Value of a degree

[DJKAHUNA]

Ok, so searching every single website of LE in the entire state to find folks hiring, and I come across the Glynn County PD (Brunswick).

Their job description requires a HS Dip. / GED and several things including an Associates in CJ. BUT - There is nothing about a Bachelors.

So I called them and the answer I got was basically that unless it is in CJ its worthless.

I find this bit strange. Not to be pretentious, but I don't see how an associates from ITT Tech in CJ holds as much weight as a Bachelors from UGA.

I do realize that there are plenty of folks out there that are worthless outside of a classroom. And no one would want them as back up. But thats what BLEC / FT is for right? Have you guys (and gals) ever found other depts. that follow this train of thought?

I was under the impression that folks with bachelors were the new and upcoming trend in LE.

[Drum Roast]

I have an AS and a BS in CJ. I've never been compensated for either and feel happy just to have a job. I would think even a year on the road is worth more than a BS in CJ.

[juicesnn4e2]

well thats all good, but I had to wait 16 months before Atlanta paid me for my degree.

[flyer2007]

well thats all good, but I had to wait 16 months before Atlanta paid me for my degree.

16 months? I thought it started after you graduate the Academy? I am having second thoughts regarding ATL just because the info that they advertise seems to be inconsistent. If you don't mind me asking, how much do employees pay for healthcare out of each paycheck, and do you get paid 24 or 26 times per year? I am trying to determine what actual take home pay would be, in a few different scenarios.

Thank you for any info.

[MPDCjock]

IMHO, having a degree matters no matters no matter what it's in.

[ryker]

I see your the OP point. But if they give pay based on degree level and not type then a person with a Masters degree in african zebra's would be required to be paid more than a US Marine Veteran with a 2 year CJ degree. Who on paper would be a better officer?

That said - there just might be a animal at large call and it be a zebra.. lol

My agency doesn't pay for degree, years of service, training, military status -- we all get paid near the same. I guess it is since we have the same job duties.

[irishlad2nv]

Ok, so searching every single website of LE in the entire state to find folks hiring, and I come across the Glynn County PD (Brunswick).

Their job description requires a HS Dip. / GED and several things including an Associates in CJ. BUT - There is nothing about a Bachelors.

So I called them and the answer I got was basically that unless it is in CJ its worthless.

I find this bit strange. Not to be pretentious, but I don't see how an associates from ITT Tech in CJ holds as much weight as a Bachelors from UGA.

I do realize that there are plenty of folks out there that are worthless outside of a classroom. And no one would want them as back up. But thats what BLEC / FT is for right? Have you guys (and gals) ever found other depts. that follow this train of thought?

I was under the impression that folks with bachelors were the new and upcoming trend in LE.

Well your first mistake was calling Brunkswick PD. Kidding, but seriously. If you have the degree you may be better off appplying Federal, however I don't see where you got the idea that having a degree and applying to LE is a "new trend"?

There are a ton of threads on here related to degree vs. military, etc and what role does it have in LE or for the applicant.

Right now with the economy, agencies that are hiring, look for experience in the LE field.

[BaldOldWhiteGuy]

IMHO, having a degree matters no matters no matter what it's in.

Well, here is a weird dichotomy... I both strongly agree with you, and at the same time I couldn't disagree more! (At least I think I do... I think you meant "...having a degree matters, no matter what it is in" when you wrote, "...matters no matters no matter...").

The Agreement: Yes, it matters that you get a degree. Why? Well, self improvement for starters. You might be surprised at what you don't know! Not only will you get a good basic education (more on that in the disagreement), but you can take it up a notch and specialize in any subject that interests you in graduate school. Secondly, employers like to see a degree. That allows them to assign a baseline of presumed intelligence to their prospective employee, while at the same time it tells them that you do not have a personality disorder that prevents you from seeing things through...Lastly, with the advent of the internet, schooling is as easy as pie! Do you have a tough assignment? Guess what? Now at least you can do it at home while drinking a beer in your underpants! Ain't America grand? Almost all colleges now have undergraduate and graduate online programs. Harvard even has one, although they make you take one class on campus, so that they can claim that they do not have an 'online' program per se.

The Disagreement: First of all, some people waste their money on unaccredited schools, or schools that appear accredited but are not. Don't waste your time and money. If the school is regionally accredited, then you will be O.K., otherwise it might be a waste of your time and money. A lot depends on reputation and purpose. For example, if you wanted to be a chef, then you could attend an unaccredited school because no one expects a chef to have a regionally accredited degree. Instead, they will expect you to have graduated from a respectable cooking school or program.

