Mountain State University and my credits

Well guys I have some initial credits now granted from MSU. It looks like they applied 15 credits from my Basic Police Academy. They still haven't gotten to the FEMA courses that I know of. Looking good so far but I have a few concerns. As you guys know I might be considering Law School after I finish but I'm concerned that if I don't go to Law School I won't have many other options. The program I'm considering from MSU is the Organizational Leadership with the concentration in Criminal Justice Administration. If I choose not to go to Law School what kind of Masters programs do you think I could enter into? I surely don't want to spend all this money and not be able to do something I like afterwards.

Now the issue gets even thicker because it's looking like it will only take me 18 months to finish this degree whereas it would take me way more time in another program. I still however want to make sure that I don't end up with a degree I won't use. I'm not staying in law enforcement (13 years in so far) so that isn't an option. I don't think I want to teach so I wouldn't be pursuing a PHD. So what Masters options do I have with an Organizational Leadership degree? Also I know this is a major stretch but I've posted in the past my interest in working in the Theme Park industry (specifically Disney World). I like Engineering but I think it may be too Math intensive for me. I received an A in College Algebra and an A in Trig but I just don't think I can go much higher. :lol: I'm interested in Animatronics and Set Design but I don't think I would have the prereq's for Masters programs in these fields.

My wife says with the Organizational Leadership degree I could work for Disney too but I have no idea in what capacity unless it would be as some sort of Security Supervisor. Anyway I'm looking for all of your suggestions so shoot away. Good or Bad I can take it... Thanks again guys....as always.

 

I was just reading through my post and noticed that I was a little too vague. If you cannot tell already I'm always second guessing myself when it comes to decisions about my career which obviously makes me question my degree path. I've spent almost 13 years now in law enforcement and I'm pretty sure that I'm wanting a career change. The reason that the MSU Organizational Leadership degree interested me is that it wasn't an actual CJ degree so it could be used in other career paths. I am 100% certain I am not stopping with a bachelor's degree which is why I was asking about the potential (and realistic) avenue for a Masters degree. My heart would have me working in the theme park industry with animatronics, set design, construction management, etc. but I have to be realistic as well. I don't know if this particular degree with MSU would allow me to pursue a masters in a field such as the ones listed. This degree would be the quickest way to finish and move on to a masters program but at what cost? It seems like every time I try and complete a degree something pops up and derails my plans. On top of actual issues that always seem to prevent me from finishing I always compound it with being wishy washy. This is why I'm asking for any and all opinions on this issue. Don't be afraid to hurt my feelings. I am asking for real concerns and advice. Thanks again guys....this place is an invaluable resource and I appreciate all the advice in the past as well.


This is the programs description on their site. I know it refers to CJ but I have to believe that this degree could lead into other types of masters programs.

BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN ORGANIZATIONAL
LEADERSHIP - CRIMINAL JUSTICE ADMINISTRATION PROGRAM INFORMATIONThe Bachelor of Science in Organizational Leadership - Criminal Justice Administration program at Mountain State University is designed to be convenient and flexible for today’s busy law enforcement professional. Our program provides a broad-based curriculum focused on current issues in the criminal justice field. Along the way, students will be able to apply what they are learning in their current workplace. And, with the knowledge and skills gained, students will be more marketable when new career opportunities become available.

The program includes a total of 128 credit hours of coursework consisting of the following components:

48-credit Administration of Criminal Justice Major Component
33-credit Career Component
36-credit General Education Component
11-credit Elective Component



OL-CJA PROGRAM OBJECTIVES
Earn your bachelor’s degree and become a leader in the criminal justice field by preparing to:

Implement creative leadership skills in criminal justice organizations.
Create positive changes in criminal justice organizations through critical thinking skills, problem solving skills, and application of change and systems theories.
Transform beliefs and attitudes about organizational management to maximize human resources in the achievement of goals.
Collaborate with critical stakeholders to achieve optimum productivity and quality performance.
Formulate effective policies and evaluate existing policies based on criminological and organizational theories.
Diagnose, analyze, and resolve problems in criminal justice organizations in accordance with scientific research methods and within an open systems framework.
Make informed decisions based on an appreciation of human diversity and ethical principles.
Apply management principles to develop and sustain effective criminal justice organizations.
Gather and synthesize information from diverse resources as a basis for informed decision making and professional growth.
Value and engage in lifelong learning experiences to meet the changing needs of the criminal justice system in the 21st century.

 

Based on your previous two (2) posts to the forum you might want to consider the MSU BS (Organizational Leadership) even though it is in the area of criminal justice as it would allow you to leverage your existing credits and professional experience in law enforcement. Afterwards, a graduate degree in organizational leadership in another area, if desired, is still possible.

