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Earn Your Master’s Degree in Law Enforcement & Public Safety Leadership

NTOA Members: Take Your Leadership Skills to The Next Level With a Top Ranked Degree

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Trust the 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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Whether you are still early in your law enforcement career or are nearing retirement, the University of San Diego’s online MS in Law Enforcement & Public Safety Leadership (LEPSL) delivers a transformative, leadership-focused learning experience that will give you a 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 you a practical, skills-based 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 like the NTOA, USD’s LEPSL program goes far beyond a traditional criminal justice education by focusing on the real issues you and your agency face every day. Plus, our faculty is made up of experienced law enforcement, military, and criminal justice leaders, so you’ll be learning from a team of professionals who have walked in your shoes and know the challenges you face in your job. Contact us today to see how you can join the 850+ law enforcement professionals who have already enrolled in this practical and relevant program.


At a Glance

A leadership degree designed specifically for law enforcement, the MS-LEPSL program is ranked by US News & World Report as one of the best online criminal justice master’s degrees in the country.

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

What You’ll Learn

  • 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
  • Convenience and flexibility

Student Testimonials

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.

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.

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Join an Elite Network

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

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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


Trusted by law enforcement. Highly rated by students

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