South Carolina residents hoping to become law enforcement should first decide where in South Carolina they wish to apply. Most cities do not require college education, however Charleston does. It is smart to first find out the minimal requirements to confirm that you are eligible for a police job. If you discover that you fulfill the requirements, submitting a form for application and then the subsequent hiring process would be similar to what the homepage describes.
South Carolina Requirements for Police Officers
As stated above, most cities in South Carolina simply require an individual to be 21, be able to legally operate a vehicle, and be a citizen with no major criminal record. Charleston has more stringent requirements. All cities require that an applicant has a diploma from high school or achieved their GED. In order to have an edge on other applicants it can help to pursue a degree in criminal justice or a law enforcement related program, after graduating high school and before applying to the force.
Salary for South Carolina Law Enforcement Jobs
The average yearly salary for a South Carolina patrol officer is approximately 37,000 a year. Although this is under the average in the US, it can still cover average cost of living expenses in South Carolina if properly managed. There is always room for growth in pay for those officers who work in good standing for consecutive years. There is also chance of promotion for eligible officers. Higher ranking officers in South Carolina can make an average of 46,000 a year or more. Pay also depends on where in South Carolina an officer works, how much education they have earned and how many years they have worked on the force.
Schools in South Carolina with Law Enforcement Programs
The only city in South Carolina that REQUIRES a degree in order to apply is Charleston. People wishing to become officers in Charleston must have a minimum of a bachelor’s degree or have military experience. The rest of the state does not require college education, but having a degree may give an individual an advantage over those without. It may also enable individuals to start at a higher salary.
- Aiken Technical College
2276 Jefferson Davis Hwy., Graniteville, SC 29829
803-593-9231
- Anderson University
316 Boulevard, Anderson, SC 29621
864-231-2000
- Benedict College
1600 Harden Street, Columbia, SC 29204
803-256-4220
- Bob Jones University
1700 Wade Hampton Blvd., Greenville, SC 29614
864-242-5100
- Central Carolina Technical College
506 N Guignard Drive, Sumter, SC 29150
803-778-1961
- Charleston Southern University
9200 University Blvd., Charleston, SC 29406
843-863-7000
- Claflin University
400 Magnolia Street, Orangeburg, SC 29115
803-535-5000
- Coker College
300 E College Avenue, Hartsville, SC 29550
843-383-8000
- Denmark Technical College
1126 Solomon Blatt Blvd., Denmark, SC 29042
803-793-5176
- Florence-Darlington Technical College
2715 W Lucas Street, Florence, SC 29501
800-288-5745
- Forrest Junior College
601 E River Street, Anderson, SC 29624
864-225-7653
- Lander University
320 Stanley Avenue, Greenwood, SC 29649
864-388-8000
- Limestone College
1115 College Drive, Gaffney, SC 29340
864-489-7151
- Morris College
100 West College Street, Sumter, SC 29150
803-934-3200
- Northeastern Technical College
1201 Chesterfield HIghway, Cheraw, SC 29520
843-921-6900
- Orangeburg-Calhoun Technical College
3250 Saint Matthews Road, Orangeburg, SC 29118
803-536-0311
- Piedmont Technical College
620 North Emerald Road, Greenwood, SC 29646
864-941-8324
- South Carolina State University
300 College Street NE, Orangeburg, SC 29117
800-260-5956
- Southern Wesleyan University
907 Wesleyan Drive, Central, SC 29630
864-644-5000
- Spartanburg Methodist College
1000 Powell Mill Road, Spartanburg, SC 29301
864-587-4000
- Technical College of the Lowcountry
921 Ribaut Road, Beaufort, SC 29901
843-525-8211
- The Citadel
171 Moultrie Street, Charleston, SC 29409
843-225-3294
- Tri-County Technical College
7900 Highway 76, Pendleton, SC 29670
864-646-1500
- Trident Technical College
7000 Rivers Avenue, Charleston, SC 29423
843-574-6111
- University of South Carolina-Lancaster
476 Hubbard Drive, Lancaster, SC 29720
806-313-7000
- University of South Carolina-Upstate
800 University Way, Spartanburg, SC 29303
864-503-5000
- Voorhees College
481 Porter Drive, Denmark, SC 29042
803-780-1234
- York Technical College
452 South Anderson Road, Pock Hill, SC 29730
800-922-8324