• Online Criminal Justice Degrees
• Illinois CJ Campus Programs
• Chicago PD Website
• Crime Scene Tech. Certificate

How to Become a Chicago Police Officer

1) Start by earning a Degree in Criminal Justice, associate's (2-year) or bachelor's (4-year).
2) Review the requirements below and make sure you meet those requirements
3) Contact the Chicago Police Dept for an application, call 312-747-8220

Find Online Associate's and Bachelor's Degrees in Criminal Justice

Chicago Police Department Information

There are more than 13,000 people that work for the Chicago Police protecting the people and property throughout their jursidictions. City of Chicago Police Officers have the opportunity to work in various areas of interest such as Patrol, the Mounted Unit, the Marine unit, or the Traffic Unit, along with many others.  Learn more about what it takes to work for the Chicago PD below.

Find Requirements to Become a Chicago Police Officer
Find Chicago Police Officer Salary Information

Chicago Police Officer Job Description

Chicago Police Officers impartially enforce laws, protect the people of Chicago and its properties, and conduct related law enforcement duties. Officers have many opportunities for career advancement and to work in a variety of specialty areas within the department to see what fits them best.

Chicago Police Officer Training Academy, Prerequisites and Educational Requirements

The most common degree for a city of chicago police officer to have is a Associate's 's Degree in Criminal Justice. The Chicago Police require applicants to be 21 years old, a U.S. citizen on or before the date of hire, and completion of 60 semester hours of college credit at an accredited college or university. Also acceptable are applicants with four years of continuous active duty in the armed forces of the United States or applicants who have completed 30 semester (or 45 quarter) hours from a college or university accredited by one of the six regional accrediting bodies responsible for evaluating two and four year institutions that grant Associate's and Bachelor's degrees, and one year of continuous active duty in the armed forces of the United States. Applicant’s must also be in possession of a valid driver's license and need to pass an intense background investigation and physical testing. Earning an associate’s degree or bachelor’s degree will set you apart from other candidates. State and Federal agency jobs require applicants to possess a 4-year college degree. Being able to speak a second language fluently is a definite plus for applicants. 

After meeting the above requirements and once hired new recruits will attend a Chicago police academy.

Keep in mind that the higher paying Chicago police officer jobs are in more affluent areas and are therefore much more competitive jobs to apply for. Make sure you can set yourself apart from the competition by earning a college degree before applying or during the application process. A college degree will also start you off at a higher salary in any area, affluent or not. The Bureau of Labor Statistics actually states that those applicants with college training in criminal justice, law enforcement, or police science should have the best opportunities.

Chicago Police Salary and Job Outlook

Successful applicants who are hired as Chicago Police Officers begin their careers at the Chicago PD Training Academy as Probationary Chicago Police Officers. Each PPO must complete an 18-month probationary period.  Chicago PD Academy training consists of the 480 hour minimum course required by the Illinois Governmental Law Enforcement Training Board and 300 hours the Chicago Police Department includes to augment the basic training course.  Course topics include Human Behavior, Criminal Law, Traffic Law, Firearms and Drill Training, Physical Training, Department Administrative Systems and Operations, Policy and Procedures, Report Writing, Crime Investigation Procedures, Safety Practices, and many more.  Successful completion of the course prepares the recruit for the State of Illinois Certificate Examination and the next phase of training-Field Evaluation. Starting salary for the Chicago police department is $43,104. It is increased to $55,723 after one year and an additional increase to $57,744 after 18 months. In addition to these base salaries, there is overtime earning, holiday pay, night differential and uniform allowance.

Promotional opportunities with the Chicago Police Dept and Chicago West Police Department come with experience and require testing for. Earning a degree will set an officer apart in the testing for promotional positions like Chicago Police Swat. All executives within the police department started their career as an entry-level police officer, the opportunities are endless.

There are many career paths to pursue once you become a Chicago Illinois police officer including sergeant, lieutenant, chief and more. Most of these promotions or specialties require advanced education.

Online Criminal Justice Degrees

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In a Hurry? Click Here to request free information from all of the featured Online Criminal Justice Degree Programs

University of Phoenix Online:

Associate of Arts in Criminal Justice
BS in Criminal Justice
MS in Administration of Justice and Security
Information Systems Security Certificate

American InterContinental University Online: The BSCJ in Special Populations is an accelerated Bachelor's Degree program that will prepare you for careers in federal government, such as an Air Marshal.

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

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

Keiser University Online :

AA in Criminal Justice
Associate's in Homeland Security
Bachelor's in Criminal Justice
Bachelor's in Homeland Security
Master's in Criminal Justice

Request information to learn more about these as well as other Criminal Justice Programs at Keiser University.

Rasmussen College Online:

Associate's in Criminal Justice - 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

Capella University:

BS in Criminal Justice
BS Public Safety - Emergency Management, Homeland Security
MS in Criminal Justice
MS in Public Safety - Emergency Management
MS in Public Safety Leadership
PhD Programs - Criminal Justice, Emergency Management, Public Safety Leadership

Virginia College:

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

Lincoln College Online:

BS in Criminal Justice and The Study of the Criminal Mind

Request information from Lincoln College to learn more.

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

Herzing University:

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

Kaplan University:

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

University of the Rockies:

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

Ashford University:

BA in Organizational Management - Criminal Justice

Everest College Online:

Criminal Justice Associate's Degree
Criminal Justice Bachelor of Arts Degree
Criminal Investigations Associate's Degree

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
Masters of Science in Criminal Justice

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
BS in Criminal Justice - Human Services for CJ
MPA - Homeland Security and Policy Coordination, Law and Public Policy
M.S. in Psychology - Terrorism and Security, Crisis Management and Response

Request more information about a Walden University degree program.

Florida Tech University Online:

AA in Criminal Justice
BA in Criminal Justice

Chicago Area Criminal Justice Degree Programs

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 =>
Schaumburg, Chicago, Mokena, and Warrenville.

Argosy University:

Programs Offered: Bachelor's | Psychology - Criminal Justice

Click a Location to Request Program Information => Schaumburg

DeVry University:

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

Click a Location to Request Program Information =>
Tinley Park (Undergrad), Addison / DuPage, Chicago, Online Learning Undergraduate, Chicago - O'Hare, Chicago Loop, Elgin, Gurnee, Lincolnshire, Naperville, Oak Brook, Schaumburg, and Tinley Park (Grad).

Northwestern College:

Programs Offered: Certificate, Associate's | Criminal Justice, Legal Nurse Consultant, Paralegal

Click a Location to Request Program Information =>
Chicago, Naperville, Bridgeview, and Online.

Rasmussen College: Click a Location to Request Program Information => Rockford.

Programs Offered: Associate's | Criminal Justice