Which degree do I go for?

[The Boneyard]

I have about 100 credit hours as an Aeronautical Science major. I had to leave school and was unable to obtain my degree because of a few unfortunate circumstances. I am in the process of getting hired as a police officer in NH, and as soon as I am settled I want to finish up school and get my degree.

I have heard many different views on majoring in Criminal Justice ranging from good to a waste of time. So my question to everyone is: is it beneficial to have a Criminal Justice degree as a police officer? Or should I stick with my Aeronautical Science major and just get my degree?

If taking the courses that a Criminal Justice major studies will help me as a police officer, then I will switch my major. I do not mind about extra schooling. If it is something that I will not get much out of, and can learn elsewhere, than I will just finish up my Aeronautical Science degree.

Thank you for your input ahead of time.

[mobrien316]

Take the courses which interest you and get your degree in the field you find the most interesting.

As has been said many times on this board, you are not going to lose any points on any application for having a degree, regardless of your major.

[Switchback]

As already stated, you will fare better majoring in something that interests you. My degree has absolutely nothing to do with LE. That fact has not hurt my career in the least!

[The Boneyard]

Thanks Mobrien and Switchback. I am interested in both Flight and LE. I was thinking that since I am not focusing my career on flying would it be helpful to me to switch it to CJ...

No amount of education hurts, whether it's in your field or not. I have heard that police officers learn the most from experience, so maybe I am not missing out on too much by not being a CJ major.

Thanks again.

The Boneyard

[FeudalBaron]

Why not get the degree that's closer to being finished (i.e. Aero)? You can always apply whatever credits you'll already have toward a CJ later. OR, you can add a CJ minor to your present program. Just a thought.

[Norm357]

:D I would take basket weaving 101 and minor in toe nail sculpture. Thats just me though.

[The Boneyard]

That is a great idea FeudalBaron. I have a few options and lots of time ahead of me. Why not do it all! Well, I guess we will see how that goes once I get my first degree.

[MP_Steve]

I want to get my CJ degree... The agencies that I'm eyeing want CJ or related field.

1) Pentagon Fore Protection Agency - Washington, DC
2) Metropolitan Police Department - Washington, DC
3) Department of the Army Civilian Police - Locations Various

Those are where I'd like to end up... After a few stepping stones of course :D

(CBP - stepping stone, cough cough )

[The Boneyard]

[QUOTE=MP_Steve]I want to get my CJ degree... The agencies that I'm eyeing want CJ or related field.[QUOTE]

Hmm, this quote didn't work out as I had anticipated...

Luckily for me, I am hired by a department so long as I pass my background check, polygraph test, and psych test; I should have no problem passing these things.

I originally posted this thread to see if the extra CJ major would be beneficial for me.

From the advice I have recieved, I am leaning toward getting my Aeronautical Science degree, and then my CJ degree.

Thanks again everyone for the great advice and for letting me see my options differently.

[hutchins]

I'm going for a more difficult degree... Under Water Basket Weaving. No Im getting it in LE. It's really the only thing that will keep me interested and there is an internship. Everyone is different though.

[Redman]

Just a side note you may have not thought of-

If you have a large interest in flight, the degree in Aeronotical Science might help you land a job flying for an agency. Giving you the best of both worlds.

If you were wanting to go that route, I say go for the Aeronotical Science. From what I have heard pilot jobs for PDs and SOs are VERY competitive. To my knowledge there are only 5 agencies in my state that utilize choppers, 2 SOs, Columbus PD, The state highway patrol (they also have a few fixed wing aircraft), and the State Division of Wildlife (they also have a few planes).

Just a suggestion, Good Luck!

[The Boneyard]

Thanks for the suggestion Redman. I do have an interest in flying, but not as a career. When I was being told where to fly and how to fly (flying under my school's syllabus) it was not fun for me. But, when I was on my own flying for the fun of it rather than a grade, I really enjoyed it.

[The Boneyard]

Flying for a career is like flying for a grade at school and it wasn't something I would look forward to everyday when I woke up. That is why the change from flying to LE.

[squeeeg]

With 100 credits under your belt I would finish up your old major. You can't have that much time left. If you really don't like it you can change to something that you do like, but when you do look at how much time you have to go for the new degree. You can always look at a second bachelors or a masters. I personally wouldn't throw away all those hours of studying that you have already done.

[foxmulder]

I want to get my CJ degree... The agencies that I'm eyeing want CJ or related field.

1) Pentagon Fore Protection Agency - Washington, DC
2) Metropolitan Police Department - Washington, DC
3) Department of the Army Civilian Police - Locations Various

Those are where I'd like to end up... After a few stepping stones of course :D

(CBP - stepping stone, cough cough )

MP Steve

just my two cents.. but i work for a fedleo agency in dc. recently getting assigned to a speciality division within my department, i have had the oppourtunity to work very closely with both agencies you've mentioned. if you want to pursue a degree in cj or le related that's great, getting your education only enhances your 'total package', but trust me neither of those agencies "require" a cj related degree. As long as you've got that piece of paper your fine!! just my two cents..