Adelphi, Md. — Dec. 18, 2025 — University of Maryland Global Campus (UMGC) has graduated the firstpoliceofficer to completethe university’saccelerated law enforcement degree track, which awards college credit to officers for their work and academy experience.
Prince George’s County, Md.,Police DepartmentLt.James Martinez celebratedthe completion ofa Bachelor of Sciencein Criminal Justice onThursday, Dec. 11, at the university’s Grad Walk commencement event in Adelphi.Martinez completed his degree throughthe Criminal Justice program’s Law Enforcement track— also known as CJLE —which allows officers to transfer up to 60 credits from their professional experience toward a bachelor’s degree.
“Maryland’s communities rely on highly skilled and trained public safety professionals, and we are proud tosupport officers like Lt. Martinez with education options that fit the reality of their service,” said UMGC President Gregory W. Fowler, PhD.“By translating on-the-job learning into measurable academic progress, UMGC is helping meet Maryland’s workforce needs and providing law enforcement professionals with an affordable, efficient pathto their education goals.”
To qualify for the CJLE track, applicants must be currently or recently certified state, local or municipal police officers with arrest powers. They must also have attended a state-sanctioned police academy and completed any required field training programs.
“UMGC’s innovative CJLE pathway allowed me to take the next step in my professional life while connecting with law enforcement professionals from across the country,” Martinez said. “Whether you are an aspiring law enforcement officer or a seasoned first responder, the CJLE program offers a tremendous value and environment that can’t be found elsewhere.”
In addition to transferring into the program up to 60 credits for their policeacademygraduation and law enforcement experience, applicants cantransfer inup to 30additionalcredits for college coursework theyhavecompleted.
Beyond opening theCJLE track to eligible officers fromanystate, localormunicipal agency, UMGC hasalsopartnered withindividualagencies—such astheMontgomeryCounty, Md., Police Department—tooffer these benefits directly to their sworn and recently retired officers.
“Police officersundergomonthsofrigorous training and education in the policeacademyand graduate with the skills necessary to perform a very difficultand complicatedjob,” saidChristopher Swain, collegiateprofessorand portfolio director for the Criminal Justice program. “Wevalue the learning they have already acquired and want toacknowledgewith college creditthe skills they bring with them to our program.”
About University of Maryland Global Campus
University of Maryland Global Campus was founded more than 75 years ago specifically to serve the higher education needs of working adults and military service members.Today, UMGC is the largest provider of postsecondary education in Maryland. It continues its global tradition with online and hybrid courses, more than 175 classroom and service locationsworldwideand more than 135 degrees and certificates backed by the reputation of a state university and the University System of Maryland. For more information, visit.
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