What does a Criminal Justice course teach?

[greg72982]

Criminal Justice degrees teach you the in's and out's of police work so upon completion you know much more than a typical street officer and then tell them how to do their job.

[pafindr]

Originally Posted by greg72982

Criminal Justice degrees teach you the in's and out's of police work so upon completion you know much more than a typical street officer and then tell them how to do their job.

I agree BUT if you really want to better than the average cop on the street you have to be an explorer

[greg72982]

Originally Posted by pafindr

I agree BUT if you really want to better than the average cop on the street you have to be an explorer

The explorer gets a little more specialized training. They typically excel in one specific area like building searches...

[ChevySSP]

Whats better on the resume? Being an explorer or being in a JROTC program?

I'm just saying, being in JROTC taught me that toothpicks can and should be classified as a use of deadly force....

[noelchabanel]

Originally Posted by CityOfChicago

Two years is a drop in the life bucket. Spend the 2 years turning the associate's into a bachelor's. You'll be so much happier later on that you did.

Excellent advice, I am so glad I did.

How hard you work to get the degree (associate's or bachelor's) depends on what school you go to. Mine didn't give anything out like candy, a "C" really does mean "average" and most people had to work hard to get them. But then again, I finished having completed major research projects and being ready to move right into grad school if I want. And I like to be challenged, so I did very well there. Finding the right academic fit for a school is important, and for some reason, a lot of people overlook that.

My personal feeling is that if you want an Associate's degree, you should get a degree at the community college, which will almost certainly be REGIONALLY accredited. The same goes for the bachelors, be sure it's a regionally accredited school. Some of the for-profit places are NOT regionally accredited. If you are getting a degree stay away from any place that isn't!!! "National" accreditation is NOT the same thing, it isn't much of an accreditation at all. Your credits will not transfer almost anywhere, you can't go on to grad school, and your degree may not even be worth as much to employers.

Typically, the only real benefit that for-profit schools offer around here (in general) is that they take students that other schools will not, offer some credential-type programs (fine if you for some reason you don't need or want a degree) and they also often have very flexible course schedules.

I am suspicious of for profit higher education. In order to pay shareholders, it seems to me that they have to skimp on something. They pay taxes on their income and real estate, and yet still somehow can turn a profit when many fine private and public non-profit institutions that take care to keep good faculty, and are generous with financial aid are struggling. I'm not getting a raise this year so that my employer can give more aid to students....and I'm ok with that.

[ROS]

Originally Posted by ChevySSP

Whats better on the resume? Being an explorer or being in a JROTC program?

I'm just saying, being in JROTC taught me that toothpicks can and should be classified as a use of deadly force....

That's like asking "Which is better to gaining employment as a banker: opening a checking account or a savings account?" JROTC and explorer programs are, for lack of a better term, "make believe." It's not a real job. It's an extracurricular activity to keep kids from getting into trouble, while exposing them to a potential future career field on a limited basis.

Neither one makes one a "guarantee" for future employment. It's simply a vehicle to expose youth on a limited basis to a possible future career field. Sure, being in JROTC in high school or explorers is more honorable than being a pothead or other troubled youth while a juvenile, but it's no "resume builder" in the sense that a real job would be.

[ChevySSP]

Hmmm, guess the punch line wasn't as good as I hoped. Need to work on that.

Thanks for the imput ROS ;)

[deputywave]

Originally Posted by ChevySSP

Whats better on the resume? Being an explorer or being in a JROTC program?

Neither. Your best bet is to have been an explorer and complete a JROTC program. Couple that with a CJ degree and you are golden.:D:D

[Brendon]

Originally Posted by greg72982

The explorer gets a little more specialized training. They typically excel in one specific area like building searches...

Actually, while the Police Department in my area doesn't have an explorers program, it does have a Auxiliary Police Unit I can join in a month when I turn 18. I plan on doing that, while taking a two year course at a Community College to get an Associates and then perhaps transferring it over to get a Bachelors.

[finn49]

I am currently in my freshmen year in a cj school. You are required to take your basic courses first. English,Communications,Writing,Grammar,Social sciences,ex. sociology,psychology. Then your core classes. I am starting out on my assocates in applied science in cj administration. You will get a good foundation in that area. Then you can go for your bachelors with a concentration in 3 areas,Homeland security,law enforcement, security management. I will tell you this. Most agencies wont even consider you without at least with an associates degree. Thats not counting going through the academy which is mandatory. I hope this answers your question.Oh and more more thing,most schools won,t accept you if you have a prior felony conviction. Also you cant get federal or state funding for school if you have any past drug charges. The cj field is very disciplined and straight forward. Its a serious commitment . So be prepared.