Criminal Justice Degree Online?

Discussion in 'General Distance Learning Discussions' started by FTBrdpatrol, Aug 26, 2005.

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  1. FTBrdpatrol

    FTBrdpatrol New Member

    I really have decided that I want to enter the field of criminal justice either as a Border Patrol or Probation/Parole Officer.
    The schools that interest me include Columbia Southern University, Fort Hays University, Upper Iowa University, and Phoenix University. Now I know Phoenix is an expensive college but isn't it the most recognized out of the group? I really am curious to hear from people who have recieved there CJ completely online and what types of career opportunities have been found once you obtained your degree? Also would you rather choose a college that is accredited versuses DETC which is the accrediation listed on CSU's website? Also Colorado Technical University looks quite interesting.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Aug 26, 2005
  2. 03310151

    03310151 Active Member

    I'm partial to

    Washington State University. They have a DL program that can be completed online. www.distance.wsu.edu Bruce, who is a moderator, has a great list of RA and NA undergraduate and graduate degrees listed. Do a search for him and you can get the list from his signature line.
     
  3. FTBrdpatrol

    FTBrdpatrol New Member

    Yeah that is a great list of schools, I've seen it before, just wondering if anyone has any comments on why they attend such school and the career opportunities they found after graduation.
     
  4. John DeCarlo

    John DeCarlo New Member

  5. friendorfoe

    friendorfoe Active Member

    I completed my AS in CJ from Ashworth College then transfered the credits to Kaplan University's College for Professional Studies.

    I soon hope to be completely engulfed in my MBA work at St. Josephs College of Maine.

    Both my AS and BS will be DETC accredited with Kaplan now being RA....and also very expensive. Both have been a boon to my career so far.

    If you are looking at Federal Law Enforcement, a RA degree and NA degree are both good to go, however what you major in is almost as important as having the degree itself.

    For instance, right now anything having to do with terrorism or middle east studies, accounting, computer science even biology have a unique contribution to most federal law enforcement work.

    Personally, I enjoy Criminal Justice as a discipline and as a study, however I do see more utility in a discipline in somthing other than Criminal Justice if your goal is federal law enforcement.

    That being said, to work as a probation or parole officer you have to have an undergraduate degree in a social science, in which a BSCJ would fit the bill nicely.

    As for the Border Patrol...I have no idea whatsoever.
     
  6. Bruce

    Bruce Moderator

    I agree, especially for the FBI and other alphabet agencies (ATF, DEA, etc.).
     
  7. abnrgr275

    abnrgr275 Member

    Out of all the schools you listed I'd go with Fort Hays State University. At only $130 per semester hour for online undergraduate credits you can't beat the price, plus they are a regionally accredited school. DETC isn't bad, but if you want the greatest utility from your undergrad degree I'd stick to an RA degree for starters.

    You could go with the BA or BS in Justice Studies with a minor in Business Administration or Management, or even a BA in Sociology or Bachelor of Business Administration in Management. I believe FHSU offers a pretty decent assortment of very affordable undergrad degrees online that will help you out in the future whether you go into the Border Patrol or probation/parole. Just be advised that probation/parole gigs are pretty choice jobs in most locations and you'll probably need a good bit of LE experience and/or a master's degree to be competitive.

    You also could take a first step into LE work and sign up for the next BP exam if you meet the entry-level qualifications, here's a link for you to check out:

    www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/careers/

    I went to the academy and currently work with several former BP agents and it is possible to complete a degree while you gain some excellent LE experience in the Patrol. If you finish your bachelor's while working as a BP agent I think you'd be surprised how many doors will be open to you, moreso than just completing a degree and applying to LE jobs without any real-world experience.

    The BP has been an excellent stepping stone for many agents at state investigative agencies and the alphabet soup agencies at the Federal level as well.

    abnrgr275
     
  8. TCord1964

    TCord1964 New Member

    Actually, if you read the qualifications for a Border Patrol agent, it only specifies you need a bachelors degree. It does not specify a major or concentration, so in theory you could have ANY bachelors degree.

