Law Enforcement Associate Degrees
Corrections Major
Law Enforcement Major
Law Enforcement Major–Academy Track

Persons trained for the law enforcement field are in high demand in many public and private organizations. Columbus State’s Law Enforcement program teaches students the technical skills they need to enter or advance in a wide variety of positions in criminal justice. Four associate degree majors give students a range of options to meet their personal career goals.

The Law Enforcement Major prepares students for a variety of careers in federal, state, or local law enforcement agencies. The Corrections Major trains students for careers in probation, parole, correctional institutions, community-based correctional programs, and social service agencies. The Law Enforcement Major – Academy Track offers additional training required by the Ohio Peace Officers Training Council (OPOTC) for certified peace officers. Graduates of the Academy Track are eligible to take the OPOTC certification exam.

Specific Program Admissions Information

Listed below are additional requirements for admission to the Academy Track Program. Applicants must:
• Have a high school diploma or GED equivalency.
• Pass a physical.
• Take a personality factor inventory.
• Submit to a criminal history check (students with prior felony convictions may be excluded from the program; contact the department chairperson for more information).
• Possess a valid Ohio driver’s license.
• Complete a supplemental application required by the department.

Upon completion of the Associate Degree in Law Enforcement, the graduate will be able to:
• Locate and apply criminal law correctly.
• Prepare required reports accurately and in a concise, readable style.
• Prepare cases for trial and professionally testify in a court of law.

Corrections Major

In addition to the general Law Enforcement competencies, a graduate majoring in Corrections will be able to:
• Prepare pre-sentence reports and other required reports accurately.
• Demonstrate knowledge of effective correctional institution security measures.

Law Enforcement Major

In addition to the general Law Enforcement competencies, a graduate majoring in Law Enforcement will be able to:
• Demonstrate proper arrest procedures.
• Locate applicable case law.
• Process information at an accident scene and correctly complete required reports.
• Identify hazardous materials and initiate proper response.

Law Enforcement Major – Academy Track

In addition to the general Law Enforcement competencies, and the Law Enforcement major competencies, a graduate majoring in Law Enforcement – Academy Track will be able to:
• Understand and handle safely the double-action revolver, the semi-automatic pistol, and the shotgun.
• Demonstrate proficiency with the handgun and shotgun to current Ohio Peace Officer Training Council (OPOTC) standards for qualification.
• Perform safe and effective driving maneuvers to current OPOTC standards.
• Demonstrate basic crowd control techniques and riot formations.
• Demonstrate recommended self-defense techniques.

Corrections Major

Law Enforcement Major

Law Enforcement Major – Academy Track