Earning a college degree is not always a requirement for starting a career in law enforcement. However, a college degree can open numerous opportunities for career advancement and increased earning potential. Plus, many selective law enforcement agencies require that applicants have a bachelor’s degree.
For those interested in entering the field of law enforcement, Southeastern Oklahoma State University offers an online Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice program. This degree can provide students with the knowledge, skills and credentials to pursue high-level law enforcement opportunities and improve their agency’s community impact.
How Can Earning a Degree in Criminal Justice Benefit My Career?
Some police departments require that recruits have a college degree, and most offer incentives for earning a degree related to criminal justice. These incentives often include tuition reimbursement, pay increases and promotion opportunities. Whether required or not, a college degree can also give aspiring or working law enforcement professionals a distinct competitive advantage in the job market.
According to the most recent data, about 30% of today’s police officers have a four-year degree. A college degree is often required for specialized positions and promotion to roles like a detective or criminal investigator.
In terms of pay increases, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that the median annual wage for all police and detectives was $77,270 in May 2024. Within this field, detectives and criminal investigators earned a median annual wage of $93,580, while police and sheriff’s patrol officers earned $76,290.
Beyond police departments, a bachelor’s degree is generally a requirement for agent, officer and analyst positions with federal agencies like the FBI, CIA and U.S. Marshals Service. With a bachelor’s degree, you can explore other opportunities in law enforcement, including crime scene investigator, computer forensics investigator, forensic science technician and crime analyst.
Do College-educated Law Enforcement Officers Perform Better on the Job?
There are many factors, both personal and external, that can affect the job performance of law enforcement officers. But research reported by Police1, an online resource for law enforcement professionals, points to strong correlations between an officer’s college education and positive law enforcement outcomes. For instance:
- College-educated officers are less likely to use force: Studies show that officers who’ve graduated from college are approximately 40% less likely to use force compared to their peers without degrees.
- College-educated officers are less likely to take sick days, fewer on-the-job injuries and accidents.
- Agencies requiring at least an associate’s degree saw fewer use-of-force complaints and fewer assaults on officers than agencies with no college requirement.
All of this suggests earning a college degree can help officers improve their law enforcement practices and benefit their agencies overall. Of course, reducing practices that negatively impact the community directly benefits a community and can improve the relationship between the people and law enforcement. This is extremely important given ongoing discussions about criminal justice reform.
Coursework in Southeastern’s criminal justice program also emphasizes the study of psychology, sociology and current developments in society and law enforcement. These studies can help law enforcement professionals better understand and address the needs of their communities, focusing reform and law enforcement improvement efforts accordingly.
How Can I Fit College Around My Law Enforcement Work Schedule?
Earning a criminal justice degree, although beneficial, might seem impossible given unpredictable work schedules, on-call hours and other life responsibilities. But Southeastern’s flexible online program allows students to complete coursework whenever and wherever they want. This convenience and flexibility can be a good match for the complicated schedules common to law enforcement work.
While it may not always be a requirement, a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice can certainly jumpstart and advance a career in the law enforcement field. Plus, college-educated law enforcement professionals are equipped to make a positive difference in their agencies, communities and society. Check out police education requirements in your state.
Learn more about Southeastern Oklahoma State University’s online Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice program.