Masters or Diploma

[Kolari]

Hi,

I am currently in my 4th year of a Bachelors degree program at an University, studying a program unrelated to Criminal Justice/Law Enforcement. Even though I will meet the requirements when applying to local municipal police departments (after obtaining my Bachelors degree), I feel that I should get more life experience (does this fall under this category?) to make myself a stronger candidate.

I have two choices, I could continue my current study and obtain a Masters unrelated to Law Enforcement, or get a diploma in Law Enforcement - both will take two years. I am thinking of applying to Justice Institute of British Columbia (JIBC)'s Law Enforcement Studies Diploma program (LESD) - how creditable are they? I know Vancouver Police Department (VPD) new recruits train there.

Which degree do you think will benefit me more when applying to LE jobs?

Thank you for your time.

[Jennifer]

Hi,

I am currently in my 4th year of a Bachelors degree program at an University, studying a program unrelated to Criminal Justice/Law Enforcement. Even though I will meet the requirements when applying to local municipal police departments (after obtaining my Bachelors degree), I feel that I should get more life experience (does this fall under this category?) to make myself a stronger candidate.

I have two choices, I could continue my current study and obtain a Masters unrelated to Law Enforcement, or get a diploma in Law Enforcement - both will take two years. I am thinking of applying to Justice Institute of British Columbia (JIBC)'s Law Enforcement Studies Diploma program (LESD) - how creditable are they? I know Vancouver Police Department (VPD) new recruits train there.

Which degree do you think will benefit me more when applying to LE jobs?

Thank you for your time.

Hi Kolari:

I'm a bit confused. You're options are to either continue and get a MA or get another BA in CJ??

Personally, I would continue with what you are doing now. Having a MA will help you apply for some federal agencies but it may only help in regards to promotions once you are in an agency.

I personally agree with your philosophy of wanting "real world" experience in addition to your degree. I have always believed in that myself and have worked while obtaining my degrees. But for this line of work I'm not sure how plausible that would be.

Good luck.

[Kolari]

Hi Kolari:

I'm a bit confused. You're options are to either continue and get a MA or get another BA in CJ??

Personally, I would continue with what you are doing now. Having a MA will help you apply for some federal agencies but it may only help in regards to promotions once you are in an agency.

I personally agree with your philosophy of wanting "real world" experience in addition to your degree. I have always believed in that myself and have worked while obtaining my degrees. But for this line of work I'm not sure how plausible that would be.

Good luck.

Hi Jennifer,

Thank you for your response.

My apologies if I caused some confusion. My options are to either continue my current study (Masters not relevant to Criminal Justice) or obtain a diploma in Law Enforcement Studies. If I enroll in the Law Enforcement Studies Diploma program, I will gain a better understanding of Criminal Justice. While, if I enroll in a Masters program, I would graduate with no knowledge of Law Enforcement, but I will receive a Masters certificate.

1. My question is, whether I should spend 2 years studying Law Enforcement, or obtain a Masters in other studies. Which one will the agency look at and value more?

2. I have been working while obtaining my Bachelors degree, but these jobs are non-related to Law Enforcement. This brings up another question I have, it seems that most agencies prefer candidates with life experience. What is considered life experience? work experience? extra-curricular activities? living on your own? etc.

3. Does anyone have any recommendation on Canadian schools that offers Masters in Criminal Justice? I found a few, but all of them requires you to be employed with an agency.

[Kimble]

Several of your questions have been answered in prior threads. Take a moment to read what's already available (we tend to like not beating horses that have long been dead here), and then if you have additional questions that are still unanswered, ask them.

1. My question is, whether I should spend 2 years studying Law Enforcement, or obtain a Masters in other studies. Which one will the agency look at and value more?

See here: http://www.realpolice.net/forums/cri...stice-leo.html

[Kolari]

Several of your questions have been answered in prior threads. Take a moment to read what's already available (we tend to like not beating horses that have long been dead here), and then if you have additional questions that are still unanswered, ask them.

Thanks for thread, it was informative.

However, I'm uncertain if the Law Enforcement Studies Diploma program offered at JIBC will be similar to any Criminal Justice degree - the LESD program is relatively new.

This is the programs description from their website:
The Law Enforcement Studies Diploma provides you with the theoretical background, and the applied skills and specialized knowledge required to become a superior candidate in a recruiting process and have a higher possibility of success at the entry-level employment stage in a range of investigation and law enforcement occupations.

