K9 police officer education requirements

Q: What degree do you need to be a K9 officer?

You need a minimum of a high school diploma to be a K9 officer. However, most places require an associate if not a bachelor's degree in criminal justice. While not all departments require it, most K9 officers require a degree in criminal justice, but they are expected to have 200-1,000 hours of formal dog handler training. This training can be obtained from K9 instruction schools or any state-approved association. Two-thirds of K9 officers have either a bachelor's or associate's degree.

Updated January 8, 2025

4 min read

There are several educational requirements to become a k9 police officer. K9 police officers usually study criminal justice, law enforcement, or business. 42% of k9 police officers hold a bachelor's degree, and 26% hold an associate degree. We analyzed 337 real k9 police officer resumes to see exactly what k9 police officer education sections show.

The most common colleges for k9 police officers are the Western Washington University and the Western Washington University.

There are also many online k9 police officer courses to help get the education required to be a k9 police officer.

What education do you need to become a k9 police officer?

What degree do you need to be a k9 police officer?

The most common degree for k9 police officers is bachelor's degree, with 42% of k9 police officers earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are associate degree degree at 26% and associate degree degree at 20%.

Bachelor's, 42%

Associate, 26%

High School Diploma, 20%

Master's, 4%

Other Degrees, 8%

What should I major in to become a k9 police officer?

You should major in criminal justice to become a k9 police officer. 48% of k9 police officers major in criminal justice. Other common majors for a k9 police officer include law enforcement and business.

Criminal Justice, 48%

Law Enforcement, 10%

Business, 8%

Education, 6%

Other Majors, 28%

Most common colleges for k9 police officers

K9 police officers often get their degrees at Western Washington University, Troy University, and University of Phoenix. Here are the most common colleges for k9 police officers in the US based on their resumes.

K9 police officer common college	Percentages
Western Washington University	7.32%
Troy University	7.32%
University of Phoenix	7.32%
Marshall University	4.88%
University of Akron	4.88%

Show more common k9 police officer colleges

Best majors for k9 police officers

Rank	Major	Percentages
1	Criminal Justice	48.4%
2	Law Enforcement	10.2%
3	Business	7.6%
4	Education	6.4%
5	Law	3.8%

Show more common k9 police officer majors

Best colleges for k9 police officers

The best colleges for k9 police officers are Northeastern University, Syracuse University, and University of Maryland - College Park.

A k9 police officer with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for k9 police officers. We based this list on several metrics: admissions rate, retention rate, mean earnings of graduates, the ratio of working vs. non-working students ten years after admission, the average cost of attendance, and median debt for graduates who become k9 police officers.

1. Pennsylvania State University

University Park, PA • Private

In-state tuition

$18,454

Enrollment

40,108

2. Michigan State University

East Lansing, MI • Private

In-state tuition

$14,460

Enrollment

39,208

3. California State University - Bakersfield

Bakersfield, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$7,309

Enrollment

9,142

4. University of New Haven

West Haven, CT • Private

In-state tuition

$39,270

Enrollment

5,041

5. California State University - Long Beach

Long Beach, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,798

Enrollment

31,503

6. Northeastern University

Boston, MA • Private

In-state tuition

$51,522

Enrollment

13,760

7. University of Maryland - College Park

College Park, MD • Private

In-state tuition

$10,595

Enrollment

30,184

8. North Carolina State University

Raleigh, NC • Private

In-state tuition

$9,101

Enrollment

23,708

9. University of Connecticut

Storrs, CT • Private

In-state tuition

$15,730

Enrollment

18,830

10. University of Washington

Seattle, WA • Private

In-state tuition

$11,207

Enrollment

30,905

20 best online courses for k9 police officers

Advertising disclosure

1. Hot Topics in Criminal Justice

The American criminal justice system is in need of reform. We incarcerate too many people. We pay insufficient attention to scientific advances that can help separate out the most and least culpable and dangerous. We grant the police far too much power to use force and technological surveillance. As a way of thinking about dealing with these problems, this course examines two over-arching issues: What should we do with people who have committed crime, and how should we identify who they are? On...

2. Introduction to International Criminal Law

-- About the Course -- From the Nuremberg trial to the case against Saddam Hussein, from the prosecution of Al-Qaeda terrorists to the trial of Somali pirates – no area of law is as important to world peace and security as international criminal law. Taught by one of the world’s leading experts in the field, this course will educate students about the fundamentals of international criminal law and policy. We will explore the contours of international crimes such as genocide, war crimes,...