Duquesne University offers several graduate degrees in leadership, such as the Master of Arts in Leadership and Liberal Studies (MLLS).

North Central University offers an MBA in Organizational Leadership. NCU has a discount for law enforcement personnel.

There are many graduate degrees available in leadership / organizational leadship from which to choose. I mention to two schools only as an example.

Good luck in your educational pursuits!

 

Thanks for the response! I'm not too worried about getting the prereq's for other degree paths as long as it won't be like starting a degree from scratch. I'll keep doing more research to see what would apply from this degree into a completely different masters program. Thanks again...

 

www.fhsu.edu/leadership

You can do a BS in Organizational Leadership and then follow up with a Masters. I briefly had it as a 2nd major but was getting burned out so dropped it. I took a few leadership courses and quite liked the curriculum and the courses taught - the advisor I had for the Leadership major was excellent, very approachable and easy going.

FHSU has a good rep as well and it is rather affordable - moreso than MSU (and FHSU is also RA).

BM

 

Thanks man...what I'm really trying to find out is what masters programs outside of the MPA, or other leadership type degrees could this degree apply towards. It's kind of why I keep second guessing my degree choice at MSU. I want to make sure I can use it possibly outside of those types of degrees. The major positive about the MSU degree is the time it takes to complete due to the generous tranfer policy and the credits given for basic police academies. Any idea what other types of masters could this degree be applied to?

 

What is the transfer policy at MSU?

 

I have found many-not all-Master's programs do not care about your undergrad degree major. In fact, many people study a totally separate subject in their masters work. If you have an idea of what type of grad studies you want to do, look at what that program requires and complete any pre req's in your undergrad program. Basically, once you have your bachelor's, there will be many possibilities open to you.

Hope this helps.....

 

It definately helps. I guess I'm just looking for reassurance that I'm doing the right thing. I'm interested in possibly a masters in Construction Management but I'm also interested in possibly going to law school. This is quite a wide range of interests but I would like to keep my options open for both of these possibilities. My dream has always been to work at Disney World in some sort of ride capacity whether it be design, construction, developing, etc. Obviously the degrees for these types of careers would be a lot different. On the other side of the spectrum while I'm 100% positive I want to get out of the enforcement side of law I am still very interested in law itself. Those are my main issues and I'm just trying to make sure that if I spend all this money with MSU I will be able to use the degree. My wife thinks I'm worrying for no reason and thinks I should focus on getting the degree completed. I tend to have a problem with overthinking things which ends up leading to me being wishy washy.I feel though that after almost 13 years in law enforcement this is a huge career change and I need to make sure I handle it properly. Any other suggestions send them my way....and thanks again!

 

Your wife is correct....one step at a time. I've been in the law enforcement game longer than you (20 years this month), and I wish I had $10 for every time I thought I wanted to change careers. Yet, here I am still.

You'll be plenty busy for the next couple of years finishing your undergrad degree, so now is the time to focus on that and not worry about the next step just yet.

 

Thanks Bruce! I am starting to feel a lot better. I guess my concern was just making sure this undergrad degree in Organizational Leadership doesn't prevent me from possibly going into a different masters program if I decide to do that. Thanks!

 

Provided you satisfy the prerequisite academic requirements, at time of application, the choice of graduate degree is fairly wide open.

For example,
-Computer science bachelor degree holders have successfully gone on to study environmental science at the graduate level.
-Business management students have gone on to earn a degree in information systems at the graduate level.

As others have advised, focus on your undergraduate degree and do not worry about graduate studies just yet. Best of luck!

 

Thanks! You guys have made me feel better for sure. Looks like I'll be starting MSU in a few weeks if all goes as planned. I'll keep everyone updated on my status.

 

Also Bruce since you are in law enforcement too do you know of any grants, scholarships, or loans specific to law enforcement officers trying to complete their degrees? I've been searching online but I don't see anything yet. Thanks!

 

The only graduate programs I'm aware of with rigid prerequisites are in the hard sciences and business related (business, accounting, etc.) degrees.

Just scholarships that are school specific; for example the New England School of Law has the Mark Charbonnier Scholarship which is a full ride for the final year of a police officer student, named after a MA State Trooper killed in the line of duty while a student there. I don't know of any general aid for police officers, but I'm sure they're out there.

For a clearinghouse of scholarships, grants, loans, etc., check out;

http://www.finaid.com

 

I'm in LE as well. I'll be done my bachelors degree next summer (BS in Information Networking & Telecommunications) and plan on a MS in either Organizational or Stragetic Leadership - entirely unrelated but relevant to what I want to do (Management in my organization).

I, too, tend to overthink and even added the Org Leadership as a 2nd major - but it would have prolonged my undergrad by a couple of years. I didn' think it was worth getting an undergrad with a double major and then doing a masters in leadership as well, so I dropped it and stayed with the INT major...

