This option is for those pursuing a bachelor's degree.  When you successfully complete this option, you will earn 18 credit hours towards your degree.  This gives you the option of graduating from Southeast with your bachelor's degree and Peace Officer's license, thus giving you a significant advantage in your job search and making you decidedly more qualified to potential employers.  

Checklist: 

1. Apply to Southeast Missouri State University
2. Complete FAFSA (if you are seeking financial aid)
3. Complete, sign, and mail Law Enforcement Academy Application

Application should include all required attachments mentioned in the application such as copy of legal documents, processing fee, questionnaire, etc. 

Download Application

If a four year degree isn't for you, you now have the option of attending the Academy and earning a Certificate in Law Enforcement.  This option also gives you access to financial aid, and all other University benefits, including 18 credit hours that will give you a significant start on a bachelor's degree should you decide to continue your education in the future.  You will need to be admitted to the university and you will need to complete the FAFSA. Successful completion of this program earns you a Class "A" Missouri Peace Officer's License and a Certificate in Law Enforcement from Southeast. 

Checklist: 

1. Apply to Southeast Missouri State University
2. Complete FAFSA (if you are seeking financial aid)
3. Complete, sign, and mail Law Enforcement Academy Application

Application should include all required attachments mentioned in the application such as copy of legal documents, processing fee, questionnaire, etc. 

Download Application

Age and citizenship

Applicants to the Law Enforcement Academy must: 

• Be at least 21 years old prior to graduating from the Academy 
• Be a United States citizen, native or naturalized 

Education

Applicants must meet the following education requirements: 

• Have a high school diploma from an accredited high school (no online high schools) OR have an equivalent General Education Development (GED) credential 
• If you are taking the academy as part of a four-year degree program, you must be a student in good standing and you must have already completed a minimum of 24 credit hours. 

Criminal history 

Applicants to the academy must meet the following criminal history requirements: 

• Never have pleaded guilty to any felony.   Applicants with felony arrest, but no conviction are taken on a case by case basis.
• No convictions for any form of Domestic Assault.  Applicants with arrest for Domestic Assault, but no conviction are taken on a case by case basis.  
• No convictions for crimes of moral turpitude. 
• Must not be prohibited by state or federal law from operating a motor vehicle. 
• Must not be prohibited by state or federal law from possessing a firearm or ammunition. 
• Must not currently be on any type of community supervision or probation for any offense. 
• Have no DWI or related convictions within the last three years or have no more than two DWIs within the past ten years. 
• Have no drug-related arrests within the past three years. 
• You cannot be the respondent in any order of protection (Full Order or Ex Parte). 
• Applicants who have been dismissed from other academies for disciplinary reasons will not be admitted.
• Applications who have been denied admission from other academies are taken on a case by case basis.  

NOTE – Applicants with a pattern of criminal behavior that continued over a period of time will not be admitted to the academy. Please contact us if you have any questions about this. 

In addition, applicants must possess a valid driver’s license. 

Military Service 

Applicants who have served in the military must submit a copy of their DD214 that shows the type of discharge received. A dishonorable discharge prevents your acceptance to the academy.