While many people are on the lookout for the best jobs, they often overlook law enforcement careers. However, careers in law enforcement can be rewarding, with great opportunities for benefits and pay. You might be wondering how you would get started looking for a career in law enforcement, though. Isn’t it hard to become a law enforcement professional?
Thankfully, there are numerous online programs that offer opportunities to pursue a law enforcement degree. If you’ve been wanting a change of pace in your career, this is a field you should be thinking about. You can serve your community and advance your career prospects when you get into law enforcement.
Online Law Enforcement Degrees
Online Degrees
Contrary to popular belief, there are numerous accredited and well-respected online universities that offer law enforcement degrees. Whether you’re already out of school but looking for a change of career, or never went to college but want to advance your career prospects, there’s a lot to like about online degree programs.
When you go to a traditional college, you have to set aside time in your day to attend lectures, take tests and other such activities. That’s all fine if you’re a kid, but a busy adult rarely has that kind of down time to spend on a university campus. That’s where online degrees come in.
Your Education, Your Way
Online degrees allow you the freedom and flexibility to take courses at your own pace. If you find you’ve got little time during the day for classes, you can take your lessons and tests at night after you get home from work. If you have children you need to take care of, it’s hard to get time set aside for classes. Thankfully, online degree programs are flexible enough to work with your schedule.
It’s also worth noting that many online degrees are also very affordable when compared to traditional universities. Keeping your costs down while pursuing your degree is a huge help for a working person!
Law Enforcement Careers
There are a number of rewarding careers in the field of law enforcement. The most obvious of these is police officer. While you’ll still need police training following your degree program, a law enforcement degree is the first step to becoming a police officer.
There are many other types of jobs in the law enforcement field, too. Many careers with federal agencies require a law enforcement degree, as to jobs with the courts system. Another potential avenue for law enforcement careers would be through national parks, as a park ranger.
Law enforcement careers are often tied directly in with the operations of the federal or a state government, meaning that they are often subject to background checks and rigorous vetting. As long as you’ve got a clean record and a passion for service to your community, you’ll likely fit right into the law enforcement field.
Average Pay
The average pay of a law enforcement career can vary widely from job to job. For instance, even among police officers, though the median income is $60,000, that number can vary immensely from department to department. Experience, background and length of service also have a lot to do with pay.
On the other hand, a job with a national park or a job with a federal court could offer vast ranges in pay based on where you’re working. One commonality, however, is that benefits tend to be exceptional for government work. Medical, dental and other such health coverage are all common with law enforcement jobs, and retirement benefits are a common draw to such jobs.
If you feel as though a job in law enforcement would be ideal for you, seeking out an online degree is step one. The rest is up to you!