Where Can I Receive Law Enforcement Training in Kansas?

Education and Career Information for Law Enforcement Agents in Kansas

Police departments are run independently of one another, and each town may establish its own academic criteria. As of June 2012, some police departments in Kansas, as well as the Kansas Highway Patrol, only require you to have a high school diploma or GED certificate to be eligible for employment - but there are departments that openly encourage you to pursue a college education. If you plan on going into federal law enforcement, you'll need at least a bachelor's degree.

Other criteria apply, including age requirements and clean criminal background checks. Physical fitness is also a vital requirement for your job. Once you've been accepted, you'll attend a police academy where you'll receive agency training as a paid cadet.

Job Outlook and Salary Information for Kansas Law Enforcement Agents

On a national scale, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) predicted that police and detectives would only see a 7% increase in employment opportunities between 2010 and 2020. This is considered slightly lower than average as compared to all other jobs in America. The BLS also noted annual mean wage figures for law enforcement professionals specifically in the state of Kansas as of May 2011: Police and sheriff's patrol officers earned nearly $43,000, while detectives and criminal investigators brought in almost $61,700.

Law Enforcement Associate Degree Programs in Kansas Schools

Dodge City Community College

• Program: Associate of Applied Science in Criminal Justice/Police Science
• Program Length: 2 years
• Tuition/Fees: $35 per credit-hour for residents and $45 per credit-hour for nonresidents (2012-2013)
• Prerequisites: High school diploma or equivalent, or special permission for those still enrolled in high school
• School Type: 2-year, public, student population approximately 1,800
• Address: 2501 N. 14th St., Dodge City, KS 67801
• Phone: 1-800-FOR-DCCC

The program at this school was designed specifically for those interested in careers as police or corrections officers. You'll study introductory courses in law enforcement and ethics for criminal justice professionals. You'll also be able to study subjects including courtroom survival skills, investigative procedures and tiered firearms training. You can earn course credit for internships as well.

Washburn University

• Program: Associate of Arts in Criminal Justice
• Program Length: 2 years
• Tuition/Fees: About $225 per credit-hour for residents and $510 per credit-hour for nonresidents (2012-2013)
• Requirements: GED certificate or high school diploma and minimum ACT score
• School Type: 4-year, public, undergraduate population more than 6,300
• Address: 1700 SW College Ave., Topeka, KS 66621
• Phone: 785-670-1010

In this program, you'll need to maintain a C average in all of your criminal justice courses. Your core studies will cover foundations in law enforcement, corrections and the justice system, and you'll be able to choose between investigation or corrections studies for at least one class. Your electives will allow you to focus your program on law enforcement studies, and you can include a police experience course in your curriculum.

Law Enforcement Bachelor's Degree Programs in Kansas Schools

Wichita State University

• Program: Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice
• Program Length: 4 years
• Tuition/Fees: About $170 per semester-hour for residents, less than $450 per semester hour for nonresidents (2011-2012)
• Prerequisites: Intro to Criminal Justice must be completed prior to taking any other criminal justice courses
• School Type: 4-year, public, undergraduate population approximately 11,600
• Address: Wichita State University, School of Community Affairs, 1845 Fairmount, Wichita, KS 67260
• Phone: 316-978-7200

This program is for those who are either preparing for careers in law enforcement or those who are already in-service professionals. In this school, you can participate in internship and co-op programs available through both federal and local service agencies that allow you to build relationships leading to post-graduation employment. If you've gone through training at one of three local law enforcement agencies, you may receive credit for completing deputy or law enforcement basic training courses. You can also earn law enforcement special interest certificates at this school's undergraduate criminal justice department.

Washburn University

• Program: Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice
• Specialization: Law Enforcement, Corrections or Security Administration
• Program Length: 4 years
• Tuition/Fees: About $225 per credit-hour for residents, $500 for nonresidents (2012-2013)
• Requirements: You must also minor in an approved field
• School Type: 4-year, public, undergraduate population of approximately 6,300
• Address: 1700 SW College Ave., Topeka, KS 66621
• Phone: 316-978-7200

This program includes a required internship program. Several of your core classes allow you to choose between practical and research approaches. Electives give you options to study subjects such as homicide investigation, white-collar crime, terrorism or crime prevention.

Law Enforcement Master's Degree Programs in Kansas Schools

Wichita State University

• Program: Master of Arts in Criminal Justice
• Program Length: No maximum provided
• Tuition/Fees: Approximately $225 per semester credit-hour for residents, just over $600 for nonresidents (2011-2012)
• Requirements: Bachelor's degree with GPA of at least 3.0
• School Type: 4-year, public
• Address: Wichita State University, School of Community Affairs, 1845 Fairmount, Wichita, KS 67260
• Phone: 316-978-7200

The criminal justice program at this school is the second-oldest in the U.S. and was founded by O.W. Wilson, one of the nation's earliest developers of studies in police science. One of the goals of this program is to provide student with police science academics that will complement or enhance studies found at police academies. Although there is no time limit specified for this program, all core courses should be complete within the first two semesters. This program is offered in both thesis and non-thesis formats.

Washburn University

• Program: Master of Criminal Justice
• Program Length: 2-7 years
• Tuition/Fees: About $310 per credit-hour for residents, almost $650 for non-residents (2012-2013)
• Requirements: Bachelor's degree and a statement explaining your personal philosophy of the criminal justice system and your reasons for participating in the program
• School Type: 4-year, public, graduate population of fewer than 1,000
• Address: 1700 SW College Ave., Topeka, KS 66621
• Phone: 316-978-7200

Many of the courses for this program are offered online or during evening hours. The online course fees are slightly different, being a bit higher for residents and significantly lower for nonresidents. The focus of the program is on theoretical and analytical approaches to criminology and the criminal justice system, as well as research-oriented studies. This program is available in thesis and non-thesis formats.