Apply to schools offering degrees in law enforcement-related fields like criminology. The top schools in this field, according to the 2009 "U.S. News & World Report" rankings, are the University of Maryland, University at Albany (SUNY), University of Cincinnati, University of Missouri-St. Louis, Penn State University and the University of California at Irvine.
Complete your general education degree requirements. This will vary by institution, but most schools will require you to complete approximately two years of general education courses that cover studies in a wide variety of disciplines. These courses are designed to provide you with a well-rounded education and a foundation for future studies. Most general education courses include areas of study like speech and communication, English literature and composition, history, math, biology, physical science, psychology, sociology, physical education and any other area of study deemed necessary by the college or university.
Pass your courses in the criminal justice field that are required for your undergraduate major. Most law enforcement degrees will require that you complete 30 to 40 hours in the criminal justice field as part of the degree program. You will be introduced to courses in the criminal justice field like introduction to criminal justice theory, criminology, statistics, introductory legal studies and organizational structures in the criminal justice system.
Acquire all of the necessary credits for your undergraduate minor. You will likely be completing these courses in conjunction with your other undergraduate studies. Most undergraduate minors require 18 to 24 credit hours. The minor is intended to provide you with the opportunity to gain a substantial amount of education in another field that you have an interest in or want to use as a supplement to your law enforcement studies.