    Now, it would probably help to have a relevant major, such as criminal justice. But, a major such as Homeland Security might also be applicable.
     
  9. Wild Bill

    Wild Bill New Member

    FTBrdpatrol,

    The key thing to consider when looking at a law enforcement career is deciding where you want to end up and then plan backwards. The Federal government has its own retirement system which credits years of Fed service, both civilian and military, but doesn't allow the transfer of years served in state or local law enforcement. If you go with the USBP (they can't seem to hire them fast enough), from a financial perspective, you should remain within the Fed law enforcement system though it has its pitfalls. (involuntary transfers, a Kafka-esque bureaucracy, ambiguous "police" role, etc.)

    If you opt to go the parole/probation route to start your career, look at what other law enforcement jobs may available within the same retirement system. You don't want to waste the years of service because it does impact your eventual retirement benefits.

    It is quite common for law enforcement officers to get a bachelor's degree in one discipline and after several (or more) years of law enforcement getting a masters in criminal justice. Good luck.
     
  10. FTBrdpatrol

    FTBrdpatrol New Member

    I'm currently looking at Fort Hays, Possibly will apply for admission there in January 06. I think one of my biggest concerns besides being a border patrol, is all I'd have to go through to get there, the positives: clean credit record, no criminal background, average health negatives: need to gain size, I'm only 6 0 160, having to go through 4 years of college with the possibility of not making it into the border patrol, concerns over whether I can build a stable job history within that time period. I've worked steady on and off, seasonal jobs for years, I'm looking to get into security work which is easy where I live cause there is so much demand for guards, wondering if college and a 4 yr stable work history would be enough proof of my consistency and dedication to hard work.
     
  11. aic712

    aic712 Member

    UOP also has the BS-OSM degree (brand new) which may be a better degree than the straight CJ if border patrol is what you want to do:

    But as others have quoted before, if cost is a factor, then there are cheaper options, here is the program info:


    Bachelor of Science in Organizational Security and Management
    Version 001

    Program Description

    The Bachelor of Science in Organizational Security and Management degree is designed to address an increasing national and international need for greater technical competence and professionalism in the security industry. The distinctions between the roles of criminal justice agencies and private security organizations are recognized and the degree program provides the required knowledge for a student to develop competency and management skills in organizational security. While the program includes courses in Terrorism and Homeland Security, it also recognizes the depth and breadth of the discipline and provides a variety of courses designed to expose students to the entire spectrum of the security profession.

    Computers and Information Processing CIS 319
    Skills for Professional Development GEN 300
    Human Resources Management MGT 431
    Introduction to Organizational Security and Management SEC 310
    Survey of Security Specializations SEC 320
    Industrial Safety SEC 330
    Criminology and the Criminal Justice System SEC 340
    Legal and Regulatory Issues in Security Management SEC 350
    Interpersonal Communications SEC 360
    The Administration Process SEC 370
    Organizational Behavior and Management SEC 390
    Threat and Vulnerability Management SEC 400
    Physical Security SEC 410
    Personal Security SEC 420
    Principles of Investigation SEC 430
    Security of Information Systems and Technology SEC 440
    Global Security Issues SEC 450
    Terrorism SEC 460
    Homeland Security and Interagency Response SEC 470
    Capstone Course SEC 480
     
  12. friendorfoe

    friendorfoe Active Member

    Plan backwards...that's the best advice I've heard. Lots of people have successful careers in the BP, so don't discount hanging around awhile.

    If your goal is probation and parole however, find the quals for that and shoot straight for it.

    As for stable work history....if your a college student with odd jobs, your work history is your school work....though you will list your jobs, your goal was a degree.
     
  13. I've worked with/around a large number of USBP alumni. The Patrol seems to be a love-hate outfit with virtually no middle ground-- people make careers out of it, or discover quickly that "sitting on the X" and living in Eagle Pass isn't for them and move on. I suspect that much is situational, as the lifestyle for a PA in San Diego and one in Carrizo Springs are somewhat-- er-- different.

