You are here:

Careers: Police/school and police

Advertisement

Expert: - 4/22/2007


Question
I'm a junior in high school, and am now really thinking about my future both in school and the workplace.  I've been seriously considering going to grad school after college, and I was wondering...
   Would it be possible to apply to a police department and get hired if I was going to grad school at the same time?  Would any department even consider someone who currently has the time requirement of school, and if they did do you think I would have enough time to do both?
  Thanks for your time,
           Nate Zeff


Answer
Nate,

Thanks for the question.

It really depends on the agency you are going to apply with. Some management personnel scoff at people that want to go to school and others are supportive. Some agencies will even pay all or part of your tuition.

If you decide to do both, the trick is time management, good study habits, and a willingness to work at the job as well.

I was able to finish my B.A. Degree and two M. A. Degrees while working as a full time police officer, and most of it was paid for by tuition assistance from my department.

Check the agencies you are interested in working with and see if they have tuition assistance programs.

Best of luck!

Careers: Police

All Answers

Answers by Expert:

Ask Experts

Volunteer

William Payne

Expertise

South Carolina general law enforcement career information. South Carolina Criminal & Traffic Laws. Field Training Manager, Court Systems, Police Recruiting & Hiring, Personnel/Employee Evaluations, Non-Lethal Weapons & Use of Force.

Experience

Retired after 24-1/2 years experience as a Municipal Police Officer. 19 years as a Sergeant. I guest instructed at the State of South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy. I am a Community Policing Instructor, Field Training Officer, Instructor-Trainer in the Monadnock Expandable/PR-24 Batons, Defensive Tactics Instructor, Law Enforcement Driving Instructor, O.C. Spray Instructor, Taser Instructor, and liaison for State Accreditation Standards. I also serve as an Adjunct Instructor for Park University, where I teach in the Criminal Justice Administration Degree Program.I am currently Director of Security for a major hospital system in South Carolina.

Organizations
South Carolina Law Enforcement Officer's Association.

Education/Credentials
South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy
Bachelor of Science Degree in Criminal Justice Administration, Park University.
Master of Arts Degree in Management, Webster University.
Master of Arts Degree in Human Resources Development, Webster University.

Datamaster Operator, Monadnock PR-24/M.E.B. Instructor-Trainer, Defensive Tactics Instructor, Field Training Manager, Certified Basic Investigator, Certified in Homicide Investigations.


Awards and Honors
Beaufort County, South Carolina, Police Officer of the Year, 1990.

©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.