CJ Degrees?

stratslingr77

stratslingr77

Well-known member
Based on what I've read here and from talking to others, it seems that CJ degrees may not be the best choice for those wishing to get into law enforcement. I can appreciate how it might be a waste of time and money if you don't turn out to be a good candidate or have background/psych issues that prevent you from getting hired by an agency. For you guys that have been on the job for awhile, what are your thoughts on pursuing a Bachelor's in CJ once you're already on the job? I'm still on probation with my agency, got my associate's degree and am looking towards getting my Bachelor's. From my point of view, the Criminal Justice field is of interest to me (duh!) and if it doesn't matter what you get your degree in, might as well study something that's of interest and might even make me a better cop. Your thoughts?
 
silversvs

silversvs

Lean, Twist, repeat.....
stratslingr77 said:
Based on what I've read here and from talking to others, it seems that CJ degrees may not be the best choice for those wishing to get into law enforcement. I can appreciate how it might be a waste of time and money if you don't turn out to be a good candidate or have background/psych issues that prevent you from getting hired by an agency. For you guys that have been on the job for awhile, what are your thoughts on pursuing a Bachelor's in CJ once you're already on the job? I'm still on probation with my agency, got my associate's degree and am looking towards getting my Bachelor's. From my point of view, the Criminal Justice field is of interest to me (duh!) and if it doesn't matter what you get your degree in, might as well study something that's of interest and might even make me a better cop. Your thoughts?
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A CJ degree won't necessarily make you a better cop. You will get most of the same info in the police academy, and will get way more eductaion via on the job training.

I also profess getting a degree in something other than CJ. I got my AA in criminal justice then became a police officer. I did not use much, if any, of the info learned in the CJ classes in the academy or on the job. Most of what I learned in CJ classes turned out to be stale generalized info.

I later got a BA in Business Administration and I use the information I learned there much more in my police duties than the CJ stuff.
 
motorman4life

motorman4life

Well-known member
If you won't get the degree otherwise, then yes, go get the BA in CJ. Like I said, if it is a matter of having to be totally interested in the major and not being able to find another major that interests you, then a BA in CJ is better than no BA in anything.

That said, a lof of guys looking to promote get their BA in Public Administration, which is more government related, but more of a cross between AJ and business admin. If you aspire to be an administrator in an agency (Lt. through Chief), then that would be a good choice as it also opens up other areas, like city manager or a county or municipal department head.

This way, if you get injured on the job, you would at least be able to use the degree outside the LEO field. An AJ degree is worthless on the open market if you can't be a cop (for whatever reason). I have seen people made scapegoats, I have seen guys framed for DV by rabid ex-wives. The cops in the Rodney King incident were following department protocol to the letter and were aquitted in state court, only to get railroaded in federal court.

You never know what will happen and a LEO career can be a fragile thing in the hyper-PC world we live in. Don't put all of your eggs in one basket if you don't have to. For promotionals, the guy with the BA in Sociology, Computers or Communications may actually have a leg up on the guy with a BA in AJ or CJ.
 
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