Commissioned Officer Education Requirements And Courses

Commissioned officer education requirements

Updated January 8, 2025

2 min read

Usually, commissioned officers don't need a college education. The most common degree for commissioned officers is bachelor's degree with 69% graduates, with only 15% commissioned officer graduates earning master's degree. Commissioned officers who decided to graduate from college often finish United States Military Academy or United States Naval Academy. Some good skills to have in this position include logistical support, combat and law enforcement.

What education do you need to become a commissioned officer?

What degree do you need to be a commissioned officer?

The most common degree for commissioned officers is bachelor's degree, with 69% of commissioned officers earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are master's degree degree at 15% and master's degree degree at 7%.

Bachelor's, 69%

Master's, 15%

Associate, 7%

High School Diploma, 4%

Other Degrees, 5%

What should I major in to become a commissioned officer?

You should major in business to become a commissioned officer. 20% of commissioned officers major in business. Other common majors for a commissioned officer include criminal justice and political science.

Business, 20%

Criminal Justice, 10%

Political Science, 9%

Management, 7%

Other Majors, 54%

Best majors for commissioned officers

Rank	Major	Percentages
1	Business	20.5%
2	Criminal Justice	9.8%
3	Political Science	8.7%
4	Management	7.1%
5	Nursing	6.4%

Show more common commissioned officer majors

20 best online courses for commissioned officers

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Average commissioned officer salary by education level

Commissioned officers with a Master's degree earn more than those without, at $47,447 annually. With a Bachelor's degree, commissioned officers earn a median annual income of $40,587 compared to $36,026 for commissioned officers with an Associate degree.

Commissioned officer education level	Commissioned officer salary
Master's Degree	$47,447
High School Diploma or Less	$33,533
Bachelor's Degree	$40,587
Some College/ Associate Degree	$36,026