General Forums >> Law Enforcement Careers >> In limbo..
In limbo..
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Posted almost 6 years ago I am currently a 22yr old student with close to 110 college credits, I am 6credits shy of finishing up with my associates in Criminal Justice. I want to begin my career in law enforcement ASAP but also want to continue towards a bachelors degree. Basically I am asking if it would be smart to start my career after I'm done with my associates and still take some classes or should I just worry about finishing up school right away |
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| Posted almost 6 years ago I don't know where you are from our where you are looking to work. I know that the better education you have in NJ the more you will be paid. Some PD's here require a bachelors degree though |
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| Posted almost 6 years ago I am from Bergen County,NJ and know for the most part alot of PD's require a Bachelors....I'm willing to relocate to begin working if necessary though. I understand the importance of education and plan to continue but I see in most job postings the requirements for jobs are HS Diplomas or a certain amount of college credits. |
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| Posted almost 6 years ago Paths are only made by going forward and action trumps inaction. Make a choice either way soon or will regret it. |
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| Posted almost 6 years ago CTufel : you can get into a dept with an associates in criminal justice. but, alot of big dept require a Bachelors degree. with an degree you get more pay. GOOD LUCK :>) |
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| Posted almost 6 years ago College will be harder to complete while working in LE. You can work 1500-2300 and go to school. But, court dates may interfere with tests dates....Don't wait or delay. Be sure to inform your employer of your goals. A good department will encourage education. |
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| Posted almost 6 years ago Might check into volunteering for the department you are going to apply at. Work it around your school schedule. |
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| Posted almost 6 years ago I know that of the five departments I applied to here in CA not one of them required a BA/BS. The minimum requirement was a high school diploma/GED. Schooling looks better the younger you are, but I just got hired on with my AA (plan on finishing up with the BS later). |
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Anonymous
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| Posted almost 6 years ago I am in Oklahoma. When I finished my associates, I was almost immediately hired by a pd. But as a rookie officer, it is very hard to make time for school. I work for a place that is pretty good about, once you bid for a shift, you are on that shift. They do not move us around, but I work evenings, and that is the power shift, and I get held over a lot. We have had a surge in violen crime just like everyone else, and we have 4 guys on injury leave right now, so we are working a lot of days off and overtime becuase of shift minimums. So if your degree is that important, you may look at online courses, or finish before you get hired on. |
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| Posted almost 6 years ago The beauty of the internet is that you can actually do a bachlors program in an online atmosphere and you never have to be online at a certain time. Many people look down upon getting an Online degree but I am in one now and it is a lot of work. However, working 12 hour shifts with no set days off and the possibility of being held over a traditional school is almost out of the question. My advice is that if you don't need the job for stupid stuff like eating, finish your degree. If you do need the job to live you may want to put the bachlors on hold until you have been hired and then look into all the options available. |
