Graduate Studies

Police Executive Administration
2023-2024

Director: Jill J. Myers
Graduate Committee Chairperson: Todd Lough
Office: Stipes Hall 403
Telephone: (309) 298-1038 Fax: (309) 298-2187
Website: wiu.edu/leja
Location of Program Offering: Macomb, Quad Cities, Online

Learning Outcomes

For student learning outcomes, please see wiu.edu/provost/learningoutcomes.

Program Description

The post-baccalaureate certificate program in Police Executive Administration is designed for graduate-level law enforcement students who wish to improve their knowledge in the policing field. This program provides professional development for aspiring law enforcement executives seeking to progress through police supervisory ranks. The work required for the certificate must be completed within three calendar years.

The Police Executive Administration program provides:

  1. A strong foundation in understanding the behavior of criminals;
  2. A comprehensive view of the issues confronted by, and solutions available to, police administrators;
  3. A grounding in the legal aspects of liability and responsibility of police personnel at all levels;
  4. A thorough review and update of information specifically related to the police;
  5. An exposure to the benefits, problems, and consequences of policing in a diverse society or an exposure to the ethical, moral, and legal problems confronted by police administrators;
  6. A capstone experience which brings elements from a number of areas together in a seminar designed to incorporate these elements into an organized whole.

Certificate Requirements

LEJA 501 Theory in Criminal Justice: 3 s.h.
LEJA 502 Management Issues in Public Safety Administration: 3 s.h.
LEJA 504 Civil and Criminal Liability: 3 s.h.
LEJA 506 Police: Theory and Practice: 3 s.h.

LEJA 511 Diversity and the Police: 3 s.h.
or
LEJA 512 Ethics in Criminal Justice: 3 s.h.

LEJA 514 Executive Management Seminar: 3 s.h.

TOTAL:  18 s.h.

Course Descriptions

Law Enforcement and Justice Administration (LEJA)

501 Theory in Criminal Justice. (3) Analysis and comparison of various theories and models, with emphasis on the understanding of theoretical principles as they influence issues in criminal justice.

502 Management Issues in Public Safety Administration. (3) Focus on the public safety agency from the standpoint of top and middle management, including (but not limited to) labor relations, personnel management, fiscal administration, and the integration of internal and external operations. Prerequisite: LEJA 501 or FS 481G or permission of the instructor/chair.

504 Civil and Criminal Liability. (3) The study of public safety administration policy and practice as impacted by principles of civil and criminal responsibility. Prerequisite: Six hours of undergraduate law courses or permission of the instructor/Director.

506 Police: Theory and Practice. (3) An examination of theoretical and philosophical bases of the police and the ways in which theory and philosophy are translated into practice. Analysis of problems arising as a result of the translation, theory and/or philosophy. Prerequisite: LEJA 501 or permission of the instructor/Director.

511 Diversity in Public Safety. (3) This course examines the relationship between public safety personnel and the minority citizens they are to serve. Community relations are discussed as the basis for successful programs, as well as attracting and hiring minority public safety employees. Prerequisites: Graduate standing.

512 Ethics in Public Safety. (3) This course focuses on a variety of ethical/moral issues confronting public safety practitioners. Ethical choices, their consequences, and the relationships among law, morality, and ethics are discussed. Prerequisite: Permission of the instructor/Director.

514 Executive Management Seminar. (3) The Executive Management Seminar is designed to meet the needs and challenges of top-level public safety personnel. Topics of instruction include a variety of traditional management subjects as they relate to the management of public safety agencies. Prerequisite: Prior management courses or relevant experience, permission of the instructor/Director.