• Associate Degrees Criminal Justice
• Bachelor's Degrees Criminal Justice
• Hiring Police Departments
• SFPD Careers

How to Become a San Francisco Police Officer

1) Start by earning an associate's or bachelor's degree (required) The most common degree for a police officer to hold is a criminal justice degree request free information today
2) Review the additional requirements below and make sure you qualify
3) Contact the SFPD to request application information, call 415-575-6325

San Francisco Police Officer Job Description

As a Police Officer with the San Francisco PD you will be assigned a specific geography to patrol and respond to calls thereby making San Francisco a safer city for citizens to live in.  This job requires tasks such as meeting the citizens of San Francisco, directing traffic, investigating crimes, or aiding the victims of accidents or crimes.

San Francisco Police Academy Training, Prerequisites and Educational Requirements for Becoming a Police Officer with the San Francisco Police

Request free information from University of Phoenix Online , Everest University Online and Kaplan University Online. Compare these schools and learn more about how a degree can help you succeed in a San Francisco Police Officer career.

The SFPD requires applicants to be 21 years old, a U.S. citizen, possess a GED or equivalent, 2-year or 4-year college degree, valid driver's license, no "class A" misdemeanor or felony, no "b class" misdemeanor in last 10 years and 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 (bachelor's).  Fluency in a second language is a defining qualification for applicants.  Once accepted to the San Francisco Police Department you will attend training at the academy for 28 weeks and will earn a full salary.  After successfully completing your training at the academy you will be in the field with an SFPD field training officer. This is where you will put to use the skills and knowledge you develped at the academy.

Remember that the more lucrative SFPD police officer jobs located in the affluent areas of San Francisco. This makes these positions extremely competitive.  Getting a college degree either before applying or during the application process can help you set yourself apart from the competition. Having a college degree will also enable you to be hired at a better salary than those without higher education. The Bureau of Labor Statistics actually that those applicants with college training in criminal justice or police science should have the best opportunities with the SFPD.

San Francisco Police Officer Salary and Job Outlook

The San Francisco Police Department pays very well with entry level police officers earning between $64,347 and $84,513 depending on prior experience and education. There are a number of promotional opportunities within the SFPD as well. Some of these include becoming a sergeant, lieutenant, or police chief. As stated earlier, having a degree can give you a definite advantage over the competition when you apply for these positions.

Request free information from the fully accredited online schools below and see how a degree in criminal justice can help you succeed in your career as a SFPD police officer.

Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement Degrees for the SFPD

= 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

American InterContinental University:

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

Request free information from AIU to learn more about these programs.

Kaplan University:

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

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

Rasmussen College Online: Locations throughout the Country - Offering Online Programs

Certificate - Police Officer Education
Associate's in Accounting - Financial Investigation
Associate's Criminal Justice
Associate's Paralegal Studies
Bachelor's Criminal Justice

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

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
PhD in Public Policy - Homeland Security

Request information about a Walden University degree program.

Lincoln College Online:

BS in Criminal Justice and The Study of the Criminal Mind

Request information from Lincoln College to learn more.

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
PhD Programs - Criminal Justice, Emergency Management, and Public Safety Leadership

Request free information from Capella University to learn more.

Everest University Online:

Criminal Investigations Associate's Degree
Homeland Security Associate's Degree
Homeland Security Bachelor's Degree
Criminal Justice Associate's Degree
Criminal Justice Bachelor's Degree

Herzing University:

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

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 programs at Keiser University.

Virginia College:

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

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

Campus Programs in San Francisco and Surrounding Areas

Request information from the school(s) by selecting a campus location

University of Phoenix: University of Phoenix offers accredited degree programs—Criminal Justice, Business, Technology, Education, Health Care or other fields—for working adults at campuses in California.

Choose the location nearest you for program information =>

Bay Area Campuses: Concord, Livermore, Oakland, San Jose, Fremont, Novato, San Francisco, Pleasanton
Central Valley Campuses: Bakersfield, Visalia, Fresno
Sacramento Valley Campuses: Beale AFB, Elk Grove, Sacramento (Crowne Corporate Center), Sacramento (Gateway Oaks), Modesto, Rancho Cordova, Suisun City (Fairfield), Lathrop, Chico, Roseville

Everest College: Everest College offers training in the criminal justice, homeland security and paralegal fields.

Campuses in: Ontario, City of Industry, San Jose and West Los Angeles
Degrees: Associate's Criminal Justice, Bachelor's Criminal Justice, Homeland Security Specialist

Request Information Today =>

Argosy University:

Programs Offered: Master's in Forensic Psychology, Bachelor of Arts in Psychology - Criminal Justice

Click a Location to Request Program Information => San Francisco Bay Area

DeVry University:

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

Click a Location to Request Program Information =>
Fremont (Undergrad), Fremont (grad), Sacramento, and San Francisco

Heald College:

Programs Offered: Criminal Justice, Legal Assistant | Associate's and Diploma

Click a Location to Request Program Information =>
Concord, Fresno, Hayward, San Jose, Salinas, Rancho Cordova - Sacramento, Roseville - Sacramento, and Stockton.

Maric College:

Programs Offered: Criminal Justice, Legal Administrative Assistant, Paralegal Studies | Associate's

Click a Location to Request Program Information =>
Sacramento, Modesto, Palm Springs, Bakersfield, Fresno, and Stockton

San Joaquin Valley College:

Programs Offered: Associate's - Corrections Officer

Click a Location to Request Program Information =>
Bakersfield, Fresno, Rancho Cucamonga, Visalia, Modesto, and Rancho Cordova

Western Career College:

Programs Offered: Associate's in Criminal Justice

Click a Location to Request Program Information =>
Emeryville, Citrus Heights, Antioch, San Jose, San Leandro, Stockton, and Pleasant Hill