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Police Administration and Operations Online Degree Concentration Within the BS in Criminal Justice Program

Tim McMillan, who earned his degree from SNHU in 2015, wearing his police uniform with a police cruiser in the background.

You're viewing a Program Concentration

Total courses 4 (of 40)

Term length 8 weeks

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Concentration Overview Why focus on police administration and operations?

As part of your BS in Criminal Justice program, a concentration adds focus to your degree in a particular area of study — like police administration and operations. Southern New Hampshire University's online Bachelor of Science (BS) in Criminal Justice with a concentration in Police Administration and Operations degree program explores the demands, functions and evolving state of the modern police force. You'll study the many roles of police agencies across the country and gain a foundation in criminal justice principles as you dive deep into psychology, American politics and criminal law.

Skills you'll learn:

  • Crime analysis techniques
  • Police operations comprehension
  • Workplace and performance assessments
  • Critical thinking and problem-solving tactics
  • Community policing best practices
  • Intervention and negotiation strategies
Tim McMillan, who earned his degree from SNHU in 2015, wearing his police uniform in an office working on a computer with an SNHU pennant on the wall in the background.

Courses & Curriculum Career-focused police administration and operations classes

In our BS in Criminal Justice with a concentration in Police Administration and Operations program, you’ll focus on building cultural competency in both your core and concentration courses. You’ll become knowledgeable of cultural awareness, communication, discretion, problem-solving and other essential criminal justice principles. You’ll also learn how to align best practices for managing police operations with public safety goals.

Note: Law enforcement positions may involve additional training and eligibility requirements, which can vary by department.

Concentration Course Descriptions

Your 4-course police administration and operations concentration explained

Your entire BS in Criminal Justice consists of 40 courses (120 credits) total. This includes general education courses (42 credits), major courses (39 credits), major elective courses (12 credits) and other elective courses (27 credits). If you select this concentration, you'll take 4 specific courses all related to police administration and operations to meet the 12-credit major electives requirement.

This program includes coursework that can lead to a criminal justice communication certificate — an added benefit if you’re interested in advancing within the field. Designed to help you communicate effectively with a range of communities, the certificate focuses on conveying essential information clearly and accurately.

Courses may include

Course ID: CJ 330
This course will cover the vital and progressive information concerning workplace performance in the criminal justice profession. It will entail a discussion and analysis of the traits and characteristics of criminal justice professionals at work, along with analysis and development of performance evaluations, assessment and desired objectives for the practitioner.
Course ID: CJ 331
This course will cover the principles and effective practices of police patrol and operations. It will analyze and discuss the preparation and the expectations of patrol and how to effectively perform all duties and functions. In addition, the course will entail an awareness and understanding of the fundamental aspects and best practices of community policing.
Course ID: CJ 332
This course will introduce the student to crisis theory, concepts, intervention and strategies required for the first responder. The student will learn how to be personally effective, recognize threat levels, active listening, conduct effective mediation and negotiation for application to situations such suicidal persons, hostage taking and barricaded subjects to cite but a few.
Course ID: CJ 400
This course provides the student with the assets and tools of progressive crime analysis techniques and the intrinsic relation to the delivery of effective police services. Theory, data collection methods and basic use of statistics will be introduced and applied to various goals of policing.

Visit the course catalog to view the full BS in Criminal Justice with a concentration in Police Administration and Operations curriculum.

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Upcoming term starts: June 29, 2026 | August 31, 2026

Next term starts:
May 4, 2026

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Online Student Experience What’s it like going to SNHU?

Attending college online at SNHU can be a life-changing experience. In fact, 93.4% of online students would recommend SNHU according to a 2025 survey with 8,718 respondents.

What to expect:

8-week terms

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Faculty Profile

Learn from instructors with industry experience

Our faculty carry with them decades of experience in criminal justice. By bringing real-world insights to the classroom, they can help position graduates for success in this ever-evolving field. 

Featured Faculty

Beverly Tims
Beverly Tims, who is an adjunct instructor in SNHU's online BS in criminal justice with a concentration in police administration and operations program.

Before transitioning to higher education, Beverly Tims worked in employee relations and as a subject matter expert in administrative policies, practices and procedures for one of the largest community colleges in North Texas. She's a mentor on the Criminal Justice Career Council, a member of the Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences and an executive board member of the National Advancement Association for Colored People (NAACP).

Position
Adjunct Faculty

Joined SNHU
2018

Education

  • MS in Criminal Justice with a concentration in Counterterrorism and Homeland Security, MS in Organizational Leadership and BS in Criminal Justice with a concentration in Legal Studies and Advocacy from Southern New Hampshire University
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Whether you're applying for an undergraduate or graduate degree, you’ll fill out a form to verify your previous education experience. As part of our admissions process, we'll help you request transcripts from your previous school(s) to see if you can transfer any credits into your SNHU program! (Also for free!)

After reviewing your official evaluation, you can decide if SNHU is right for you! If you choose to enroll, just pick your start date and get ready for classes to begin.

Talk to an admission counselor: 888.327.SNHU | enroll@snhu.edu

Accreditations

SNHU is accredited by the regional accreditor the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE). The university also carries specialized accreditations for some programs.

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Tuition Cost & Savings College can be more affordable than you think

As a nonprofit university, SNHU offers some of the lowest online tuition rates in the country. And when you work with our Financial Services team, we'll explore ways to help you save even more on your education – and customize a payment plan that works for you.

