What's the best college major for a future cop?

[FutureCop87]

I had planned in getting my Bachelors degree in criminal justice but I was advised to major in something else because in case a career in law enforcement doesn't work out or something happens, I could have a back up plan. I narrowed it down to Journalism and Psychology but I'm still unsure. Would I have a better chance of being hired if I have a degree in Psychology or Journalism because psych has more to do with people or should I just stick with criminal justice? Any advice?

[CAHokie]

I got my B.S. in Criminal Justice with a minor in Psych, but I learned real quick that most people on the job with degrees had it in something else. One of the guys I work with has a degree in Engineering. Its just me, but I would go for the Journalism degree if that interests you. A large majority of police work is writing and a lot of cops have no idea how to put the things they did right onto paper. Maybe you could use your electives and take criminal justice classes and maybe minor in it. Seriously most departments look at degree, not what type.

[1oldsarge]

my degrees are in Management and Criminal Justice Admin. A degree in Psych., Sociology or Management are good, and a minor in Criminal Justice.

[koolvk]

Communication is a good field also...covers a broad range of speaking, writing, and obeservation skills.

[DH21187]

Most police departments do not require a degree, but it does help to have one. I would avoid getting one that has anything to do with law enforcement, as you will get all of the stuff you need to know in the academy. The exceptions are the federal alphabet agencies.

[MountainCop]

Business Management and Information Systems? (Mine). Actually has worked out well.

Depends on where your real interests lie. A minor in CJ sure wouldn't hurt, though :D

[McPhenius]

Buisness Management and Administration. You may or may not decide to move up in the ranks in law enforcment, but one day you will retire and you may have to or still want to work. Having that degree opens many doors, even after law enforcement.

[lowdrag]

Personally and from some experience, I don't think it will matter all that much which degree you have in order to get hired, but a degree will help in most places. That being said, this topic has been discussed here before and you will generally see people falling in one of two camps. One side will give you the same advice you have already gotten. The other will say if you want to get a CJ degree do it and don't listen to those that tell otherwise.

I have a CJ degree and truthfully, if I had it to do over again I probably would have chosen to do it differently. On the positive side of a CJ degree - if it's something you're really motivated towards as a career it makes the classes a lot more interesting and it easier to do well. As opposed to struggling to get your degree in something that you aren't as interested in.

While I don't think the specific degree will change whether you get hired or not in most cases, there may be hidden benefits to some degrees. If you have a degree in an area that lends itself towards specialization in a certain area of law enforcement it may make it easier in the future if/when you attempt to get promoted get into a special position. A degree involving computers and working computer/identity theft crimes down the road would be a good example.

[AndyFL]

Might want to look into a Bachelor in Public Safety Management


The purpose of the Bachelor of Applied Science in Public Safety Management is to provide management competencies for those with technical specialties aspiring to supervisory and leadership positions in public sector employment.

It comes in handy when you are ready to move up in rank.

[Plaso]

A police or sheriff's office is nothing more than a municipal corporation. If you want to move up to management someday then a degree is business administration or an MBA is a good way to go. Plus you can always utilize those skills elsewhere if the need arises.

[OfcrJ]

Get a degree in anything but CJ because it will not be as useful for your future endeavors. I think an MPA or MBA would be a good choice. Hell, if I had the time I think law school is the way to go! Then you would really open up some doors in case you ever get sick of pushing a squad car around and believe me, it does get old...

[Smurfette_76]

My major is psychology and while many departments don't require you have a degree when they hire you, you will find yourself on the losing end of the promotion ladder w/o one (of course, not ALWAYS but that's the case more and more). You could always major in something and minor in CJ. Many Officers at my dept have a CJ degree and most of them wish they'd majored in something else.

[PhilipCal]

Any Liberal Arts Degree is helpful when applying, but some are better than others. CJ is really at the bottom of the list as far as I'm concerned, as it has limited usefullness to you. I personally recommend studies in Business Administration, Govt, Communications, and even Law. Immediately prior to retiring, I worked with two Officers who were licensed attorneys. One was my Asst. Division Chief, the other, a fellow sergeant. Many agencies are now requiring a degree, or at least some college credit, usually a minimum of 60 hrs. Should you wish to study in the CJ field, I suggest you do it as a minor.

[DH21187]

I tell potential candidates to get a degree in computer science, as most departments have a desperate need for people with computer knowledge. Almost every department on the planet has some type of computer system and software that they use on a daily basis, which has become critical in their day-to-day operations.

When I worked for the NYPD, I got tapped for this knowledge all of the time and their MISD section tried to recruit me, but I refused. The idea of driving to the tip of Manhattan everyday was too much.

[Monster56]

Comes in handy during fighting, pursuits, csi, etc.

[cuffnstuff]

The Military..........

[justice12]

I majored in CJ and don't regret it, although I also ended up getting a law degree so I don't need a fall back. The main reason I support getting a CJ degree is that it is always good to major in something interesting to you. A business degree may be more useful, but why would you want to spend 4 years studying something that is not interesting to you? I enjoy law enforcement and criminal justice subjects, it is pretty much all I read about and watch on TV. So for me, taking CJ made me enjoy college, which also helped my grades stay high and kept my interest in attending class.

College can be a great time in your life, and you should enjoy it as much as possible. If there is something else you are interested in, take it, but don't take something just because it is more useful if you don't enjoy the subject matter.

[NY8739JR]

I delt with this issue some time back and I am currently working toward my business economics degree.

[Irishluck31]

I finished a degree in General Studies. got to study what ever i wanted. Took a lot of CJ classed. Took HR and Management classes, statistics/math, middle eastern studies, Sociology, Computer classes, took a few english and grammer classes to, didnt help much as well a lanuguage classes.

[Voirdire]

I get my associates in Criminal Justice this July. After that I'll be majoring in Public Administration with a minor in Homeland Security. If you want to move up the ranks, major in public administration or business administration. This degree can be even used for other government jobs. I highly recommend working for the government for they have excellent benefits. But like someone else said, don't major in something that you have absolutely no interest in.