Program Details
Certificate in Law Enforcement
CertificateSouthwest Virginia Community College
Designed to meet the needs of law enforcement agencies in Southwest Virginia Community College's service area, the law enforcement certificate includes all the first-year courses required for the Administration of Justice associate's degree program. The credits you earn in this certificate can apply toward an associate's degree, if you choose to continue your studies. If you're seeking entry-level employment in law enforcement, our law enforcement certificate provides practical workforce training that can help you land your first job.
Program Credit Requirements

Please note that some courses may count towards more than one requirement such as meeting a general education requirement and a major specific requirement. The course will be listed under the first matching requirement. Please contact the institution with questions.
A formal determination of credits awarded for your prior learning and their applicability to the degree requirements can only be made by the institution. The formal determination and resulting map may reflect higher or lower number of credits to be completed to achieve this program.
Program Overview & Guidance

Program Guidance Element | What You Need to Know |
---|---|
Considerations for Selecting Degree | This 40 hour certificate in law enforcement has been developed in accordance with the need of local law enforcement agencies and personnel. The program is designed to meet the needs of the large number of local inservice law enforcement personnel and pre-service students who at present do not possess the necessary qualifications for entrance into the associate degree program in administration of justice or for other reasons do not wish to continue their education or in the interim obtain the necessary qualifications for the associate degree program. All credits obtained in the certificate program will be transferable. |
Considerations When Selecting Courses |
The Department of Criminal Justice Services has the authority to deny certification to any applicant who does not meet the provisions of sections 15.2-1705 and 15.2-1706 of the Code of Virginia. Criminal Justice organizations to include law enforcement, corrections, and the State Bar Association are prohibited from hiring persons who have been convicted of certain criminal acts. Any person wishing to enter the Administration of Justice program who has committed any legal offenses including minor traffic violations should discuss these matters with the Administration of Justice Program Director prior to application. This is especially pertinent for anyone with a drug use history. Background checks for criminal history of barrier crimes (i.e. any felony, misdemeanors which restrict the ability to carry a firearm, multiple misdemeanors, drug convictions), driving history for excessive moving violations (i.e. reckless driving and DUI/DWI could be immediate disqualifiers for employment), and drug testing are required for employment with law enforcement and correctional agencies. Students with convictions and/or positive drug tests will not be eligible to sit for the state board examination which is required as a part of training academy graduation. The cost of criminal background check, driving history, and drug testing will be the responsibility of the student.
|
Program Requirements Beyond Specific Courses | The certificate curriculum in law enforcement has been developed in accordance with the need of local law enforcement agencies and personnel. The program is designed to meet the needs of the large number of local inservice law enforcement personnel and pre-service students who at present do not possess the necessary qualifications for entrance into the associate degree program in administration of justice or for other reasons do not wish to continue their education or in the interim obtain the necessary qualifications for the associate degree program. All credits obtained in the certificate program will be transferable. |
Doing More With Your Degree | |
Program Successes & Highlights | The program boasts a high employment rate upon completion. Internship opportunities are available. The program is fully available online. |
What If I Have An Associate Degree Or Credit For Prior Learning?

Transfer Guidance Element | What You Need to Know |
---|---|
Associate Transfer Degree Completion | Completion of Associate Degree Concurrent with High School | No, some DE courses in certain counties |
Credit for Prior Learning | |
Did You Know That... |
|
College Level Information

College Fit Guidance | What You Need to Know |
---|---|
Is This College Right For Me? | Annual HC 3027, Transfer in per semester 97, Av Class size 14.9, Limited Foundation Owned Housing |
Transfer Student Catalog Year | Summer, Fall , Spring is a catalog year |
First Year Student Catalog Year | Summer, Fall , Spring is a catalog year |
Applying for Guaranteed Admissions |
Where Can This Degree Transfer

