• Criminal Justice Colleges in Texas
• Online Criminal Justice Degrees
• Austin Police (Official Site)

How to Become an Austin Police Officer

The first step is to complete and submit a pre-screen application. You can do this by accessing the "application" area on the official APD website. Click on the link to the right to access this site. Once on this page you can navigate around to learn more about the Austin PD and becoming a police officer.

Austin Police Officer applicants are required to have 30 college semester units completed at an accredited university. While you are waiting for your application to be processed and the testing date to arrive you can complete your education requirements. Having earned a degree, applicants are much more competitive for the select entry-level officer positions as well as new assignments and promotions later on.

Find Online Criminal Justice Programs Now

Austin Police Officer Job Description

As a Police Officer with the Austin Police one's job is to patrol a given geography, respond to calls, and make Austin a safe city for citizens to reside.  Many times the job requires meeting the citizens of Austin, the directing of traffic, investigating a crime, or aiding a victim of an accident or crime.  In local, state, and federal police related departments a police officer’s career description includes maintaining law and order, collecting evidence, and conducting investigations.

Austin Police Academy Training, Prerequisites and Educational Requirements

A Bachelor's in Criminal Justice is the degree that many police officers have in common on the Austin force. The Austin PD requires applicants to be at least 20 1/2 years old and no older than 41 years of age. They must be a U.S. citizen, have a GED or equivalent, at least 30 semester hours completed at an accredited college, possess a valid driver's license, no "class A" misdemeanor or felony, and no "b class" misdemeanor in last 10 years. In addition, all applicants will need to pass a background investigation and rigorous physical testing.

Getting an associate’s degree or bachelor’s degree in criminal justice or law enforcement will help to set yourself apart from other Austin PD candidates.  State and Federal agency jobs require applicants to possess a 4-year college degree.  It is important to note that a college degree can also help you start off at a higher salary grade than those without higher education. The ability to speak a second language fluently is also a defining factor for applicants.  Once accepted to the Austin Police Dept you will attend training at the Austin Police Academy and will start earning a salary.  The next few weeks of training will take place in the field with an Austin PD field training officer. This is where all of the skills you acquired at the academy will be applied.

Find Schools with Criminal Justice / Law Enforcement Degrees Now

Austin Police Officer Salary and Job Outlook

The Austin Police Department pays Police Cadets $32,001, Probationary Police Officers $47,022, Police Officer 1 year anniversary $50,015. After the first year with the Austin Police Department salaries increase at a steady rate. There are many promotional opportunities within the Austin PD such as sergeant, lieutenant, police chief, etc. After two years of service officers can post or test for new positions. Having a degree will not only present more opportunities for promotion, but it can set an officer apart in the testing for these positions. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the demand for police officers through 2012 will continue to be high.

Request free information from the fully accredited online and campus based schools below. Discover how a degree in criminal justice or law enforcement can help lead you to a successful Austin police officer career.

Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement Degrees Online

= Staff Recommended

Short on Time? Click Here to request free information from all Criminal Justice Degree Programs

University of Phoenix Online:

Associates of Arts Criminal Justice
BS in Criminal Justice

Rasmussen College Online:

Associate's in CJ - Homeland Security
Associate's in Criminal Justice
AACJ - Corrections
AACJ - Crime Scene Evidence
AACJ - Law Enforcement
Bachelor's in Criminal Justice
Certificate - Police Officer Education

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

American Intercontinental University Online:

Associate's Criminal Justice Administration
BSCJ - Law Enforcement
BSCJ - Forensic Science
BSCJ - Special Populations

Bryant & Stratton College : Bryant & Stratton College Online is accredited by the Commission on Higher Education of the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools, one of the six regional accreditation agencies recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education and the Commission on Recognition of Postsecondary Accreditation.

Associate's in Criminal Justice
Bachelor's in Criminal Justice

Capella University:

BS in Criminal Justice
BS in Public Safety - Emergency Management
MS in Criminal Justice
MS in Public Safety - Emergency Management
MS in Public Safety Leadership

Kaplan University:

AAS in Criminal Justice
AASCJ - Corrections, Law Enforcement, Private Security
BS in Criminal Justice
BSCJ - Law Enforcement, Computer Crime, Corrections, Homeland Security...

Drexel University Online: Drexel University is regionally accredited by Middle States Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools. There is a strong focus on criminology as well as the many other facets of criminal justice including administration, policies and procedures, law, corrections and much more. Learn more by requesting information today.

BS in Criminal Justice Online

Virginia College:

AA in Criminal Justice
Bachelor's in Criminal Justice
Master's in Criminal Justice
Master's in Cybersecurity

University of the Rockies:

Master of Arts in Psychology - Criminology and Justice Studies
Doctor of Psychology - Criminology and Justice Studies

Lincoln College Online:

BS in Criminal Justice and The Study of the Criminal Mind

Florida Tech University Online:

AA in Criminal Justice
BA in Criminal Justice

Herzing University:

AS in Criminal Justice
BS in Criminal Justice
BS in Criminal Justice - Homeland Security
BS in Homeland Security

Ashford University:

BA in Organizational Management - Criminal Justice

Colorado Technical University Online:

A.S. in Criminal Justice
B.S. in Criminal Justice
M.S. in Management Criminal Justice

Everest University Online:

CJ Associate's Degree
CJ Bachelor of Arts Degree

Walden University Online: Walden University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission and a member of the North Central Association. The Higher Learning Commission is one of six regional accrediting bodies recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

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
MPA - Homeland Security and Policy Coordination
M.S. in Psychology - Terrorism and Security or Crisis Management and Response
PhD in Public Policy - Homeland Security

On Campus Criminal Justice Programs in Texas

Request Information from the School(s) by Selecting a Campus Location

University of Phoenix:

Programs Offered: Associate's, Bachelor's, and Master's | Administration of Justice and Security, Criminal Justice/Administration, Organizational Security & Management

Click a Location to Request Program Information =>
Dallas/Fort Worth, Houston, or San Antonio.

Everest College:

Programs Offered: Associate's | Paralegal and Criminal Justice

Click a Location to Request Program Information =>
Dallas, Fort Worth, or Mid Cities.

Center for Advanced Legal Studies:

Programs Offered: Associate's and Certificate | Paralegal Studies (ABA Approved and Accredited)

Click a Location to Request Program Information =>
Houston.

DeVry University:

Programs Offered: Bachelor's and Master's | Certified Fraud Examiner, Technical Management - Criminal Justice

Click a Location to Request Program Information =>
Houston (Undergrad), Irving (Undergrad), Austin, Fort Worth, Houston/Galleria

Remington College:

Programs Offered: Associate's | Criminal Justice

Click a Location to Request Program Information =>
Dallas, Fort Worth, and Houston.