A few questions...

Discussion in 'General Distance Learning Discussions' started by CrystalBlue, Jul 17, 2003.

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  1. CrystalBlue

    CrystalBlue New Member

    I want to get cracking on a degree. My career goal is to Work for the FBI. That being said, I really, really adore Psych and forensics. Are there any online programs that would combine these two loves, let me transfer in the credits I have towards a psych BA, and give me the degree base I need to apply for the FBI?

    I have My Practical Nursing degree and am licensed now. I really, really want to work the BU unit of the Violent Crime section. Becoming a Special Agent would take a lot of work and I want to do all I can to get my foot firmly planted there to haev a good shot.

    I could use a lot of advice as a lot of the schools I'm looking at are scams or overseas and I'm confused now. Seriously, I am really confused as to how to combine My two loves and still get done and working in time to Make the FBI 37 year old rule.. I got a few years to go yet, but want work experience to round out the resume.
     
  2. John Bear

    John Bear Senior Member

    The database on this site doesn't seem to list forensics . . . but it still will be of value in removing confusion over which schools are legitimate.

    The subject index to my book only lists one degree program in forensic psychology, but it's a terrific one, with which I have some familiarity. It is offered by the University of Leicester, in England, but they make a special outreach to the US market, by having courses rewritten, etc. For about five years, my company handled marketing for another distance program at Leicester (MS in training), and those offices were next door to the Scarman Centre, home of the criminal justice programs, so I got to know those people, and developed great respect for them. If we hadn't sold our business, that would have been the program I'd have wanted to do next.

    The problem, or issue, is that this is a Master's degree in forensic psych. One possible solution is that in the training program, people without a Bachelor's, but with some relevant experience, could do a one-year diploma program, which permitted entry to the Master's. Another direction could be in taking some specific forensic psych courses from Leicester and applying those to the Bachelor's program at a school like Edison or Excelsior.

    Best wishes in your quest.
     
  3. tcnixon

    tcnixon Active Member

    Not a bachelor's degree, but one of my alma maters, National University, offers a Master of Science in Forensic Science almost completely online. The graduate research project does involve some seat time, but check it out for yourself. The program looks like this:

    Program Requirements (54 quarter units)

    FS 648 Forensic and Crime Scene Photography
    FS 643 Forensic Psychology, Psychiatry, and the Law
    FS 641 Physical Aspects of Forensic Sciences
    FS 642 Forensic Pathology (prerequisite: FS 630)
    FS 644 Forensic Toxicology & Drug Analysis
    FS 645 Forensic Serology & DNA
    FS 630 Principles of Forensic Medicine
    FS 647 Crime Scene Investigation
    FS 652 Personal Identification & Forensic Anthropology
    FS 631 Major Case Investigation
    FS 654 Criminal Investigation Analysis: Profiling
    FS 662 Supervised Graduate Research Project*

    *This is a two-month, one-meeting-per-week course with a significant research component.


    It looks quite interesting, actually.


    Tom Nixon
     
  4. Bruce

    Bruce Moderator

    The FBI is only currently hiring Special Agents with certain skills, such as foreign languages, physical sciences, and accounting. The list is on their employment website.

    If you're not math-phobic, then accounting may be the way to go. You'll probably get assigned as a numbers-cruncher, but just get the job first. You can always go back and "re-specialize" by getting a Master's in Psychology or something else.

    Of note is that the FBI and other Federal LE agencies now accept Nationally as well as Regionally Accredited degrees for employment.


    Bruce
     
  5. It is. The "weeding out" process unfortunately comes after-- not during-- the admissions process. Of the 15-20 folks that started the program around the same time I did, roughly a quarter were "out" by course number 4. If you don't have a strong grasp of biology, chemistry, and A&P going in (and they don't require it for admission, incidentally) you'll be completely lost in the pathology, serology, and toxicology segments.

    Ask me about it in a few months. Anything less than an "A" in my remaining three courses, and I'll be invited to join the first five that left.
     
  6. viper88

    viper88 New Member

    Getting into the FBI can be very competitive. I would suggest obtaining work experience and a masters degree before applying. There are more forensic psych distance learning programs at the masters level than at the bachelors.

    Best of Luck! :)
     

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