I'm just finishing my A.A. degree and I plan on going to a 4-year school in the fall. I want to be a cop.

Question

My question is can I become a cop if I get a history degree or do I have to get a criminal justice degree? I want a different degree as a back up in case I never get hired. What can i do know to help my self become a police officer? When should I apply? I'm 22 years old and I still want to travel Europe before I start my carrer. Any tips?

Answer 1

maybe if you studied the history of law enforcement.

Answer 2

You do not have to have a cj degree to become a police officer. That being said a cj degree will look better to whoever might hire you than a history degree.

You are twenty two so you could go talk to your local city police office or county sheirffs office and ask them if they have a ride along program in which you could ride with an officer on duty just to get your name in their heads. Some agencies have a reserve program as well, that is sorta like the national guard except just for their local agency.

If you want to travel before you start your career then by all means do it. The next 5-20 years is going to see a lot of baby boomers retiring from all jobs including police officer posistions so taking a year or two to travel isn't going to hurt you.

Answer 3

As an officer....you're degree is NOT required to be in Criminal Justice. As a matter of fact I do not recommend the CJ because should you decide to go a different route...the CJ is somewhat limited in the business world.

Additionally, law enforcement agencies at a federal level look for degrees that would be beneficial in financial investigations, fraud, psychology, and such.

A strong managerial or business degree would be the best bet!

Best wishes!

Answer 4

Most police departments that require a degree do not require a specific degree. Do the research yourself. Most departments have websites and will tell you what they require as far as education goes. I think it is a very smart idea to get something other than a criminal justice degree to fall back on. If I could do it over. I would have done something else as well.

Just as an example check the link below to the FBI website and their qualifications.

Answer 5

The roots of the Police in america began in the plantations, making sure no slaves ran away. Also in the factories to keep workers from striking and asking for better wages. So it was to criminalize blacks, natives and poor white workers, not to serve and protect them. They protected slave owners and rich racist capitalist. Till this day they are serving the same people and criminalizing the blacks, brown and poor. You want to continue this oppressive, racist institution. The majority of people in America are Caucasian over 70%, yet the majority of people in jails are blacks and brown, over 80%. So who have police been serving for the last 300 years. The police are a facist institution designed to protect the rich and regulate or incarcerate the poor. Become a cop and you become the enemy of the People...

Answer 6

Actually a CJ degree is not that big of help, they look for any degree, most CJ really does not have anything that really helps on the job training.

If anything a mangement degree or a computer degree is very highly in regard right now for police.

Answer 7

Most major Police Depts require 60 college credits for entry (in any major) and a four year degree for promotion.....Travel will add to your knowledge, and may help you decide if being a Police Officer is really right for you.

Answer 8

If I am able to get 4 years degree, I will not want to be a cop.

Answer 9

go to school, get the cj degree - it won't hurt...it'll help your chance. why not travel to europe with your family or if the school you attend has trips to europe over any breaks.....