The nature of modern society requires much more than a technical approach to police work; it requires the law enforcement officer to have a greater understanding of human behavior and how to deal with it. This program provides both components of that training.
Program Objectives
A degree in Police Science prepares a Maryland State Trooper to function as an entry-level trooper upon graduation and provides opportunities for advancement. Graduates of this degree program may also transfer the credits earned to many four-year institutions in Maryland leading toward the completion of a bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice.
Program
The Associate of Applied Science degree in Police Science is presented to trooper candidates through a partnership between Frederick Community College and the Maryland State Police. This program has been developed to assist MSP in its effort to develop a highly professional police force. The Police Science program is open to any trooper candidate employed by the Maryland Department of State Police and enrolled in the MSP Academy. This program integrates general education coursework with major components of the criminal justice process learned while attending the Police Academy.
A hybrid instruction option has been created for trooper candidates (i.e. face-to-face and on-line classes) who complete this program.
- Three (3) general education courses and 12 police science courses are completed during the six-month Academy training. The general education courses are taught in the evenings during the Academy by FCC instructors.
- Approximately eight weeks after graduation from the MSP Academy and upon completion of Field Training, troopers continue their FCC coursework by taking four (4) on-line classes (i.e. 12 credits) sequentially with each class session consisting of 15 weeks. All of these on-line classes are taught by FCC instructors.
Growth Potential and Job Opportunities
The mission of Frederick Community College is to prepare students to meet the challenges of a diverse, global society through quality, accessible, innovative, lifelong learning. The ever -growing population of our state requires increasing numbers of law enforcement officers to be skilled at problem-solving, conflict resolution, and diversity awareness. The key to creating and maintaining this type of professional trooper is continued education.
Tuition /Transferability
All of the tuition, fees, and books are paid in full by the Maryland State Police. Veterans are eligible for VA benefits while enrolled in the Academy and during the time they take FCC general education courses. Frederick Community College is fully accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. This program also has articulation agreements in place with several four-year institutions such as the University of Maryland-University College, Mount St. Mary's University, Frostburg State University, and the American Public University Systems (APUS).
Faculty
The criminal justice courses taught during the Police Academy are taught by MSP instructors. All general education courses taught during the Academy and after Field Training are taught by FCC faculty credentialed at the master's or doctorate level. All are experts in the respective field they teach and take a personal interest in preparing Maryland State Troopers in meeting the challenges of serving the citizens of Maryland. For more information on the A.A.S. degree program in Police Science, contact: Peggy Waxter, Program Manager Police Science, FCC 301.846.2673
A.A.S. Degree (Career)
The following curriculum is specific to MSP trooper candidates enrolled in the Police Science degree program through the MSP Academy. General Education Course Requirements
| Credit Total |
|
60 |
| EN 101 |
English Composition |
3 |
| Math |
Developmental Math |
Pass / Fail |
| MA 103 |
Fundamentals of Math |
3 |
| CMSP 103 |
Speech Fundamentals |
3 |
| BI 130 |
Forensic Biology with Lab Course |
4 |
| *SO 102 |
Social Problems |
3 |
| HE 201 |
Stress Management |
3 |
| PE 154 |
Fitness for Living |
3 |
| CJ 101 |
Introduction to Criminal Justice |
3 |
| CJ 106 |
Police-Community Relations |
3 |
| CJ 110 |
Criminal Law |
3 |
| CJ 204 |
Police Operational Services |
3 |
| CJ 212 |
Criminalistics |
4 |
| CJ 214 |
The Correctional Process |
3 |
| CJ 220 |
Criminal Evidence and Procedure |
3 |
| CJ 221 |
Police Defense Tactics |
5 |
| CJ 222 |
Police Arsenal and Procedures |
5 |
| CJ 223 |
Emergency Vehicle Operations Course (EVOC) |
3 |
| SO 201 |
Criminology |
3 |
|
* Cultural Competence
All degree-seeking students must complete a Cultural Competency course in order to graduate. This course may satisfy another requirement in your program.
The College prohibits discrimination against any person on the basis of race, religion, gender, color, national origin, ancestry, age, sexual orientation, martial status, physical or mental disability of otherwise qualified individuals and any other category protected by Federal, State or local law. Frederick Community College subscribes to full access to all college facilities as outlined in the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and as amended. The designated coordinator for the college's compliance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and for Americans with Disabilities Act is Kate Kramer-Jefferson, 301.846.2409.
