Criminal justice student

[LittlePinky82]

Hi all. I'm a criminal justice student and I love my major and am currently working on my bachelor's. Once I graduate I hope to work for NCIS and if that doesn't work then Secret Service or US Marshals. I love everything I'm learning with my classes dealing with my major. For those of you who are currently student's what are your classes like? Do you get any actual training or is it just a class room setting? Mine is just a classroom setting sadly. For those who are in law enforcement now do you think these classes really help prepare you or the real world academy type training?

[CityOfChicago]

They will help you understand the CJ system, as well as agency structures. You may even learn a bit about law and specialized units (white collar crime, organized crime). But you will not learn patrol tactics or firearms usage, nor will you most likely learn state laws, and you certainly won't learn the local ordinances of any municipality that may haire you one day, nor the paperwork and procedures for any specific department.

It can give you a good understanding of what the police, as an organization, is. But you will learn to BE the police from an agency.

[LittlePinky82]

They will help you understand the CJ system, as well as agency structures. You may even learn a bit about law and specialized units (white collar crime, organized crime). But you will not learn patrol tactics or firearms usage, nor will you most likely learn state laws, and you certainly won't learn the local ordinances of any municipality that may haire you one day, nor the paperwork and procedures for any specific department.

It can give you a good understanding of what the police, as an organization, is. But you will learn to BE the police from an agency.

Right. That's what is going on now. I just got done this last term with Correction's and Crime & Media. I'm sure they probably don't do that since everyone has their own goals with organization's they want to go with. Majority of my classmates want to work for Correction's but I don't think so for me. The term before I took a class about internet crime that was very interesting.

[amynryan]

I am also a CJ major, and my school does a variety of things. My best advice to you is to investigate what your school offers. For example: My school has a criminal justice club and they do training modules all the time. Clubs like that also prepare you for entry exams and also how to prepare your resume. Don't be afraid to ask questions, and also talk with your advisor or a professor. I don't know if it's a requirement in your school, but make sure to take politics classes, or a public affairs class because it does help when you are taking your core classes. There is also alumni that can help you. My classes are normal lectured classroom settings, but again, if you don't investigate what your school has to offer, you won't get anywhere.

[Citicop]

Amy-

We're glad to have you, and I hope you stay and contribute.

But your advice here in this thread is wasted. The OP was banned quite some time ago and is unable to avail herself of it.

But as it turns out, she didn't take anyone's advice the whole time she was here.

-Citicop.