Online Law Enforcement / Security Degree

Law Enforcement / Security Degree Overview

Listed below are colleges and universities that offer online degrees, certificates, and diplomas in the major of Law Enforcement / Security and a detailed list of the programs offered. Tuition, financial aid, course offerings, online classes, adult education, and distance learning options are available by request.

Keeping the Peace with a Law Enforcement Degree

To Protect and Serve. Police Officers fulfill this motto through a variety of roles, duties, and actions. Opportunities exist to join this force and make a difference. Read on to discover the intricacies of this shield of blue.

Law Enforcement / Security Career Outlook

Overall, law enforcement job growth is projected to grow as fast as average, by about 10%, through 2018. Much of the turnover in law enforcement will be due to retirement of older officers or officers leaving public service for private security jobs.

Applicants with college degrees, bilingual skills, and military training are most likely to get jobs in law enforcement, especially at the federal level.

Law Enforcement / Security Salary Information

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, law enforcement pay can range anywhere from $30,000/year to over $100,000/year depending on training, position, and years worked. Here are some average salary ranges for law enforcement jobs.

• Police or sheriffs patrol officers: $30-80,000/year
• Detectives and criminal investigators: $36-100,000/year
• Fish and game wardens: $30-80,000/year
• Parking enforcement: $20-50,000/year
• Transit police: $30-70,000/year

Within a police department, here are average salary ranges for different ranks:

• Police Chief: $90-113,000/year
• Deputy Chief: $74-96,000/year
• Captain: $72-91,000/year
• Lieutenant: $65-79,000/year
• Sergeant: $58-70,000/year
• Corporal $49-61,000/year

Keep in mind that many officers will actually make more than their stated salaries because of overtime or bonus pay.

Law Enforcement / Security Required Job Skills and Knowledge

Law Enforcement Degrees

Although many law enforcement agencies do not require any formal schooling past high school, state and large local agencies may require some college coursework or a degree, along with specialized training in order to become an officer or to be eligible for promotion. If you wanted to get a degree many officers earn bachelors degrees in criminal justice, law enforcement, or public administration before applying to the police academy.

Note: Most agencies simply want future officers who are educated and know how to work hard, focus, organize, and follow directions. And a college education in just about any disciple can provide that background.

Advanced Degrees Options

Advanced degrees, like a masters in psychology, criminal justice, public administration, and more, can help prepare a future officer for advancement into supervisory positions or consideration for high-level agency-head jobs, like police chief.

Other Qualifications

In order to be eligible to become a law enforcement officer, most agencies will require an initial application, a background check, a psychological profile, a physical requirements test, and thenif all other tests are passedgraduation from a police academy or similar law enforcement training course provided by the agency or civil service.