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Do You Need a Degree for a Law Enforcement Career?

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 a report from the Police Foundation, about 24.8% of today’s police officers and CEOs 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 Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that the median annual wage for detectives and criminal investigators in 2020 was $86,940 compared to $65,540 for police and sheriff’s patrol officers.

The in-depth study of law enforcement administration and leadership also prepares graduates to ascend to police supervisory roles, commanding even higher wages. Indeed, the Police Foundation reports that over 60% of chiefs and sheriffs have at least a four-year degree.

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 a recent article in the Chicago Sun-Times points to various studies showing strong correlations between an officer’s college education and positive law enforcement outcomes.

For instance:

The Police Foundation’s report also analyzed many studies suggesting that college-educated officers benefit their agencies in numerous ways. The report states that college-educated officers:

  • “Take fewer sick days, have fewer on-the-job injuries and accidents, and have fewer individual liability cases filed against them.”
  • “Are better report writers, more innovative, more reliable, more committed to the agency, more likely to take on leadership roles within the department, and more likely to be promoted than officers without a college degree.”
  • “May be less resistant to change and more likely to embrace new methods of policing.”

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 the current environment of civil unrest and calls for criminal justice reform.

Coursework in Southeastern’s criminal justice program also emphasizes the study of psychology, sociology and current issues 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 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.

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