Minor?

[Justinb42]

Right now I'm planning on being a police officer for a few years, hopefully becoming a detective, and depending on where my life is at, either going to a federal position or staying there. What minor would you recommend with a Criminology major? I've heard Computer Science is good, but I just want to make sure before I pick my classes for next semester. Psychology?

[Citicop]

If your goal is law enforcement and then to go federal, then my recommendation is to change your major. Police departments do NOT care what your degree is in. Criminology is no better or worse than computer science, chemistry, political science, marketing, or business. Any degree will be just as good as any other.

For the Feds, criminal justice may hurt you a little bit. To the extent that some federal agencies prefer specific degrees (like the FBI), NONE of them prefer CJ as a major. Those are a dime a dozen, and a degree in another field will work to set you apart a bit from the pack.

I would say major in Computer Science and minor in CJ if you feel you must.

-Citicop.

[Justinb42]

Interesting, thanks a bunch for the advice, I'll definitely consider it.

[Kimble]

Have you read these threads yet?

1) Should one major in Criminal Justice to be a LEO?

2) So You Want to be a Federal Agent?

[Ispbear]

Try a major in accounting, minor in psychology and become proficient in Arabic. You'll make yourself an easy hire with the Feds.

[Justinb42]

Have you read these threads yet?

1)

2)

I missed the first one but I've read the second one. My apologies for missing it.

[Citicop]

I missed the first one but I've read the second one. My apologies for missing it.

No apology necessary, Justin. He pointed you to them because they have a lot of good info, and even if you searched, you could have missed one or both.

-Citicop.

[mcsap]

We can SO use someone who has FORMAL training/ degree in computer forensics. There are a lot of people who are "good " with computers but few that are formally trained to do so.

[Justinb42]

OK, one last question: how will a bachelor's in Spanish do? Will it get any recognition above a Spanish minor?

[Nichow]

Here is my two cents.
If you want to go federal, try to pick what agency you want specifically. FBI has a few specific degrees they want and list on their website.
If you want to go city or county then a degree is a degree for the most part. I always recommend to look into business management. Every officer will go to the academy and learn CJ stuff. But when it comes time for promotions to management positions a degree in business management is going to help. Especially since the other officers you are competing against are most likely going to have degrees in CJ.

[1depd]

Something else to consider, if your local academy is given at a college. You will most likely receive college credits for your training. When taken in conjunction with an already existing degree, you could easily take a couple more classes and be finished with a degree in CJ in addition to the non-CJ degree you have.