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 →IdahoPublic 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 for Idaho officers are popular because they fit the job and most degree plans. For POST, each three-credit course adds 3 college credits, or 60 training hours, toward the intermediate and advanced certificates in IDAPA 11.11.01.072, once it sits on a regionally accredited college transcript. Ask the college which ones it will review first.
Why these three
Criminology explains why crime happens and how the justice system responds. Psychology covers behaviour, stress and crisis, which matter on every call. Sociology looks at communities, groups and inequality. Together they give context for daily work, and all three appear in most criminal justice and general studies degrees, so the credit is rarely wasted.
How they count with POST
POST does not ask for particular subjects. It counts college credits by number. Under IDAPA 11.11.01.071, one semester credit is one college credit or 20 POST training hours. Three three-credit courses add 9 credits, or 180 training hours.
For the advanced certificate, five such courses reach the 15 credits needed at 13 years of experience. Ten reach 30 credits, the column for 11 years.
| Courses (3 credits each) | College credits | As POST training hours |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 3 | 60 |
| 3 | 9 | 180 |
| 5 | 15 | 300 |
| 10 | 30 | 600 |
Our courses in these subjects
Introduction to Psychology and Introduction to Sociology are ACE-recommended and NCCRS-recommended; Introduction to Criminology is NCCRS-recommended. Abnormal Psychology and Ethics in the Social Sciences are NCCRS-recommended and pair well with them. Credit reaches POST via a college transcript, and the college decides whether to post it. UPI Study is not a college and is not accredited.
Take the introductory courses first. Abnormal Psychology builds on Introduction to Psychology, and colleges that review outside credit often look for that order in a degree plan.
- Introduction to Criminology
- Introduction to Psychology
- Introduction to Sociology
- Abnormal Psychology
- Ethics in the Social Sciences
What each course covers
Introduction to Criminology covers theories of why people offend, how crime is measured, victims, and how police, courts and corrections respond. It gives a framework for patterns you see on patrol and helps with any later criminal justice study.
Introduction to Psychology covers learning, memory, motivation, stress, development and mental health. Officers often say the units on stress and perception are the ones they use most, from interviewing witnesses to looking after their own wellbeing after hard calls.
Introduction to Sociology covers culture, groups, families, social class, deviance and social change. It helps explain how neighbourhoods differ and why trust in police varies between communities, which matters for community policing and for promotion interviews.
Abnormal Psychology goes deeper into mental illness, and Ethics in the Social Sciences into how to reason through hard choices. Both sit well after the three introductory courses.
Planning beyond the three
If your column needs 30 or more credits, think about a degree. English composition, statistics and humanities fill the core of most degrees and count the same way with POST. An associate degree reaches the advanced certificate at 8 years; a bachelor's at 6. TESU, UoPeople and Newlane are partner colleges that consider ACE-recommended or NCCRS-recommended credit.
What to ask before you start
Ask the college in writing whether it will review each course and how many credits it would post. Ask POST in writing that the college's transcript will count. Ask your agency whether it offers tuition help or a pay step for higher certificates. Keep every reply with your application papers.
What to ask in writing
Before you enrol
Ask the college in writing which courses it will review, and ask Idaho POST in writing that a transcript from that college will count toward your certificate, 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 POST require criminology for the advanced certificate?
No. POST counts college credits by number, not by subject. Criminology, psychology and sociology are popular because they suit the job and fit most degrees, but any credit on a regionally accredited college transcript counts the same.
Is Abnormal Psychology useful for officers?
Many officers find it helpful for calls involving mental illness and crisis. It counts with POST the same as any other credit once it is on a regionally accredited college transcript. Ask the college whether it will review it.
How fast can I finish three courses?
Our courses are self-paced, so it depends on your shifts. Many officers finish one course a month. Allow time afterwards for a college to post the credit and for you to order an official 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
Criminology, psychology, sociology, ethics and writing are on PRO. Ask your college and POST in writing first.
Sources
- IDAPA 11.11.01: Rules of the Idaho Peace Officer Standards and Training Council (current) (official)Definition 08: college credit is awarded by a college accredited by a listed regional agency or other POST-recognised regional agency. 071.06: one semester hour = one college credit; one quarter hour = two-thirds; one credit = 20 POST training hours; official transcript required. 072.01: intermediate tables (peace officer: 600 hours and 8 years down to 1,800 hours and 4 years; associate degree and 4 years; bachelor's and 2 years). 072.02: advanced peace officer table (500 hours and 15 credits with 13 years; 600/20/12; 700/30/11; 800/40/10; 900/45/9; 1,200/60/8; associate 8; bachelor's 6; master's or PhD 4). 072.03: six months' probation first. 074: master certificate needs 1,500 hours and 15 years. Basic eligibility includes a high school diploma, GED or 15 credits at a regionally accredited college. Checked on 15 Nov 2026.