Northern Essex CC Law Enforcement Certificate - Northern Essex Community College

Take Your First Step To Become a Police Officer

A Law Enforcement Certificate student stands, with books in hand, outside next to a police car.
Developed in cooperation with the Massachusetts Chiefs of Police Association, NECC’s Law Enforcement Certificate provides a cost-efficient way to prepare for a career as a police officer whether you wish to work for a town, city, the state police, or a private security force.

Why Choose NECC?

The Law Enforcement Certificate can be completed in as little as 10 months and covers all facets of policing that you will need to successfully enter the field. All of the credits earned in the certificate program can be applied to a Quinn Bill eligible associate in science degree in criminal justice. In this program you will:

Benefit from specialized criminal justice and general education coursework
Learn about community policing, police discretion, and police ethics and corruption
Understand issues of leadership and management, patrol requirements, professionalism, and other related topics

Because of NECC

You will have a highly affordable way to prepare for a career in law enforcement, while benefitting from a program designed by Police Chiefs who understand the skills and knowledge that are most important to policing. After successfully completing the Certificate you can:

Seek work as a police officer in a municipal police department or as a state trooper
Transfer your credits to NECC’s Associates Degree in Criminal Justice

Career Paths & Job Market

Job Opportunities

See the Department of Labor Statistics for more information on Criminal Justice opportunities.

Career Paths

Graduates of the Criminal Justice Program have found work as:

Municipal police officers
State Troopers
Correction Officers
Federal Officers
Insurance Investigators
Private detectives and investigators
Probation officers and correctional treatment specialists
Court System employees

Courts, probation and most federal law enforcement positions usually require a bachelor’s degree. Some students have continued their education in Paralegal Studies and Law, as well.

External Online Resources

Transferring to a 4 year College or University

Approximately 75% of NECC’s Criminal Justice graduates transfer to four-year colleges or universities for bachelor’s degrees. The largest percentile of transfer students continue their education at the following institutions:

Program Pathway

A pathway is the most efficient sequence of courses semester-to-semester recommended for students to complete their degree. View the suggested pathway for Law Enforcement.