
- advising a person of his/her rights.
- Demonstrate effective written communications. This may include:
- preparing complete field and interview notes, and
- preparing in-depth narrative reports necessary for various legal organizations and legal proceedings. Students will interpret results of wellness, fitness and nutrition evaluations.
Tuition Options for this Program:
- Statewide approved program. Any student residing in Maryland is eligible for in-county tuition rates.
- Maryland State Troopers - Maryland State Police pays for tuition, fees, and books.
- Law Enforcement Officers in Maryland - Check with your agency for information regarding tuition assistance programs.
Prior Learning Assessment (PLA)
- MACEM&PS recognize that college-level learning does occur outside of the traditional environment. Ask the MACEM&PS Program Managers about the extensive opportunities to evaluate your experienced-based learning and how to demonstrate this learning for academic credit. Learn more.