UH Hilo Launches Online Pathway for Law Enforcement Officers to Earn Bachelor's Degree in Administration of Justice

Strategic Insights -

The University of Hawaii at Hilo is launching a new online pathway for law enforcement officers across the state to earn a bachelor of arts in administration of justice. This program, developed in partnership with the Hawaii Police Department, allows officers to continue serving their communities full-time while pursuing their degree from UH Hilo's College of Arts and Sciences. The inaugural cohort of 10 students from the Hawaii County Police Department, Honolulu Police Department, and the Department of Land and Natural Resources Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement are set to begin their studies this fall.

Key Takeaways:

  • The UH Hilo online pathway program is designed for law enforcement officers to earn a bachelor of arts in administration of justice while continuing to serve their communities full-time.
  • The program is developed in partnership with the Hawaii Police Department and is open statewide to law enforcement officers.
  • The inaugural cohort includes 10 students from the Hawaii County Police Department, Honolulu Police Department, and the Department of Land and Natural Resources Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement.
  • UH Hilo's administration of justice program is the only standalone AJ bachelor's degree in the 10-campus UH System.
  • Students will take online classes, studying how societies implement justice in both theory and practice, and will cover topics such as policing and punishment, global crime, Indigenous justice, and justice and the environment.
  • The deadline for students to apply for the upcoming semester is Aug. 15, and applications for spring 2026 are due by Dec. 1.

Statistics:

  • 10 students from the Hawaii County Police Department, Honolulu Police Department, and the Department of Land and Natural Resources Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement are part of the inaugural cohort.
  • UH Hilo's administration of justice program is the only standalone AJ bachelor's degree in the 10-campus UH System.
  • Applications for the program are still open, with the deadline for the upcoming semester being Aug. 15.

Sources:

  • "UH Hilo Launches Online Pathway for Law Enforcement Officers to Earn Bachelor's Degree in Administration of Justice," University of Hawaii at Hilo, Susan Enright, August 2023.
  • University of Hawaii at Hilo, College of Arts and Sciences, Administration of Justice Program.