I'm new to the idea of distance learning and I have a few questions about online criminal justice programs. Can anyone tell me if large police departments and state law enforcement agencies will accept a degree earned online for their educational requirements? I am particularly intereseted in knowing if the Indiana State Police will or has accepted such degrees. I also want to know if Kaplan College is a good program. Thank you all for your time.
Here is the link to the Indiana State Police Basic Eligbility Requirements: http://www.in.gov/isp/career/ Here is the training/education part of that: Applicants must have completed at least 60 semester or 90 quarter hours of credit from an accredited college or university and have at least a 2.0 grade point average based on a 4.0 grading scale as evidenced by a certified transcript, or Possess a high school diploma or GED, plus one of the following: At least three years previous full-time paid, successful (sworn) law enforcement experience having graduated from a state accredited police academy (entry level law enforcement basic training curriculum), in which the essential job functions were performed at a satisfactory or above level, as witnessed by employer or documented by employee evaluations, or At least two years of successful, active, military duty, honorably discharged or currently serving at the rank of E-4 (or its equivalent), or above, in a U.S. military service. Note, that is says the credit must come from an "accredited" college, so on the surface it would that the ISP does not differentiate between regional or national accreditation so long as the accreditation is USDOE recognized. Whether you are a current law enforcement officer supplementing your academy, on-the-job training, etc. with an online/DL degree or a prospective officer looking to getting into the field I can't see how online/DL could limit your opportunities. Criminal Justice, like other fields, will teach you theory and perhaps some practice, but the real training starts with the academy (because college degree or not EVERYONE goes through the academy) and the rest will come through on-the-job training. The education part simply builds a foundation or expands upon what you already know about the field. I'm not a law enforcement officer, so I can't give you a "walkin' in those shoes" kind of opinion. A B&M option may be Ivy Tech State College: http://www.ivytech.edu/ I have no doubts that you've heard of the school, but what you may not know is that they DO offer some DL courses. As for Kaplan College, now turned Kaplan University, I have no "been there, done that opinions", but they are owned by the Washington Post Company which means they are for-profit educational company and as such they are quite pricey considering some of the alternatives. I can tell you that once you fill out the "information request" form you can be sure to receive several phone calls from "admissions representatives". Kaplan requires students to work in groups at times (as do several online/DL programs) and having done this at another institution it can be EXTREMELY frustrating and aggravating. So, if you'd prefer to do the work on your own avoid Kaplan. I personally wouldn't choose Kaplan. Use the search option here to read the latest about Kaplan particularly this "marketer" for Kaplan who came on the board soliciting students, etc. It was good for a few laughs. Finally, what's the maximum amount of money are you willing and/or capable of spending on a program? Are you looking at the associate or bachelor level? How quickly are you looking to complete your degree? Could you or would be willing to complete a degree primarily through portfolio assessment and testing?
I don't know of any agency requiring a BA/BS which specifically excludes ones earned via DL. The FBI (I know, you asked about state/local LE, but...) changed their standards a few years ago. Previously, they required a degree earned via "residential" study. DL was out, RA or not. The present requirement is that it simply be earned at an accredited institution. (Side trivia note: J. Edgar Hoover was actually a "nontraditional" student at GWU, earning his LLB at night school while working in the Library of Congress. Why the hostility to other non-traditional forms until 2002? Who knows.. this is the government, after all.)
Criminal Justice PhD programs I recently completed a DL (some onsite residency visits were required) MS degree in Economic Crime Management from Utica College and am looking to continue my education. Since I wish to keep my fulltime employment while going to school, I am interested in DL PhD programs in criminal justice or related disciplines - with a focus on white collar crime. In particular, I am interested in NCU's PhD in Business Administration with a CJ and/or Homeland Security specialization. Does anyone have experience with this program? Can you recommend any other schools or programs? Thanks!