 

That's awesome man. My problem is that my mind and heart pull me in quite a few different directions career wise. Matter of fact I was watching a video earlier of Disney Pyrotechnics and I was VERY interested and amazed. It happens that quick for me which is why I have a tough time choosing a degree. I could easily spend a week now researching what type of degree you would need to put together pyrotechnic shows for Disney.

If I had to rank careers as of right now it would look like this:

1. Working for Disney World (Orlando, FL) as a Security Supervisor, Set Designer/Construction, Construction Manager, Ride Designer, Audio Animatronic Designer/Technician, etc.

2. Medical School (But only if I could work in the medical technology field such as nanotechnology.

3. Law School- I obviously love Law or I wouldn't have stayed in LE for almost 13 years but I'm looking for another avenue if I stay in.


As you can see this obviously leaves me constantly confused and doubting myself. Don't ask me why I have an obsession with Disney. There is just something about the place that makes me smile every time I go there which in turn makes me want to work there. I was discussing it with my wife earlier. I've been in LE for almost 13 years. I have no doubt that I've helped lots of families in their time of need and really impacted some people. However I fell like I've also seen the worst society has to offer and its time for a change.

Although I'm not blinded by stars thinking a job at Disney wouldn't have its fair share of problems I see how happy it makes other people being there and I want to be a part of that. I know it all sounds Goofy (pardon the pun) but at some point in my life I'd like to work there. I told my wife that even if I don't do it right now maybe when I retire I'll try to get on as a greeter, train operator, trashman, etc. It doesn't mean that I would be unhappy choosing number 2 and 3 on my list either but it isn't my number 1 choice.



Anyways thanks for all the advice.

 

Being a police officer is much like entering a dark tunnel where you initially can't see the other side. Some people pop out at the end at retirement no worse for the wear, others get sidetracked with alcohol, marital, and other problems and never make it, either voluntarily or otherwise. The ones who do make it learn to insulate themselves from what they see at work, and don't bring it home. When I get home and take off the uniform, I transition from police officer to husband/daddy and don't think about the job until the next shift.

It's very common for officers with 10-15 years on to question whether or not they want to change careers; it's the point where one still feels young enough to make a change and still have time to build a second career. Truth be told, EVERY police officer (with one exception) I've seen leave the job voluntarily has regretted it later, and many police departments are hesitant to rehire people who quit on them.

Don't take this the wrong way, but I think your desire to work at Disney is some type of subconscious desire to escape reality. Nothing wrong with that, but I've met several retired police officers from MA who work Disney Security, and their universal assessment is "it's okay". They all have their 80% pensions so they don't need the paycheck to survive, and in the words of one retiree, "Thank God I don't" (need it to survive).

I guess my point is be absolutely certain you want to leave law enforcement before you pull the pin, because it can be tough getting back in the door. Walking away from a secure government job with a decent paycheck & health benefits is a huge step, especially for someone with a family.

 

I actually haven't had any problems insulating myself from the things I experience at work. I have never brought my work home and I regularly discuss with my wife (who is a counselor) to make sure to let me know if she notices any changes. I'm really lucky to have such a support like that but I've always been able to turn it off so to speak.

You are 100% right about this. I feel like if I'm going to make a career change now is the time to do it. I did leave once for 6 months and I definately missed it although I came back due to other reasons. I fixed that problem though. For the time I was gone from full time LE I worked as a reserve deputy. That worked out fine and it is what I'm going to do if I leave again.

While I do feel like Disney is an escape from reality it isn't the reason I want to work there. I really love some of the fields they employ such as animatronics (robotics), ride and set design, anything to do with Construction Management (I like working outdoors), and pyrotechnics. I will definately consider your advice on Disney Security. Apart from that I've moved up the ranks pretty quickly and I've reached a point in my career that the only way to go any higher is federal LE. I've been through local sheriff's offices, DA's offices and now state government.

I am definately going to think it through before I make a decision. I guess that's why I've been beating myself up about which degree path to choose. I just know I'm trying to choose a degree that keeps most options open on the masters level. This board and you personally have been a great help and I appreciate all the advice that has been given. As always thanks!

 

Please keep us informed on how MSU works for you. They have a very interesting Interdisciplinary Studies grad program that I often think of pursuing. Perhaps something along the lines of Sustainable Information Systems?

When I was a kid, all I wanted was to be a cop. I entered the Army at 17 to me an MP. After I was there, I was informed I was too young (18 was required). The short story is that I waited too long and will likely never do it (too old and jaded now). Over the years I've spent a lot of time volunteering in the juvenile justice system and know that I cannot come home and leave it behind, so I'd likely not be a good fit anyway.

Thanks to all of you here who can protect and serve. You are all needed and appreciated.