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