If you want to spend your career protecting and serving your community, investigating and apprehending assailants, bringing justice to victims of crime, and helping rehabilitate criminals, a degree in Law Enforcement and Corrections could be a great fit for you.

Types of Degrees

Law Enforcement and Corrections students can pursue an associate degree (2 years), bachelor's degree (4 years), master's degree (6-7 years), or doctorate degree (8+ years). In this field, an associate degree is typically enough to land jobs as a correctional officer while those hoping to become police officers, detectives, or investigators will typically need a bachelor's degree.

Admission Requirements

A high school diploma or equivalent is required, with a strong academic background helping applicants obtain acceptance into their desired school. Each school has its own specific requirements, making it important for you to explore several options before settling on a particular school.

Career Opportunities After Earning A Law Enforcement and Corrections Degree

The range of career opportunities available to someone with a degree in Law Enforcement and Corrections include:

• Police/Detective
• Correctional Officer/Bailiff
• Criminal Investigator
• Information based on national data, not school-specific information. Conditions in your area may vary.

Post Graduate Salary Information

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median salary for Police Officers and Detectives was $74,910 in 2023 ¹ while Correctional Officers and Bailiffs earned a median salary of $53,290 in 2023. ²

Note that the average salary varies widely not only depending on career chosen, but on geographical location and employer. Conditions in your area may vary.

References

1. Bureau of Labor Statistics
2. Bureau of Labor Statistics

• Careers associated with these educational opportunities often require additional degrees and certifications not offered as part of the educational opportunities presented by this website.
• Information based on national data, not school-specific information. Conditions in your area may vary.