Federal Law Enforcement

[bravo1]

To be hired by many/most Federal agencies, you need at least a Bachelor's Degree. I am currently working full time, and attending college part time. Are any of the online schools accepted by Federal agencies, or is it best to actually attend a University? It would be so much quicker if I could attend an online school. I am just afraid of waisting my time with a school that might not be fully accredited by the Federal LE communty. Thanks, and I am in the Southeast, if that makes a difference.

[Rolla]

To be hired by many/most Federal agencies, you need at least a Bachelor's Degree. I am currently working full time, and attending college part time. Are any of the online schools accepted by Federal agencies, or is it best to actually attend a University? It would be so much quicker if I could attend an online school. I am just afraid of waisting my time with a school that might not be fully accredited by the Federal LE communty. Thanks, and I am in the Southeast, if that makes a difference.


A degree is a degree, as long as the school is accredited you will be fine. When I finally finished mine it was from an online school and I have never had a problem. There are still a handfull of feds that do not require a degree you are proabally looking at an 1811 spot, but with that said without a degree they usually want former LE or military.

[bravo1]

The main thing that worries me is that I see all kinds of different accredidations. When a school says it is accredited, who should they be accredited by? It is just that I have heard some horror stories about schools being accredited by one agency or another, but not all of them. I just don't want to get screwed because of going to the wrong school.

[marcusindc]

A degree is a degree, as long as the school is accredited you will be fine. When I finally finished mine it was from an online school and I have never had a problem. There are still a handfull of feds that do not require a degree you are proabally looking at an 1811 spot, but with that said without a degree they usually want former LE or military.

What online school did you go to?

[merlin436]

I'd almost bet that most federal LEO positions actually do NOT require a degree.

To be competitive within the applicant pool you might well need a degree, but likely as not it's not required.

[Love_Ulcer]

Online school ain't cheap either. I need my govt job, reserve TA, and GI bill just to get by...

[bravo1]

What online school are you attending, and what is the approx cost per credit hour?

[marcusindc]

If you have any more specific questions, let me know. I'm a federal agent who used to work for a distance education department for a college.

Any recommendations on some online schools and degrees for those in local LE who want to go federal? I'll have my Assoc in GenStud by the end of the year and I'm trying to decide what 4 year degree and school will help me get there.

[Love_Ulcer]

What online school are you attending, and what is the approx cost per credit hour?

AMU / 250 per credit hour. I think that should be average cost for most online schools.

[Love_Ulcer]

Any recommendations on some online schools and degrees for those in local LE who want to go federal? I'll have my Assoc in GenStud by the end of the year and I'm trying to decide what 4 year degree and school will help me get there.

Always imagine what your life would be like had you not chosen a LE path. Don't go for CJ field since you already have LE experience. Try something else that can compliment your specific goal (second career after LE, hobbies, etc). Target language/culture is also not a bad idea.

[bravo1]

This is all great advice, and I appreciate it. I have checked into Columbia Southern University, and I think it may be a bit cheaper than most other online schools. I also found the website that I think is the legit site to check the accreditation on schools.

http://www.ope.ed.gov/accreditation/Search.asp

I just didn't know if anyone had any specific advice on schools that they had used with good results. I do appreciate the advice, and please keep it coming. Thanks again.

[USVET]

AMU has a lot of 4 year degree options and the tuition is good, books are free and they are regionally and nationally accredited. Just my .02

[bravo1]

Quote: AMU has a lot of 4 year degree options and the tuition is good, books are free and they are regionally and nationally accredited. Just my .02


I thought AMU was pretty good too, but I was unable to find it on the DOE site. It is American Military University, right?

[USVET]

Try American Public University. That's the actual name of the school. I think they just use American military to try and attract us military types!

[USVET]

I just found it and they are regionally accredited by North Central and Nationally by the D.E.T.C..

http://www.apus.edu/index.htm

[bravo1]

I just found it and they are regionally accredited by North Central and Nationally by the D.E.T.C..

http://www.apus.edu/index.htm

Cool, Thanks.

[Green_Latern21]

I would look into schools like Penn State, Ohio State, Florida State, ect.

