I’ve become really attached to the idea of becoming a PO, I plan on going to college, but am very conflicted on the choice of my major, or even backup career. Have learned recently CJ is not the move, but now I’m not sure what is, psychology and accounting and slightly interesting, and good for the FBI, but i’d be lying if I told you I could see myself holding down one of those jobs outside a law enforcement position, I know it’s unhealthy to be this set on something that has a good potential of never happening, but how do I get around it?
Question #2 is a little more practical, in terms of like accounting vs forensic accounting- would I be more able to use a forensics style degree in a non LE career, or a non forensics degree on an LE career, hope that makes sense, just kind of conflicted on going forensics vs non forensics if the whole point is it’s a backup. Not sure how to balance “beneficial for LE” and “beneficial for backup plan”
TL;DR: that last sentence sums it up nicely
Comments
When in doubt, STEM it out buddy! (I’m a cybersecurity major right now, finishing BS in june and have 2 associate degrees, 1 in CJ and 1 in cyber)
Don’t do psychology, FBI will not care about that. Accounting, Finance, and STEM degrees are where its at for any LE position because it gives you so many backup options.
Criminology is great if there’s a college you’re interested in with that program. I think it’s probably the most directly applicable to most law enforcement careers. You’re right though, a general criminal justice degree doesn’t really help a whole lot. It’s fine, but I don’t think what they generally teach you in CJ programs is all that useful. Criminology with a psychology concentration of some sort is best if you’re set on a law enforcement career.
I will also say, take the cheapest option just in case you change your mind and want to pursue something else and end up needing grad school. Police departments don’t care if you went to Harvard or Western Arkansas A&M Technical College.
No degree can hurt you. So keep that in mind. If you want options, and an accounting degree/career is something you’re interested, go for it. I’m not currently in LE, but A LOT of people I went to my undergrad college with (I’m currently in grad school) are now in law enforcement. Their majors ranged greatly. I personally majored in political science in undergrad and I’m currently pursuing a masters in public administration. However it’s looking more likely that I’ll be pursuing law enforcement.
But in general, you can’t really go wrong. Give yourself the options you want and/or think you’ll need.
Financial crimes (frauds, theft, scams, crypto etc) are all skyrocketing. If you have the motivation for a finance or accounting degree, it would suit you well should you want to go federal.
I doubled in cyber security and homeland security
I know most people will say “cj degree is useless” but it’s only useless if you aren’t going to be a professor for the matter.
The degree still holds weight. A lot of departments still require a degree in order to get promoted to higher ranks. I have a criminal justice degree and I felt it did give me some knowledge on the field. Education is always fine.
I would recommend accounting but study whatever you want degree doesn’t matter unless you don’t know what you want to do after graduation
Do not major in CJ.