oh yes I am changing programs AGAIN.....

I am beginning to think I am getting as bad as some of the others on here......:sadwavey:


However after working for a brief bit in the chosen field (Behavior Analysis) I am not sure its for me and I don't want to spend 16k for a degree that I might not be happy with. Don't get me wrong I love working with the kids, but the parents....:crazy:... So I have decided to volunteer my time working with children with autism/disability and revert back to a decision I had made a bit ago.

Criminal Justice.... I know many of you think it is worthless and doesn't do anything for you however I can get the degree for under 8k and the courses are interesting to me and they offer courses like legal research/writing etc so its not based on crap I probably will never use!

So there I am changing my mind AGAIN but this is the last time.....:veryhappy:

 

If the material is interesting to you, you can buy a LOT of books for much less than $8k.

Do you have a reason other than personal enrichment?

It sounds like you might be interested in the law? Have you considered paralegal programs or law school? (Note the horrible job market for lawyers, though.)

 

Soooo . . . just so I get this straight . . . it's easier to work with convicted felons than with parents? :eek2:








:joke:

Good luck in your new program.

 

Well - got for it!!!! You should pick what makes you happy and will do the most for you in the future. It is kind of funny that your signature lines still reads - Masters in....not sure yet!

 

Yes its for more than personal enrichment! I hope to work on the rehabilitative side of corrections/criminal justice/probation but I also hope to get some work as a paralegal. I have considered law school but with the expense of going and the crap job market I think this degree and the courses offered will prepare be to do the above mentioned things including working as a paralegal.

 

Actually you would be surprised!!!!!!!! If you knew me in person you would understand why working with those in the system fits me better...

 

If the boot fits....im totally kidding! I understand why people change their mind as its a big decision!

 

I'm not sure this program would allow you to work as a paralegal.

 

As a teacher who has also worked with convicted felons, I can verify that sometimes the above statement is correct. Most convicted felons know they have a problem. With some parents, they think YOU are the problem.

 

Actually I have compared this program with various Masters and Certificates programs in paralegal studies and the courses I can take are the same or similar enough to the courses in actual paralegal studies. So it might not get me a lucrative career in some huge law firm but I think it would offer some entry level work as a paralegal.

 

The reason I said that was market-based. Even if the courses are similar, your degree will be in CJ, not in paralegal studies.

If you were hiring someone for paralegal work, which would you prefer? Someone with a paralegal degree or certificate or someone with a CJ degree?

You can't even count on the interview because your resume might not make it past screening. You might have the background to do it, but you wouldn't have a credential to substantiate it. If you are competing against people with paralegal credentials plus experience, it could be even more difficult.

Also, you could face the issue of over-qualification. If you have a graduate degree in a field populated with community college graduates and certificate holders, that could work against you in some cases. This is a relatively minor concern, but it's there.

 

Paralegal is a really hot area right now. With firms scaling back on new hires, a lot of the work previously done by jr associates is now being done by paralegals that firm can pay substantially less. My uncle is a partner in a law firm and I inquired with him about what he pays a paralegal. He lives in a large city in the midwest, a new hire with two years paralegal experience typically starts at just under $50k + annual bonus. That's with an AA. He would pay more for someone with a bachelors + a paralegal cert.

 

Do you mean a BS in something/anything and a paralegal cert?

 

Yes............

 

This is useful information. Everything I have been reading has stated that because the market is hot for paralegals right now those with advanced degrees are in demand the the requirements for paralegal work is changing to prefer those with a minimum a bachelors + a cert. My degree will be in Justice Management and I would think that if I listed relevant course work either in my cover or on my resume it would get me to an interview. But your right I could be over qualified for some jobs but that is a chance I will have to take

 

Very good info! I have considered just getting a cert in paralegal studies but I really want my Master's. Its an educational goal of mine and the cheapest cert I can find is about 3500 and the masters program I have chosen is about 7200. Tough decision!!! I wish I knew a lawyer who I could ask if they would hire someone with a Masters the same courses as a paralegal cert program. I have compared them and I am taking the same courses almost exactly for paralegal cert.

 

It's also a good idea to get certified as a paralegal/legal assistant. It shows to a potential employer that you are serious about the profession, not just simply an opportunist that is interested in the field only because it is a growing industry.

 

Of course but to do this I need at least a year of work experience first if I am remembering correctly. I would appreciate any input you have!

 

In your case you are absolutely correct. For current and future viewers visit the National Association for Legal Assistants (NALA - for Paralegals and Legal Assistants). Even though certification is voluntary it's a good weapon to have in your arsenal.