Undergraduate
Evening & Online
Take on a leadership role in law enforcement. Drury GO’s Bachelor of Science in Law Enforcement will develop your skills in:
You'll be prepared for a successful and rewarding career in local, state and federal justice systems.
To earn this degree, you will complete General Education courses plus 42 credit hours specific to the Bachelor of Science in Law Enforcement.
Survey Course (3 hours)
A survey course designed to familiarize students with the American system of criminal justice, theories of crime causation, and society’s response to crime. The course provides a general overview of the agencies responsible for the administration of justice by examining the history, structure, and functions of law enforcement, the judicial system, and corrections.
Lower-Division Courses (15 hours)
Prerequisite: CRIM 120. Considers social, cultural and political forces which influence the formation of laws and legislative processes. Theories of the origins of law are discussed and then applied to historical legal cases.
Analysis of major perspectives on victimization. Emphasis is on the role of the victim in the generation of crime, experience of the victim in the criminal justice system and on patterns of victimization.
Prerequisite: PSYC 120, PSYC 222, SOCI 120, or CRIM 120.
This course introduces the language of research, the elements of quantitative and qualitative approaches, and ethical principles and challenges. Consideration is also given to techniques for collecting data and factors that influence the reliability and validity of findings.
Prerequisites: CRIM 120, PSYC 120, or SOCI 120 and a college-level math course. This course provides a general overview of descriptive and inferential statistical techniques behavioral researchers use to analyze data. Topics will include frequency distributions and graphing, measures of central tendency, variation, and relative standing, simple linear regression, and hypothesis testing. Should be taken before a student accumulates 60 credit hours (junior status).
Leaders at all organizational levels need an understanding of what makes their organizations go—money! Whether it is a for-profit business or a "non-profit," the financial aspects of operation affect the company's ability to achieve goals and the leader's ability to make decisions. This course includes the "basics" of using various financial statements, cash management plans, capital budgets, ratios and other tools to assist the leader in directing the organization. In addition, pricing strategies, economic decision-making models, financing options and internal accountability will be considered. Finally, measurements of financial performance and requirements for validity of financial information will be discussed from the perspective of what the leader needs to know to function effectively and meet his/her financial responsibilities.
Upper-Division Courses (18 hours)
Designed to acquaint the student with procedures utilized in the investigation of a crime. It considers theories of physical sciences as they apply to the investigative methodology of a crime. The process is examined within the context of the most recent technological advances in criminal investigation.
Prerequisite: PSYCH 120 or CRIM 120 or SOCI 120. A systematic analysis of theories of juvenile delinquency and how the juvenile justice system manages delinquents. Consideration is also given to solutions of delinquency.
Provides a basic framework for understanding crime and criminal justice. Topics include: community-based treatment programs, correctional treatment institutions and civil rights of offenders.
An in-depth look at the judicial branch of government, emphasizing the state and federal judicial systems. The role of the prosecution, defense, judge and jury are examined, as well as judicial procedure.
Prerequisite: Senior Status, BSCI 272, and BSCI 274.
The senior capstone is designed to be the culminating course for the major. It provides an opportunity for students to re-examine principal theories and methodologies in their disciplines and write a well-researched review paper on a topic relevant to their personal interests, professional goals, or occupation.
Prerequisite: Junior standing and EMMT 202. A review of the skills needed to effectively deal with the public and media before, during, and after an emergency event. Topics will include: understanding the roles and responsibilities of the Public Information Officer, understanding the roles and responsibilities of the media, conducting awareness campaigns, writing news releases, public speaking, granting interviews, media management, and dealing with high-profile incidents.
Leadership Courses (6 hours)
This course explores current workplace issues faced by leaders in public and private sector organizations. Course content includes a discussion of present-day topics including discrimination, sexual harassment, disability law, the "glass ceiling" as it relates to women in leadership, unions and their continued applicability in American industry, international cultures and their impact on organizations, as well as technology and its applications and challenges. General management of all types of organizations and personnel will also be considered.
This course examines conflict causes and effects as well as ethical issues. Students will use case studies and simulations to practice skills for conflict resolution. An investigation of theoretical and practical aspects of conflict assessment, negotiation, problem solving and mediation are integral to this process.
Jobs in law enforcement are projected to hold steady by the year 2028 nationally. The median annual wage is $57,030. The average wage for police and sheriff’s patrol officers in Missouri specifically is $51,860.
Some career paths require advanced training and certification. A Bachelor of Science in Law Enforcement degree prepares you to step into roles like: