Do you need to go to college to be a cop?

Question

What do you need to do to be a cop? Can you just go to the Police Academy or do you need to go to College first and then the police academy?

Answer 1

Well, you will need a high school diploma or equivalent (GED) at minimum.

You must be around 21 years of age without a felony.

A college degree or a certain number of college credits/hours are almost becoming required in today's world and is almost required for promotions. A college degree is very helpful when determining potential recruits. A candidate with a college degree is more favorable over a candidate without a degree.

If hired, you will go through a police academy for proper training. Generally, this is at the department's expense.

If you wish to attain a college degree, you should go to college upon graduation of high school. You will graduate when you are around 21 years of age.

Military service also looks great.

Finally, if you are looking at state police and federal police for employment, then you will definitely need some type of degree or a certain number of college hours or credits.

Good luck...

Answer 2

Requirements to become a police officer vary depending on the police department. As far as education goes, some departments only require applicants to have at least a high school diploma or ged, some departments require applicants to have at least a certain amount of college credits (30 or 60 for example) or a 2 year degree, and some departments require applicants to have at least a 4 year degree. Getting a college degree is one of the best things that you can do. Many law enforcement agencies require or prefer applicants to have college. Having a degree could help you get hired by some agencies. Some agencies pay their officers more if they have a degree. Having a degree could also help you get promoted during your career. Many people that want to become law enforcement officers choose criminal justice as their major. However, you don't have to. You should choose a major that interests you and that is marketable. Most law enforcement agencies that require applicants to have college don't require any particular field of study. There are many good majors for law enforcement officers and people that want to become law enforcement officers. Accounting, communications, computer science, a foreign language, and psychology are some examples. When choosing a major, consider what you might want to do if you decide not to become a law enforcement officer or if you can't become a law enforcement officer. Whatever major you choose, make the most of your time in college. Get the highest grade point average that you can, participate in a couple extracurricular activities, get a good internship, don't do anything illegal, and maintain a good reputation.

Answer 3

Depends on where you are applying. A lot require at least 60 college credits. Some will do training through an academy and some require you to have gone to the academy first. Make sure you do your research.

Answer 4

Not in my state. A Joe out of high school turns 21 and makes a salary in the mid $40s upon graduation from police academy

And... I am really trying hard to be nice too, especially not posting links that may break your heart with the truth about police academy requirements

Answer 5

Usually no, but departments will prefer it. And, if the majority of applicants have college credit or a degree, your chances will be much slimmer without one.

In my town (a college town), ALL of the cops have degrees . But the pay isn't too bad.

State troops quite often require at least 60 hours of college credit to be hired.

Any little edge ya have can help during the hiring process.

Answer 6

you ought to get a college degree in case you may. Many police departments require or want applicants to have college. Having a level would desire to grant help to get employed with some departments. some departments pay their officers extra in the event that they have a level. Having a level may additionally grant help to get promoted throughout your profession. Going to a community college is wonderful. you may choose for a considerable that interests you, it relatively is marketable, and that would desire to be useful for police paintings. there are various majors that are good for cops and individuals that desire to grow to be cops. Accounting, communications, computing device technological understanding, a foreign places language, and psychology are some examples. whilst choosing a considerable, evaluate what section you may to concentrate on if given the possibility to as a regulation enforcement officer, evaluate what you may to do in case you may no longer grow to be an officer or choose for to no longer grow to be an officer, and seem at what you may to do as a side activity or once you retire in case you grow to be an officer. despite the fact that considerable you opt for for, make the main of a few time and funds. Get the utmost grade element known which you will, take part in a pair extracurricular events, get a sturdy internship, perform a little wide-unfold volunteer paintings, do no longer do something unlawful, and shelter a sturdy recognition. evaluate getting a 4 365 days degree. Getting police officer jobs is starting to be further and further aggressive. Do despite the fact which you will to make your self the excellent candidate which you will. superb of success!

Answer 7

Depends on your Police or Sheriff's Department if you need college or not. I suggest go to college and then apply to become a Police officer you have better odds of getting the job.

Answer 8

Requirements change by department. College wouldn't hurt and even some departments reward you for having a degree in criminal justice or police science.

Answer 9

You don't need to have a degree. You just need to pass the written, physical, and psychological tests to be selected, and then successfully complete the academy.

Answer 10

Do yourself a favor and go to college first. You will have an easier time getting hired, and easier time getting promoted, and god forbid something happens to you and you can't work as a police officer you will have something to fall back on.