Students in front branded LE vehicles.

Law Enforcement Science

Associate Degree Program | 70 Credits

A Law Enforcement Science degree from Southeast Technical College taps into your ethical and empathetic side. Do you like helping people? Do you exercise good judgment in stressful situations? Your ability to find the best solution to a problem and to act quickly will be valuable tools as a top Law Enforcement Officer in Sioux Falls or across the nation.

As a Law Enforcement graduate, you will help protect people and property in your jurisdiction. With experience, you might choose to specialize your work into a specific area, such as narcotics, SWAT, canine unit or motorcycle officer. Your other duties might include:

  • Testifying in court
  • Patrolling neighborhoods
  • Collecting crime-scene evidence
  • Writing reports
  • Answering emergency calls
  • Arresting suspects
  • Issuing citations in traffic stops  

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After completing STC’s Law Enforcement Science program, you could have the opportunity to receive law enforcement certification through a reciprocity exam, according to permission granted by the South Dakota Law Enforcement Standards and Training Commission.

Program Video

What Will You Learn?

Your law enforcement coursework in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, will be taught in STC's George S. Mickelson Center. This program will teach you accident investigation, constitutional and criminal law, juvenile justice, report writing, traffic regulation, firearms training, emergency vehicle operation, use of force and pressure point control tactics (PPCT). Your classes also help you:

Stand out Professionally: You will learn to meet departmental goals, use technology in investigations, apply relevant law, and appropriately and lawfully apply use of force.

Problem Solve: Public service professionals are adept critical thinkers. Your work requires quick, appropriate responses and you will become skilled at applying successful policing strategies in your area.

Know your Role: Southeast Tech faculty will instruct you on the critical part that you play in communicating with your team and the public, in testifying accurately, in keeping accurate and factual reports, and in working professionally with others in the justice system.

Career Path

As Law Enforcement professional, your career opportunities include police departments, corrections, private security, sheriff’s offices and highway patrol units.

Explore Classes

Southeast Tech’s curriculum for Law Enforcement Science includes classes in Multiculturalism, Physical Fitness, Social Problems, First Responder, Law Enforcement Survival, Traffic Enforcement, Victimology and National Incident Management System.

View Curriculum   ADMISSION CRITERIA

Job Outlook

Cost  

Costs are calculated based on a charge of $255 per credit hour, plus applicable fees.

Total Costs  Cost and Fee Breakdown

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Faculty

Richard Miller

Instructor
Law Enforcement Science
Mickelson Center 121A

Keith Gries

Instructor
Law Enforcement Science
Mickelson Center 121A

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