• Criminal Justice Associate's Degrees
• Criminal Justice BAchelor's Degrees
• Law Enforcement Degrees
• Sheriff's Officer Job Postings

How to Become a Sheriff Officer

A Deputy Sheriff or Sheriff's Officer protects life and property through enforcement of local, state, and federal criminal laws, traffic laws, administrative rules, and county ordinances.  A sheriff also provides deterrence, detection and investigation of crimes and apprehension of criminal suspects. 

Find Online Schools That Will Give You the Criminal Justice Education and Training You Need for this Career

Requirements to Become a Deputy Sheriff or Sheriff Officer

You must be a U.S. Citizen, 21 years of age, have completed the GED or equivalent, and most departments ask that you have at least an associate’s degree.  A bachelor’s degree in criminal justice will set you even more apart from the rest of the applicants at any sheriff’s department.

Request free information from University of Phoenix School of Criminal Justice and see how a degree can help you succeed in a career as a sheriff.

Training to become a Sheriff

Once selected after the application process you will be sent to one of the many Sheriff’s training academies.  At the Sheriff’s Academy you will learn the basics of law enforcement duties, investigating crimes and apprehending law violators.  Once you time at the Sheriff’s training academy is completed you will continue to learn the many facets of law enforcement at the sheriff’s department and through your mentor. 

Sheriff Officer Salaries

Sheriff’s Patrol Officers earned a median salary of $45,210 a year as of May 2004.  The top 10% of Sheriff’s Patrol Officers made more than $68,880 a year.  Sheriff salaries will vary by location of sheriff’s departments.  Those in more affluent areas will earn significantly more than in less affluent areas.  As would be expected the sheriff jobs in the more affluent areas are much more competitive and the need to set yourself apart is even more important.  Learn more about a sheriff’s career from a criminal justice school near you by requesting free information today.

Online Criminal Justice Degrees

= Staff Recommended Schools

Click Here to request free information from all of the featured Criminal Justice Degree Programs.

Kaplan University: Undergraduate Programs

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

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

Kaplan University: Graduate Programs

Master's in CJ - Corrections
MSCJ - Law
MSCJ - Global Issues in Criminal Justice
MSCJ - Policing
MSCJ - Leadership / Executive Management

University of Phoenix Online: University of Phoenix will help thoroughly 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
BS in Organizational Security & Management
MS in Administration of Justice and Security
Information Systems Security Certificate

American InterContinental University:

Associates in Criminal Justice Administration
BSCJ - Law Enforcement
BSCJ - Forensic Science
BSCJ - Special Populations

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

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.

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

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

Liberty University Online:

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

Minnesota School of Business Online:

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

Northwestern College Online:

AA in Criminal Justice

Portland State University:

Bachelor's in Criminology and Criminal Justice

St Leo University: Undergrad Studies - Distance Learning

Bachelor's in Criminology

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 Criminal Justice Programs at Virginia College.

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.