Schooling Question

[NateDogg89]

HI, I am clueless on this so if I ask a stupid question sorry in advance. 1st "Criminal justice" this is considered being a cop, correct? This is what i would want to go to school for to be a cop? Also getting this degree from a tech school, ITT, does it give you less opportunities for jobs than someone who has gone to a University? Or is it better to go to a university, education wise? After you are out of school then you continue on to a academy? Thanks alot for your answers and anything else you have to add would be great!

[lax854]

HI, I am clueless on this so if I ask a stupid question sorry in advance. 1st "Criminal justice" this is considered being a cop, correct? This is what i would want to go to school for to be a cop? Also getting this degree from a tech school, ITT, does it give you less opportunities for jobs than someone who has gone to a University? Or is it better to go to a university, education wise? After you are out of school then you continue on to a academy? Thanks alot for your answers and anything else you have to add would be great!

ok ok, first man, got to work on the grammar. A- CJ = cop is false. I was a cj major and it really has helped me! But, an accounting degree would have been better if i was looking to go into the FBI or one of those agencies. The university doesnt really matter but if you get some joe smo from a community college and some guy from yale, who would you take? Obviously the better the school the more opportunities youre afforded. As for youre last question, i have no idea what youre asking.

[NateDogg89]

Alright let me rephrase that. Will having a CJ degree allow me to be a cop? Is that the correct line to go on to become a cop? To clarify my last question, Lets say I just graduated with my CJ degree then whats next? Just start applying or what?

[Sierra]

A cj degree will not guarantee you a job as a police officer. Any department that hires you will send you to an academy to learn what you need for policework. A slight clarification. In some states you can put yourself through the academy and then hope an agency will hire you. Again, having a cj degree and being certified as a police officer in your state are two completely different things.

A cj degree helps to introduce you to the field of criminal justice or criminology. At least in my experience it covers everything from general policing to community relation issues to correction theories to economic injustices to representation in court.

So, if that is the case, what can you do with a cj degree? You can obtain employment as a probation/parole officer or as a court employee (specific duites will vary). You can branch out somewhat and become a social worker or child protective service caseworker. It can help make you a more rounded police officer, as you would be exposed to why certain things evolved the way they did.

Re: the school you go to. First off, make sure it is an accredited institution. There are a lot of fly by night and diploma mill schools out there that are completely worthless. Next, check out the school's programs and ask around. Simply because they offer a cj degree does not mean that they are worthwhile places to spend your hard-earned money. I have an Associate from a community college and am working on my bachelor at Arizona State. There are other schools around that offer the justice degree, but none that I am interested in. Personally, I would not do ITT. It would be overpriced and is known for electronics, not justice. There are others around in my area that I do not believe would be worthwhile either.

Ultimately, your schooling will be up to you. Do the best school program you can reasonably afford (student loans have to be paid back, you know) and do as well as you can there. A community college grad that has a 3.5+ gpa is a better choice than the Yale grad with a 2.7 gpa.

[1depd]

If your interested in CJ to become a police officer, my suggestion is to have a minor or a double major in another unrelated field. Law enforcement is a very broad field and has many niche areas. Once your on a department and have proven yourself, the unrelated area could be more beneficial than the actual CJ portion of your degree in finding an area off the street to work.

Other than that, basically what everyone else said.

[lax854]

Alright let me rephrase that. Will having a CJ degree allow me to be a cop? Is that the correct line to go on to become a cop? To clarify my last question, Lets say I just graduated with my CJ degree then whats next? Just start applying or what?

ok i got ya. No Cj will not give you any advantage. Personally, its helped me alot in the academy. I understand the law and it seems the academics has been alot easier. You can apply to any agency when you meet the minimum qualifications. Meaning, if youre 21 and have the necessary credits/military service. A 4 year degree will certainly help you though!

[shorty26]

Read this

http://forums.realpolice.net/showthread.php?t=44734

[Sugar2xs]

I have an Associate's Degree in Criminal Justice. I am not a cop, I have considered becoming one but that's a whole other story. I am a Correctional Officer at a Police department near where I live. Unfortunately the degree hasn't afforded me more money or a better postition where I work. I do know that police officer's at my department make more money if they have a degree.

[Kimble]

I have an Associate's Degree in Criminal Justice. I am not a cop, I have considered becoming one but that's a whole other story. I am a Correctional Officer at a Police department near where I live. Unfortunately the degree hasn't afforded me more money or a better postition where I work. I do know that police officer's at my department make more money if they have a degree.

STOP RESURRECTING THREADS THAT HAVE BEEN DEAD FOR SEVERAL MONTHS!!! :mad:

You're not even giving NEW information.