The program includes new courses in law enforcement studies based on experience in the JIBC Police, Corrections, and Sheriff Academies, inclusion of existing courses in Conflict Resolution and Safety and Security Management, and transfer credit for courses in English from other post-secondary institutions.

*I am unable to post links until I reach 15 posts

[Samuel]

IMO, going to school/college is part of one's life experience. That being said, however, Staying in school or pursuing additional education does NOT increase or add to one's "life experience". You've BTDT already. If you want more "life experience", go do something else you've never done before or go learn/experience something you've never learned/experienced before - especially in some sort of customer service type of job dealing with a diverse set of demographics.

[Kimble]

However, I'm uncertain if the Law Enforcement Studies Diploma program offered at JIBC will be similar to any Criminal Justice degree - the LESD program is relatively new.

A college may try to sell it otherwise, but a CJ degree is a CJ degree. Whether it's a diploma, certificate, associate's degree, or bachelor's degree. Whether it's called "Criminal Justice," "Administration of Justice," "Law Enforcement," or any other spin on these, it's all seen as pretty much the same thing by police agencies, college education. None of these are the same or equivalent to actual police academy training, and none allow you to skip going to a police academy to become a cop. College education is beneficial, but graduating with a bachelor's degree in business AND a diploma in criminal justice doesn't put you any more ahead of the curve than another person with a bachelor's degree in business who has actually worked in the business world for a couple of years. It's a check in the box for most departments. If you have a college degree, the box gets checked. If you have additional college education, there's not any other boxes to check, so it doesn't really provide any additional benefit to you.

To add to your "life experience", get a full-time job and work it for a few years. You may be able to get hired as a cop straight out of college (some departments do this regularly, others don't, it just depends on the hiring demands and policy at any given agency), but if not, get a job and show through work and time that you're a mature professional who is college educated. Doing that will make you about as competitive as you can be.

[Kolari]

Thank you Samuel and ROS for your response.

I've read that to be more competitive, the agency looks at the time you committed as a volunteer; such as local Community Policing Centres. If I were to work full-time, I will not have enough time to volunteer - most likely once per week. Would you recommend that I volunteer while I work? or would work be sufficient - I understand doing both will be the best. My main concern is that my work my not be related to Law Enforcement.

Also, will participating in "The Ride to Conquer Cancer" be consider a life experience? Perhaps someone may enlighten me with what they mean by life experience; as it can be a whole range of things.

The Ride to Conquer Cancer® is a unique, two-day cycling event to take place on June 19-20, 2010. During this bold cycling journey, you will ride for two days through the scenic Pacific Northwest! Our vision is clear - a world free from cancer.The money you raise for The Ride to Conquer Cancer will benefit BC Cancer Foundation and support leading clinicians, scientists, and researchers whose search for new discoveries and improved patient outcomes will have a real impact in our communities throughout the province, across Canada, and around the world. In other words, your participation will accelerate the conquest of cancer.

[oscarmitre]

You mentioned BC and Vancouver. Which agency in the greater Vancouver area are you looking to? From memory you have Vancouver, Delta, New Westminster, West Vancouver and I think everything else is RCMP contract policing. Go to the recruiting people in your chosen agency and ask them for some guidance, I'm sure they'd be happy to help.

[Kimble]

Would you recommend that I volunteer while I work? or would work be sufficient

Volunteer work is nice, but not required. If you have time to do it, and want to, cool. If you don't, it won't hurt your application.

Also, will participating in "The Ride to Conquer Cancer" be consider a life experience? Perhaps someone may enlighten me with what they mean by life experience; as it can be a whole range of things.

Life experience is just that, experience at being a responsible adult. It's holding an honest job, paying your bills, being a law-abiding citizen, living within your means, dealing with situations with maturity among people you meet on the job and in professional settings, etc. It can come in many ways, and from many jobs, but it all boils down to you showing that you are a responsible, mature adult, and likely someone who can be trusted with the authority that comes with being a cop. Whether it's gained from being a mortgage broker, managing a UPS office, volunteering with a non-profit organization, or any other non-law enforcement job (or even related to law enforcement, such as corrections, dispatch, etc.), it's simply putting a few years under your belt in a job and establishing a good work history and good reputation among your peers.

[pabgyanghao]

continue what you are doing now. your masters will be for the promotion but then again, you can just do it later.

[marinepilot]

Again, this thread is well over 2 years old since the last post. Please stop reviving long dead threads...