Institution | Title | Degree | Award Name | Award Level | Delivery Mode |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Virginia Highlands Community College | Associate of Applied Science Degree in Administration of Justice | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
Rappahannock Community College | AAS Degree in Administration of Justice | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
Rappahannock Community College | AA&S Degree in Arts and Sciences - Criminal Justice Specialization | Associate | Associate of Arts and Sciences | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
Blue Ridge Community College | Associate of Applied Science Degree in Administration of Justice | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
J Sargeant Reynolds Community College | Associate of Applied Science in Administration of Justice | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
Central Virginia Community College | AAS in Administration of Justice | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online |
Virginia Western Community College | Associate of Applied Science Degree in Criminal Justice | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
Danville Community College | Associate of Applied Science in Administration of Justice - Law Enforcement Specialization | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | Online |
Brightpoint Community College | Associate of Applied Science Degree in Criminal Justice | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
Germanna Community College | Administration of Justice Associate of Applied Science Degree | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid, Online |
Southside Virginia Community College | Associate of Applied Science with a major in Administration of Justice | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid, Online |
Southside Virginia Community College | Associate of Arts and Sciences with a major in General Studies-Administration of Justice | Associate | Associate of Arts and Sciences | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid, Online |
Virginia Peninsula Community College | Associate of Applied Science in Administration of Justice | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person |
Tidewater Community College | Associate of Applied Science - Criminal Justice | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | Online |
Tidewater Community College | Associate of Applied Science - Criminal Justice (Forensic Science) | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person |
Tidewater Community College | Associate of Applied Science - Criminal Justice (Homeland Security) | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person |
Tidewater Community College | Associate of Applied Science - Criminal Justice (Public Law) | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person |
Wytheville Community College | Associate in Applied Science Degree in Criminal Justice | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
New River Community College | Associate of Applied Science in Police Science | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
Paul D. Camp Community College | Associate of Applied Science in Administration of Justice - Corrections Science | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid, Online |
Paul D. Camp Community College | Associate of Applied Science in Administration of Justice - Police Science | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid, Online |
Patrick & Henry Community College | Associate of Applied Science Degree in Administration of Justice | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
Piedmont Virginia Community College | Associate of Applied Science in Police Science | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
Mountain Empire Community College | Associate of Applied Science Degree in Police Science | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | Hybrid |
Germanna Community College | General Studies - Specialization in Administration of Justice Associate of Arts & Sciences Degree | Associate | Associate of Arts and Sciences | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid, Online |
Northern Virginia Community College | Administration of Justice, A.A.S. | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online |
Northern Virginia Community College | Administration of Justice: Homeland Security Specialization, A.A.S. | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
Careers Where This Degree Applies

O*Net Code | Name | Description | Parent |
---|---|---|---|
11-9199.11 | Brownfield Redevelopment Specialists and Site Managers | Plan and direct cleanup and redevelopment of contaminated properties for reuse. Does not include properties sufficiently contaminated to qualify as Superfund sites. | Management Occupations |
11-9199.02 | Compliance Managers | Plan, direct, or coordinate activities of an organization to ensure compliance with ethical or regulatory standards. | Management Occupations |
25-1111.00 | Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement Teachers, Postsecondary | Teach courses in criminal justice, corrections, and law enforcement administration. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research. | Educational Instruction and Library Occupations |
33-1012.00 | First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | Directly supervise and coordinate activities of members of police force. | Protective Service Occupations |
11-9199.08 | Loss Prevention Managers | Plan and direct policies, procedures, or systems to prevent the loss of assets. Determine risk exposure or potential liability, and develop risk control measures. | Management Occupations |
11-9199.00 | Managers, All Other | All managers not listed separately. | Management Occupations |
11-9199.01 | Regulatory Affairs Managers | Plan, direct, or coordinate production activities of an organization to ensure compliance with regulations and standard operating procedures. | Management Occupations |
11-9199.10 | Wind Energy Development Managers | Lead or manage the development and evaluation of potential wind energy business opportunities, including environmental studies, permitting, and proposals. May also manage construction of projects. | Management Occupations |
11-9199.09 | Wind Energy Operations Managers | Manage wind field operations, including personnel, maintenance activities, financial activities, and planning. | Management Occupations |