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School of Security & Global Studies

Law Enforcement Leadership

Online Undergraduate Certificate in Law Enforcement Leadership

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$0 Transfer Credit Evaluation
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72%Have Graduated with No APUS-incurred Student Loan Debt2

About This Program

The undergraduate leadership in law enforcement certificate from American Military University (AMU) is designed to build the managerial skills of police chiefs and state law enforcement personnel.

This practical six-course certificate will advance your knowledge and skill in key topic areas:

  • Ethics
  • Leadership and motivation
  • Intelligence
  • Organizational change

You then select two courses to complete your studies from options that include budgeting, human resources, labor relations, or strategic planning.

The leadership in law enforcement certificate is a solid foundation for further study in criminal justice, management, and similar disciplines.

What You Will Do

  1. Examine management techniques, principles, and philosophies that are part of organizational change and transformation
  2. Assess your own leadership and motivation skills, knowledge, and attitudes
  3. Integrate the principles used to create and implement a strategic plan
  4. Evaluate the past and present state of employment relations

Program at a Glance

Number of Credits
18
Transfer up to 9 credits1
Cost Per Credit
$350 | $250*
$315**
*with Preferred Military Rate
**with Veteran Grant or APUS Opportunity Grant
Courses Start Monthly
Online
and vary from 8 to 16 weeks

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Program Requirements Printable Catalog Version

Must take all courses for this section.

Course ID: 2539

|
This course concentrates on the major functions, structures and processes that underline ethical issues within the American Criminal Justice System. This course will explore the structure and nature of the various types of ethical debates within the American judicial system. There will be an assessment of the ethics in criminal justice, as it explores the issues of morality, virtue, honesty, and making ethical decisions in the United States criminal justice system. Assessments of various issues will be examined as they relate to decision making and ethics.
Registration Dates Course Dates Session Weeks
12/30/24 - 05/30/25 06/02/25 - 07/27/25 Spring 2025 Session D 8 Week session
01/27/25 - 07/04/25 07/07/25 - 08/31/25 Summer 2025 Session B 8 Week session
02/24/25 - 08/01/25 08/04/25 - 09/28/25 Summer 2025 Session I 8 Week session
03/31/25 - 08/29/25 09/01/25 - 10/26/25 Summer 2025 Session D 8 Week session

Course ID: 2548

|
The course will prepare students to use intelligence methodologies and templates to assist in case support or investigations, security and counterintelligence, trend development and forecasting, and efficient use of open source information to maximize resources. The course will examine the current use of intelligence in law enforcement (federal, state, and local) and its applications in support of investigations and operational planning. The methods examined in this course will be applicable in the private sector.
Registration Dates Course Dates Session Weeks
12/30/24 - 05/30/25 06/02/25 - 07/27/25 Spring 2025 Session D 8 Week session
01/27/25 - 07/04/25 07/07/25 - 08/31/25 Summer 2025 Session B 8 Week session
02/24/25 - 08/01/25 08/04/25 - 09/28/25 Summer 2025 Session I 8 Week session
03/31/25 - 08/29/25 09/01/25 - 10/26/25 Summer 2025 Session D 8 Week session

Course ID: 2931

|
This course is designed to provide students with a solid foundation about leaders, the leadership process, and motivation. Topics include the theories of leadership and motivation, leadership power, leader behavior, leadership characteristics, the role of gender, substitutes for leadership, and dysfunctional leadership. MGMT312 serves as a self-assessment of the student's leadership and motivation skills, knowledge, and attitudes and addresses the questions: Who am I as a leader? What are my most distinguishing leadership traits? What leadership style am I most comfortable being around? How do I influence others, and how do I motivate others?
Registration Dates Course Dates Session Weeks
12/30/24 - 05/30/25 06/02/25 - 07/27/25 Spring 2025 Session D 8 Week session
01/27/25 - 07/04/25 07/07/25 - 08/31/25 Summer 2025 Session B 8 Week session
02/24/25 - 08/01/25 08/04/25 - 09/28/25 Summer 2025 Session I 8 Week session
03/31/25 - 08/29/25 09/01/25 - 10/26/25 Summer 2025 Session D 8 Week session

Course ID: 2928

|
The realities of organizational change affect every individual, every business, and every government. Change and transformation are constants in today's global and technical environment. This course explores theories and concepts which explain how to gain acceptance and buy-in for change management initiatives within organizations. If management and employees accept these changes, the impact will be beneficial and less disruptive to daily operations. Whether the change is as small as the implementation of a new financial system or as big as a plant move across the country, the implementation process necessitates planning and communication to ensure success.
Registration Dates Course Dates Session Weeks
12/30/24 - 05/30/25 06/02/25 - 07/27/25 Spring 2025 Session D 8 Week session
01/27/25 - 07/04/25 07/07/25 - 08/31/25 Summer 2025 Session B 8 Week session
02/24/25 - 08/01/25 08/04/25 - 09/28/25 Summer 2025 Session I 8 Week session
03/31/25 - 08/29/25 09/01/25 - 10/26/25 Summer 2025 Session D 8 Week session

Choose 6 credit hours from this section.

