Introduction to Criminology
Self-paced online Introduction to Criminology course (Criminology 150). NCCRS recommends 3 semester credits; each college decides how it applies them.
See the course →District of ColumbiaPublic safety
Criminology, psychology, sociology: the three courses officers ask about most
By the team. Checked 15 Nov 2026.
The short answer
Criminology, Psychology and Sociology are the three courses police applicants and officers ask about most because they relate to the job and fit most criminal justice and general studies degrees. MPD's rule counts credits in any subject, so these help with the 45-credit count and later study, once they are on a college transcript.
Why these three
Police work is about people. Criminology looks at why crime happens and how the justice system responds. Psychology covers behaviour, stress and mental health, which come up on crisis calls. Sociology looks at groups and communities, which shapes community policing.
All three are common general education or core courses in criminal justice and general studies degrees, so they rarely go to waste.
How they fit MPD's rule
MPD asks for 45 semester hours from an accredited college or university. It does not name subjects, so these courses count the same as any other credit once they are on a college transcript.
If you are applying on the military or police experience route, you do not need the 45 credits to apply. These courses still help if you plan to finish a degree later, and MPD's tuition reimbursement can help with the cost once you are hired.
| Course | UPI Study recommended credits | Where it often fits |
|---|---|---|
| Introduction to Criminology | 3 | Criminal justice core |
| Introduction to Psychology | 3 | Social science general education |
| Introduction to Sociology | 3 | Social science general education |
Courses that pair well with them
Report writing and ethics come up in every police career. English Composition and Advanced Technical Writing build writing skills, and Ethics in the Social Sciences covers the questions officers face in daily decisions. Abnormal Psychology adds depth for mental health calls.
- English Composition 1: the base for every report
- Advanced Technical Writing: clear incident and case reports
- Ethics in the Social Sciences: decisions under pressure
- Abnormal Psychology: mental health calls
Getting these courses onto a transcript
UPI Study courses are ACE-recommended or NCCRS-recommended. They count for MPD only via a college transcript. TESU and UoPeople are partner colleges that consider ACE-recommended or NCCRS-recommended credit; check their transfer pages, then ask MPD recruiting in writing whether it would count credit posted that way.
On UPI Study PRO at $99 a month, the three courses at a steady pace take about two months, about $198, plus any college fee for posting the credit.
After the Academy
Officers who finish the Academy can receive 15 credits through MPD's UDC partnership, and MPD lists tuition reimbursement of up to $4,800 a year. Courses chosen to fit a criminal justice degree now make the most of both later.
Keep your Academy records and any UDC paperwork with your other transcripts. When you plan a degree, a college will want to see all of them together to work out what you still need.
A simple study plan
Start with the course that interests you most; finishing one builds the habit. Take one at a time if you work shifts, or two at once if you have the hours. Keep a list of each course, its finish date and its recommended credits, and update your credit count only when the college has posted it.
What to ask in writing
Before you enrol
Ask MPD recruiting in writing whether credits posted on a partner college's transcript would count toward its 45-credit requirement before you enrol.
UPI Study is not a college and is not accredited. ACE and NCCRS review our courses and recommend credit; a college decides whether to give that credit and records it on its own transcript.
ACE and NCCRS have over 2,100 cooperating colleges that will consider accepting credits; the final decision is with the universities.
Questions people ask
Does MPD require a criminal justice degree?
No. MPD asks for 45 semester hours from an accredited college or university, without naming a subject. Two years of active-duty military service or three years of full-duty police work can replace the credits. Criminal justice courses count the same as any other credits.
Is psychology useful for DC police officers?
Many officers find it useful. Psychology covers behaviour, stress and mental health, which come up on crisis calls. It is also a common general education course, so it counts toward most degrees and toward MPD's 45 credits once it is on a college transcript.
How many credits is Introduction to Sociology?
UPI Study's Introduction to Sociology carries a recommendation of 3 credits. That is a recommendation, not college credit by itself. A college decides whether to post it on its transcript, and MPD decides whether it counts that transcript.
Courses that fit
ACE-recommended or NCCRS-recommended courses, studied online at your own pace.
Introduction to Psychology
Self-paced online Introduction to Psychology course (Psychology 110). ACE and NCCRS recommend 3 semester credits; each college decides how it applies them.
See the course →
Introduction to Sociology
Self-paced online Introduction to Sociology course (Sociology 110). ACE and NCCRS recommend 3 semester credits; each college decides how it applies them.
See the course →Start when you have it in writing
Ask MPD recruiting in writing first, then start with Criminology, Psychology and English Composition.
Sources
- Join MPD: Police Officer (official)One of: 45 semester hours of college credit from an accredited college or university; two years of active duty (Reserves or National Guard included), honorable discharge if separated; three years full-duty with a full-service US police department. US citizen or permanent resident; 20 years 6 months to apply; valid driver's license. UDC partnership: 15 credits for completing the Academy, toward 60. Foreign credentials evaluated by a NACES or AICE member. Tuition reimbursement up to $4,800 a year. Starting salary $75,433. Checked on 15 Nov 2026.
- Join MPD: FAQs (official)45 college credits to apply; 21 to be appointed; official or unofficial transcripts at Prospect Day; lateral officers with under three years need 45 credits or two years of active duty plus one year of police service; UDC partnership adds 15 Academy credits with one no-cost UDC course. Checked on 15 Nov 2026.