Law Enforcement - Mountwest Community and Technical College

Law Enforcement from Mountwest Community and Technical College is a Campus Associate Law Enforcement degree that prepares you for a Legal career. Program Description: The Occupational Developmental Degree in Law Enforcement is offered in cooperation with the West Virginia State Police. Admission to this program is restricted to state and local (city/county) law enforcement personnel who have been selected to attend or have completed training at the Police Academy. The State Police Academy currently serves the state of West Virginia as the only law enforcement training facility that has been approved by the Governor?s Committee on Crime, Delinquency, and Correction to provide mandatory entry-level police training. Local law enforcement officers spend 16 weeks in residence at the State Police Academy and may receive up to 18 hours of academic credits toward Associate in Applied Science degree requirements. Remaining degree requirements may be met either on the Mountwest Community & Technical College campus or at another institution of higher education offering appropriate coursework in proximity of place of residence. The program requires 21-22 credit hours of general education; 18 credit hours of classroom instruction; 9 credit hours of occupation-specific college courses and/or certification of training, Military Police Security Training, or training received through Law Enforcement Continuing Education; and 12 credit hours of on-the-job-training. Career Outlook: The opportunity for public service through law enforcement work is attractive to many because the job is challenging and involves much personal responsibility. Furthermore, law enforcement officers in many agencies may retire with a pension after 20 or 25 years of service, allowing them to pursue a second career while still in their 40s. Because of relatively attractive salaries and benefits, the number of qualified candidates exceeds the number of job openings in federal law enforcement agencies and in most state police departments?resulting in increased hiring standards and selectivity by employers. Competition should remain keen for higher paying jobs with state and federal agencies and police departments in more affluent areas. Opportunities will be better in local and special police departments, especially in departments that offer relatively low salaries, or in urban communities where the crime rate is relatively high. Applicants with college training in police science, military police experience, or both should have the best opportunities. Employment of police and detectives is expected to grow faster than the average for all occupations through 2012. A more security-conscious society and concern about drug-related crimes should contribute to the increasing demand for police services. Employment Opportunities: Deputy sheriff City police View more details on Mountwest Community and Technical College . Ask your questions and apply online for this program or find other related Law Enforcement courses.