Expert: Jason Grabill - 1/4/2010

Question
Hello,

Thank you for taking one of my previous questions by the way, your advice was very helpful even though I am in another country.  I have heard from many people that a degree in criminal justice is not as important as many people think in regards to being hired as a police officer.  I have heard from some that police departments actually prefer applicants who have degrees in other areas. I am currently in my third year of a criminal justice degree and am considering switching my degree over to a B of A in Policy Studies.  My first career choice is in policing but I feel a Criminal Justice degree does not offer much in the way of alternative careers, should for some reason policing not work out.  All I have left to do in my degree is 2 regular semesters of regular classes and a 6-month practicum.  Many of the courses required to graduate are the same for all bachelor degrees, if i was to switch into policy studies I would basically only have to take the core courses, some of which I've done as part of my criminal justice degree.  

My question is, in the end would I be more hirable by a police department with the policy studies degree or the criminal justice one?

I understand that I am in Canada and your expertise comes from the US but I feel the two countries would have a lot of similarity on this issue.

Thank you,

B  

Answer
B:

 I'm one of those people who believe  that a CJ degree isn't the 'be all' end all for Law Enforcement.  I usually tell folks to get another degree, in something they like or think they would like.  If they want something that will still help them;  consider Journalism, English, etc.

 I think the Policy Studies degree will probably do you better in the long run.  Just my opinion.

Good luck!

Jason