Law Enforcement--All Degree Levels
Careers that Require a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology
Law Enforcement Careers--Police Officer
Can a Psychology degree lead to being a police officer?Quicj answer: DEFINITELY! Let's start with talking about all that police officers do. Tobegin, we know that police officers are sworn to defend and protect the lives of people and their property. This leads them to investigate crimes (e.g., gather evidence), arrest and detain suspects, testify in court, deal with emergencies, patrol neighborhoods, and write reports. Thery work asigned shifts, but in reality they are alays on all.
The educational requirements for a police officer can vary a great deal. Some police departments only require a high school diplomma. However, more and more police departments are requiring a college degree (think Psychology degree!). With your Psychology degree, you will apply for a speciic department and then attend a police academy. Finally, you will be required to have a period of on-the-job training. Keep in mid that police officer candidates must be U.S. citizens, usually at least 21 years old, and able to meet rigorous physical and personal qualifications.
Click here to read about various types of careers in policing. Salary Informationpayscale.com lists the average yearly income for Police Officers at $50,000.
Click here to read important steps to a career in Law Enforcement. Other links on explorecareersinpsychology.orgClick here to return to homepage of explorecareersinpsychology.org
Click here to return to the Careers by Category page.
Click here to return to the Law Enforcement Careers page.
Click on the links below to read about other Law Enforcement careers that only require a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology:
Law Enforcement Careers--Corrections Officer
Law Enforcement Careers--Probation Officers
Can I use my Psychology degree to be a Probation Officer?Another career option in law enforcement with a Psychology degree is that of a Probation officers (sometimes called Correctional Treatment Specialists). These individuals are government employees. They work with and monitor offenders who have been released from prison on probation or originally sentenced to probation to prevent them from committing new crimes. As part of their monitoring, Probation Officers are helping individuals succeed in the community. Thus a Probation Officer works with offenders to coordinate rehabilitation services, and to arrange job training. Sometimes probation officers are asked to write reports on offenders and make recommendations for sentencing. It is typically the case that Probation Officers work with nonviolent or first-time offenders, and thus are they are seldom armed.
Having your Psychology degree will serve to get you a job as a Probation Officer. If you would like to advance in this field you will have to earn an advanced degree.
Salary InformationThe Bureau of Labor Statistics lists the median salary for a probation officer at $51,000.
Click here to read important steps to a career in Law Enforcement. Other links on explorecareersinpsychology.orgClick here to return to homepage of explorecareersinpsychology.org
Click here to return to the Careers by Category page.
Click here to return to the Law Enforcement Careers page.
Click on the links below to read about other Law Enforcement careers that only require a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology:
Law Enforcement Careers--Corrections Officer
Law Enforcement Careers--Corrections Officer
A Psychology degree can lead to a career as a Corrections OfficerThere are a number of law enforcement careers that your Psychology degree can lead to. One of these careers is that of a Corrections Officer. This job involves overseeing individuals who have been arrested and are awaiting trial or who have been sentenced to serve time in a jail or prison. A Corrections Officer may perform one of the following duties: supervise inmates in their housing units, patrol living quarters and work areas, and maintain control ina correctional facility. You may say to yourself, who wants to work in a prison? However, keep in mind that being a Corrections Officer can be very rearding because you are a critical piece of the justice system and are thus serving the public in a meaningful way.
Salary InformationThe Bureau of Labor Statistics lists the average salary for a corrections officer at $43,500.
Click here to read an example description of the duties of a Corrections Officer in greater detail for a particular state. Click here to read important steps to a career in Law Enforcement. Other links on explorecareersinpsychology.orgClick here to return to homepage of explorecareersinpsychology.org
Click here to return to the Careers by Category page.
Click here to return to the Law Enforcement Careers page.
Click on the links below to read about other Law Enforcement careers that only require a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology:
Law Enforcement Careers--Police Officer
Law Enforcement Careers--Parole Officer
Using a Psychology degree to be a Parole OfficerWitha Psychology degree you can pursue a career as a Parole officer. These individuals work with and continually monitor (supervise) offenders who have been released from prison before their sentence is over. Moreover, parole officers make sure to meet the conditions for parole set by a court or jurisdiction, and make recommendations on the parolee’s performance. Keep in mind that parole is approved for individuals to help them establish a life in society. Hopefully parole will then let an individual succeed and not reoffend. To help a parolee, a parole officer will meet with the parole and develop a plan for moving forward in the parolee's life. In addition, a parole officer will assist the parolee to find a place to live and gain employment, and find a place to live. During the time an individual is on parole, a parole officer will monitor and evalute the parolee, and will attend any court hearings that might arise. It is important to note that if a parolee does not meet the conditions of parole (e.g., commits a crime) he or she can be sent back to jail. It is up to a Parole Officer to make sure an individual meets the conditions of parole In this way, like a Probabtion Officer, Parole Officer are committed to helping offenders from committing additional crimes and transition back to society. IIn addition to constant monitoring of paroled offenders, Parole Officers work hard to continually communicate with their clients to make sure everything is moving forward toward the transition back to society.
Read more about parole by clicking here.Salary Information
salary.com lists the median salary for a Parole Officer at $56,000.
Click here to read important steps to a career in Law Enforcement. Other links on explorecareersinpsychology.orgClick here to return to homepage of explorecareersinpsychology.org
Click here to return to the Careers by Category page.
Click here to return to the Law Enforcement Careers page.
Click on the links below to read about other Law Enforcement careers that only require a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology:
Law Enforcement Careers--Corrections Officer