Introduction to Criminology
Self-paced online Introduction to Criminology course (Criminology 150). NCCRS recommends 3 semester credits; each college decides how it applies them.
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How many college credits do you need to be a police officer in Idaho?
By the team. Checked 15 Nov 2026.
The short answer
You need no college credits to be a police officer in Idaho under POST's basic rule: a high school diploma or GED is enough, and 15 college credits are one alternative route. Credits matter later. The advanced certificate in IDAPA 11.11.01.072 asks for 15 to 60 credits with training hours and years, and agencies may set their own higher bar.
To get hired and certified
Idaho POST's basic eligibility rule lists ways to show education. You can hold a high school diploma, pass a GED or a state equivalency, complete a recognised homeschool programme, or complete at least 15 credits at a regionally accredited college. Applicants educated abroad can use a credential evaluation.
So the state does not require a degree to become a peace officer. Your agency may. Some Idaho departments ask for college credit or give preference to it, so read the job posting and ask the recruiter.
Credits after you are hired
College credit counts most after the academy, when you work toward higher certificates. Under IDAPA 11.11.01.071, one semester credit equals one college credit and also 20 POST training hours. Under 072, the intermediate and advanced certificates use tables of hours, credits and years.
| Certificate | Credit needed (peace officer) | Other parts |
|---|---|---|
| Basic | None (15 credits is one alternative to a diploma) | Academy and hiring |
| Intermediate | None directly; credits count as hours (20 each) | 600 to 1,800 hours with 8 down to 4 years; or a degree |
| Advanced | 15 to 60 credits | 500 to 1,200 hours with 13 down to 8 years; or a degree |
| Master | Credits count as hours | 1,500 hours and 15 years |
What the advanced table means in practice
With 13 or more years, you need 500 POST training hours and 15 college credits. Each extra block of credits brings the years down: 20 credits for 12 years, 30 for 11, 40 for 10, 45 for 9, 60 for 8, each with more training hours. An associate degree with 8 years, a bachelor's with 6, or a master's or doctorate with 4 also qualifies.
Five three-credit courses make 15 credits. That is a realistic target for one year of part-time study.
What counts as a college credit
POST counts credit from a college accredited by a regional accrediting agency, shown on an official transcript. A course certificate on its own does not count. If you study online with a provider that is not a college, the credit must first reach a regionally accredited college's transcript.
Our courses are ACE-recommended or NCCRS-recommended, and credit reaches a college via a college transcript. UPI Study is not a college and is not accredited; the college and POST decide.
Next steps
Work out your column first, then plan the credits.
- Find your years of service and POST training hours
- Read the advanced table and note the credits your column needs
- Pick a regionally accredited college and ask it in writing which outside courses it will review
- Ask POST in writing that the college's transcript will count
- Take the courses, then order an official transcript for your application
Thinking about a degree
A degree moves you furthest. An associate degree reaches the advanced certificate at 8 years, a bachelor's at 6. If you are working toward a degree anyway, every course counts twice: toward the degree and toward your POST column. TESU, UoPeople and Newlane are partner colleges that consider ACE-recommended or NCCRS-recommended credit; check their own pages for what they review.
What to ask in writing
Before you enrol
Ask the college in writing which courses it will review, and ask Idaho POST in writing that a transcript from that college will count toward your certificate, before you enrol.
UPI Study is not a college and is not accredited. ACE and NCCRS review our courses and recommend credit; a college decides whether to give that credit and records it on its own transcript.
ACE and NCCRS have over 2,100 cooperating colleges that will consider accepting credits; the final decision is with the universities.
Questions people ask
Does Idaho POST require a degree for police officers?
No. The basic rule needs a high school diploma, a GED or another listed route. A degree helps later: an associate or bachelor's degree shortens the years needed for the intermediate and advanced certificates in IDAPA 11.11.01.072.
Can 15 college credits replace a high school diploma for POST?
The basic rule lists completing at least 15 credits at a regionally accredited college as one route to meet the education standard. Check the current rule and your agency's posting before relying on it, and ask POST if unsure.
Do online credits count with Idaho POST?
They count when they appear on an official transcript from a regionally accredited college. Ask the college whether it will review the course, and ask POST in writing whether that transcript will count, before you enrol.
Courses that fit
ACE-recommended or NCCRS-recommended courses, studied online at your own pace.
Introduction to Psychology
Self-paced online Introduction to Psychology course (Psychology 110). ACE and NCCRS recommend 3 semester credits; each college decides how it applies them.
See the course →
English Composition 1
Self-paced online English Composition 1 course (ENG 101). NCCRS recommends 3 semester credits; each college decides how it applies them.
See the course →Start when you have it in writing
Criminology, psychology, sociology, ethics and writing are on PRO. Ask your college and POST in writing first.
Sources
- IDAPA 11.11.01: Rules of the Idaho Peace Officer Standards and Training Council (current) (official)Definition 08: college credit is awarded by a college accredited by a listed regional agency or other POST-recognised regional agency. 071.06: one semester hour = one college credit; one quarter hour = two-thirds; one credit = 20 POST training hours; official transcript required. 072.01: intermediate tables (peace officer: 600 hours and 8 years down to 1,800 hours and 4 years; associate degree and 4 years; bachelor's and 2 years). 072.02: advanced peace officer table (500 hours and 15 credits with 13 years; 600/20/12; 700/30/11; 800/40/10; 900/45/9; 1,200/60/8; associate 8; bachelor's 6; master's or PhD 4). 072.03: six months' probation first. 074: master certificate needs 1,500 hours and 15 years. Basic eligibility includes a high school diploma, GED or 15 credits at a regionally accredited college. Checked on 15 Nov 2026.