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I work with a LOT of cops both fed and local, don't waste your time and money on a CJ degree. If you want a sheepshin, get one in business management, project management or a general AA in something like underwater basket weaving. The CJ degree will do you no good in LE and will be worth even less in the civilian private sector.



The agency you work for will teach you how to interpret and enforce the laws of their partiular jurisdiction. A CJ degree will just give them a couple year's worth of ideas to disabuse you of.



Just my experience.

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Isn't your SO giving birth, like right now?  

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Without knowing where you are, try looking at the qualifications on the local departments applications.  Many just want you to be over 21 with a HS degree and not have any serious convictions.  It also helps if you are a black lesbian fluent in Spanish, so you may want to use the money that you would spend on school and apply it to a skin darkening and sex change operation and Rosetta Stone-Spanish.

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Well I'm 30 and working a dead end job with no more possibilities of advancement. I make about $33,000 per year before taxes.

Looking to do either a two year program or the 4 year for Criminal Justice. It's something I have an interest in doing but, Not sure I have the body to take down bad guys.


Anyone here seeking the same career?

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I live in a town of 3500 people.  The PD in town has, oh, 6 full time slots including detectives, and a few part timers as well.  The last time they had a full time opening, they got over 250 qualified applicants, with various degrees of experience, and one even had a Masters degree in one thing or another.

Why exactly do you want to be a cop?

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Don't do it. I spent 4 years for a CJ degree because at one time i did want to become a cop. Now I smartened up and my degree is essentially worthless. It is nothing but a money pit with ZERO return. Theres a reason why to be a cop you only need a high school education.

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BS  Criminal Justice  1979    Advanced Cert  Texas
My suggestion is the degree would be of more value in Computer Science, Accounting, Chemistry or several others.  Not sure what state you are in what is required varies by state.  Most places you do not need a degree to be a cop some places you need one some you need a certain amount of hours.  Being in the military generally opens some doors to government jobs. Government jobs usually pay better than private sector jobs on average but its tough to get your foot in the door.   I am convinced though that a chemistry degree or accounting degree or computer science degree will help you get into federal law enforcement but their cut off age wise is about 35 to 37 so you are running out of time.  Your criminal record and drug use better be squeeky clean too or forget it and go get your CDL and drive a truck.

ways to get hired as a cop ––- reserve officer,  dispatcher, jailor  (if they dont know your character they probably wont hire you).

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OP,

There are LE jobs out there.  You might have to relocate though.

Bigger city/county agencies are more willing to hire non-certified applicants than smaller agencies.

ETA:  I applied to about 2 dozen agencies, and got job offers from two of them.

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I'm single with no kids. No strings attached.

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I tend to be the only one voicing positives about a CJ degree, so I have my flame suit on.

I'll start off by saying, yes, getting a computer science degree or some sort of science degree is typically a good idea for making it into LE. With white collar crime, forensics, and all that stuff, having knowledge in that field is VERY useful. So I don't knock getting one of those degrees at all.

Now, onto a CJ degree. It is easy. VERY easy. It requires very little effort to just graduate. That said, without offending anyone with a CJ degree who didn't get a job with it, most of the people who get the degree didn't try very hard. Many of the young guys were enjoying the college scene vs focusing their degree towards their career. I am poised to graduate from one of the more prestigious CJ schools in the country/world and have seen my classmates. 98% of the ones wanting to be cops are slackers. The few of us that put a lot of determination in our degree are enjoying the rewards. A good friend of mine, she just got into the Secret Service. 2 US Marshals. 2 Homeland Security. Border Patrol, Federal Game Warden, DEA, ATF, and not to mention numerous local PDs where they get higher pay for having a bachelors. The reasons why these jobs are available to us lowly CJ majors is because we didn't sit back in class and take notes (they were usually given to us my the prof, anyways.) We got involved. Developed amicable relationships with them. Aced their classes, answered every question we could and asked even more. As upper classmen, we did independent studies with them/for them. We got papers published! But the true job-getter is usually the internships. Most are only available to Criminal Justice or Criminology majors because the school, specifically the CJ department, have special relationships with the agencies. As someone said above, people would prefer to know your character before they hire you. Being a Criminal Justice major has given me at least 3 opportunities I would never have had if I studied something else.

Now, for your specific situation, I don't know how apt you are to become a fulltime college student and then work as an intern for about 16 weeks (probably not paid). Nor am I aware of any big CJ schools in your area. So, take the advice being given in your thread. Weed out any butt-hurtness and find the information that is based on unbiased experience.

Whatever you decide, I wish you luck. It is admirable how eager you are to serve your community and country.

Disclaimer to everyone else: My opinion and experience is just one of the many here regarding how to become a LEO. However one gets into the job is commendable and appreciated. I have no intention of speaking down on folks not doing college, not getting a Bachelor's, or anything of that nature. In the end, we serve in a brotherhood looking out for one another. Stay frosty, folks.

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I couldn't enter the Military so I'm finding another way to Serve.

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I tend to be the only one voicing positives about a CJ degree, so I have my flame suit on.

I'll start off by saying, yes, getting a computer science degree or some sort of science degree is typically a good idea for making it into LE. With white collar crime, forensics, and all that stuff, having knowledge in that field is VERY useful. So I don't knock getting one of those degrees at all.

