Law enforcement and police science programs are different from policy academy training. Many people get an associate degree in law enforcement first before entering a police academy. This gives them a head start on gaining entry-level police or security work.

Furthermore, more states are requiring police officers to have at least an associate degree. In the future, it will be common for many entry-level law enforcement jobs to require a bachelor's degree in addition to police academy training.

Many programs require you to maintain a high level of physical fitness. Often this means that you take courses in health and exercise.

Many law enforcement and police science programs are offered part-time, with day and evening classes.