    They have a constant need for new blood. They're now entering a second decade of being WAY below their authorized strength, and to be honest, I don't know that a college degree will make you all that more competitive at entry-level. If you test well, come across well at the interview, and don't have any background or medical issues, your chances are at least decent as-is. My advice would be, apply now & continue your DL studies while you work. The degree will come into play when you're trying to break the GS-11 "glass ceiling" in the Patrol, or trying to make a move to a different Federal agency if you so choose.
     
  14. antraeindubh

    antraeindubh New Member

    Without getting into it too deeply - let me just say that the Border Patrol will take almost anybody. They are less selective than the Bureau of Prisons. If you have a college degree - any degree at all - you might make Section Chief faster. I've seen people get hired to work the border whose previous work experience was everything from strip club bouncer to day care teacher.

    I have held almost every job in law enfocement - and probation was about the worst of them.

    I don't have a CJ degree - my BA was "liberal arts" - no major - just liberal arts. And I went pretty far - I've seen chiefs who had forestry science degrees - if anything helps it is being bilingual, Spanish, Farsi, etc.
     
  15. jdaug

    jdaug New Member

    I findished my degree at Colorado State University, It wasn't exactly Criminal Justice but Sociology/Criminoloy. I received a job with the Children and Youth Department in the County I live in in PA. I do investigations on abuse and neglect of children. In Pennsylvania my degree fully qualifies me to work in probation/parole, which would be a lateral transfer from my current position.
    The cost was about $100/credit hour so It was also inexpensive, and It's RA.
    http://coned.colostate-pueblo.edu/extdeg/
     
  16. anthonym

    anthonym New Member

    If your goal is the Border Patrol major in whatever interests you and at least minor in Spanish. An areas studies degree in Latin American studies might be useful. The Empire State College B.A. in Cultural Studies program includes Spanish language studies and a combination of other subjects.

    Link
     
  17. Particularly useful if he's going to be reading a lot of Spanish-language books and magazines on his "down time." :D

    But seriously: I'd agree that at least some exposure to Spanish language is good, if only to give him one less thing to REALLY stress out about in the Academy.

    However, no matter his exposure to "academic" Spanish, as far as working-- especially as a BPA(T) up to journey grade-- his use of Spanish can be largely summed up by the questions "Cual es su nombre completo y completo, y de que pais es usted ciudadano o nacional? Quando y por donde cruce la frontera? Quantos veces ha sido arrestado?" Unfortunately, speaking flawless Castillan Spanish, understanding the political dynamics at work in Costa Rica, or knowing the history of Colombia will not help "break" a 17-year old from Sinaloa who had the misfortune of being the slowest courier in the group, or impress the folks from Oaxaca who are being bounced for the third time this week into giving up a smuggler.
     
  18. anthonym

    anthonym New Member

    The Border Patrol has a training academy to teach the specifics of the job. Understanding Latin American culture and history will go a long way toward knowing the big picture that affects the work of Border Patrol agents. It is important for any law enforcement officer to understand the culture and history of the area he/she is assigned. Understanding the information you describe will certainly be useful to any otherwise competent Border Patrol agent, especially in regard to the organization's intelligence function. It makes sense that any person working at the border would want to know the language, history and culture of the region. It makes a more mature, professional police officer. Otherwise, what's the point of higher education for law enforcement? Any law enforcement job is more than guns, handcuffs and mechanics of arrest and trying to 'break' someone.
     
  19. Bruce

    Bruce Moderator

    That's a lot easier in theory than in practice. For the Border Patrol, if you're assigned to the CA, AZ, TX region, you're pretty safe in learning Spanish and about Hispanic culture.

    However, in the course of an 8-hour shift, I can find myself (and often do) inside the houses/apartments of black Americans, white Americans, Hispanic Americans, Brazilians, Haitians, Dominicans, Chinese, Vietnamese, Cambodians, Laotians, Russians, Albanians, or any mix of those.

    Any tips on how to learn about that many cultures while shagging 911 calls at the same time? ;)
     
  20. anthonym

    anthonym New Member

    I don't think there's any way to prepare for everything, but it's useful to try. I'm a police officer too, so I know what you're saying. I think it's best to always read, especially the histories and important literature of the groups you work with.
     

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