AMU MA in Criminal Justice

Boston University’s MCJ (online) looks interesting; a 10-course 30-hour curriculum; could be expensive (?)…

http://www.bu.edu/online/online_programs/graduate_degree/master_criminal_justice/index.html

 

Taylor,

Yes I'm an alum, but there are so many fine schools you can choose from. I don’t believe neither Prairie View A&M nor Tarleton State offers the MPA online. However, the University of Texas' UT TeleCampus system does offer the M.P.A. through the University of Texas Arlington (UTA). I took 16-hours of online graduate education courses through the TeleCampus system (Univ. of Texas-Permian Basin) back when I needed to obtain my school district superintendent certification. And you're very welcome...

http://telecampus.utsystem.edu/catalog/programs/programinfo/mpa.aspx

 

BTW Taylor, I have a younger brother who completed his undergraduate degree with Regents College (USNY) … now Excelsior College (one of the Big 3). His degree has served him well. I know your B.A. from TESC will do likewise for you.

 

Taylor,

Look here if you are looking for an online MPA program:

http://www.naspaa.org/students/clearinghouse/clearinghouse.asp

 

major56 thanks for those encouraging words. 3-4 years ago I would've never thought of pursuing a masters degree, I would've been happy with a Bachelor's. Don't get me wrong I'm not taking my BA lightly. However due to a poor economy and the fact that I have no marketable skills, I almost feel like it's imperative for me to beef up my education. I'm hoping a Masters degree will be that missing tool that I need to fill my tool belt. The fact that there are people like yourself on these forums that put education in high regards motivates me as well. I mean you have 3 masters, I should be able to get one, right? Take care.

 

truckie,

Thanks I've seen that site already. I've been doing a lot of research all night. But I think I'm leaning towards AMU now even though Troy and CSUDH have the B&M factor and also the NASPAA accreditation. Although I may consider transferring later to either one. I just feel with AMU I can get the ball rolling a lot faster and may even start taking grad classes next semester while still an undergraduate. At TESC up to 9 grad courses can count towards my BA. I did have a question though. How important is the NASPAA accreditation? AMU's program is not accredited but I've noticed a lot of other highly ranked school's MPA's are not NASPAA accredited as well? Even on the NASPAA website in their FAQ section they state that if a MPA is not NASPAA accredited it doesn't mean it's inferior it just means that the college chose not to participate...of course I'm paraphrasing to the best of my memory. To me that accreditation almost seems no more than a pat on the back. Am I missing something?

 

NASPAA is not critical - I just posted that link as a place to start your search. I do not think NASPAA is a factor unless you are looking at teaching in a PA program at a NASPAA school in the future.

I teach at AMU and think that it is a great school. Troy and CSUDH are also great choices. One big positive in my view with AMU is the ability to select a concentration so you can get a focus in an area that interests you while getting your MPA. The homeland security and emergency management programs have a lot of students from other degree programs taking their courses as specializations right now.

 

truckie, thanks for clarifying the NASPAA thing. It seems like the regional accreditation is the important part with MPA programs and the NASPAA may be just seen as icing on the cake. No, I'm not interested in teaching yet, but if I do end up graduating from AMU and decide to teach later in life I guess I'll have to teach at non NASPAA schools which seems to be plenty for me. And BTW I forgot you taught at AMU. My main reason for pursuing an MPA at this point would be for employment and to strengthen my promotion possibilities in law enforcement or other public sectors. I was more concerned an MPA at AMU would not be looked as a Masters degree by agencies I would be applying to because it is not NASPAA accredited but that doesn't seem to be the case. The concentration at AMU sounds appealing. Thanks as always for your help.

 

First, I have 2-masters … not three; there are many on this discussion board who've accomplished much more academically. I’m currently working on a third (2nd MBA in Finance). One thing I can say about American Military University is that I’ve always thought their name is truly GREAT! BTW their founder is a former Marine Major, so as a former Marine officer I’m somewhat biased in my view. Consider regarding an AMU degree, there will be some employers and recruiters who may have the perception of military, structure, inflexibility, etc. You know what I mean. There are times I won’t include the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College on a resume if it’s within certain circles (e.g., public education). On the other hand, federal and state governments and even many private industries will probably look favorably toward an AMU graduate; I know I would... Everything I’ve read about the American Military University has been nothing less than positive … a fine academic institution.

 

The situation here is quite different to the US. There are no municipal or county police services. Each state has its own service and the Australian Federal Police (AFP) looks after offshore and federal issues. There is significant interchange between the police services and we don't have the array of federal investigative agencies that the US has. I have worked with former US police, now Australian officers, who have commented on the difference. Because of the population base, I guess it is less costly for us to have one bureaucracy.

In the main, each member of the state police has powers under the federal law.

The AFP at the airports are state police seconded across to the AFP for designated periods. They can exercise state and federal powers. State police are often seconded across to the AFP for specific investigations. The state victim identification units were seconded across for the identification of the Bali bombing victims.

It is interesting to note that the forerunner to the AFP, the Commonwealth Police was setup in 1917 because an egg was thrown at an Australian Prime Minister in a country town in my state and the police refused to arrest the egg thrower. Not a popular politician at the time.