1. BS, Criminal Justice

As competition has increased for law enforcement jobs, more and more agencies have implemented minimum college education requirements for applicants. A Criminal Justice (or Administration of Justice) degree will give candidates interested in police work the broadest understanding of the criminal justice system.

Potential Careers:
Police Officer
Corrections, Probation, or Parole Officer
Social Worker
Crime Scene Investigator (CSI)

Salary Range:
$35,000 – $76,000

2. Master’s, Criminal Justice

A Master’s degree in Criminal Justice (or Administration of Justice) helps to distinguish true leaders in law enforcement. Expectations for police leadership have never been higher, including the expectation of an advanced degree. Obtaining a Master’s degree will help place current officers on the top of the promotional list. Federal law enforcement agencies, such as the FBI, will accept a Master’s degree in place of prior law enforcement or military service for special agent positions.

Potential Careers:
Detective
First Line Supervisor (ie, Sergeant, Lieutenant, etc.)
Police Administration (ie, Captain, Major, etc.)
Federal Agent
Law Enforcement Analysts

Salary Range:
$50,000 – $90,000

3. Forensic Science Degrees

A Bachelor of Science in Forensic Science or other related studies is the ideal degree for candidates interested in non-law enforcement jobs within the criminal justice field. Crime Scene Investigators (CSI) and crime lab technicians require the hands-on lab work and studies provided through a Forensic Science degree.

Potential Careers:
Crime Scene Investigator (CSI)
Crime Lab Technician
Detective
Federal Agent
Analyst

Salary Range:
$43,000 – $67,000

4. BS in Accounting

With the steady rise of white collar crime and the extremely complex investigations required to unravel them, both traditional police agencies and federal law enforcement agencies are looking for officers and agents with a much narrower discipline than a traditional Criminal Justice degree officers. Candidates with accounting or finance degrees are highly sought after and are usually assigned as detectives or federal agents in white collar crime divisions.

Potential Careers:
Detective
FBI Agent, DEA Agent or IRS Criminal Investigator
Federal Agent Supervisor

Salary Range:
$50,000 – $120,000

5. Information Technology Degrees

Information technology degrees, such as computer science, engineering, or information security, are also highly sought after within a large variety of law enforcement agencies. The FBI considers an information technology degree as “critical skill” and gives preference to candidates who hold such a degree. Most other local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies also heavily recruit candidates with IT degrees.

Potential Careers:
Police Officer, Detective
FBI Agent, ATF Agent, Secret Service Agent or US Marshal
Federal Agent Supervisor

Salary Range:
$50,000 – $120,000