• Bachelor's Degree in Criminal Justice
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• Federal Protective Service

How to Become a U.S. Federal Protective Service Police Officer

The requirements to become an FPS Officer are simiar to those of other government agencies. One must be a U.S. Citizen, be 21 years of age, have a valid driver's license, pass a physical examination, qualify for a service revolver once per year (other yearly certifications required as well), training at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC).

Fulfilling these basic requirements will make you eligible for employment, however, as with many of the high profile agencies the federal protective service is a very competitive organization to join. One of the best ways to set yourself apart as a job candidate at the FPS is to earn an advanced education, such as a bachelor's or master's degree. Request free information from the nation's top online Criminal Justice Degree Programs designed to prepare students for federal law enforcement and related criminal justice careers . The AIU BSCJ Special Populations Degree program can be completed in 15 months and will prepare you for government agency careers such as with the FPS. A bachelor's degree can substitute for general experience when qualifying for a criminal investigator or officer position and a master's degree will help substitute for the required specialized experience to become a criminal investigator at the FPS. An advanced education does not guarantee you a position, but will increase your chances and pay scale.

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The Federal Protective Service

The Federal Protective Service (FPS) falls under the Department of Homeland Security and is one of the organizations in the Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agency. The Federal Protective Service provides law enforcement and security for more than 8,800 federally leased and owned buildings throughout the United States. There are 1,223 employees working for the FPS. The Federal Protective Service provides all aspects of security and emergency response in federal buildings including HAZMAT, Weapons of Mass Destruction, Canine, and emergency response program as well as state-of-the-art communication and dispatch Mega centers. The FPS used to be a branch of the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA). Since the Homeland Security Act took effect in 2002 the GSA's primary interaction with FPS is in the event of a missing child in any federally owned or leased facility. GSA administers primary responsibility for the U.S. Federal Protective Sevice and locating a missing child.

Federal Protective Sevice Agency Descriptions 

The Federal Protective Service officers are uniformed law enforcement agents with all the jurisdiction that a sheriff would have minus the civil responsibilities. FPS officers are responsible for interrogating suspects, preventing crimes, arresting offenders and assisting police during emergency situations. There is also a small elite force of plain clothes special agents, a physical security force and a support services divisions. The FPS also oversees nearly 15,000 contract security officers or contract guards at federal facilities nationwide. All sectors of the FPS focus on the Nation's interior security and prevention of crime and terrorism. As you can see, there are a number of areas one can find employment within the FPS agency.

Federal Protective Service Salaries

Officers are hired on at the GS-4 level and investigators are hired at the GS-7 level. A sergeant earns the GS-6 or GS-7 pay level, a Lieutenant earns the GS-7, GS-8, GS-9 level depending on education and experience, a captain can earn anywhere from the the GS-7 to the GS-11 level depending on experience and education.

Criminal Justice and Related Degrees

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In a Hurry? Click here to request free information from all of the featured online criminal justice programs with one simple form.

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

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: The FBI considers Capella University to be a preferred provider of higher education for the FBI National Academy Associates (FBINAA). There are only a handful of schools that hold this distinction.

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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American InterContinental University:

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

Colorado Technical University Online:

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

Strayer University: Accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, which is an accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education.

B.S. in Criminal Justice: Criminal Justice Administration
B.S. in Criminal Justice: Homeland Security and Emergency Management
B.S. in Criminal Justice: Homeland Security Technology
B.S. in IS: Homeland Security and Information Systems

Utica College Online:

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

Florida Tech University Online:

Associate's CriminalJustice
Bachelor's - Criminal Justice

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Virginia College:

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

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

Kaplan University:

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

Herzing University:

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

ITT Technical Institute: Online Criminal Justice and Information Technology Degree programs. ITT is accreditated by the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools (ACICS). ACICS is recognized as an independent accrediting agency by the U.S. Department of Education and Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).

AA - Computer Forensics
AA - Criminal Justice
BS - Information Systems Security
BS - Cyber Security
BS - Criminal Justice

Concord Law School: Concord Law School is the first institution to offer a Juris Doctor (JD) degree earned wholly online via state-of-the-art technology. With the latest Internet-adaptive technologies, the Concord program offers excellent course instruction combined with maximum flexibility, specifically designed to fit into today's busy lifestyles.

Juris Doctor Program
Executive JD Program

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

Keiser University: E-Campus

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

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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

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

Upper Iowa University: The University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission and is a member of the North Central Association. UIU offers open enrollment for their Independent Study Programs (distance learning), which means students can enroll and start taking classes anytime.

BS in Public Administration - Fire Science
BS in Public Administration - Law Enforcement
BS in Public Administration
BS 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

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