Police Officer Preparation & Law Enforcement Resource - Archive

I am pursuing a degree in LE and would like to know which would be a better area of concentration. AMU offers the following:

Concentration in Law Enforcement Operations
CJ312 - Stress Management for Law Enforcement Officers
CJ323 - Law Enforcement Technologies
CJ333 - Patrol Procedures
CJ395 - Emergency Planning
CJ402 - Officer Survival
CJ403 – Race, Crime, and Criminal Justice

Concentration in Security Management
CJ311 - Private Security
CJ370 - Principles and Theory of Security Management
CJ371 - Legal and Ethical Issues in Security Management
CJ372 - Risk Analysis and Loss Prevention
CJ373 - Evaluation of Security Programs
CJ374 - Contemporary Issues in Security Management
IS306 - Information Security

Concentration in Terrorism/Counterterrorism
CJ319 - Global Terrorism
IS312 - Terrorism and Counterterrorism
IS323 - Terrorism and U.S. National Security
IS324 - Terrorist Psychologies
IS348 - Forecasting Terrorism


What do you think?
I am kind of leaning toward operations or Counterterrorism.
D.S.

I've taken courses from AMU as well. You'll definitely learn how to compose essays and research papers there.

What are you trying to accomplish? Build on an LE career (military/fed/civil)? What are your goals with this degree path, if you don't mind me asking?

My best friend's step father recieved a Naval officer's commission with a BA from American Military University. I am going to try to start an online class there when I get a chance. Expensive tuition, but I guess that goes for all the online schools.

My best friend's step father recieved a Naval officer's commission with a BA from American Military University. I am going to try to start an online class there when I get a chance. Expensive tuition, but I guess that goes for all the online schools.

TA should pick up the total. The tuition includes the books too, and you get to sell them back (so you actually make some money).

I'd recommend a degree in intellgence studies. You can have a concentration in terrorism or homeland security. Take a look.

I'd go with the terrorism concentration or L.E. ops depending on with type of L.E. you want to go in. I just recently decided go ahead and go for my masters and I am getting it in International Relations with a concentration in national security.

I'd go with the terrorism concentration or L.E. ops depending on with type of L.E. you want to go in. I just recently decided go ahead and go for my masters and I am getting it in International Relations with a concentration in national security.


Oooo...good one! Future with CIA, NSA, or State Department?;)

Oooo...good one! Future with CIA, NSA, or State Department?

Say one did get an online degree, say BA in Intelligence Studies - Cont. Terrorism.

FeudalBaron, how do you think an online degree would be viewed by an agency as prestigous and professional as the CIA for say an analysist or clandestine position? I realize AMU is regionally accredited (thanks to Ros, we all know regional is better than national:p )

I'm not saying that one is better than the other. Personally I would like to go to AMU. I've only heard great things. :D

Say one did get an online degree, say BA in Intelligence Studies - Cont. Terrorism.

FeudalBaron, how do you think an online degree would be viewed by an agency as prestigous and professional as the CIA for say an analysist or clandestine position? I realize AMU is regionally accredited (thanks to Ros, we all know regional is better than national:p )

I'm not saying that one is better than the other. Personally I would like to go to AMU. I've only heard great things. :D

AMU is not regionally accredited yet. An evaluation team will be visiting in Feb to make a recommendation. It does look very likely that they will receive accreditation.

Obviously, if you received a Harvard or Yale degree it would probably put you leagues ahead of others. AMU (and the APUS in general) is a respected institution among the Defense Department and government agencies, which they obviously have catered to. Online education is something that's becoming a standard now, and it's here to stay (just like cellphones and cable TV). Many institutions are going that route, added an online program, if for the only reason to provide a paid service without any real physical campus overhead. It's a money maker. AMU does offer a real education. I enjoy taking classes with them, and really learned alot from their professors and instructors (whom they make sure are educated and experienced). In short, I believe government agencies will have no problem accepting such a degree. The caveat is always "be wise in what you get degreed in."

I'd recommend a degree in intellgence studies. You can have a concentration in terrorism or homeland security. Take a look.

Do you mean for someone who is looking to enter civilian law enforcement? If so, why?

Do you mean for someone who is looking to enter civilian law enforcement? If so, why?

I've found that from speaking with current and former LE professionals, and from my own research that getting a well-rounded educational, experiential, and skill-set background lays a solid foundation. There's absolutely nothing negative about a Law Enforcement/Criminal Justice degree. However, I would rather have a degree that does more to add some additional, helpful knowledge to the LE career path. Besides, when you get hired by a civil government agency, you'll be educated/instructed on such disciplines in the academy. Many of the folks I've spoken with would have preferred to get their initial college education in something else (for varying reasons all tied to their professional goals and advancement).

Look this is just my own personal preference, and some second-hand opinions. If you want an LE degree then do that. But think ahead to the Masters also. You definitely want a degree that you can build on, and that will assist you on the job ladder. Not matter what you do, having a degree is better than not.

That’s good advice. But will a degree in Homeland Security, or Terrorism/Counter-terrorism help with:


#1. Being hired by a State, County or City LE Agency?
(I'm sure it can't hurt, but is it better than a CJ or LE concentration.)

#2. Will this concentration help one up the promotion ladder?

D.S.

In the Army, it doesn't matter if your degree is in basket weaving, as long as you have one. Or even if you just have the equivalent hours is about the same. I know that in the civilian world it is not the same.

That’s good advice. But will a degree in Homeland Security, or Terrorism/Counter-terrorism help with:


#1. Being hired by a State, County or City LE Agency?
(I'm sure it can't hurt, but is it better than a CJ or LE concentration.)

#2. Will this concentration help one up the promotion ladder?

D.S.

In the Army, it doesn't matter if your degree is in basket weaving, as long as you have one. Or even if you just have the equivalent hours is about the same. I know that in the civilian world it is not the same.

First, look back at all of my posts on this thread. The point I'm trying to make is don't get locked into thinking that to get into, or progress in an LE profession, you have to have an LE/CJ degree. Keep an open mind about your education, and think long and hard about your short-term and long-term goals. Your education is important.

To answer both of questions...in the end it depends on the agency, position, and evaluation representatives. Oh, and you. There is no blanket response to what an agency is looking for, but your character will always play a big part.

Let me offer a true story example. About 20 years ago there were two municipal police sergeants; both had joined the force at the same time. One was a detective, the other was in operations. Both had an excellent service record. When it came time for promotion, both had to appear before a board, where they were interviewed, and their records were evaluated. To make a long story short, the operations sergeant was promoted to lieutenant. Why? Because although they both had undergraduate degrees, the later was pursuing a Masters in public administration (future bureaucrat). That individual, by the way, went on to eventually become Chief. I know this to be a true story because the detective is my father (who eventually went on to be a Deputy US Marshal). So what's the point? Well, even if you have a degree, to progress you'll need to keep building on your education and training together. But FIRST, get the undergrad. degree!

Very well said, thanks.

D.S.

I would say this day and age "terrorism with a concentration in middle eastern studies" would be your best bet and AMU has it

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