Masters, Experience, or both?

[mbrigha1]

My ultimate career goal is to work as an agent for either USSS, FBI, CIA, DEA, ATF, and a few others. I am currently attending college and am entering my senior year to get my BA. I have an opportunity to work at my school's police department and simultaneously earn a Master's Degree which the department will pay for. I was wondering if this is a better path to take instead of working for USSSUD, USCP, USNCPP, or another federal agency as at an entry level position. In other words, which path gives me a greater chance of achieving my goal? Thanks.

[billybob55]

federal goes by GS scale, reading the qualifications

minimal requirments might be :
BA/BS, with some full time work experience.

====
these below assume these are the same pay:
then next GS scale higher :
MA/MS w/ no or some f/t work experience= higher GS starting rate.

other: BA, plus several YRS LE experience = higher GS starting rate.

I just rattled this out of my head though just to try to give you an idea of where you could go. LE expeince has its pluses, so does having an MA degree.

the desired agency you want:
-do you get added pay on top of your basic pay for having MA degree? or
-does it affect ONLY your starting pay? or
-do they offer internal incentives (qualifications, transfers)? or

read the qualifications for some agencies to see specifically what I mean by the first section, if you can work Full time LE job and get your masters degree that sounds good.

if your LE job while at school is federal(fulltime) and you plan on staying federal you MAY be accumulating time towards retirement too.(job at state/county/city in your state might count towards your state retirement...you follow that?..but your gonna have to look into that one)

BA degree for some is the minimum(but don't be fooled, LE experience + BA degree maybe provde competition to others w/ MA degree w/o LE exp maybe even be more desireable.(only my opinion).

In conclusion generally with federal and others its contest to be competitive. your qualifications. MA, BA, LE exp. sorry if I rambled a bit.

Everyone feel free to jump in, correct me if I'm wrong.:D

[Doc_STA]

A free Masters degree and LE experience? And you want to know if it's worth doing? Come on.

Go for it, that's an amazing opportunity.

[TXleoapplicant]

Ditto what the 2 above said ... DO NOT let a free MA slip away! I'm repaying my student loans for mine!!!

[ask80]

yes get the free degree and gain LE experience at the same time! you'll be a great candidate for the Feds, unless you turn 37 soon?

[mbrigha1]

yes get the free degree and gain LE experience at the same time! you'll be a great candidate for the Feds, unless you turn 37 soon?

just turned 21, i got some time.

[jaNel01]

Go for it! Get that free degree! Or give it to me! J/K.

[TigerWoody]

Bro you are the envy of a lot of us, not to mention very young. some of us dont have it that easy. i would get as much sworn in LEO experience as possible, and get that free Masters. by the time you get your degree and get a few years of leo experience, you will more desirable to the Feds, not to mention you will have a lot self worth in your own eyes. gotta go.... i have to log on and pay my july tuition payment!