Questions regarding careers with a Criminal Justice degree

[michellem1]

I am currently a stay at home mom and I am strongly considering going through the University of Phoenix Online to get a Bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice. My main areas of interest are going into either crime scene investigation, criminal investigations, forensics...My question is this: After receiving your degree in criminal justice, can one go straight into one of these fields and get a job easily, or is it usually required that people with criminal justice degrees first start out as a law enforcement officer before being able to aquire a job and start a career in one of these fields?

Michelle M.

[shorty26]

I believe ROS can answer this better than anyone, but if you are planning on being a crime scene tech, you should probably look into a degree in forensic science. I don't think a CJ degree is going to help much for forensic evidence collecting.

This thread may answer your questions
http://forums.realpolice.net/showthread.php?t=46962

[shorty26]

If you are looking into criminal investigations- then you would have to be an LEO.

[Kimble]

This thread may answer your questions
http://forums.realpolice.net/showthread.php?t=46962

Already beat me to the punch. Good to see that thread is getting some use.

[BP348]

I just wanted to make sure that you know that the "CSI" TV show is nothing like real life. If your getting into this because you think it's going to be like the TV show your going to be very disapointed.

You can do a search and find out more on how the real crime scene guy's on this site hate that show.

Good Luck on getting your degree. Please let us know how you like the program at the University of Phoenix.

[carterfsmith]

...My question is this: After receiving your degree in criminal justice, can one go straight into one of these fields and get a job easily, or is it usually required that people with criminal justice degrees first start out as a law enforcement officer before being able to aquire a job and start a career in one of these fields?
Michelle M.

Hi Michelle,
There's good advice here regarding focus topics, and you aren't likely to find too many good forensic science courses that aren't face-to-face. Any one that suggests you can graduate from college and jump into your choice of CJ field without putting in the experience should be asked whether that's what they did.

To answer your question - can one go straight into one of these fields and get a job easily? - the answer is no. CJ jobs are rarely, if ever, easy to get into. The process itself usually takes many months, if not longer.

[Sugar2xs]

They are all so right...lol. I was 34 when I started college for my degree. I wanted to get into forensics too. Not because of CSI but because of shows like cold case files and the like. I was always fascinated with the detail and the piecing together of the puzzle to solve the crime. I was rudely awoken and saddly dissapointed to find out that I needed biology classes for CSI and chemistry or physics for Bolistics..guns are my other passion. I took the job where I work now for several different reasons. I do like my job but it isn't what a went to school for and I hope to be moving on before I am stuck there too long. Most of the people I work with barely have educations let alone degrees, so, it seems I could have done this job without one. I'm not giving up though. I appreciate the things I have learned and my degree, but, I want something more. Good luck with what you decide to do and if you choose the right path and work hard for it you will make it to where you want to be.

[Citicop]

Wow, talk about thread ressurection...

Sugar, you realize that this thread is 6 months old, and the original asker hasn't logged in since three days after the question was asked, right?

;)

Just checking.

Citicop.

[Sugar2xs]

I did after I wrote the big, long reply..lol. Then I thought friggit, just in case she comes back...I'm new here tho and I had something to say...lol

[Lisa28127]

I am currently receiving a Bachelors degree in CJ with a minor in crime scenes. When I lived in West Palm Beach, Fl, it was not a position that required me to be a badged officer, Palm Beach county hires non uniformed crime techs. Well now due to family need, we have moved to NC and every law enforcement agency that I have checked into requires their crime techs to be badged personnel. What else do I need to do to become badged personnel? Since I am currently receiving a Bachelors and will have above the required credit hours, can I just challenge the BLET or do I need more classes? thanks for the help!:confused:

[Kimble]

What else do I need to do to become badged personnel? Since I am currently receiving a Bachelors and will have above the required credit hours, can I just challenge the BLET or do I need more classes? thanks for the help!:confused:

You can't simply challege the state or department requirements to work in a specific LE field. If a department requires you start off in patrol before becoming a crime scene tech, you can't waive a college degree in their face and demand to become a crime scene tech. You'll have to start out in patrol first, like everyone else working for the agency, and then use your education/training down the road to procure a crime scene tech slot.

[RO56]

... you can't waive a college degree in their face and demand to become a crime scene tech.

So that's what I've been doing wrong, eh?

Gheesh, ya learn something new every day ... :eek:







Just kidding ... :D

[Lisa28127]

I understand that, I am wondering what else do I need in order to take the BLET. Will I have to go through the whole training or will my Bachelor's be enough training to take the test? If I have to go through the police training, I might as well slow down my CJ degree and start over by going through training, then start again with the Bachelor's. I am just trying to minimize schooling where I can. I don't want to spend 4 years of schooling just to have to return and spend another year. that would mean 5 yrs of training to wear a badge. I am not below that if that is what I have to do but that seems like a little much. I know Homeland Security personnel with less training then that!

[Kimble]

I understand that, I am wondering what else do I need in order to take the BLET. Will I have to go through the whole training or will my Bachelor's be enough training to take the test?

I'm not sure what "BLET" is, but I'll assume based on context that it's a law enforcement certification in your state (i.e. P.O.S.T. certification)? :confused:

If so, no, you cannot use your college degree to substitute or waive police academy training. I have a BS and a MS, and neither degrees waived me from any of the four police academies I've been through. Education does not substitute experience/on-the-job training. Sorry, but that's just a fact of life in CJ professions.