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Interested in becoming a police officer? Through our Master of Science in Criminology and Criminal Justice, the process of enrolling in an MPTC Police Academy has never been easier.
Learn about the Merrimack College community, application process, financial aid, your program's curriculum, professional opportunities, fellowships and more!
At Merrimack College, we are committed to developing the future leaders in law enforcement. That’s why our Merrimack College Police Department proudly sponsors students enrolled in our M.S. in Criminology and Criminal Justice program who aspire to become police officers. Our sponsorship opens doors to Municipal Police Training Committee (MPTC) operated police academies across Massachusetts, ensuring that you have access to the best police training opportunities in the state.
Our streamlined pathway not only supports your academic journey but also fast-tracks your career by combining your online graduate education with hands-on law enforcement training. This dual approach allows you to graduate in just 12 months with both a master’s degree and the necessary academy certification to qualify for a career as a police officer. You’ll graduate as an attractive candidate fully equipped to make a difference in your community.
The Merrimack College Police Academy provides unique advantages over the traditional academy process in Massachusetts for prospective recruits.
In the traditional process, a candidate must get hired by a police department first. Then, that police department sponsors your academy training and pays for the training. The police department waits for your training to be completed. Upon academy completion, you may start working for the department.
Our pathway program is different because it streamlines the prospective recruiting process. It allows you to self-sponsor through the support of the Merrimack College Police Department. You receive your academy certification prior to being employed by a municipality.
In support of the program’s mission to provide education and training to the next generation of police leaders, and to provide municipal police departments with a highly trained, diverse group of officers, the MCPAP offers a powerful combination of benefits:
With full-time study, you can complete your online graduate coursework in the evenings with police academy training during the day to finish your master’s degree and Police Academy Certification in just one year. Or you can choose to stagger the timing of your graduate studies and police academy training for a more flexible schedule.
If you’re admitted to the M.S. in Criminology and Criminal Justice, you won’t have to worry about finding a municipality to sponsor you for an MPTC Police Academy. The Merrimack College Police Department will provide your sponsorship for candidacy, and program staff will work with you to place you in an upcoming MPTC academy.
With our innovative curriculum, you’ll graduate prepared to take on 21st-century criminal justice issues related to law enforcement, crime analysis, technology, and justice advocacy and reform. A master’s degree can make you a more attractive hiring candidate, and in some municipalities, you may automatically earn a higher starting salary just for having your master’s.
Extensive career events and advising opportunities help you prepare for the police hiring process in Massachusetts. You’ll be well informed about law enforcement careers and learn about police officer jobs that match your interests.
Merrimack’s program includes the completion of both police academy training and a master’s in criminology and criminal justice, all in as little as one year. Upon graduation from the police academy, you will be a Massachusetts certified police officer ready to join the police force. When applying to police departments, your academy training certification will give you a significant edge over other candidates.
You will also be certified to work for any municipal law enforcement agency, as well as the MBTA Police, Massachusetts Environmental Police, and college and university police departments. The program requires students to:
complete 32 credit hours (8 courses) in the Master’s Program
complete 792 hours of MPTC Police Academy training
When you enter the law enforcement job market after completing the Merrimack College Police Academy Pathway, you will be state certified, able to start work immediately, and hold a master’s degree, making you a profoundly desirable candidate to potential employers. Further, a master’s degree increases the base salary at many law enforcement agencies and can help provide advancement opportunities.
Even with crime rates falling in recent years, demand for police services to maintain and improve public safety is expected to continue. According to the Massachusetts Department of Economic Research (DER), across the state, Police and Sheriff’s Patrol Officers earned an average of $78,770 in 2023, and the need for such roles is expected to grow by 5.7% between 2022 and 2032.
The combination of Police Academy Certification with a Master of Science in Criminology and Criminal Justice will expand your future career options, including positions such as:
Check out our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) page or email our graduate admission team to learn more!
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Dylon Grzenda M’24 is expected to graduate this spring from Merrimack’s athletic training graduate program.