Online undergraduate tuition

Student
Cost per credit
Cost per course
Cost for 120-credit degree*
Full- and part-time students
$342
$1,026
$41,040
Active-duty military and spouses | Full- and part-time students**
$250
$750
$30,000

*before previously earned credits are applied

Tuition rates are subject to change and are reviewed annually.

**Note: Students receiving this rate are not eligible for additional discounts.

Additional costs: Course materials vary by course.

Transfer credits and lower your cost by:

$10,260 $15,390 $20,520 $25,650 $30,780
Transfer credits and lower your cost by:

If 30 of your prior learning credits ($342/credit) are accepted toward your bachelor’s degree.

Your remaining tuition cost: $30,780

If 45 of your prior learning credits ($342/credit) are accepted toward your bachelor’s degree.

Your remaining tuition cost: $25,650

If 60 of your prior learning credits ($342/credit) are accepted toward your bachelor’s degree.

Your remaining tuition cost: $20,520

If 75 of your prior learning credits ($342/credit) are accepted toward your bachelor’s degree.

Your remaining tuition cost: $15,390

If 90 of your prior learning credits ($342/credit) are accepted toward your bachelor’s degree.

Your remaining tuition cost: $10,260

How we estimate your tuition cost:

We look at the cost per credit multiplied by the number of credits you need to earn for a bachelor's degree. Most bachelor's degrees require 120 credits. SNHU allows you to transfer in up to 90 credits, requiring a minimum of 30 credits to be taken at SNHU. This is only a tuition estimator, and doesn't account for other fees that may be associated with your program of choice.

Career Outlook What can I do with my concentration in police administration and operations?

The criminal justice field is evolving — and so are degree requirements. As more employers seek candidates with a college education, graduates may have greater opportunities for career growth. SNHU’s BS in Criminal Justice with a concentration in Police Administration and Operations is designed to help working officers develop the knowledge and insights needed to advance in their roles.

Occupations

Earning this degree can help you prepare for the following career paths, though it's important to note that law enforcement positions may involve additional training and eligibility requirements, which can vary by department.

Guard people in penal institutions and in transit between jail, court, prison or elsewhere.

Maintain order and security in courts of law, enforcing courtroom procedures that protect the integrity of the legal process.

Protect lives and property by observing people and activities to ensure order and safety.

Conduct interviews, examine records, monitor suspects and participate in raids and arrests.

Supervise people on probation, ensuring they are meeting the terms and conditions of their release.

Advise probationers and parolees, develop rehabilitation plans and evaluate their progress.

409,500
An icon of a flow chart arrow pointing upwards

Openings nationally per year for protective service occupations through 2032, projected by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).1

Understanding the numbers
When reviewing job growth and salary information, it’s important to remember that actual numbers can vary due to many different factors—like years of experience in the role, industry of employment, geographic location, worker skill and economic conditions. Cited projections are based on Bureau of Labor Statistics data, not on SNHU graduate outcomes, and do not guarantee actual salary or job growth.

What SNHU students are saying

David Lemieux, who earned his online bachelor's in criminal justice from SNHU in 2018.

Every instructor had a vast array of knowledge. They also know that life happens and were able to work with you if an incident came up.

David Lemieux '18

Frequently Asked Questions

A degree in criminal justice with a concentration in police administration and operations can definitely be worthwhile if the program's outcomes align with your career goals.

Whether you need a bachelor's degree for a role in law enforcement depends on the employer's job requirements. While there are a number of positions that only ask for a high school diploma, there are federal agencies and police departments that look for candidates with college degrees.

The BLS states that a significant number of applicants for entry-level police jobs have completed a college degree and that agencies like the FBI may require a bachelor's, as well.1

A conversation with an admission counselor can help you decide if a law enforcement degree is the best path for you.

According to the BLS, police officers routinely perform a number of duties, including:1

  • Respond to emergency and non-emergency calls
  • Patrol assigned areas
  • Conduct traffic stops and issue citations
  • Obtain warrants and arrest suspects
  • Collect and secure evidence from crime scenes
  • Prepare cases and testify in court

While partly administrative, a police officer’s job often involves high-stress situations. That’s why excellent communication, critical thinking, problem-solving and decision-making are among an officer’s most important skill sets. Cultural awareness, compassion and emotional intelligence are also key.

Southern New Hampshire University's online BS in Criminal Justice with a concentration in Police Administration and Operations degree is designed to enhance these skills. The program also builds leadership skills.

“Wherever you work in the criminal justice system, you’ll need high emotional intelligence, problem-solving skills, excellent stress management and terrific communication ability,” said Dr. Jeff Czarnec, adjunct faculty at SNHU.

Ultimately, says Czarnec, the criminal justice system's mission is to help people. So you’ll want to give some thought to why you’re drawn to a helping profession and what skills or experiences you can bring to the job.

Pursuing any college degree can be challenging. But SNHU provides a ton of support — all included in the cost of your degree.

As an SNHU online student, you’ll have a dedicated academic advisor to help you stay on track every step of the way. If you’re a military student, you’ll get matched up with an advisor who has served in or is affiliated with the military. And you’ll get one-on-one counseling from our full-service career development team.

You’ll learn from top-notch instructors who pride themselves on being there for our students. And if you need special help with writing or math, you can always turn to our online writing center or tutoring services.

At colleges and universities, a concentration is a focused area of study within a larger degree program. A concentration generally replaces elective coursework in the major or discipline, allowing students to focus their studies on an area of interest.

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Sources & Citations

1Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, on the internet, at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/protective-service/home.htm (viewed May 17, 2024). Cited projections may not reflect local and/or short-term economic or job conditions and do not guarantee actual job growth.