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Police Studies

Earn a Law Enforcement Degree in Police Studies at Aims

Law enforcement careers can be both challenging and rewarding. Working as a police officer requires honesty and integrity when interacting with the public and conducting investigations. If you're interested in becoming a police officer, the Aims Police studies program teaches you the responsibilities and highlights of police work as you undergo rigorous physical and academic training to prepare for the Colorado Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) exam, which is required to serve as a police officer in Colorado. 

During the three-year period between 2018 and 2020, an average of 94.95% Aims students passed the POST exam on the first try. During that same time period, 100% of Aims students ultimately passed the exam on subsequent attempts.

Aims is one of the few community colleges that offers a part-time option in addition to full-time, giving you the flexibility to gain the same training over a longer time period. 

The Aims police academy is your first step toward earning a police studies associate degree. The academy includes Colorado state-accredited training and culminates in earning a Peace Officer Academy Certificate. Peace Officer Academy Certificate courses apply toward the Aims police studies associate degree.

While you can attend the Aims police academy without earning a police degree, earning an associate degree enhances your ability to obtain employment in law enforcement. If you want to take your education further, the Aims police officer degree transfers to CSU Global, where you can go on to earn a bachelor’s or master’s degree in criminal justice. If you have an interest in public safety leadership, you can also apply for the Aims Public Safety Bachelor's Degree program after earning your associate degree.

If you value integrity, have good people skills, enjoy mentally and physically challenging work, and want to help people and your community, earn a law enforcement associate degree at Aims and start a rewarding career as a police officer.

Turn Your Passion for Law and Order Into a Career in Law Enforcement

Aims Degree Video - Criminal Justice

Aims instructor Donna Norwood shares how the Aims law enforcement associate degree program prepares you for the challenges and rewards of a career as a police officer.

Gain the Knowledge and Skills You Need to Work as a Police Officer

The Aims police degree program combines classroom knowledge with intensive police academy skills training from instructors with direct work experience in law enforcement. Your police academy courses will teach you the basic skills and knowledge to perform the entry-level duties of a peace officer. The coursework and field training are designed to challenge you intellectually, emotionally and physically, while also preparing you to take the Police Officer Standards and Training (POST) exam

Build skills in subjects that police officers need to be successful in the field, including:

  • POST exam Colorado standards
  • Arrest and control techniques
  • Effective communication
  • Law enforcement driving
  • Firearms training
  • Report writing
  • Police investigations
  • Field sobriety tests
  • Emergency first aid
  • Physical fitness requirements for police officers

Get the Training You Need to Become a Police Officer With the Aims Peace Officer Academy Certificate

If you’d like to start your career as a police officer without earning a degree, you can attend the Aims police academy and earn a Peace Officer Academy Certificate. The Aims police academy certificate courses are designed to prepare you to take the POST exam and can also apply toward earning a law enforcement associate degree. This certificate can be earned in 1 or 2 semesters. 

Explore highlights of the police academy program at Aims. See requirements and application information to get started today.

Launch Your Career as a Police Officer

Police Academy - Student Testimonial - Ashley Perez

Watch Aims graduate Ashley Perez talk about her time at Aims Community College and her journey through the Police Studies program.

If you want the training and knowledge to become a police officer and handle the unique challenges of this career, the Aims law enforcement associate degree program can help you. In addition to receiving training to prepare for the POST certification exam, you’ll learn skills that are vital to the job, including effective communication, remaining calm under stressful circumstances and teamwork.


$95,450 annual mean wage for detectives & criminal investigators in CO (2022) Bureau of Labor Statistics
$80,990 annual mean wage for police and sheriff's patrol officers in CO (2022) Bureau of Labor Statistics

As part of your degree program, your instructors and advisors can help you prepare a resume and learn interviewing skills. Aims job fairs give you opportunities to practice these career skills with law enforcement recruiters from local municipalities and agencies. Adjunct instructors who work in law enforcement and guest speakers invited to attend your classes will give you the chance to ask questions about what departments are seeking from recruits.

Police Studies Faculty and Staff

Learn from instructors with experience in law enforcement, including adjunct professors who currently work as police officers. Your instructors can bring their expertise into the classroom and teach you how things work in the field. You’ll also get insight into what knowledge and skills departments are seeking from potential hires.

  • Dave Arnold

    Program Director II, Police Academy, Police Studies, & Criminal Justice
  • Clay Fuller

    Clay Fuller

    Lead Police Academy Instructor