Like it or not, name recognition means alot, and having a degree from Penn State will look better than University of Phoenix to many employers. Not to put down online degrees, I'm sure they are very thorough, but having a BA and never having to leave your house to get it, or interact in person with professors, classmates, and counselor's is a big negative to SOME.

Remember, there is a stigma attached to online degrees. Reason being that they lack a major component of higher education....human interaction. Debating, public speaking, presentations, Q & A, and lecturing are a major part of education, thus SOME may look at online degrees as inferior.

So if you got an BA from Penn State, but the entire course load was online, I don't think you would even need to "list" your degree as an "online degree".

Example:

Employer: Do you have a degree?

Applicant (You): Yes, I have a BA in Criminal Justice from Penn State University.

No need to say that it was attained online, at least not in my opinion.

Don't forget some people are a bit sensitive to online degrees. An employer might say, "Hey, I spent 5 years away from my home and my family getting my BA. I was up early every morning for my 8 am classes (uggh...the worst) and spent my afternoons split between classes, study groups, and private reading. I was subjected to dorm room living, cafeteria food, and arrogant professors. This guy never had to leave his bedroom and he thinks his degree is equal to mine?"

Now, that would be a rude thing for a person to say, but we all know those kind of people exist in our society.

I know for a fact Penn State has an extensive online program...I believe they call it the World Campus. Boston University also has a very good online program. I'm sure by now most of the major state universities do too, good luck!

[USVET]

It is one thing to be able to go to an actual campus and get your degree if you have time. I agree that's ideal but I also feel that it takes as much if not more effort to hold down a job and go to school full time.

[Green_Latern21]

I agree with you.

However, don't forget that many people work full-time and then attend night class or go part-time in traditional settings.

I'm currently in a joint JD/MA program and work full-time. As you said, it's very challenging to balance education with your work plus family.

Regardless of what setting a person decides to learn from, the true value of his education should be based on his comprehension and retention.

If a person has the option, a traditional learning setting is ideal. Especially for normal college age students (18-22). The amount of time and dedication a person puts into attaining a BA/BS in a traditional setting is much more substantial than in an online degree. Typically, people would attach more value to something (degree) when more time was put into attaining it.

[bravo1]

Thanks to everyone for all of the advice!

[johnnylawman109]

Do alot of research on University of Phoenix, Kaplan, etc. They are privately owned and are NOT non-profit. They are in the business to make money, and lots of it. Their tuitions are ridiculous and have heard lots of negatives. Check out UOPsucks.com or google both of them. I am taking classes on line with University of Upper Iowa, so far everything is great. Its an actual brick and mortar school, with a sports team, campus, etc. They are a non-profit school and a 3 credit class runs around $850. Ranked #1 in on-line colleges I believe.

Phoenix and Kaplan werent even on the list that I saw. I also had a Phoenix rep calling me 2-3 times a day for a week after I inquired about some info. Just like a tele-marketer. They want you to sign up the day they talk to you, its all about the $$$ to them.

[Bearcat357]

Phoenix and Kaplan werent even on the list that I saw. I also had a Phoenix rep calling me 2-3 times a day for a week after I inquired about some info. Just like a tele-marketer. They want you to sign up the day they talk to you, its all about the $$$ to them.

At my last job with DHS....my boss would routinely toss out resumes that had Phoenix, Kaplain, and others listed as where they got their degree from......

I know he was finally getting around to likeing AMU.....

He did give me grief about where I went....but knew it was a real brick/mortar school.....and he did like that.

Not saying all in the Fed Gov are like that.....but there are a lot are....

[bravo1]

Johnnylawman109, where did you find a list ranking online schools? I am in the process of getting info on AMU, but I have not decided definitely yet. I asked an advisor at a local college in my area about AMU. They agreed that AMU was accredited, but did not like their lack of tradition/name recognition. He said it could cause an issue later with getting a job or pursuing a higher degree. I know his job is to get me to go to his school, but he hit on the same points that I have been worried about. I just wish there was a black and white answer about what school to use. I appreciate everyone's input, and please keep it coming.

[VeeDubs86]

I'm looking into SUNY Empire State College Online and hope people don't toss out my Resume when they see that. :(