Do You Need A Degree To Be A Cop?

Do you need a degree to be a cop? Law enforcement agencies have varying educational requirements ranging from a high school diploma to a college degree.

When people think about training to become a police officer, they often jump to exciting visuals like obstacle courses and self-defense training. But police training also takes place in the classroom. Students have to learn about civil rights, police ethics, and more.

Does this mean becoming a cop requires earning a college degree? The educational requirements for becoming a police officer might include a high school diploma or a college degree depending on the law enforcement agency or police department.

A great way to prepare for a law enforcement career is to determine the educational requirements for your chosen department. Also, consider what diploma or degree might benefit your career advancement.

What Education Is Best for Police Officers?

There is no perfect academic journey to becoming a police officer. Some people earn a high school diploma and complete police academy training, while others get an associate or bachelor's degree.

The best education for police officers depends on the requirements of your law enforcement agency. Some federal agencies seek applicants with some college coursework or a degree. Departments might allow for just police or military experience.

If you want to get a two- or four-year degree in the field, many colleges and universities offer programs related to police work like criminal justice and law enforcement. For specialized roles, earning an advanced degree might be necessary.

Police Officer Basic Requirements

Before enrolling in a degree program, ensure you're prepared to meet the minimum requirements of becoming a police officer. You might be required to:

be a U.S. citizen (or eligible to work in the U.S.)
have at least a high school diploma or equivalent
be at least 18 to 21 years old (age requirements vary by state and department)
have a valid driver's license
prove you have no DWI/DUI convictions in recent months or felony convictions
show you were honorably discharged (if you were a military service member)
meet minimum vision requirements

You might also be required to live a reasonable distance from your place of work for faster response times.

How To Become a Police Officer

The process of becoming a police officer involves meeting basic requirements and completing other important steps. Here's what it takes for law enforcement officers to start their careers.

Complete an Extensive Background Check

Law enforcement officers are usually required to complete a thorough background check. A review of the following might be included:

past employment
police record
credit history
personal and neighborhood reputation
references
military record (if applicable)

You can also expect to take a polygraph test to verify the background check results.

Gain a High School Diploma or GED

Most law enforcement agencies and police departments require a minimum of a high school diploma — or an equivalent like the GED. However, you might encounter a department that accepts years of work experience in place of a diploma.

Obtain an Associate Degree or Pass the Police Academy

Earning an associate degree is becoming more common among police officers; however, it's usually not a minimum educational requirement. Instead, students typically choose from earning a specific number of college credits or having years of experience. Requirements vary by state, agency, or department.

In Florida, a minimum of a high school diploma is required to become a cop. Individuals who want to become correctional probation officers must earn a bachelor's degree. In California, the PEACE Act requires community colleges to make law enforcement degree programs more accessible by providing financial assistance by 2025.

Another option is to join and pass the police academy. This training program lasts about three to five months and delivers:

class instruction
skills training
physical training
first aid instruction

Pass Your State's Police Licensing Board Entrance Exam

In many states, passing a state's police licensing board or certification exam is required to start a police career. Concepts you might see on a state exam might include:

federal law enforcement
defensive tactics
responses to medical-related calls
giving testimony
correctional probation

The exam could also cover:

defensive tactics
dispatch protocols
how to manage active shooters

Get a Psychological Evaluation

A psychological evaluation is a part of most law enforcement hiring processes. A psychologist or psychiatrist performs the evaluation, which might include psychological tests and a face-to-face interview. The evaluation could assess:

personality characteristics
issues with substance abuse
psychopathological disorders

The goal of the exam is to determine whether a candidate is psychologically prepared to manage the functions of police work.

Gain Experience Working in Law Enforcement

Getting valuable law enforcement experience can help you stand out during the hiring process. Consider volunteering for a police department or sheriff's office. You could also participate in an internship with a law enforcement agency if you're enrolled in a degree program. Whether filing paperwork or answering phones, you can better understand police work in these environments.

Consider Specialized Training or a Law Enforcement Degree

Many options are available to police officers who want to advance their careers. They can elevate through the ranks to become:

corporals
sergeants
lieutenants
captains

Officers could also take on specialized roles as state troopers or detectives. Some roles require additional training. For instance, becoming an FBI agent requires two years of full-time work experience or an advanced degree with one year of experience.

You can also consider a law enforcement degree at a college or university that prepares students for police academy training. A degree might also help you qualify for policing roles as sheriffs, deputy sheriffs, and more.

Featured Online Colleges With Criminal Justice Degrees

Is earning an associate or bachelor's degree your goal? Criminal justice programs are great options. Consider enrolling in an online criminal justice degree from an accredited college or university if you have a busy schedule. Schools with online criminal justice programs include:

Northern State University: Offers an online Associate of Arts (AA) in criminal justice that explores policing, criminology, victimology, criminal law, and the correctional field
Arizona State University: Delivers an online Bachelor of Science (BS) in criminology and criminal justice that examines the effects of crime and strategies for reducing it through coursework focusing on policing, corrections, courts, and more
Colorado State University Global: Offers a 100% online BS in criminal justice that teaches students about forensics, cybercrime, international criminal justice, and methods in crime fighting

FAQs About Becoming a Police Officer

The following frequently asked questions offer greater insight into what it takes to become a police officer.

How Hard Is It To Become a Police Officer?

Becoming a police officer requires meeting educational requirements, taking psychological evaluation, completing police academy training, and more. While starting a police career can be challenging, it is very doable with the right skills, background, and determination.

Is the Police Academy Difficult?

Police academy training requires intense physical and classroom training. It can be difficult but not impossible to navigate. The key is being prepared to study law enforcement coursework, participating in weightlifting, running, and obstacle training, and learning new skills like weapon and radio use.

Is a Police Officer an In-Demand Profession?

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), about 684,000 police officers and sheriff's patrol officers worked in 2022. Among all police and detective roles, working as a police officer was the most in-demand. The BLS expects about 64,500 openings for police and detectives each year from 2022 to 2032.

What Other Career Paths Are Available for Police Officers?

Working on the police force is not the only job option for cops. Here are some additional career paths to consider: