Which degree?

[mythoss]

I'm curious as to what your guy's opinion will be on this.

I'm in the hiring process right now...

..I have a bachelor's degree in something totally un-police related, but as you probably know that doesn't mean I would have to get my Master's in that subject. I was told I could get my Master's in 18-months, and if I get this job I plan to start that as soon as it's financially possible.

Here's my question: Criminal Justice or Psychology? Personally, I have more of a natural interest in Psychology and the few courses I took in high school and college I aced. I know CJ degrees are more the norm for police work but I would think a psych degree would have it's place, you know for like getting in the heads of bad guys. Also, say for some reason I had to stop police work in the future (injury or something) I would think a psych degree would be more versitile for other career fields.

Just curious what you all think. Thanks.

[Switchback]

I think you should always study what you enjoy most. You will find it more interesting and you will likely do much better in something in which you are interested.

[Kimble]

First, let me preface my elaboration below by stating that ANY degree major that interests you is a good major to get for LE. CJ is the norm for many, but not the only degree (there isn't a required degree field for LE, though I have seen some departments that give pay incentives for CJ degrees). Having a degree - in psychology, CJ, basket weaving, what ever - will put you ahead of applicants without one, so go with what interests you.

Personally, I have more of a natural interest in Psychology and the few courses I took in high school and college I aced.

Like I said above, go with what interests you. A masters degree is a huge financial expense, so make it worthwhile and something you know you'll stick with.

I would think a psych degree would have it's place, you know for like getting in the heads of bad guys.

Maybe. I've got a BS in psych and a MS in CJ. At the bachelor level the classes didn't go into "getting into criminal minds", but maybe there will be classes of this type at the graduate level.

Also, say for some reason I had to stop police work in the future (injury or something) I would think a psych degree would be more versitile for other career fields.

This is true, but they would be field limited to the mental health field. It's not as versatile as a MBA, but I personally couldn't see myself working a career in the business world. So long as your okay with that as a back up plan, go for it.

[RAMEDIRK]

I'm curious as to what your guy's opinion will be on this.

I'm in the hiring process right now...

..I have a bachelor's degree in something totally un-police related, but as you probably know that doesn't mean I would have to get my Master's in that subject. I was told I could get my Master's in 18-months, and if I get this job I plan to start that as soon as it's financially possible.

Here's my question: Criminal Justice or Psychology? Personally, I have more of a natural interest in Psychology and the few courses I took in high school and college I aced. I know CJ degrees are more the norm for police work but I would think a psych degree would have it's place, you know for like getting in the heads of bad guys. Also, say for some reason I had to stop police work in the future (injury or something) I would think a psych degree would be more versitile for other career fields.

Just curious what you all think. Thanks.

Get what you have a interest in. Don't get a basket weaving degree but just do a lil research. You'll see that the LE fields are diverse and CJ degrees aren't always the best. Pyschology would be nice, but so would a MBA. It also depends on what agency you are interested in. Ex: MSCJ maybe more valuable to the DEA while a MBA is more valuable to the FBI.

[noelchabanel]

A Master of Social Work and the state license that goes with it--if you are going psych--is probably your best bet. I have looked at many programs, spoken with college professors, people in private practice, and state licensing officials and have decided on that degree (I'm going to UNH for mine). I am told they are the most versatile master's level psych-field degrees. Apparently, among people working in that field, the MSW has more "snob appeal" than any other master's degree, and doesn't take any longer to get. You can work for public agencies, hang up a shingle and counsel people, maybe even work with public safety workers as a CISD counselor, it's pretty much open as to what your field of interest and specialization will be. Also, I am told by people who work in the field and accept insurance payments that if you go into private practice Social Workers are the the only clinicians with just Master's degrees that nearly ALL health insurance companies (including medicare) will pay for. That is to say, some insurances won't pay for certain types of clinicians, but they nearly all pay for therapy with an MSW level clinician. You can specialize in pretty much any field of counseling or practice after you get the license. And, at UNH I know that working with a police department is one of the internship possibilities, and going part-time is an option--not every school allows part-tome study. CT probably has some similar programs I'd imagine. By the way a MA in psychology is pretty much only good for hanging on the wall or points on a resume, it doesn't prepare you for a license in anything, so avoid that degree--although hardly anyone offers it for that reason. While no degree comes with a license, certain ones (MA or MS in Psych not among them) prepare you for the possibility of state licensure, some better than others. Check with the school and CT's mental health licensing bureau.