Secondly, not all degrees are equal. For example, if you graduate from a college with a degree in, oh, I don't know, let's say, Feminist Theology; Area Studies; Lesbian and Gay studies; Gender Studies; Environmental Studies; or even the old standby for low SAT'er's, 'education,' then you might as well hang a sign around your neck that says, "DOLT." It is the college's way of giving your prospective employer a fair notice that you are probably not that bright. If you are capable of handling a rigorous education, then you should probably major in one of the natural sciences. And no, that does not mean that you take "Physics for Social Science majors" or "Calculus for Educators," it means taking the actual sequence (101, 201, etc.). If you need to take a business or CJ program in order to get tuition reimbursement, then at least go to a school that has a good reputation. To be fair, most CJ programs are not that tough. I completed one of the top ranked MS programs in CJ in the United States, and although it at least had Stats, Applied Stats, and Applied Research Methods, it was still packed with irrelevant fluff.

I have seen lot's of agencies that will not pay for a degree unless it is 'related' to the employee's duties. However, I have never seen a department that requires a CJ degree going in... That sounds to me like someone who makes policy has a CJ degree, and thinks too much of him or her-self. I think that alone would give me pause. Find a department that understands the value of a good degree and go there.

BOWG

[alpha1906]

I think the thing that makes a degree viable is because it shows you are committed to finishing something. it shows you have the discipline to study and grow. Those are things you need to be successful in life period.

I wonder what the percentage is of officers that just want to be "offciers for their entire career vs those that want to rise up inthe ranks to be Chief or something?

[redhawk30540]

I think for rookies a degree is just that a degree. When a degree matters is when you are in competition for promotions. A management/CJ degree would be best suited for supervisory roles but a degree in general will show your ability to learn advanced tasks that are needed as you go up in ranks. But as for how good of a LE officer you can become a degree doesn't really have anything to do with it. All that comes with training, experience, and ones personality. My .02!

[DJKAHUNA]

Yeah I agree with most previous statements. I have a BA from UGA in History with a focus on Military History.

Obviously being able to discuss the German Peasant Revolution of 1525 is a super plus for being a cop.

However I do think it shows a person's ability to analyze and think critically, which is important. And of course for promotion.

If I do decide to not go federal, and want to get up higher in the brass, I think a Masters in Public Admin. would be a good choice. Im not rushing for a desk though. I want to do the real stuff first.

Military experience is awesome, for the record.

But I have noticed many departments, especially those not in GA, prefer strongly a college degree, especially in Zebra Science, for their departments.

[Drum Roast]

Dude, don't be knockin Zebra Science. You laugh now, but wait til you take Advanced Magic Eye and then Zebra Buttology (http://wildaboutafrica.wordpress.com...f-zebra-butts/)

[BaldOldWhiteGuy]

Like our founding fathers, I believe that a good history education is invaluable. DJKahuna, I am currently working on a history degree (Ancient and Classical) from AMU. If you want to continue with your history studies, I can highly recommend the school. Standards are top notch, and the history staff is excellent.

My brother and my brother-in-law were both cops in Macon, GA. No one down there cared about a degree. Come to think of it, no one down there had a degree...although I believe that a few did attend primary school. My Georgia relatives have both since moved on to other agencies... Of course, that might have to do with the very high crime and very low pay in Macon.

[ryker]

A degree does some some level of ability to attend school and pass test. It doesn't show if the person was late to classes. If the person took several classes twice. A degree doesn't show work ethics such as a clean uniform, proper shave, ability to speak to people, street sense.... etc etc.

A degree plus a good resume is a plus. But a bogus degree and no real world job or life experience is IMO worth nothing.

I've been on the street for less than a year and I make mistakes everyday and learn everyday. I am amazed at how effective and smooth at the job that some of the senior guys are. A fancy degree wasn't needed for them to be effective and they would walk circles around a rookie with a Master's degree.

[DJKAHUNA]

I've been on the street for less than a year and I make mistakes everyday and learn everyday. I am amazed at how effective and smooth at the job that some of the senior guys are. A fancy degree wasn't needed for them to be effective and they would walk circles around a rookie with a Master's degree.

I actually agree with you completely. I think whats important is that the person with the degree is not on a high horse and is willing to learn and not a know-it all. And not a bumblin clutz with the common sense of a bookmark.