Becoming a Sheriff: How to become a Sheriff

Sheriffs are police officers at the county level and are responsible for a number of law enforcement duties. To become a sheriff, you must be a U.S. citizen, at least 21 years old, have a high school diploma or GED and an Associate’s degree. If you are accepted into the Sheriff’s Academy, you will be enrolled in a training program to teach you about your specific duties.

Top Schools Offering Sheriff Degree Programs:

The links below will allow you to request free enrollment information directly from top national schools that offer a Sheriff degree program:

1.
University of Phoenix - The most widely recognized online criminal justice college in the world, UofP offers accredited criminal justice degrees for almost every career goal.
2.
Capella University - Capella University Online’s top ranked criminal justice job placement stats make it a top choice for career-oriented criminal justice students.
3.
Kaplan University - The wide variety of criminal justice courses and flexible time schedules make Kaplan University a top rated criminal justice school for working adults needing a flexible learning schedule.

Degree Requirements to become a Sheriff:

Most sheriff’s offices require their applicants to have an Associate’s degree in a field like criminal justice. A Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice or a related subject area is also worth pursuing if you think it will give you a better chance of being accepted. These degree programs will instruct you in areas like law enforcement, corrections, criminal psychology, juvenile justice and more. You may be able to specialize in one of these areas, depending on your program.

Duties of a Sheriff: What are the duties / traits of a successful Sheriff?

Sheriffs control the law enforcement rules, officers and techniques in their county. From traffic violations to reporting and carrying out arrest warrants to arresting criminals to interviewing witnesses to keeping the peace generally, sheriffs are responsible for investigating and monitoring any suspect behavior or incidents in their area. Sheriffs may also be needed to keep order in courtrooms.

Sheriff Salary: How much does a Sheriff make?

The average yearly salary for a sheriff in the United States is between $45,000 and $50,000, though some can earn up to $70,000. The specific amount depends on your county.