If you are going MCJ, check out Boston University, they are a well respected school and have a program that is totally online--and is the same program you get in Boston. The catch is I believe federal financial aid still isn't possible with online programs. But if you have the cash, and want to get a MCJ give it a look. A BU degree definitely catches people's attention; we have a number of BU PhD grads who teach at my college. Caveat: online classes and independent studies are much MORE work than normal classes. The online format is great since you'd be working, but it actually requires more personal commitment on your part in some ways. I've taken a few, and did very well, but success or failure is all up to you.

This is just my assesment from what I personally know, since I have looked into these programs for myself. I thought it might help since I have been looking at some of the same programs you are asking about, and it has been a LOT of work to find out about each program, entrance requirements, what the benefits of each degree are, etc. I have no knowledge about how they relate to police work in a practical sense.

[GrayPatriot]

I think you should always study what you enjoy most. You will find it more interesting and you will likely do much better in something in which you are interested.

+1

Also, don't think a Pysch degree will help get into the minds of the bad guys. That is like the CJ students thinking the know the law and telling you how to do your job... I say this in part because I knew a kid who after a few Pysch classes thought he knew everything and anything about someone upon a few minutes of meeting them.

[Switchback]

I am sorry, but psych degree or not, getting into people's minds and doing the necessary manipulations is 25% learned and the rest you jsut have or you don't. Reading people is an instinct.

[mythoss]

Thanks for your thoughts guys. You've given me some stuff to think about.

[muskrat]

I am sorry, but psych degree or not, getting into people's minds and doing the necessary manipulations is 25% learned and the rest you jsut have or you don't. Reading people is an instinct.

exactly... getting any bachelors degree, let alone a masters degree can be a waste of time and money if all you are interested in is being a police officer. i have seen cops that have nothing higher than a h.s. diploma be a great cop and those that have a masters not be. you can't be an idiot but having interpersonal skills if the best thing to make you good at your job and they are mostly innate and hard to learn if it's not your personality.

on the other hand, if you are getting a masters to move on up the administrative ladder of change you career the best idea is to talk to those already in the position you strive to have and seek thier advice. good luck

[unitedairforcepilot]

I'm curious as to what your guy's opinion will be on this.

I'm in the hiring process right now...

..I have a bachelor's degree in something totally un-police related, but as you probably know that doesn't mean I would have to get my Master's in that subject. I was told I could get my Master's in 18-months, and if I get this job I plan to start that as soon as it's financially possible.

Here's my question: Criminal Justice or Psychology? Personally, I have more of a natural interest in Psychology and the few courses I took in high school and college I aced. I know CJ degrees are more the norm for police work but I would think a psych degree would have it's place, you know for like getting in the heads of bad guys. Also, say for some reason I had to stop police work in the future (injury or something) I would think a psych degree would be more versitile for other career fields.

Just curious what you all think. Thanks.

I know that around here in KY there are alot of domestic calls so psych is good for knowing how people think and such. I have heard if you have any degree as long as its not pot making (lol) you'll be looked the same as if you have a criminal justice degree.They really only care if you have 'there' degree which is the police academy graduation. Everything else is just another plus.

[unitedairforcepilot]

Whats up with "basket weaving?" lol
You guys use that all the time and Im curious if it is a honest degree?!

[mythoss]

Whats up with "basket weaving?" lol
You guys use that all the time and Im curious if it is a honest degree?!

You know guys, no joke, my Bachelor's is in Fine Art, concentration on drawing. BUT, I graduated with honors and took a lot of non-art classes in college. I pretty much majored in it because I was always the artistic kid and I didn't really know what I wanted to do with my life at 18-years-old.

[noelchabanel]

You know, it just occured to me that a degree in fine art and drawing may not be as irrelevant as you think in law enforcement, after all, somebody draws those sketches of wanted criminals they put on the evening news...

[BP348]

exactly... getting any bachelors degree, let alone a masters degree can be a waste of time and money if all you are interested in is being a police officer. i have seen cops that have nothing higher than a h.s. diploma be a great cop and those that have a masters not be. you can't be an idiot but having interpersonal skills if the best thing to make you good at your job and they are mostly innate and hard to learn if it's not your personality.

on the other hand, if you are getting a masters to move on up the administrative ladder of change you career the best idea is to talk to those already in the position you strive to have and seek thier advice. good luck

I don't think education is a waste of time or money. Can it always make you more money? Sometimes yes sometimes no but the knowledge is always worth it.

Look at all the 1811 positions I believe all of them require a bachelors just to apply. Here at my local PD if you want a position of Capt. or above you need a masters.

[Lucy87]

Hello, I am about to to to college so I can get an Associates degree. One college says its ok to have an A.D. in Corrections officer or in Human Services but another college is telling me that to be a Police officer in Michigan you need Criminal Justice. What should I do??