Is Penn State a good school to major in Criminal Justice?

[stlrams44]

I want to go to Penn State and major in Criminal Justice as I want to go into the FBI or another agency similar. My question is whether or not their program is good and prestigious. Any help is appreciated. Thanks in advance.

[Kimble]

I want to go to Penn State and major in Criminal Justice as I want to go into the FBI or another agency similar. My question is whether or not their program is good and prestigious. Any help is appreciated. Thanks in advance.

Penn State is a good school, but if you want to work for FBI, you may want to take notice of the fact that NOWHERE on their recruitment site does it state that a CJ degree will give you any advantage towards becoming an agent: Federal Bureau of Investigation

Plenty of cops (federal agents, state troopers, local officers, etc.) have CJ degrees, but FBI tends to be more picky in the skill sets they want in new hires.

[stlrams44]

thanks for the reply. I dont plan on going into the fbi right after college. Im thinking of being a police officer for a couple of years and seeing how I like it before going to the FBI. What would you recommend I major in based on what I want to do.

[Kimble]

thanks for the reply. I dont plan on going into the fbi right after college. Im thinking of being a police officer for a couple of years and seeing how I like it before going to the FBI. What would you recommend I major in based on what I want to do.

Two things you'll also notice on that FBI site I gave you before: (1) they really don't appreciate local/state LE experience (they do hire some former local/state cops, but not nearly as much as other federal agencies), and (2) their Critical Skills tell you exactly what types of degrees or experience they want to hire. Just read their site, and if FBI is what you really want (and if so, you can have it ;)), you'll have all the info you need.

I was a local cop for a few years before becoming a fed (not FBI), so I can vouch it's a good way to do it, but many other federal agencies give more value to prior LE experience than the Bureau.

[stlrams44]

Im interested in becoming really anything at the federal level. What agency do you work for? because the path you have taken is what I would like to do. I am looking at the DEA, ATF, FBI, and NCIS right now. I'm going to be a junior in high school so I have a lot of time to think about it and research and your help is greatly appreciated.

[Kimble]

I am looking at the DEA, ATF, FBI, and NCIS right now.

All good agencies in their own areas.

If you want to be a fed, just get a degree, doesn't matter what major (though some, like accounting, may give you an advantage in some areas, like agencies recruiting for financial investigations). Whether you major in business, CJ, history, accounting, Spanish, or basket weaving, just get your degree. Going local/state LE first is a solid idea, just be sure you eventually seek a detective position, which can help you gain investigative experience that will be invaluable as a new federal agent (I was a patrol cop before becoming a fed, so I had more of a learning curve than coworkers who were prior detectives).

Also, whether you go to Penn State or another college, look into what law enforcement internships they have. If you want to be a fed, do an internship with a federal agency (or numerous internships, if you can) so that you can learn more about their hiring process. I interned with Secret Service in college, and actually discovered it wasn't what I thought it would be, and applied elsewhere.

Just be sure that when you get to college, if being a cop is something you're serious about, use that motivation to keep out of trouble (i.e. not hanging around people using dope, drinking and driving, getting arrested, etc.). Partying is pretty common in college, but taking it to excess and getting in trouble with the law will only hamper (or even prevent entirely) any hopes you may have after graduation of getting a job in this field.

[CityOfChicago]

This is a police forum, so you most likely wont find any FBI here. Try a lawyers forum or someplace similar. FBI are not police, so you're CJ degree will do you no good unless you use it to get into law school.

Penn State is a good school.

[Brendon]

Perhaps it is... Just don't get it confused with the State Penn. :p

[theferret]

:/ allow me to barge in. Which of the colleges in the MA/boston area are good for criminal justice? ...don't give me any Harvard or Brown crap .__. I'm not talking about ivy leagues haha

[Kimble]

:/ allow me to barge in. Which of the colleges in the MA/boston area are good for criminal justice? ...don't give me any Harvard or Brown crap .__. I'm not talking about ivy leagues haha

Either Harvard or Brown, definitely.

[wrestlepsu99]

As you can see by my tag, I'm Nittany Lion myself and an Alumni. PSU is a good school, but the FBI could care less where you went to school.

You're better off getting your J.D. or accounting degree if you want FBI.