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This career is expected to grow 11 percent—about the same as the national average—through 2016. An increased national interest in security issues will fuel the growth.
Opportunities will grow fastest (at a rate of about 17 percent between now and 2016) for detectives and criminal investigators.
In 2006, police and sheriff’s patrol officers earned an average salary greater than $47,000. Police and detective supervisors earned an average salary greater than $69,000. Detectives and criminal investigators earned an average greater than $58,000. Police and detectives often earn more than their base salaries because of payments for overtime.
Police officers and detectives protect people’s lives and property. They pursue and apprehend individuals who break the law. They also spend time writing reports and maintaining records. Most police officers patrol their jurisdictions and investigate any suspicious activity they notice. Detectives perform investigative duties such as gathering facts and collecting evidence.
Some job roles include: uniformed police officers, who maintain regular patrols and respond to calls for service; sheriffs and deputy sheriffs, who enforce the law on the county level; state troopers or highway patrol officers, who arrest criminals statewide and patrol highways; and a wide variety of federal employees, who work in agencies such as the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the Border Patrol, or the Secret Service.
Applicants must hold at least a high school education. Many departments now require one to two years of college coursework in criminal justice or an associate degree. In many cases, a bachelor’s degree will be required.
To be considered for appointment as an FBI agent, an applicant must be a college graduate and have at least three years of professional work experience, or have an advanced master’s degree plus two years of professional work experience. Most federal law enforcement agencies require either a bachelor’s degree or related work experience or two.
Licensing: None.
Entering the Field: If you’re looking for a job in local or state law enforcement, you will fare best if you have military experience coupled with at least an associate degree in law enforcement, criminal justice, psychology or police forensics.
If you’re seeking a job in a federal agency, you will almost certainly need a bachelor’s degree along with several years of on-the-job law enforcement or military experience.
Career Changers: Because many federal agencies, like the FBI, value additional skills and experiences—such as knowledge of a foreign language, law, or outside work experience—coming from another career field will give you an advantage over entry-level applicants, provided you’re qualified educationally.
Those with military backgrounds make ideal candidates for homeland security, immigration and related government security positions.
Applicants with at least a bachelor's degree in human services, public administration, criminal justice, criminology, law, legal studies, sociology, counseling, law enforcement, paralegal studies, justice administration and management, forensics, and the general social sciences will receive the best job offers and salary grades.

Find online degrees for Justice, Law & Legal Studies now. >>

 
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Q I’m looking for an online MBA. I’ve found several that fit my budget but none are accredited by the AACSB. What is the AACSB? Do I really need a distance MBA degree that is accredited by them? —Roberta, Gary, IN
A The AACSB is the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business International. It is considered the gold standard of business school accreditation. But not every student needs an AACSB-accredited MBA...
Q I was laid off from my job as a real estate agent and want to be a high school math teacher, but my bachelor’s degree is in psychology. Do I need a new degree in education? Will an online bachelor’s in education qualify me to become a licensed teacher? —Willis, Houston, Texas
A If you didn’t earn a bachelor’s degree in education years ago and you now want to teach in the public schools, don’t fret. Every state maintains what are termed “alternative teacher certification” programs...
 
Featured Programs
University of Cincinnati-Main Campus
Reach for a higher degree of justice! This is the only CJ degree offered by a Top 3 Criminal Justice School. Complete your degree in as little as one year with this affordable, regionally accredited program. The distinguished UC professors rank as the most published faculty nationally in journals of CJ research. Their real-world strategies are focused on helping you solve the most important challenges confronting the CJ field today.
Troy University eCampus
Get the College Degree You Always Wanted Choosing a college is one of the most important decisions you’ll make in your life. Through TROY’s eCampus program you can obtain an associate or bachelor’s degree in an extensive array of studies. TROY’s more than 60 campuses and sites located in 16 states and 12 international locations allow working adults with the flexibility to achieve academic goals. Learn more about the undergraduate programs offered through TROY’s eCampus.
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For active-duty military, reservists, veterans, and military families.
More than half of military students use online education. What do you need to know to find schools that best fit your needs? How can you find the best financial aid and scholarship package at your online school? Answers are here.

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The field of online education is growing and so is the need for teachers who can teach online. Check out our regularly updated list of online job opportunities, post your job availability, and visit our Online Resource Center, with tips, advice and free downloads for online educators.

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