Online Masters Criminal Justice/Organizational Leadership For Active Duty Military

Discussion in 'General Distance Learning Discussions' started by TechWarrior, Apr 24, 2013.

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  1. TechWarrior

    TechWarrior New Member

    I am an active duty Army Warrant Officer currently deployed to Afghanistan. Last December, I completed a B.S. in Organizational Leadership with Indiana Institute of Technology (RA).

    Honestly, I do not require a Master's Degree for what I plan to pursue upon retirement. My plans are to either flight instruct at a local airport or pursue a police officer position in a small town/city police department.

    However, if I decide to stay past 20 years and remain competitive for promotion; the Army will require me to obtain a Master's Degree.

    Economically speaking, I am looking for something inexpensive. Tuition Assistance only pays for 36 hours of graduate at 250.00/hour. I have not taken the GRE and cannot due to my deployment. Have looked at Embry-Riddle but too expensive.

    My question: I am very interested in Columbia Southern University's grad programs. Flexible start dates, 250.00/hr and free books. Louisville has a good program too; however, requires GRE. Accepted to Liberty's MA is Management and Leadership, but unsure if I want to partake the religious tone with the courses.

    My question: Since I am seeking a Master's mainly for promotion in the Army, would a degree from an NA school such as CSU suits my needs? Any advice on CSU, other options would be greatly appreciated. Mainly concerned with quality vs. cost. thanks.

    Chief
     
  2. airtorn

    airtorn Moderator

    Check out Duquesne University's leadership programs. One of my pilots recently finished up their business ethics option and tuition was capped at $250 for him.

    Several of my Lts are currently in Liberty's Management/Leadership program and say that the religious tone is very minimal.

    Trident University is also popular with the Capts who are checking the master's block for promotion due to it fitting into TA and having no book costs.

    Additionally, there are big state schools like the University of North Dakota as well as small state schools like Delta State and the University of West Florida that have many online programs that do not require a GRE and offer in-state tuition on their distance learning programs.
     
  3. Jonathan Whatley

    Jonathan Whatley Well-Known Member

  4. sanantone

    sanantone Well-Known Member

    I don't know how cheap these colleges still are, but you might want to check into Fort Hays State University, Southwest University, and New Mexico State University for criminal justice. Check out Peru State College and Chadron State College for organizational management programs. Fort Hays might have some other degrees of interest.

    If you want incentive pay for your master's degree as a police officer, some police departments will only recognize regionally-accredited degrees. In Texas, a master's degree will knockoff a certain number of years of service required to get higher levels of peace officer licenses. They will not recognize nationally-accredited degrees like what you would get at Columbia Southern University. So, that is something to think about depending on where you're planning to settle.
     
  5. sideman

    sideman Well Known Member

    The recognition of only regionally accredited degrees in most Texas police departments is probably true. However in Houston's police department the requirements specify "accredited" which would include nationally accredited coursework. Also Harris County (most of Houston) sheriff jobs and constable jobs ask for "accredited" coursework with a 2.0 gpa. Sure you get more utility with RA coursework regarding LE jobs in Texas police departments; but who says you have to limit yourself to those shortsighted departments? So take heart NA degree holders, you still have options in Texas.
     
  6. sanantone

    sanantone Well-Known Member

    I'm talking about TCLEOSE not recognizing NA degrees at all. TCLEOSE will knock off required years of service based on the level of degree you have in order to get to advanced levels of certification. With 4000 hours of training, you would need to serve 10 years to become a master peace officer. With a master's degree, you would only need 7 years of service with no minimum training hours.
     
  7. TechWarrior

    TechWarrior New Member

    Thanks for everyone's advice. I've checked most of the schools out that you have mentioned. I believe I will stick with Liberty's MA in Management and Leadership program. It might prove more beneficial if I decide against law enforcement. I may be limiting myself going solely with the Criminal Justice degree. I chose Liberty due to RA, cost (250.00 military), and the shortened course length. If anyone has direct experience with the Management and Leadership program--I'm all ears. Already have been accepted and starting first class on 6/24. Really wanted to start the May sequence; however, mail is slow to Afghanistan!! Cheers!
     
  8. sideman

    sideman Well Known Member

    Ok. Just for future reference for anyone that's perusing this thread, that may be interested in the RA or no way for TCLEOSE, can you provide a direct link to that part of their site that says this?
     
  9. Jonathan Whatley

    Jonathan Whatley Well-Known Member

    Well, there's this:

    Texas Administrative Code, Title 37, Part 7, Chapter 211, Rule §211.1 Definitions.
     
  10. major56

    major56 Active Member

    Sam Houston State University offers an online M.S. in Criminal Justice Leadership and Management-Military Police

    “The Military Police Master of Science option is specially designed to meet the needs of active duty service personnel who desire to obtain a widely respected SHSU graduate degree. While the program parallels the generic Leadership and Management degree requirements, special sections of certain courses are designed to meet the unique needs of military police responsibilities. For example, the course Building Democratic Justice Systems Abroad operationalizes DoD Directive 3000.05 pertaining to establishing civil authority and stability in the wake of combat action. Up to six credits are awarded for completed military leadership preparation, e.g., the Army’s Captain’s Career Course.”

    Official GRE score may be requested to demonstrate graduate study readiness if the GPA is inordinately low.
    CJ Leadership & Management for Military Police - Graduate Studies - Sam Houston State University
     
  11. sanantone

    sanantone Well-Known Member

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