View Full Version : Bachelors Degree
Bob1234
8 June 2001, 20:33
Is it uncommon to find a cop with a bachelors degree? Or do they/yall mostly have associates degrees?
Quite a few of the medium to large-sized PDs now require a Bachelors Degree from an accredited institution.
Most applicants these days have BS/BA degrees anyway, so the point is moot.
The requirement is used primarily to filter applicants.
In the Northeast the State Police require a
minimum of a B.S. now... In our state we have a stepped pay scale for your degree...I have my Masters in CJ it's worth an additional twenty-five percent above your base...a BS is worth twenty percent and an AS ten percent...The degree must be in Criminal Justice or a Law Degree is worth the same as a masters.
Watsy
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Take calculated risks.
That is quite different from being rash.
George S. Patton
[This message has been edited by Watsy (edited 06-08-2001).]
RogueExec
9 June 2001, 11:33
Originally posted by Watsy:
a Law Degree is worth the same as a masters.
Watsy
Not surprising, since it takes a Bachelor's of some kind, and then another 3 years to complete the Juris Degree. I have 2.5 to go, folks (taking a few classes at a time, though --- if I loaded down and went full time, I'd been done by next Spring)
Washington State departments have the degree requirements in some cases, but many have moved away from them because they have found themselves nixxing those without, and in the process, weeding out some of the best candidates (based on maturity, life experience, and such).
By the way, for those of you following Da Rogue and his push to get back into full-time LE, I am one of 4 left (380 started) for 2 positions with a local PD. Keep me in your prayers. You've all seen my posts here, you know I just barely squeaked through the psych exam!!! http://www.specialoperations.com/ubboard/wink.gif
Originally posted by RogueExec:
You've all seen my posts here, you know I just barely squeaked through the psych exam!!! http://www.specialoperations.com/ubboard/wink.gif
Sqeaked my butt, you paid that guy off didn't you.....
Down here most departments require an associates, a few require a bachelor's. Most of the agencies requiring a bachelor's degree will accept the equivalent in experience plus 4 years and usually better than Basic Peace Officer's License. Note: You obtain the Basic license upon passing the exam. Through experience and training points you earn Intermediate, Advanced and Master Peace Officer's License.
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REMEMBER 1*
dragonrain
9 June 2001, 16:23
On the South end right, Rogue? Were pullin for ya man. If you dont get that one you can always hit over here on the East Side and bust Yuppies till your hearts content.
Fingers crossed.
Case
DR
Recon,
I wish they called us "Master Police Officers" can you imagine the fun we could have with that...
Rogue,
You're going to make it you... you have that mature twisted life experience,I am the real deal philosophy ,and you can spell and punctuate properly...who knows after breakin you could be a general in no time...General Da Rogue...,
Master Police Officer from the NW...
Go For it...I will say prayers too...
Watsy
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Take calculated risks.
That is quite different from being rash.
George S. Patton
grrlcop74
9 June 2001, 18:49
Originally posted by RECON5:
Sqeaked my butt
Just what does THAT entail??
Kristen
Down here is lewiziana all you need is a major B/S degree. And we all know what B/S means........Oh.. It helps to be kin to someone or have video of someone...
grrlcop74
9 June 2001, 22:39
Same here in Alabama. Degree is lovely, but pictures involving the sheriff and goats is even better. Preferably a male goat.
Kristen
RECON5
10 June 2001, 01:22
Originally posted by grrlcop74:
Just what does THAT entail??
Kristen
Naaaaaaa, I'm not gonna let you sucker me into making some derrogatory, sexist, taughting, off the wall rebuttle......THAT IS ROGUE'S JOB!!!!
RECON5
10 June 2001, 01:25
Originally posted by grrlcop74:
Same here in Alabama. Degree is lovely, but pictures involving the sheriff and goats is even better. Preferably a male goat.
Kristen
On second thought.....Who's pen did the rookie catch you in???
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REMEMBER 1*
grrlcop74
10 June 2001, 02:34
Nobody's....that's why I'm working the civilian side now LOL. I've got my eye on this hot piece of ass Captain's pen though. No comment from you, SHARKY!!!
