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May 19, 2023 · Rasmussen University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, an institutional accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Becoming a police officer is a little more complicated than your average career. Take a look as this step-by-step guide if you are interested in what it takes.
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- Police Training
Every law enforcement program includes basic police...
- Why Become a Police Officer? 5 Reasons You Can't Ignore
The education and training required to become a police officer may vary depending on the state and agency. Some states mandate a high school diploma or GED while an associate’s degree in criminal justice or law enforcement is always a plus. Completing training via a certified college or a government-approved police academy is common. Step 3.
Minimum education requirements: First, you will need at least a high school diploma or a GED to become a police officer. Keep in mind that in 2023, many police departments look for candidates who have some postsecondary education under their belts.
- Overview of Police Education Requirements
- Police Officer Degree Levels
- Police Degree Specialties
- Police Academy and On-The-Job Training
- Police Education Requirements by City
The most recent data available indicates that over 80% of police departments in the US require at least a high school diploma or GED, while only 1% of police departments require a four-year degree.1 The remaining 19% of departments require varying amounts of college credit, up to an associate’s degree (typically 60 credit hours).1 About half of pol...
There are many degree options for prospective and current police who are interested in furthering their education. As previously mentioned, a successful policing career does not necessarily require a college degree, but pursuing a degree can benefit your career as a police officer not only by helping you get hired but also by putting you in a bette...
While most police departments do not require a degree or college credits in a particular subject, it is still wise to consider pursuing a degree type that will help you in your law enforcement career. The most common majors for aspiring police are degrees in law enforcement, criminal justice, or related fields such as homeland security or forensics...
Another important aspect of police officer education requirements is on-the-job training, which includes police academy training. When officers are hired onto a police force, they typically attend a Peace Officer Standards and Training Council (POST)-certified police academy for a certain number of hours. During POST training, officer candidates le...
The education required for prospective police officers can vary widely between major cities. For example, the New York City Police Department requires that candidates have earned at least 60 college credits with a minimum GPA of 2.0 if they have not previously served in the military, and the Houston Police Department requires 48 semester hours of c...
Feb 29, 2024 · Individuals who are at least 21 years old can enroll in a police academy if they hold a high school or equivalent diploma. You do not need a degree in order to pursue employment as an officer. However, some candidates have an associate or bachelor's degree. Candidates must also be U.S. citizens and have no drug or felony convictions.
- Do I have to go through the police academy to become a police officer?Most individuals must graduate from an agency's academy before becoming police officers. This requirement also includes field training with supervi...
- Is law enforcement the police?Law enforcement encompasses the police, but it involves much more. As an umbrella term, law enforcement includes all individuals and organizations...
- Can I be a detective without being a police officer?In general, a person only earns a position as a detective after they first train and work as a police officer. In addition, they must pass an exami...
Aug 14, 2020 · In order to work as a police officer, aspiring applicants must pass the Peace Officer Standards and Training or Police Officer Standards and Training exam. Commonly known as the POST exam, this is required for each state except Hawaii (though some states might allow passing of an equivalent examination instead).
Mar 8, 2016 · The applicant is at least 18 years of age (though most departments require cadets to be 21 by the time they graduate the academy). The applicant is a high school graduate or has obtained a GED. (Applicants with college degrees, however, “seem to have a leg up on the competition,” says Policing Matters podcast host Jim Dudley.
