Do I Need a Degree to Become a Police Officer?
Whether you need a college degree to enter a career in law enforcement depends largely on the educational requirements of a particular police department. A growing number of police departments and other law enforcement agencies require at least some college education for new officers, although not all of them do. However, a degree may be required to advance your career.
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Significance
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The website RealPolice.net points out that most police departments require at least an associate's degree, equal to about two years of college, for employment as a police officer. Many large city departments require a bachelor's degree. The website points out, however, that it is possible to find employment as a police officer with only a high school diploma or a GED. However, growing professionalism in law enforcement has led most departments to require some college education.
Identification
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Many men and women who are interested in law enforcement careers pursue a college degree in criminal justice. Many community colleges offer associate's degrees in the field, while many universities offer bachelor's degrees in criminal justice or related fields, such as criminology.
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Features
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A college or university degree program in criminal justice includes coursework on the basics of criminal law, criminal justice systems, government policy toward crime, and sociological and psychological perspectives on criminal behavior. Many aspiring law enforcement officers seek degrees in criminal justice to satisfy their departments' educational requirements, as well as to improve their knowledge of their chosen profession.
Benefits
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Although your local police department or sheriff's agency may not require a college degree as a condition of employment, a degree may be necessary to advance your career. College coursework in criminal justice or criminology, for example, may help you develop greater expertise, improving your value to your department. "Police" magazine called a college degree excellent preparation for moving into a higher-level job within your agency, adding that many departments may have scholarships or tuition reimbursements. Commander Molly Bernard of the Boulder, Colorado, Police Department told the magazine that degrees are often necessary for promotion within a police department.
Considerations
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While many local and state law enforcement agencies vary in their educational requirements for police officers, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics points out that federal law enforcement agencies, such as the FBI, require at least a bachelor's degree for new officers and agents.
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References
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