In 2007, the Grand Lodge formed the National Fraternal Order of Police University (NFOPU) to help FOP members advance their careers through higher education. Recognizing that law enforcement agencies increasingly require recruits to have college diplomas, that graduate or specialized degrees can be a valuable asset for promotion, and that retiring officers often seek schooling in a new field to prepare for the next chapter of their lives, the FOP joined forces with a select consortium of regionally accredited universities to meet these educational needs. Since then, hundreds of members have taken advantage of the opportunity to learn more and ultimately earn more by getting a degree through the NFOPU.
With an array of online and nontraditionally structured programs available in criminal justice and beyond, working law enforcement officers can find options that fit their unique and busy schedules. To keep the path to a degree as efficient and affordable as possible, many of the schools provide class credit for work experience, past training and previous education, and some offer special FOP discounts and scholarships. In addition, the Grand Lodge’s Education Tuition Scholarship is available to reimburse eligible members enrolled in an NFOPU school.
There has never been a more important time to have a degree for achieving long-term success in law enforcement, and there have never been so many accessible, flexible and convenient ways to pursue one. Get started by checking out the current roster of partner schools below, then visit the Education Connect School Directory for further details on how the NFOPU can help you reach your goals.
American Military University
Dedicated to educating those who serve, AMU offers more than 200 undergraduate and graduate degrees and certificates — 100% online — including Law Enforcement, Intelligence and Homeland Security, and Emergency and Disaster Management.
George Washington University
GW offers two online master’s programs — one in Cybersecurity Strategy and Information Management, and another in Homeland Security — and an online bachelor’s in Police and Security Studies.
Kent State University
Kent State’s online master’s degree offerings include Criminology and Criminal Justice, Public Administration, and Business Administration.
Tiffin University
Some of Tiffin’s relevant online undergrad programs are Homeland Security and Terrorism, Justice Administration, and Law Enforcement; grad degrees include Crime Analysis, Criminal Behavior, and Homeland Security Administration.
Trident University International
A fully online school that prides itself on being military-friendly, Trident has both undergraduate and graduate programs in Homeland Security, Leadership and much more.
Union Institute & University
UIU’s range of options includes professional certificates in Homeland Security and Forensic Science Management, bachelor’s degrees in Criminal Justice Management and Emergency Services Management, and a master’s in Organizational Leadership Management.
University of San Diego
USD’s online M.S. in Law Enforcement and Public Safety Leadership covers management, organizational theory, budget and finance, public safety law, and conflict resolution in addition to criminal justice topics, and can be completed in 20 months.
Upper Iowa University
Distance-learning choices at UIU encompass not only online courses, but also a self-paced version that can be web-based or completed via mail or email. Programs include Criminal Justice, Emergency and Disaster Management, and Public Administration.
Walden University
Walden offers online Criminal Justice degrees at every level, from certificate to Ph.D., plus grad programs in Criminal Justice Leadership and Emergency Management. With the Accelerate Into Master’s (AIM) option, students can earn credit toward a master’s degree while completing their undergraduate studies.
Waldorf University
Online programs at Waldorf include Criminal Justice, Administration, Emergency Management, and Homeland Security at multiple undergraduate levels, plus an M.A. in Organizational Leadership focusing on criminal justice.
Read this story in the Winter 2017 issue of FOP Journal.
