Earn a Top-Ranked Master’s Degree in Criminal Justice Leadership – 100% Online

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Trust the criminal justice program that is endorsed by law enforcement & highly rated by students


Ranked As One of the Best Online Criminal Justice Master’s Degrees in the Country!
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From seasoned command staff to aspiring leaders, the University of San Diego’s online  MS in Law Enforcement & Public Safety Leadership (LEPSL) delivers a transformative experience that will give you the competitive edge. Recognized by US News and World Report as one of the best online criminal justice master’s degrees in the country, the LEPSL program offers a practical curriculum that addresses today’s biggest criminal justice challenges while providing a framework that prepares you to be a more effective leader.

Developed in collaboration with law enforcement associations, USD’s LEPSL program goes far beyond a traditional criminal justice education by focusing on the real issues your agency faces every day. Plus, our faculty is comprised of experienced law enforcement and criminal justice leaders, so you’ll be learning from a team of professionals who have walked in your shoes.

Program Snapshot

20 Months
31 Units
$679 with discount
January 7, 2025
November 4
December 2

Degree Questions?

Have questions about the Masters of Law Enforcement & Public Safety Leadership (LEPSL)?


What You’ll Learn

Who Enrolls in the MS in Law Enforcement & Public Safety Leadership?
  • Organizational leadership frameworks, and how to influence others for the common good
  • Constitutional law and how it shapes law enforcement policy today
  • Budget, finance, resource allocation, and collective bargaining
  • Communication techniques, including interpersonal dialogue, written/electronic communications, report and grant writing, media relations and communicating to large audiences
  • Dispute and conflict resolution techniques that emphasize ethics and integrity
  • Techniques for successful community engagement
  • Analytical procedures for evaluating crime trends and conducting community and organizational assessments

“The coursework not only challenged my intellectual boundaries, but provided me with the tools central to leading a law enforcement agency in the 21st century. I am convinced that the skills amassed throughout the program were largely responsible for my appointment to Chief of Police. From all-inclusive budgeting practices to reformist community engagement ideologies, I have successfully applied those principles toward the transformation of an agency starved for change.”

– Chief John C. Myrsiades
Plymouth Township Police Department

Whether you already hold a leadership position or are seeking promotion to command staff, you owe it to yourself to explore how our highly practical curriculum can prepare you for greater success. 

Transfer Credit for Law Enforcement Training

If you’ve attended FBI National Academy, FBI-LEEDA or California POST’s Command College or Sherman Block SLI, you can apply 6-12 units of qualifying graduate coursework into the MS-LEPSL program. Ask us how!

Program Structure

  • 20- month program
  • Courses are offered year-round
  • Earn your degree without leaving home
  • Focus on one 7-week class at a time
  • Access your classroom any time, day or night
  • Generous transfer credit available for Law Enforcement Training programs

I chose the LEPSL online degree program at the University of San Diego because I wanted to be part of a program that was not only educational but also one that was highly relevant towards what I am doing in 21st Century Policing. I considered MPA programs and Master’s in Criminal Justice degrees, but neither were the right fit for me. The Law Enforcement and Public Safety Leadership program ties together everything I do at the practical level while enhancing my efforts through proven theories based on research and empirical evidence. As a progressive police executive, I know that the knowledge that I am gaining from this degree program will make me a better leader for my agency and the community I serve. I highly recommend this program to anyone who is looking to advance their career, improve their knowledge base, and become a change-maker within the policing profession.

Given my busy professional and personal life, I needed a master’s program that allowed for maximum flexibility along with relevant information to enhance my career. The University of San Diego’s Master’s in Law Enforcement and Public Safety Leadership online program was a perfect fit! The professors and all the staff associated with LEPSL are extremely knowledgeable and provide topical instruction for the law enforcement professional. I highly recommend this program for all law enforcement professionals seeking to take their careers to the next level.

This Master’s Degree is clearly at the forefront of police executive leadership education and should be seen as a game-changer for graduate studies. The course work was immediately applicable to my current range of duties and covers the things that matter.

This program is the most contemporary and cutting edge Law Enforcement degree offered. If you are looking to advance your career and/or advance your skills as a leader in 21st century policing you must take this program. After completing the LEPSL Master’s degree program, I was promoted to Sergeant with the Salinas Police Department and continue to grow in my career.


Why Choose University of San Diego?

Top-ranked University

Earn a degree you’ll be proud of from a top private university founded in 1949.

Join an Elite Network

LEPSL students are law enforcement leaders from agencies across the country.

Highly Rated by Students

Students praise our stellar faculty and the cutting-edge relevance of our coursework

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Nationally Ranked Program

US News & World Report, BestColleges and others have ranked LEPSL one of the best

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Approved by Law Enforcement

Proud partners of the FBINAA, FOP, Cal. Police Chiefs, and many regional POAs & DSAs


Trusted by law enforcement. Highly rated by students

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