Now, onto a CJ degree. It is easy. VERY easy. It requires very little effort to just graduate. That said, without offending anyone with a CJ degree who didn't get a job with it, most of the people who get the degree didn't try very hard. Many of the young guys were enjoying the college scene vs focusing their degree towards their career. I am poised to graduate from one of the more prestigious CJ schools in the country/world and have seen my classmates. 98% of the ones wanting to be cops are slackers. The few of us that put a lot of determination in our degree are enjoying the rewards. A good friend of mine, she just got into the Secret Service. 2 US Marshals. 2 Homeland Security. Border Patrol, Federal Game Warden, DEA, ATF, and not to mention numerous local PDs where they get higher pay for having a bachelors. The reasons why these jobs are available to us lowly CJ majors is because we didn't sit back in class and take notes (they were usually given to us my the prof, anyways.) We got involved. Developed amicable relationships with them. Aced their classes, answered every question we could and asked even more. As upper classmen, we did independent studies with them/for them. We got papers published! But the true job-getter is usually the internships. Most are only available to Criminal Justice or Criminology majors because the school, specifically the CJ department, have special relationships with the agencies. As someone said above, people would prefer to know your character before they hire you. Being a Criminal Justice major has given me at least 3 opportunities I would never have had if I studied something else.

Now, for your specific situation, I don't know how apt you are to become a fulltime college student and then work as an intern for about 16 weeks (probably not paid). Nor am I aware of any big CJ schools in your area. So, take the advice being given in your thread. Weed out any butt-hurtness and find the information that is based on unbiased experience.

Whatever you decide, I wish you luck. It is admirable how eager you are to serve your community and country.

Disclaimer to everyone else: My opinion and experience is just one of the many here regarding how to become a LEO. However one gets into the job is commendable and appreciated. I have no intention of speaking down on folks not doing college, not getting a Bachelor's, or anything of that nature. In the end, we serve in a brotherhood looking out for one another. Stay frosty, folks.

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I have a BS in CJ, and a CDL. Guess which one gets me a paycheck.

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So how do you go about doing that without any schooling?

Volunteer and then maybe do Reserves for awhile?

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There are agencies that only require a high school diploma and that you are 21 to get hired....pass the background, written, physical, etc. too of course.

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Good luck OP, whatever you chose.   I would not wish it on my son to enter Police work, at one time I would have.  In today's atmosphere...no way.

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FWIW
AS you put in apps and go through the process of becoming LEO  you should want to become a FED and always be focused on that goal!  Even if you get picked up by a local agency you should still look to become a FED. Your pay, promotions and above all your exposure to various trainings and certifications will allow you to become a subject matter expert which can translate into after retirement lucrative employment etc. Or even become vetted for expert testimony.

I suggest.
*Get your degree focus to a 4 year but at least get an AA a BA will get you in the door quicker normally. Plus when you enter an Academy you will be geared for studying.
*Get yourself in Healthy/shape  make sure your BMI is good to go. Push ups, pull ups, sit ups, and running 5 miles a day will get you to pass academy physical standards.
*Make sure your practical marksmanship is solid with at least the .40sw, the .223 rifle, and the 12ga. pump shotgun. You can Google firearm standards.
*Make sure you finances are in order for the past 5 to 10 years. Poor financial health is a deal breaker.
*If you have any criminal background another deal breaker. Some will overlook high school marijuana use.
*If you have documented Military discipline ,or other than honorable discharge Deal Breaker.
*If your not comfortable talking in front of groups of people or, talking to.. Look to join a Toastmasters club if they are in your area.
*Make sure you prepare your knowledge base about the department you have a oral interview with.
*Always have one or two relevant questions to ask the oral board members when they ask if you have any questions. Think training, education, and advancement or public relations for your answer.


Charisma if you have it, that simple ability to connect is very powerful for success.

Good Luck

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FWIW

AS you put in apps and go through the process of becoming LEO you should want to become a FED and always be focused on that goal! Even if you get picked up by a local agency you should still look to become a FED. Your pay, promotions and above all your exposure to various trainings and certifications will allow you to become a subject matter expert which can translate into after retirement lucrative employment etc. Or even become vetted for expert testimony.



I suggest.

*Get your degree focus to a 4 year but at least get an AA a BA will get you in the door quicker normally. Plus when you enter an Academy you will be geared for studying.

*Get yourself in Healthy/shape make sure your BMI is good to go. Push ups, pull ups, sit ups, and running 5 miles a day will get you to pass academy physical standards.

*Make sure your practical marksmanship is solid with at least the .40sw, the .223 rifle, and the 12ga. pump shotgun. You can Google firearm standards.

*Make sure you finances are in order for the past 5 to 10 years. Poor financial health is a deal breaker.

*If you have any criminal background another deal breaker. Some will overlook high school marijuana use.

*If you have documented Military discipline ,or other than honorable discharge Deal Breaker.

*If your not comfortable talking in front of groups of people or, talking to.. Look to join a Toastmasters club if they are in your area.

*Make sure you prepare your knowledge base about the department you have a oral interview with.

*Always have one or two relevant questions to ask the oral board members when they ask if you have any questions. Think training, education, and advancement or public relations for your answer.





Charisma if you have it, that simple ability to connect is very powerful for success.



Good Luck

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In MN, you have to have a college degree. You will not be able to attend skills or be eligible for licensure without at least a two year degree. Period.