Kristen
cavscout
10 June 2001, 07:22
Since we're on the topic of degrees I'll pipe up with a question. To all you current police officers, what would be your choice to get a degree in? I know that having a certain type of degree, or even a degree at all isn't usually required to get a police job, so if you had any choice, either something that would help you getting hired or would help you currently on the job what would it be? I have a lot of options open to me right now, I am about to finish my associate’s degree in criminal justice, and will transfer to a university to get a BA next fall. I’ve been considering majors in Social Science, Speech Communication and Law Enforcement (yes they have a BA in LE). Those are the ones I am most interested in personally, but I am open to most things not involving hard sciences. I am dead set on a career in LE, but I also do want a degree that will either help me once in the field, or offer something to fall back on if necessary. I should probably make up my mind soon seeing as how I will have to go towards that major starting pretty soon and the only thing I have my mind made up on is that I want to minor in Spanish. I’m not looking for concrete answers or anything, just your opinions on my options, or even what you would have done given a second chance (if you would have changed it at all). Thanks!
grrlcop74
10 June 2001, 10:56
Cav, anything BUT CJ/LE. They're a dime a dozen, and fine if you plan on sticking with your local little dept (or getting your masters), but the nature of LE means you are at a higher risk of getting injured. It makes sense to get a degree that would benefit you both in LE and out of it, in case you were no longer able to work in LE for whatever reason. And at the federal level, it is hardly a competitive degree for most agencies. So pick something that makes you stand out from the crowd, so to speak...management, computer sciences, finance, etc. But that's just my opinion based on my experiences as a former cop and current student. I did my homework before I hopped back into school and nobody from the agencies I spoke with was too impressed with a CJ bachelors.
Kristen
Curtis Newkirk
10 June 2001, 22:10
Security Admin. isn't a bad degree.
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Nuck
"Defensor Brewus"
Defender of the beer
jnc36rcpd
11 June 2001, 02:12
Kristen is dead on with her advice. Make yourself different from every other behavioral sciences major wandering onto the test site (not that local law enforcement is being overrun with applicants these days).
Sharky
11 June 2001, 02:18
Originally posted by grrlcop74:
Nobody's....that's why I'm working the civilian side now LOL. I've got my eye on this hot piece of ass Captain's pen though. No comment from you, SHARKY!!!
Kristen
I didn't say a word sweetheart. http://www.specialoperations.com/ubboard/wink.gif But I have a long............memory, yeah.
Good advice on the degree. Accounting seems to be a good one these days with the FEDs.
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F.I.D.O.
grrlcop74
11 June 2001, 03:33
Damn beancounters!!! Now they want my gun too!!
Kristen
Bob1234
11 June 2001, 13:43
What about International Studies?
RogueExec
11 June 2001, 13:58
Originally posted by dragonrain:
On the South end right, Rogue? Were pullin for ya man. If you dont get that one you can always hit over here on the East Side and bust Yuppies till your hearts content.
Fingers crossed.
Case
DR
Nah, Mercer Island, baby!!!
Heh.......One Of Four. Sounds like one of those dang robot designations.
And, for your information, I DID pay off the guy........he took 2 pallets of reconditioned SWAT bricks.
No goats were involved.
grrlcop74
11 June 2001, 14:39
International Studies? Another one of those "catch-a-husband" majors. Right up there with recreational therapy and gender studies. Why would a cop want an International Studies degree? Find something you can get a job with.
Kristen
dragonrain
11 June 2001, 15:02
Really, M.I.? Gotta keep those teenagers in line huh? Make sure nobodys stealing carts from the QFC. Just playin bro.
Isnt Bellevue getting ready to test again?
DR
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"When the thunders rolling, the lightning's crashing and rains coming down in sheets as thick as lead. You just look that big ol storm right in the eye and say, Gimmie your best shot pal, I can take it." Jack Burton BTLC
mtech_81
11 June 2001, 21:37
Rogue...
I always figured you to be a Six of Nine kind of guy....heh. http://www.specialoperations.com/ubboard/biggrin.gif
P.S.--Engineering, computer science, math, and the physical sciences are surefire majors. You'll find a job even if your plans backfire elsewhere. And whatever you do, if you smell almonds in a chemistry lab, get out.
RogueExec
12 June 2001, 02:05
Originally posted by mtech_81:
Rogue...
I always figured you to be a Six of Nine kind of guy....heh. http://www.specialoperations.com/ubboard/biggrin.gif
Oh yeah, man........the Six of Nine position with the Seven of Nine chiq.......BEAM ME UP!
[This message has been edited by RogueExec (edited 06-12-2001).]
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