Careers in public safety are both challenging and rewarding. Professionals in this field have the potential to change lives for the better, create positive systemic change and make a valuable contribution to society. With the right skill set, you can do the same.
Through Delta's associate degrees, you will gain a better understanding of the criminal justice system and the skills you need to start a career in law enforcement.
An associate's degree in law enforcement prepares students for careers in entry-level law enforcement. Daily duties for an entry-level law enforcement officer might include (but are not limited to) patrol, vehicle stops, responding to calls, assisting in medical emergencies as a first responder, basic criminal investigation, writing reports and completing various forms, giving court testimony and working with other agencies.
A degree in law enforcement can allow for more leadership roles, such as field training new officers, participating in gang related investigations and vice activities.
Students desiring to work as a police officer might be required to complete a regional police academy and meet MCOLES licensing standards to be employable.
Program details
Our degree prepares you for a career in criminal justice or to transfer on to earn
your bachelor's degree.
Degree info
Criminal Justice Law Enforcement with Basic Police Training
68 credits
$25,158 (out-of-district)
$25,961 (out-of-state) Criminal Justice Law Enforcement
62 credits
$16,670 (out-of-district)
$17,385 (out-of-state) Criminal Justice Law Enforcement with Basic Police Training
14 credits
$10,774 (out-of-district)
$10,961 (out-of-state)
There's more: Delta has it's own police academy
You can enroll in the academy through the above academic programs, or separately. Since our origin in 1967, we've trained hundreds of officers. Our 17-week training program is approved by the Michigan Commission on Law Enforcement Standards (MCOLES). Cadets completing our academy and passing the MCOLES State Examination are eligible for certification as law enforcement officers in Michigan.
Police academy details
We provide the training (that meets or exceeds MCOLES standards), and assist in developing your knowledge and skills, which together form the foundation for a successful career in law enforcement.
One of the unique features of our police academy program is, that as a result of where we're located, we're able to successfully train individuals for the needs of larger urban communities and smaller rural communities.
You'll attend a program with an excellent reputation. Based, in part, on our highly-qualified instructors who have worked for the FBI, ATF, Michigan State Police, Michigan DNR, as well as numerous city, county and local township law enforcement agencies.
In addition to learning from instructors who've done the job, recruits attending our academy will receive 594 hours of MCOLES mandated instruction. Plus, additional training to become MCOLES certified radar/lidar operators, MCOLES certified PBT operators and American Heart certified First Aid for First Responders and CPR/AED for Professional Rescuers. You'll be prepared with a total of nearly 740 hours of instruction.
- CPR/AED for Professional Rescuers
- Preliminary Breath Test (PBT) –certification
- Basic Radar/Lidar –certification
- Training Scenarios
- Pepper Spray
- Resume Preparation
- Job Interviewing Skills
- K-9 Use in Police Work
- Computer Crimes
- Response to Biological/Nuclear Incidents
- Motor Carrier Laws
- Child Abduction (Amber Alert)/Missing Children
- Federal Laws
- Surviving Edged Weapons
- Auto Theft
- Gangs/Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs
- CCW Laws
- TASER
- DNR Laws
- Human Trafficking
MCOLES Standards
To enter the Police Academy, you must meet the Standards established by the Michigan
Commission on Law Enforcement Standards (MCOLES). Delta College offers the Pre-Employment reading/writing and physical fitness tests for your convenience. They are required prior to enrollment in the program.
The educational prerequisites are:
- A minimum of an associate degree from an accredited college or university must have been completed; or
- Completing degree requisites through Delta College's Criminal Justice Law Enforcement Program with Basic Police Training Option; or
- Criminal Justice Students from Saginaw Valley State University, Mid-Michigan Community College, and Alpena Community College may also attend Delta College's Police Academy as part of their law enforcement degree; or
- MCOLES may issues an educational waiver upon completion of a military police academy and one year service as a military police officer.
Application Deadline
In order to secure your position in the next academy, your application must be completed by May 30, 2025. The sooner, the better. On average, it takes about
four weeks to complete all the application requirements. If you are seeking financial
aid and/or a loan, you must have proper documentation outlining your approval amounts.
Application Timeline
The application procedure is a multi-step process. As a guide, we've provided a basic
timeline.
Step 1 - Become a Delta College student or guest student (Due by April 30, 2025)
Step 2 - Begin the Police Academy Application (Due by April 30, 2025)
Step 3 - Complete the Police Academy Application Process. This includes the MCOLES pre-enrollment tests. (Due by May 30, 2025)
Step 4 - Interview, scheduled by our office (Due by June 20, 2025)
Step 5 - Tuition Payment (Due by July 29, 2025)
Get in Shape
Recruits reporting to the Training Academy are strongly advised to begin physical
training several months before the start of the academy. The academy recruit school
is not the time or place to start developing basic physical fitness.
Note
Late applicants or anyone not meeting these deadlines will have their eligibility
to attend the Academy determined on a case by case basis.
2025/2026 Fees and Costs
For students taking the academy as part of their academic program the cost is included in the total program cost.
For sponsored students, taking just the academy the cost is:
In-District - To Be Determined
You must have resided in Bay County, Saginaw County, or Midland County for at least six months.
Out-District - To Be Determined
Out-of-State - To Be Determined
The above fees cover books and training materials as well as the required uniform minimum. Please refer to Equipment (required) as you may encounter additional expenses obtaining these items.
Scholarships may be available.
The Delta College Police Academy encourages you to fill out the FAFSA (Free Application
for Federal Student Aid) as most scholarships require this form to be completed in
order to be eligible for scholarships. You will also need to complete a scholarship application as well as write an essay. For more information, please contact Delta College Financial Aid.
The following equipment must be provided by each cadet:
- White handkerchiefs
- White crew neck t-shirts
- Flip flops or shower shoes
- Swim suit - navy blue for men or one-piece athletic suit for women - navy blue
- Compression shorts for women (if desired to wear with swimsuit)
- Newer running shoes
- Bathing towels
- Shoe polishing kit
- White ankle athletic socks for PT
- Dark blue socks to cover the white socks when wearing boots
- Black gloves for cold weather (any kind)
- Computer thumb drive (USB memory sticks)
- Black leather boots, 8" tall
- Shirt Stays or Shirt Garter (recommended but not required)
- Duty belt
- Belt keepers
- Handgun (9mm or 40 Cal. Must be full sized or compact NOT subcompact) (Model selected should be one commonly used by area law enforcement agencies. Please contact Academy staff prior to purchasing any handgun for academy use.)
- Holster (threat level two with thumb break) (Holster must be designed for specific handgun used.)
- 3 cartridge magazines
- Magazine holders
- Handcuff case
- Flashlight of your choice (Mag Lite, Stinger, Streamlight or similar)
- Flashlight holder
- Mouth guard
- Laptop Computer
Police Academy
N101
policeacademy@delta.edu
989-686-9176
Transfer
One of the best things about Delta College is the opportunity to start here and go anywhere. And, in the process, save thousands of dollars. It's a smart choice to get your associate's and then transfer on.
Delta works with many colleges and universities to provide associate-to-bachelor’s degree transfer pathways. Check out what's available in this career field.
Job outlook
Interested in a career in law enforcement? Learn more about our region’s employment
outlook and career opportunities you can pursue in this field of study. There are
many different careers that can be pursued in this field. The fields below are a sampling.
Visit Career Coach to search all careers.
Get started at Delta
Contact us
Program Coordinator
Joshua George
G125
joshuageorge@delta.edu
989-686-9446
