Is it ethical to list a Master of Arts in Criminology as a "MCJ"?

Once I complete an MPA, it would be nice to list all the abbreviated degrees after my name on a business card, with each abbreviation showing what field each degree is in:

John Doe, MPA, MCJ, DBA

Alas, I will settle for the ethically less descriptive designation of MA:

John Doe, MPA, MA, DBA

I doubt anyone would call me out on using MCJ instead of MA, but I guess I won't take the chance. Oh well...

 

Good call, beside the DBA is all you need to show you are better then others! (this is a joke by the way) :wavey:

 

I would stick with the exact title of the degree; I can't see any benefit in listing it as an M.C.J., but I can foresee headaches.

 

This thread is hilarious. What is wrong with actually listing what the degree actually is? Too much paper or ink? Whole forests being gutted to the roots? When in doubt don't make something up. Ask your school. For example an MPS from Georgetown is a master's degree, it is not an MS or an MA. A Master of Engineering from Old Dominion is not a Master of Science in Engineering.

 

It's a bit of a stretch from criminology to criminal justice. If the master's was criminal justice, using MS or MCJ is appropriate (whether the degree was earned as a master's or an MCJ - an MS is not only a master of science but also a "master's"). But on a job application use the exact degree title to avoid inconsistencies on a background check.

 

My thoughts are that you should use the degree title that you earned.

 

Strange thread resurrection, but if it's an MA in Criminal Justice, then it's an MA in Criminal Justice. I don't know why anyone would want to list an MCJ. MA and MS degrees are much more common; therefore, they're more recognizable. When filling out job applications, you're likely not going to see MCJ as an option in dropdown lists. However, you'll likely see Master of Science, Master of Arts, MSW, MPH, MBA, etc.

I have a Master of Security Studies, and I find it annoying because I have to decide if I'm going to select MA or MS. I don't know why my school chose that stupid name. I also don't know why they put it in the CJ department instead of the political science department where it belongs.

 

I hate drop down boxes- I've had to use my best judgment many times because the likelihood of my exact degree titles being listed is almost zero. But, if you list it properly on a resume and provide a transcript (maybe) I don't think it will be a problem.

 

From time to time, when I did not want to be mistaken for a Jurisprude, I use something like this:
John Bear, B.A., M.J. [Master of Journalism, because too many M.A. in Journalism students at Cal were
flunking the required 2nd language exam so the department made up its own degree
with no language requirement], Ph.D.