Fast Facts: Law Enforcement

Number of police and detectives, 2006: 861,000
Projected job growth through 2016: Average
Mean 2007 earnings for detectives and criminal investigators: $62,500
Mean 2007 earnings for police and sheriff's patrol officers: $50,670

Source:
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Law Enforcement Articles

Law Enforcement: More than the Police Force
Our directory of online law enforcement degree programs can tell you everything you need to know about becoming a part of this field. Read More >
2009-02-02
All Law Articles

Law Enforcement Degree and Programs

Law enforcement professionals help keep our society safe and functioning, and protect lives and property. This expanding field includes jobs in city and state police departments, federal agencies and even international organizations. The most common law enforcement job is police officer/detective. About three quarters of law enforcement agents work for local governments, with about 10 percent employed by state police agencies and the rest employed by various federal agencies.

Law Enforcement Career Training

Local police departments usually require applicants to have a high school diploma, to be over 20 years old, and to meet a stringent set of personal requirements. Though on-the-job career training is usually provided, police departments often prefer or require applicants with some college credit, or an associate or bachelor's degree. Many colleges and universities offer degree programs in law enforcement and administration of justice, both of which are appropriate programs for aspiring law enforcement officers.

Featured Law Enforcement Degree and Programs

AIU Online

Earn an online degree that really matters from AIU Online.

American InterContinental University Online's flexible curriculum allows you to study when and where it's most convenient. Earn your degree at an accelerated pace from an accredited school that is respected by employers.

Programs:

Bachelor's of Science in Criminal Justice - Law Enforcement

University of Phoenix

Whether you're seeking an associate's, bachelor's, master's or doctoral degree, University of Phoenix can help you reach your goal much sooner than you might expect.

With convenient class locations as well as online learning, University of Phoenix makes quality higher education highly accessible. Whether you're seeking an associate's, bachelor's, master's or doctoral degree, we can help you reach your goal while you work-and much sooner than you might expect.

Programs:

BS in Organizational Security and Management

Kaplan University

Advance your career with an online degree from Kaplan University.

Advance your career and get the distinct competitive advantage you need with an online degree from Kaplan University. And do it without missing a day of work.

Programs:

Grand Canyon University

Grand Canyon University is currently offering programs through our Online Campus in our College of Education, Ken Blanchard College of Business, College of Nursing & Health Sciences, College of Liberal Arts, and College of Entrepreneurship.

Don't Miss a Day of Your Future! Grand Canyon University is offering Bachelor and Master degrees through our College of Education, Ken Blanchard College of Business, College of Nursing & Health Sciences, College of Liberal Arts, and College of Entrepreneurship. Classes start soon!

Programs:

M.S. in Criminal Justice: Law Enforcement

Ashford University

Earn your degree online, on your timetable, at Ashford University Online.

Ashford University Online offers degree programs designed for working professionals like you. Study online, on your own time, and graduate in as little as 12 to 24 months.

Programs: