Law Enforcement - Associate of Applied Science

Doña Ana Community College

2024-2025 Catalog

Law Enforcement

The Law Enforcement degree emphasizes the law enforcement aspect of the criminal justice system. This degree offers the law enforcement student a general understanding of the police officer’s multifaceted role in the United States. It also prepares the student with the basic foundations of police work for possible employment opportunities with local, state and federal governments, and private industry.

Most law enforcement officers are employed by the security industry and local, county, and state governments. They have duties that range from providing security to controlling traffic to preventing and investigating crimes. They maintain order, enforce laws and ordinances, issue traffic summonses, investigate accidents, present evidence in court, serve legal documents for the court system, and apprehend, arrest and process prisoners. Career opportunities include positions as private investigators, security officers, loss-prevention officers, police officers, sheriff and deputy officers, criminal investigators, game wardens, private detectives, and bailiffs.

Many law enforcement agencies encourage the applicants to take post-secondary school training in law enforcement-related subjects. Many entry-level applicants for police jobs have completed some formal post-secondary education and a significant number are college graduates. Knowledge of a foreign language is an asset in many federal agencies and urban departments.

Additional information on professional requirements and qualifications may be obtained from the U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, at www.bls.gov.

NOTE: An articulation agreement exists with the New Mexico Department of Public Safety that makes it possible to receive college credit for experience and/or training.

Doña Ana Community College

2024-2025 Catalog

NOTE: All courses in this program may be applied toward a Bachelor of Applied Studies or Individualized Studies degree at NMSU.

(60 credits)

NOTE: Students must earn a final grade of C- or better in all Criminal Justice (CJUS) and Law Enforcement (LAWE) courses and achieve a cumulative grade-point average of at least 2.0. A grade of C- or better is required in ENGL 1110G Composition I and designated Mathematics courses.

Students must complete all University degree requirements, which include: General Education requirements and elective credits to total at least 60 credits. Developmental coursework will not count towards the degree requirements and/or elective credits, but may be needed in order to take the necessary English and Mathematics coursework.

¹

Each course selected must be from a different area and students cannot take multiple courses in the same area. 

²

See the General Education section of the catalog for a full list of courses. 

³

Courses are identical to those offered at New Mexico State University Las Cruces (main) Campus.

⁴

Elective credit may vary based on prerequisites, dual credit, AP credit, and/or certificate coursework. The amount indicated in the requirements list is the amount needed to bring the total to 60 credits and may appear in variable form based on the degree. However students may end up needing to complete more or less on a case-by-case basis and students should discuss elective requirements with their advisor.

NOTE: All courses in this program may be applied toward a Bachelor of Applied Studies or Individualized Studies degree at NMSU.

(60 credits)

A Suggested Plan of Study

The contents of this roadmap may vary depending on initial student placement in mathematics and English. This is only a suggested plan of study for students, and is not intended as a contract.  Individual student academic plans may vary. Please contact your academic advisor to create a plan that works for you. Course availability may vary from fall to spring semester and may be subject to modification or change. 

NOTE: Students must earn a final grade of C- or better in Criminal Justice (CJUS) and Law Enforcement (LAWE) courses and achieve a cumulative grade-point average of at least 2.0. A grade of C- or better is required in ENGL 1110G Composition I and designated Mathematics courses.

Students must complete all University degree requirements, which include: General Education requirements and elective credits to total at least 60 credits. Developmental coursework will not count towards the degree requirements and/or elective credits, but may be needed in order to take the necessary English and Mathematics coursework.