Police Science

Associate of Applied Science

69* credit hours

A Hispanic police officer smiling and standing next to her patrol car.The Associate of Applied Science in Police Science is designed to equip certified police officers with a comprehensive knowledge of the governmental structures, limitations, and theoretical underpinnings of the American criminal justice system. This curriculum is intended as a terminal occupational degree program for students who are incumbents in governmental police agencies at the local, state, or national level. The balanced liberal arts emphasis of this degree, which includes the study of law, criminal justice, social sciences, humanities, behavioral sciences, natural sciences, and general education courses, will provide graduates a broader understanding of the criminal justice system than is currently practical within the confines of police certification or licensure programs.

Police magnifying glass over fingerprintUpon completion, students will be able to:

  • Describe the historical development, roles, interrelationships, and criminal justice system functions of agencies, actors, structures, and operations of criminal justice agencies.
  • Identify and describe major national measures of crime and major theories on causes of criminality.
  • Explain functions of criminal laws, Constitutional limitations on laws, and application of laws in criminal courts.
  • Identify current trends in crime, police techniques, offender sentencing, corrections practices, and offender reintegration.

*Additional hours may be required for program requirements for transfer students who are NMGEC complete.

To learn more about the program requirements, click on the links below:

Police Science AAS
Police Science AAS Pathway