Going back to school

[1*mike]

It's been 12 years since I dropped out of SJSU and took a job w/ a local PD. I was in my Sr. year with about 5 Classes left until my BA in psych and minor in AJ.

I'd like to get some feedback from CGers, LEOs and others who returned to school.

[the_weirdo]

I am not a LEO. I did go back to school after a nice break from it.

My recommendations:
1) Determine what degree you want to get and what you plan to do with it career wise.
2) Check with the school and see what units are still applicable - some schools eliminate credits after 7-10 years and force you to retake the classes.
3) Check how many units you need to graduate with your chosen degree.
4) Make a decision based on this info.

[IrishPirate]

if you only have 5 classes left, you should be able to do it in one or two semesters depending on your work schedule. You'll slide right back in as if you didn't stop going. It's part of the rules that they can't make you take extra classes if they added any since you started going.

Go for it, it's going to be helpful!

[meangreen46]

I am not a LEO. I did go back to school after a nice break from it.

My recommendations:
1) Determine what degree you want to get and what you plan to do with it career wise.
2) Check with the school and see what units are still applicable - some schools eliminate credits after 7-10 years and force you to retake the classes.
3) Check how many units you need to graduate with your chosen degree.
4) Make a decision based on this info.

Excellent advice! From the LEO perspective....Sometimes, the only thing between you and your competition for that promotion is....A degree. I took time off too, but went back and it was well worth it.

[9mmepiphany]

I went back after 15 years in LE...i finally got stable enough hours so I could make the classes.

I took night classes at a Univ of San Francisco extension and highly recommend night classes. The students are usually older, have jobs and some real life experience. Check around and see if you can find a program which only meets once a week (4 hours), one class at a time and 4-5 meetings to complete a class...that would complete the five classes you need in less than 6 months. Be aware that they might have added graduation requirements since you left and you may have to take additional classes.

I wrote off the cost of the classes on my taxes. Completing the degree qualified me for an additional 10% educational incentive (5% for the BA, 5% for my Advanced POST cert)

[CaptMike]

going back to school is one of the best decisions you can make. Many of the young kids coming into LE already have degrees and if the rest of us don't keep up or surpass them, we may be left behind. Completing a Masters, in my department, adds 10 points to our promotions score.

as stated above, one of the fast paced schools that meet once a week with class completion in a month are the quickest way to do it. The Masters took 1 year to complete. National University, Univ of Pheonix and union institute are good fast track schools. LASD has agreements with several colleges that offer some flexibility in schedule or possibly a discount. PM me if you are interested. Lastly, make sure that whatever school you decide to go to is WASC accredited. Some of the smaller private colleges are only nationally accredited and their units will not transfer to some schools. Good luck, it may be difficult but it will be worth it in the long run.

[9mmepiphany]

Brush up on your writing skills...not a bad idea anyway...if your going to attend an accelerated program. You'll be writing a paper every week...including cites and footnotes.

If you find you're just missing some General Ed classes, most community colleges are still only $10 per unit