Degree Major

[surferboy6]

I know, I know! it's asked all the time and everyone says it doesn't matter. if you can give a personal opinion or experienced opinion, what would you advise? i already am hired but i am still working on my degree. I am a liberal arts major but i am going to get a concentration in one of the following: english, math, comp. science. what would help me out the most when at work? what would look the best on a resume for a cop? thanks.

[Dan]

Id say english since as a LEO you will be writing alot.(reports, tickets, ect....)

[rdp]

First, ask yourself what you want to do in LE........then see what degree would be better for that type of work.

For me the big ? is, What do I want to do after LE?? Whether it is retirement on time or early due to injury, you need a plan.

[HiTechCj]

Greetings:

I am in the after LE category (24years, retired on service pension). It is my opinion that your undergraduate concentration does not matter. (unless you are going to concentrate on a very technical aspect of LE like forensics, computers, etc). It doesn't matter for promotion (generally) and it doesn't matter much for graduate school (been there, done that).

For after LE, what does matter is a graduate degree. And, what matters for a graduate degree is grades and the individual classes you take. Take econ, stats, logic and upper division english classes that involve writing. All four will prep you for many graduate school tests (LSAT, GMAT, etc) and, they will prep you for the work in the actual program.

Good luck

Raymond
www.hitechcj.com

[gdowkpc]

I know, I know! it's asked all the time and everyone says it doesn't matter. if you can give a personal opinion or experienced opinion, what would you advise? i already am hired but i am still working on my degree. I am a liberal arts major but i am going to get a concentration in one of the following: english, math, comp. science. what would help me out the most when at work? what would look the best on a resume for a cop? thanks.

I have them all.....

- Math including Trig and Calculus
- English including college composition and literature courses
- Science including a degree in Human Biology. This includes all the human science courses plus chemistry and physics.

I use math, but certainly not trig and calculus very often. It has helped me to understand the principles of RADAR and LIDAR better. But I probably won't use it that much more until I get into fatal crash investigations. Even then most of the calculations are performed by computer.

I use English constantly. Interviewing and report writing are constant in the job. It can really assist with one's ability to articulate one's thoughts. But simply reading books could really assist with you. A command of the English language and proper grammar are a must. I would hate to be ridiculed by a defense lawyer for having bad grammar. You want to be able to say what you mean and get the proper meaning across, as impossible as this really is.

The sciences have given me another language and a new way of looking at things. The problem solving skills learned while completing upper sciences courses are invaluable. It is nice to be able to rule out a lie based on science. You have to know science to rule it out.

It's hard to put one over another. But I would have to say English would be the most beneficial. Learn creative writing and proper grammar.

[LawGurl32]

Well... with me being a cpu tech major im a little partial to compsci. ;) Who knows?? You may end up writing a software program beneficial to the department. Ya might even be asked to investigate a cpu crime because of your bg.

[gdowkpc]

Obviosly I'm not a comp. sci guy because I had no idea that meant computer science! :D

[razdaz]

I don't think there is truly any one best major. I know peace officers who were career pilots, military and civilian, professional baseball players, and owners of small businesses from software to car repair.

[LawGurl32]

Obviosly I'm not a comp. sci guy because I had no idea that meant computer science!

Lol....its ok.. im a nerd and use terms like that. :D

[Sgt. Pepper]

Id say english since as a LEO you will be writing alot.(reports, tickets, ect....)

Same here as a firefighter alot fo writing i though i sould write a novel on the side with all that i have written. Four forms for each Medical, 4 for every fire, extra for anythng broke or lost, any injury or G*D forbid a death. Then the daily paperwork and the biweekly stuff.. Man my hand hurts LOL.

[codered]

Any major will do (departments look for the the 4 year degree......BS or BA is irrelevent).

The intelligent choice for your degree would depend on your specific preferrence within the department ( computers , etc.....), or what you may wish to concentrate on , when you retire ( i.e. business , or some other field).