Education · 1 of 5

The path

A four-year degree, then a long hiring process, then an academy. You are hired and then trained, not licensed and then hired.

1. 1

   High school diploma

   Grade 12

   Keep your record clean. A felony conviction or recent drug use will disqualify you from almost every department.

2. 2

   Bachelor's degree

   4 years

   Criminal justice, social work, psychology or sociology are the usual ones. In the federal survey, 88% of employers say a bachelor's degree is required.

3. 3

   Internship or volunteer work with a court

   A semester

   Many departments hire from their own interns. It is also the fastest way to find out whether you can handle the job.

4. 4

   Apply and survive the hiring process

   3 to 9 months

   Written test, panel interview, deep background investigation, drug screen, sometimes a polygraph and a medical exam. Expect three to nine months.

5. 5

   Academy and field training

   3 to 12 months

   A state or agency academy, then months carrying a reduced caseload under a training officer.

6. 6

   Your own caseload

   After training

   Usually 60 to 120 people, depending on the department and the risk level of the cases.