3. Criminal Law in 120 Minutes: A Fast Track Course

4.6

(414)

A 2 hour fast track summary of Criminal Law, targeting all common law LL.B examinations!...

4. Criminology and Criminal Psychology Certified CSI+ Course

4.2

(339)

Learn Criminal Law and Start your career with certification of Criminal Law and Criminal Psychology, Learn Criminology...

5. International Law In Action: Investigating and Prosecuting International Crimes

‘Investigating and Prosecuting International Crimes’ is the second course in Leiden University’s new series on International Law in Action. The first course covered international courts and tribunals in The Hague in general. This second course provides an insider perspective into the work of international criminal courts and tribunals. You will learn about the investigation and prosecution of international crimes in The Hague. Atrocities produce unspeakable forms of violence. We will explore...

6. An Introduction to American Law

This course will give you a glimpse into six different areas of American law: Tort Law, Contract Law, Property, Constitutional Law, Criminal Law, and Civil Procedure. You will gain insight into the complexities and dilemmas that arise from the application of law in different settings, and what is distinctive about American approaches...

7. Effective Legal Office Administration

4.5

(1,067)

Effective Legal Office Administration...

8. Introduction to Criminal Psychology

4.3

(846)

Understand the Forensic Psychology of the Criminal Mind...

9. What is Corruption: Anti-Corruption and Compliance

Have you ever paid someone for doing you a favor? You may be accustomed to tipping wait staff or other service providers, but what if you paid a police officer for NOT issuing a parking ticket? Or if you gave a “gift” to a government official for signing a contract with your company? Tipping might be okay, but paying a bribe is a violation of the law. Bribery is widespread and exists almost everywhere and in many forms. Compliance programs address this and other forms of corruption. In this...

10. European Business Law: Understanding the Fundamentals

The European Union is one of the world’s largest and most important economies. This six week course is the first in a series of three that will provide students with an insight into European Business Law. The series ranges from considering the basic structures and principles of the European Union to focusing on various specialized areas of law. Each course will give the students an understanding of the laws and policies that regulate the internal market of European Union, as well as relevant...

11. Psychology of Criminal Behaviour & Criminology - ACCREDITED

4.4

(516)

Personality Disorders, Violence, Sex Offence, Murder, and other types of crime...

12. CYBER CRIME & CYBER LAW - DR. PAVAN DUGGAL - CYBERLAW UNIV.

(262)

The most crucial paradigms in our digital lives today...

13. Privacy Law and HIPAA

What does it take to comply with privacy laws? In this course, we’ll look at the practical aspects of navigating the complex landscape of privacy requirements. Better understanding privacy laws and data protection will enable you to protect your organization and the constituents that depend on your organization to safeguard their personal information. First, we will examine the historical context that drove the creation of laws, best practices, and other standards for protecting personal...

14. Forensic Psychology: Criminal Profiling Certificate

4.4

(980)

Criminology Crash Course...

15. High Voltage Electric Vehicle Safety

4.4

(302)

Electric Vehicle Safety Battery Pack Fire Safety Electric Shock Safety Accidental Safety High Voltage Components...

16. Forensic Psychology - ACCREDITED CERTIFICATE

4.6

(3,931)

Become a specialist in criminal investigations and forensic profiling, start your career and add certificate to resume!...

17. Employment Law Compliance Made Easy

4.7

(1,575)

A comprehensive course for management to understand key employment law issues in the workplace...

18. Diploma Course in Labour Laws and Statutory Compliances

4.2

(553)

Every HR and Entrepreneur should know - with FAQs...

19. Cyber Crime Analyst Part 1

(250)

Types of Cyber Crime...

20. English for Business and Law - Contract Law

4.5

(552)

An English language course for business and law...

Top 10 most affordable universities for k9 police officers

The most affordable schools for k9 police officers are California State University - Bakersfield, california state university - long beach, and suny farmingdale.

If the best universities for k9 police officers are out of your price range, check out these affordable schools. After factoring in in-state tuition and fees, the average cost of attendance, admissions rate, average net price, and mean earnings after six years, we found that these are the most affordable schools for k9 police officers.

