College of Human Development, Culture, and Media
For more than 25 years, Seton Hall University’s Master of Arts in Law Enforcement Executive Leadership (LEEL) program has empowered law enforcement officers, criminal justice professionals, government employees, and members of the Armed Services to rise to the highest levels of leadership in their organizations.
Designed specifically for working professionals in public safety, this graduate program equips students with the strategic, managerial, and analytical tools needed to lead effectively in today’s complex public sector environment. Students gain in-depth knowledge in areas such as policy development, organizational leadership, crisis management, and ethics in law enforcement.
Courses are taught by experienced faculty who combine academic expertise with decades of real-world law enforcement and public policy leadership. The LEEL program offers a flexible, rigorous curriculum that prepares graduates to manage day-to-day operations, shape public safety policy, and respond to the evolving challenges facing communities today.
Accreditation & Awards
"The program provides law enforcement leaders with cutting-edge strategies and the tools needed to excel in today’s dynamic public safety environment"
Admissions Requirements
The Online M.A. in Law Enforcement Executive Leadership program accepts applications from candidates throughout the year on a rolling admissions basis. Interested students may enroll in the program, before formal acceptance, on a non-matriculated basis for the first semester by completing the online application and providing the following:
- Official transcripts from all institutions attended
- Statement of goals and professional interests (one-page)
- Two (2) letters of recommendation regarding candidate's academic ability and personal qualifications
Deadlines
Deadline to apply Rolling
Curriculum Overview
The 100% online Law Enforcement Executive Leadership program provides a challenging and unique curriculum, completed over 30 credit hours and within six semesters.
Core courses cover topics such as police leadership, evidence-based policing, crisis communication, legal issues, and ethics — preparing students to address the legal, ethical and operational demands of modern law enforcement.
After completing the core, students select one of three specialization tracks aligned with their professional goals: applied research and organizational development, emergency management and homeland security, or advanced law enforcement leadership. Through this focused and practical coursework, graduates are well-prepared to lead with confidence in today’s complex public safety environment.
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30
Credits
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6
Semesters to Complete
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1:1
Academic & Career Advising
Career Opportunities
Our Law Enforcement Executive Leadership program prepares professionals to advance into command positions where evidence-based decisions shape agencies and communities. In today's complex policing environment, the advanced knowledge and credentials gained through our program position graduates as exceptionally qualified leaders ready to address modern law enforcement challenges.
While a bachelor's degree may open doors to mid-level positions, our LEEL graduates access a broader spectrum of executive opportunities. The program equips you with the expertise needed for specialized leadership domains—from commanding departments to directing critical operations in homeland security, intelligence, and emerging public safety fields.
Some of the top employers where you will find our alumni:
- Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF)
- Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)
- Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)
- New Jersey Office of Emergency Management
- New Jersey State Police
- New York City Police Department
- New York State Police
- Newark Police Department
- Port Authority of NY & NJ Police
- U.S. Department of Homeland Security
- United States Secret Service
$153,780
Annual Mean Wage for Law Enforcement Managers in NJ(BLS)
68%
Police Chiefs and Sheriffs Nationwide Who Hold Advanced Degrees (Police Executive Research Forum)
28%
Higher Promotion Rate for Officers with Graduate Degrees (Journal of Criminal Justice Education)
Our graduates make an impact in law enforcement and security.
Our Faculty and Students
Law Enforcement Program Director Speaks at Howard University’s Global Justice Symposium
Focusing on his experience as a former NYPD Lieutenant, Program Director Kishon C.
Hickman, Sr. explored the shifting landscape of policing.
New Adjunct Faculty Join Law Enforcement Executive Leadership Master’s Program
Law Enforcement Leadership Program Prepares Tomorrow's Leaders With Flexible Online Learning
Scholarships & Financial Aid
Seton Hall University is committed to providing students with the most current information on how to finance your graduate degree. A graduate degree is within your reach – a variety of options can help you finance your degree including scholarships, federal aid, graduate assistantships, and more.
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50%
Amount Scholarships Can Reduce Cost of Degree
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the program completely online?
See all Graduate Admissions FAQs
Additional Resources
Department Homepage
College Homepage
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About Seton Hall
One of the country's leading Catholic Universities, Seton Hall University has been developing students in mind, heart and spirit since 1856.
Home to over 10,000 undergraduate and graduate students and offering more than 90 undergraduate programs and over 130 graduate programs, Seton Hall's academic excellence has been singled out for distinction by The Princeton Review, U.S. News & World Report and Bloomberg Businessweek.
Seton Hall's 58-acre campus in the quaint town of South Orange, New Jersey, is only 14 miles from New York City — offering students a wealth of employment, internship, cultural and entertainment opportunities. The University’s nationally recognized School of Law is located in nearby Newark, New Jersey. The Interprofessional Health Sciences (IHS) campus in the owns of Clifton and Nutley, New Jersey, houses the University’s College of Nursing and School of Health and Medical Sciences.
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1856
Founded by James Roosevelt Bayley
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14
Miles from New York City
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90+
Career-Building Graduate Programs
