Cj ??

To elaborate my situation, at the age of nineteen I was hired as a loss prevention manager for a major retailer. I tried several times to attend my local junior college, but promotions prohibited my ability to do so, where I rapidly moved up the ranks as a roving loss prevention manager and sr. loss prevention manager

After eight years of managing loss prevetion, I made a career switch into law enforcement. I had just graduated with a BSBA prior to going to the police academy.

I seriously considered a master's in criminal justice, but my wife convinced me otherwise and I'm glad she did. I ended up pursuing and graduating with an MBA/Public Administration degree.

I'm the only officer with a master's degree, with the exception of our Chief and Captain. They both have their master's in criminal justice. In talking with our Chief, he said he if had to do it over again, he would have pursued the MBA instead. The MBA can be useful both in the governmental and private sector. My MBA has allowed for a substantial increase in salary and consideration for future promotions.

My ultimate plan is to retire from law enforcement when I'm 50 years old and go back into the corporate security for a major corporation. I believe my expereince and diversified educational background will make me a desirable candidate for such a position.

Always view your professional and education endeavors as building blocks for the future. I look at it like a game of chess, strategically and intelligently making your next move. You must plan ahead and know where you want to be and plan accordingly.

 

Public Administration is a great route to take if you are interested in management, but the higher you go the more politics are involved. It all depends on your career goals.

There are many different CJ programs with all different kinds of emphasis.

jagmct1, this program may also be of interest:

http://vu.msu.edu/info/cjms-sec/

and the certificate program:

http://cjms.vu.msu.edu/cert/security/

 

But would an MPA qualify one for private sector jobs? Like security manager, etc?

 

friendorfoe,

I believe so. Here's a link of a local college 's PA page. It lists jobs of some of its graduates. IMO it is even more important to have the work experience. The degree adds credibility.

http://www.brockport.edu/pubadmin/jobs.html

 

So would an MPA have similar utility as say an MBA or MSM?

 

Very interesting and thanks for the links. I was actually enrolled in a second master's program at Cal State, but ultimately decided to not get a second master's and go for the final hurdle of studying towards a doctorate.

 

I have always thought of an MPA as the MBA for the public sector.

I have been leaning towards an MPA because I already have my undergrad in CJ. I feel an MPA would give me some options when I leave law enforcement. I started the academy a week after I graduated college, so I don't have any business experience. In my case, I don't think an MBA would do me much good.

 

I don't really have any business experience either, I'm kind of thinking that an MBA would help that though.