1. California State University - Bakersfield

Bakersfield, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$7,309

Cost of attendance

16,714

2. California State University - Long Beach

Long Beach, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,798

Cost of attendance

18,306

3. SUNY Farmingdale

Farmingdale, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$8,306

Cost of attendance

16,091

4. Florida International University

Miami, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,556

Cost of attendance

19,434

5. Florida Atlantic University

Boca Raton, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$4,831

Cost of attendance

19,559

6. USF Sarasota-Manatee

Sarasota, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$5,587

Cost of attendance

13,043

7. Brigham Young University

Provo, UT • Private

In-state tuition

$5,620

Cost of attendance

18,136

8. University of Missouri - Kansas City

Kansas City, MO • Private

In-state tuition

$8,178

Cost of attendance

20,934

9. Clayton State University

Morrow, GA • Private

In-state tuition

$5,419

Cost of attendance

17,697

10. Northwestern Oklahoma State University

Alva, OK • Private

In-state tuition

$7,471

Cost of attendance

15,616

Top 10 hardest universities to get into for k9 police officers

The hardest universities for k9 police officers to get into are Northeastern University, Syracuse University, and University of Maryland - College Park.

Some great schools for k9 police officers are hard to get into, but they also set your career up for greater success. The list below shows the most challenging universities to get into for k9 police officers based on an institution's admissions rates, average SAT scores accepted, median ACT scores accepted, and mean earnings of students six years after admission.

1. Northeastern University

Boston, MA • Private

Admissions rate

19%

SAT average

1,466

2. Syracuse University

Syracuse, NY • Private

Admissions rate

50%

SAT average

1,284

3. University of Maryland - College Park

College Park, MD • Private

Admissions rate

47%

SAT average

1,390

4. University of Tulsa

Tulsa, OK • Private

Admissions rate

41%

SAT average

1,321

5. University of Washington

Seattle, WA • Private

Admissions rate

49%

SAT average

1,347

6. University of Denver

Denver, CO • Private

Admissions rate

56%

SAT average

1,300

7. University of Connecticut

Storrs, CT • Private

Admissions rate

49%

SAT average

1,318

8. Texas Christian University

Fort Worth, TX • Private

Admissions rate

41%

SAT average

1,287

9. North Carolina State University

Raleigh, NC • Private

Admissions rate

47%

SAT average

1,336

10. University of Georgia

Athens, GA • Private

Admissions rate

49%

SAT average

1,345

Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for k9 police officers

The easiest schools for k9 police officers to get into are Nyack College, university of north texas at dallas, and gwynedd mercy university.

Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a k9 police officer without much hassle, check out the list of schools where you will be accepted in no time. We compiled admissions rates, average SAT scores, average ACT scores, and average salary of students six years after graduation to uncover which were the easiest schools to get into for k9 police officers.

1. Nyack College

New York, NY • Private

Admissions rate

98%

SAT average

999

2. University of North Texas at Dallas

Dallas, TX • Private

Admissions rate

83%

SAT average

992

3. Gwynedd Mercy University

Gwynedd Valley, PA • Private

Admissions rate

92%

SAT average

1,031

4. La Roche College

Pittsburgh, PA • Private

Admissions rate

99%

SAT average

1,008

5. Saint Joseph's College of Maine

Standish, ME • Private

Admissions rate

84%

SAT average

1,069

6. Wayland Baptist University

Plainview, TX • Private

Admissions rate

98%

SAT average

1,003

7. Saint Martin's University

Lacey, WA • Private

Admissions rate

96%

SAT average

1,111

8. Curry College

Milton, MA • Private

Admissions rate

93%

SAT average

1,026

9. Felician University

Lodi, NJ • Private

Admissions rate

81%

SAT average

999

10. Albertus Magnus College

New Haven, CT • Private

Admissions rate

58%

SAT average

931

Average k9 police officer salary by education level

K9 police officers with a Master's degree earn more than those without, at $49,234 annually. With a Doctorate degree, k9 police officers earn a median annual income of $48,148 compared to $45,927 for k9 police officers with an Bachelor's degree.

K9 police officer education level	K9 police officer salary
Master's Degree	$49,234
High School Diploma or Less	$38,692
Bachelor's Degree	$45,927
Doctorate Degree	$48,148
Some College/ Associate Degree	$43,049

K9 police officer education FAQs

What degree do you need to be a K9 officer?

What is the best college for K9 Police Officers?

Have more questions? See all answers to common protective service questions.

Search for k9 police officer jobs

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

Updated January 8, 2025

Browse protective service jobs