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United States Postal Inspector Requirements and Career Information

Postal Inspectors work for the United States Postal Inspection Service and are considered federal law enforcement agents. They are charged with securing the mail system and protecting the US Postal Service. Postal Inspectors have investigative jursidiction over any criminal, civil or administrative crimes involving the US Postal Service. Their law enforcement jurisdiction encompasses all fifty states while enforcing Postal related laws.

Postal Inspectors often work with other federal, state and local law enforcement agencies to solve crimes related to international mail theft, identity theft, bank fraud, armed robbery cases, child exploitation, organized crime, international drug trafficking, mail bombs, international terrorism and many other areas. In doing so, postal inspectors are expected and required to carry a firearm, be involved in making arrests, testify in court as to the investigation and related items, deliver subpoenas, execute search warrants, pursue and apprehend suspects and perform a variety of other functions.

How to Become a Postal Inspector

Becoming a Postal Inspector is very competitive and according the the United States Postal Inspection Service website, there are many applicants for very few positions. Also, the United States Postal Inspection Service website states general requirements for eligibility for the Postal Inspector position which include being a United States Citizen between the ages of 21 and 36 1/2 years of age, have a 4-year degree from an accredited college or university in any subject (Find 4-year bachelor's degree programs), pass hearing and vision exams, have no felony convictions, have no misdemeanor convictions of domestic violence, possess a valid driver's license, meet physical fitness and health criteria, and demonstrate certain attributes as assessed by the Assessment Center evaluation.

As mentioned before, competitiveness for Postal Inspector positions is high. Certain areas of "Special Knowledge" can help candidates be more competitive. These areas include language skills, postal experience, specialized non-postal skills, and academic achievement. Learn more about these areas at the United States Postal Inspection Service website.

Our research found that many Postal Inspectors started their careers as US Postal Service carriers, mail sorters and in related areas of the US Postal Service. Prior postal experience is one of the areas that qualifies as a "Special Knowledge." Carriers and other postal workers have gone on to earn the required 4-year degree, applied for positions as Postal Inspector and continued on with very successful careers within the US Postal Inspection Service. Below you can find a variety of 4-year degree programs offered by accredited colleges and universities that can help you meet the education requirements for a postal inspector career.

Accredited Four-Year Criminal Justice and Related Degree Programs

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In a Hurry? Click Here to request free information from the Nation's Top Online Criminal Justice Bachelor's Degree Programs

University of Phoenix Online: University of Phoenix can help prepare you for careers in the field of criminal justice. University of Phoenix is the largest private university in the country and is dedicated to their students.

Associate's - Criminal Justice
Bachelor's - Criminal Justice

American InterContinental University:

Associates in Criminal Justice Administration
Bachelor's - Computer Forensics
BSCJ - Law Enforcement
BSCJ - Forensic Science
BSCJ - Special Populations

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Capella University:

BS in Public Safety - Criminal Justice
BS in Public Safety - Emergency Management
BS in Public Safety - Homeland Security
BS in Public Safety - Security Management

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Everest University Online :

Associate's | Bachelor's - Criminal Investigations
Associate's | Bachelor's - Criminal Justice
Associate's | Bachelor's - Homeland Security
Associate's | Bachelor's - Paralegal

Walden University Online:

BS in Criminal Justice - Homeland Security
BS in Criminal Justice - Management & Administration
BS in Criminal Justice - Computer Info Syst & Security
BS in Criminal Justice - Crime & Criminals
MSIS - Enterprise Information Systems Security
MPA - Criminal Justice
MPA - Homeland Security and Policy Coordination

South University: Online

Bachelor's in Criminal Justice - Law Enforcement
Bachelor's in Criminal Justice - Crime Scene Investigation
Bachelor's in Criminal Justice - Cyber Crime
Bachelor's in Criminal Justice - Homeland Security
Bachelor's in Criminal Justice - Juvenile Justice

Virginia College:

AA in Criminal Justice
Associate's in Paralegal Studies
Bachelor's in Criminal Justice

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Kaplan University: School of Criminal Justice

Associate's | Bachelor's - Criminal Justice
Associate's - Corrections, Law Enforcement, Private Security
Bachelor's - Law Enforcement, Computer Crime, Corrections, Homeland Security...

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Florida Tech University Online:

Associate's - Criminal Justice
Bachelor's - Criminal Justice

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Ashford University:

BA in Social Science - Criminal Justice
BA - Social and Criminal Justice
BA in Organizational Management - Criminal Justice
BA in Organizational Management - Public Safety

Request free information from Ashford University to learn more about these programs.

Colorado Technical University Online:

AS in Criminal Justice - Stonecliffe College Online
AS in Paralegal Studies
BS in Criminal Justice

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Keiser University: E-Campus

Associate's | Bachelor's - Criminal Justice, Homeland Security, Paralegal Studies

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Liberty University:

Associate's | Bachelor's - Criminal Justice

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Minnesota School of Business Online:

Associate's - Criminal Justice
Associate's | Bachelor's - Paralegal

Request information to learn more about these as well as other programs at Minnesota Business College.

Portland State University:

Bachelor's - Criminology and Criminal Justice

Rasmussen College Online:

Associate's | Bachelor's - Criminal Justice
Associate's - Financial Investigation, Corrections, Law Enforcement, Crime Scene Evidence, Paralegal

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Saint Leo University:

Bachelor's - Criminal Justice

Utica College Online:

Bachelor's - Cybercrime Investigations and Security
Bachelor's - Cybersecurity- Information Assurance
Bachelor's - Economic Crime Investigation

Westwood College:

Bachelor's in Information Systems Security

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