Northwood University will offer academic programs for law enforcement and public safety who are police, firefighters and former military to receive undergraduate and graduate degrees.
Henry Reyna, who leads military and public safety recruiting and partnership at the university, said these programs will be offered fully online and can be completed in one academic year.
A bachelor’s degree of science in leadership and service will cost $10,500. A master’s degree of science in organizational leadership will cost $12,000.
This price for bachelor's is for qualifying first responders and master's degree price is for those who have completed their bachelor’s degree through Northwood.
“The expectations for the first responder undergraduate and graduate programs are to raise the level of education for first responders, so they’re more valuable employees that’s working for the city, the township or the county,” Reyna said.
Reyna said the programs are flexible to fit the intense schedules of first responders and offers one online class per eight weeks. It also allows up to 90 credits to be transferred towards the degree from prior education, professional training or work experience.
“We’ve done that because Northwood is giving back to first responders,” Reyna said. “We’re also recognizing their life set of skills that they’ve already completed as becoming a policeman, becoming a fireman or serving in the military.
The program was an idea of students who attend the private business school in Midland. They came up with a study that Northwood could do something for the community and recognize the special contributions that first responders made for the people, Reyna said. University administrators listened.
“If we have a smarter employee who is the first responder, they’re going to be able to verbally deescalate things,” Reyna said. “They’re going to have tools in their toolbox. They’re going to be able to solve problems within our community. A smarter, higher educated first responder is everyone’s benefit.
Dan Robinson Sr., a police officer from Detroit who directs Detroit Police Law Enforcement Explorer program, said an opportunity to educate is important in law enforcement, because it allows to make better and educated decisions.
That is what he does with the Explorers program that is visiting Northwood University this week. He said over 60 children who want to go into law enforcement came to this trip to learn how to respond to felony stops, search, arrests, active shooter and other, Robinson aid.
He said the program has been taking place for over 50 years and this is the second year Northwood is hosting the annual camp academy.
“Being a police officer is about being a change that you want to see,” Robinson said.
Carrie Fairfax-Moore, a sergeant with Detroit Police, said she joined the police after she was at the Explorers program as a kid. For her, being a police officer is rewarding and is about giving back to the community, she said.
“Education is very powerful,” Fairfax-Moore said. “It’s definitely a tool that we need. And as you know more, you do more, you know better, you do better. So absolutely education is one of our department’s top priority.”
Reyna said the Northwood’s program will start this year on Aug. 25. The deadline to apply is August 20.
He said he is also looking for city, township or county administrators who have policemen, firemen and military working for them to reach out to learn more about the program.