Course ID: 3292

|
This course provides an in-depth focus and analysis of the four phases of the budget cycle -- formulation, review, execution and audit. It also explores the purposes of budget, including line-item budgeting, performance budgeting, zero-based budgeting and capital budgeting. Students must have access to Microsoft Word® and Microsoft Excel® software. Microsoft Word® and Microsoft Excel® are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation.
Registration Dates Course Dates Session Weeks
12/30/24 - 05/30/25 06/02/25 - 07/27/25 Spring 2025 Session D 8 Week session
01/27/25 - 07/04/25 07/07/25 - 08/31/25 Summer 2025 Session B 8 Week session
02/24/25 - 08/01/25 08/04/25 - 09/28/25 Summer 2025 Session I 8 Week session
03/31/25 - 08/29/25 09/01/25 - 10/26/25 Summer 2025 Session D 8 Week session

Course ID: 2967

|
This course provides an overview of concepts, skills, theories and techniques involving human resource management(i.e. recruitment and selection, training and development, performance appraisals, reward systems, and benefit programs). Students will have the opportunity to review scenarios involving innovative HR practices in the workplace.
Registration Dates Course Dates Session Weeks
12/30/24 - 05/30/25 06/02/25 - 07/27/25 Spring 2025 Session D 8 Week session
01/27/25 - 07/04/25 07/07/25 - 08/31/25 Summer 2025 Session B 8 Week session
02/24/25 - 08/01/25 08/04/25 - 09/28/25 Summer 2025 Session I 8 Week session
03/31/25 - 08/29/25 09/01/25 - 10/26/25 Summer 2025 Session D 8 Week session

Course ID: 2972

|
This course will explore the historical evolution and current state of employment relations theory. Workplace democracy, the source of workplace conflict, alienation, the evolution of class, collective bargaining, and other issues are discussed from a variety of perspectives. Students will become familiar with terminology and practices such as employee-employer relationships in non-unionized and unionized settings; problems and theories of union organizing, collective bargaining, and contract administration
Registration Dates Course Dates Session Weeks
12/30/24 - 05/30/25 06/02/25 - 07/27/25 Spring 2025 Session D 8 Week session
01/27/25 - 07/04/25 07/07/25 - 08/31/25 Summer 2025 Session B 8 Week session
02/24/25 - 08/01/25 08/04/25 - 09/28/25 Summer 2025 Session I 8 Week session
03/31/25 - 08/29/25 09/01/25 - 10/26/25 Summer 2025 Session D 8 Week session

Course ID: 3290

|
This course focuses on the principles utilized in the formulation and execution of an organization's strategic plan as it relates to maintaining a competitive advantage. The integration of an organization's mission, stakeholder objectives, vision, and core values is emphasized.
Registration Dates Course Dates Session Weeks
12/30/24 - 05/30/25 06/02/25 - 07/27/25 Spring 2025 Session D 8 Week session
01/27/25 - 07/04/25 07/07/25 - 08/31/25 Summer 2025 Session B 8 Week session
02/24/25 - 08/01/25 08/04/25 - 09/28/25 Summer 2025 Session I 8 Week session
03/31/25 - 08/29/25 09/01/25 - 10/26/25 Summer 2025 Session D 8 Week session

Courses Start Monthly

Next Courses Start Jun 2
Register by May 30
Apply Now Request Info

Admission Requirements

  • All AMU undergraduate programs require a minimum of a high school diploma or equivalent (i.e., GED). Please read all undergraduate admission requirements before applying to this program and be prepared to submit the required documentation.
  • There is no fee to complete the AMU admission application for this program. View steps to apply.

Need Help?

Selecting the right program to meet your educational goals is a key step in ensuring a successful outcome. If you are unsure of which program to choose, or need more information, please contact an AMU admissions representative at 877-755-2787 or [email protected].

Quality Education Should Be Affordable

So you can focus on the opportunities ahead, without the financial burden of more expensive schools who are not as invested in your success. Learn more about paying for school.

Consumer Information

Disclosures

Maryland Residents learn more about costs, completion rates, median debt, and more.

2Alumni Graduated with No APUS-incurred Student Loan Debt As of December 31, 2021

Includes alumni who graduated with an associate, bachelor's, or master's degree from APUS. Student loan debt is defined as student loans and private education loans used for tuition, fees, living expenses, and book costs associated with courses taken at APUS. Many APUS students receive military tuition assistance and veterans education benefits, which are not student loan debt.

1The University reserves the right to accept or deny credits according to policies outlined on our University website. Please see the University's transfer credit policy webpage for complete information.

*Cost Per Credit Hour

The Preferred Military Rate is $250 per credit hour for undergraduate and  master's-level courses. This rate is available to all U.S. active-duty servicemembers, National Guard members, Reservists, and military families, including parents, spouses, legal partners, siblings, and dependents.

See all military student benefits.

Cost of Attendance

Learn more about AMU’s cost components and full cost of attendance.