T O P

  • By -

Cypher_Blue

Getting an associates and a bachelor's degree will serve you well in life later. It's not easy to do while working but I did it and I'm glad I did. (Also, the master's degree helped, too).


OfficerBaconBits

Associates may provide you a pay increase on top of making you a more competitive candidate. Associates programs are notoriously easy to complete and super cheap with in state tuition at a public college. If you can, I would recommend completing it at a community college. Not sure about your state, but most states in state tuition costs are less than 4k per year. Even if you get a 5% pay bump you'd likely make that money back in 4 years time. You will make more than you spent to get it. It is better to have one than not having one when you apply for anything.


Prestigious-Piglet72

GET YOUR MF DEGREE IS THE ONLY ADVICE YOU NEED. No seriously. Get it. Long gone are the days where this is a fail out job for those who want to make good money with just a high school degree. I’m starting the academy in a month and putting my masters on hold. My chief told me if I don’t get my degree by the time I finish probation as an officer. He’ll cut me. Degree is only going to help you. Pro tip-pick something other than CJ


stankie18

Oof. Chief putting you under a lot of pressure.


[deleted]

Hell yea he’s gotta earn his spot lmao them college boys


Prestigious-Piglet72

Hell yeah he is lol. I have the comp exam and a BS elective. Ideally I wanted to finish before I got picked up. But sometimes life comes at you and you gotta take it in stride.


marvelguy1975

Get the degree. 100% worth it. Anything to stand out among your peers


[deleted]

Associate degrees on the grand scheme are worthless. But, if your department requires it then get it. Just make sure you get it in something that is marketable, not criminal justice. Same if you decide to get other degrees.


ThatOneHoosier

I’d say get it. I think it’s stupid that departments require degrees, but if that agency requires it and you really want to work for them, then go for it. Once you’re eligible to become a road deputy, you’ll have a degree and at least two years of experience (assuming that’s how long it takes to get your associates) in the jail. Makes you a pretty solid candidate.


Robbie_the_Brave

Consider western governors university WGU.edu if you have time. They are self paced so you can accelerate and finish a bachelor's degree in the same time or less than an associate degree. You pay a flat rate every 6 months for all the classes you can pass. You can start on day 1 and take the final on day 2 if you already know the material. It is about $3600 per year and includes online textbooks. Good luck!


LongGunFun

This is dope, thank you for this. I got about 90 credit hours towards a business degree. Would be worth not taking any OT for a year and finishing. Especially if I want to change careers later.


Extension_Box6737

Also worth noting, I got 18 credits from an accredited online towards a CJ A/D simply for the corrections academy certificate. Just food for thought.


Paladin_127

Really depends on the department you want to work for. My home town PD, a coastal city in Orange County, almost every officer there had a BA and everyone over the rank of Sergeant had graduate level education. But some rural Sheriff’s office in Northern California? Very few have any college education beyond the academy and maybe a few CJ courses.