Federal Law Enforcement Jobs Requiring an Associate Degree

by Ron White, Demand Media

Most federal law enforcement jobs establish education requirements based on the pay level for the position. The federal government uses a pay scale identified by the letters “GS” followed by a number. The GS-1 level is the lowest. Most law enforcement officers start at the GS-5 level. This level requires a bachelor’s degree, but federal government standards allow for some leeway, which provides opportunities for those with an associate degree to compete for federal law enforcement jobs.

Border Patrol Officers

The requirements for new border patrol agents include provisions that allow room for someone with less than a bachelor’s degree. You can meet qualifications through a combination of education and work experience. To qualify at the GS-5 level, you need to have a bachelor’s degree or 36 months of qualified work experience, or a combination of an associate degree and work experience. A formula determines how much work experience is required if you have an associate degree. You can earn this work experience in any qualifying occupation, but a special program also provides an opportunity to earn the experience with the department. Through the Recent Graduates Program, those earning an associate degree can gain developmental experience working for the federal government. Upon the completion of qualifying work experience, you become a qualified candidate for professional customs and border patrol agents.

Federal Bureau of Prisons Correctional Officers

The Federal Bureau of Prisons requires correctional officers to possess a bachelor’s degree or the equivalent of at least three years of full-time general experience performing duties common to the job. These duties include providing assistance, guidance and direction; counseling; responding to emergencies; supervising; managing; teaching; or selling products or services requiring persuasion. The Bureau of Prisons identifies qualifying experience as working as a teacher or instructor, counselor, clergyman, emergency medical technician, nurse, firefighter, social worker, car or insurance salesman, security guard or daycare worker.

U.S. Immigration Officers

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or ICE, hires immigration enforcement agents, uniformed officers who investigate, identify and arrest immigration law violators. The violators are processed for detention, prosecution and deportation. Agents help with deporting aliens and finding absconders. ICE hires officers at the GS-9 level. This level requires a bachelor’s degree with at least one year of work experience at the GS-7 level of its equivalent. Alternatively, if you have an associate degree, you can substitute work experience for education experience. ICE also participates in the Recent Graduates Program for border patrol officers.

Drug Enforcement Administration Jobs

The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration hires special agents to enforce narcotics laws by investigating and arresting suspected manufacturers and traffickers of illegal drugs. Job candidates with an associate degree can meet educational requirements for work as a DEA agent by gaining specialized experience conducting narcotics investigations, surveillance and undercover activities, and by apprehending and arresting those suspected of criminal violations. Candidates can meet this qualification by working as municipal police officers or state police officers.

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