Degree question.

[NorCalRedneck]

I'm currently in school right now working on my Bachelor's Degree and its about time to pick a minor. Instead of choosing something generic I saw that my school offers a minor in Substance Abuse Prevention Services. In your guys' opinion would a degree like this be useful in law enforcement? Thanks.

Here's the description:

The minor in Substance Abuse Prevention Services is available to all students and is particularly designed for those who are majoring in a health or social service field and are interested in the addiction prevention field as a supplement to their major. Those students majoring in Criminal Justice, Social Work, Psychology, Education, Human Development, Family Studies and Nursing, may find this minor particularly of use.

The minor will consist of 18 credits excluding an internship. Students who intend to work in the prevention field may find it helpful to take the internship class as well. A certificate program may be available in the future for those students interested in the addiction field but not interested or able to pursue their baccalaureate degree, or to students who already have their baccalaureate degree.

The curriculum is designed to lead a student from largely didactic and knowledge-based classroom experience to increasing practical application of theory through experiential classroom activities, supervised practice, observation, and practice in prevention sciences settings. The culminating activity is the internship.

[Watchur6]

If you are looking into the probation field it would be a good minor to have. With the recent realignment, probation departments are recruiting again. A minor like this would be a plus when interviewing. Almost every probationer has some type of substance abuse history and I know our goal is to keep those offenders out of jail and utilize outside confinement programs. As far as being a police officer im not sure, I know others here can comment on it. Good luck.

[PsychGuy274]

If you are looking into the probation field it would be a good minor to have. With the recent realignment, probation departments are recruiting again. A minor like this would be a plus when interviewing. Almost every probationer has some type of substance abuse history and I know our goal is to keep those offenders out of jail and utilize outside confinement programs. As far as being a police officer im not sure, I know others here can comment on it. Good luck.

That didn't come off right.

[mej16489]

That didn't come off right.

I had to double take on it...at first I read it as, "Almost every probation officer has some type of substance abuse history"

[SVT-40]

What is your major? Any thing you do may help set you apart from other candidates, however remember when getting hired now days having a minor in anything isn't a real big deal.

Maybe if there is a public speaking minor or debate minor or any similar course. Those skills would help you in many ways which could actually benefit you during the hiring process and during any career LEO or not.

[003]

It has been my experience that all other things being equal, having a 4 year degree does give an officer a real advantage over the years. Most agencies that I am aware of have degree pay which adds up fast. An additional 5% a year compounded over a full career and in retirement adds up to real money. Having the degree is what counts; it almost does not matter what field as long as it is a legitimate vs a match book degree.

I have worked with cops that had degrees in public administration, education, political science, anthropology, law, you name it. The one common denominator was the hard working bright cops did well, and the sluts stayed on morning watch.

A degree will most certainly help to get you in the door, what you do once there has little to do with your degree.

[tyrist]

I would recommend a degree in English or Speech comm.

[AAShooter]

If you are looking into the probation field it would be a good minor to have. With the recent realignment, probation departments are recruiting again. A minor like this would be a plus when interviewing. Almost every probationer has some type of substance abuse history and I know our goal is to keep those offenders out of jail and utilize outside confinement programs. As far as being a police officer im not sure, I know others here can comment on it. Good luck.

I found your statement surprising. What percentage would you assign to this? 90%? It makes sense it would be high but sounds higher than I thought. Maybe the drug war is a good fight.

[Foriegn power]

I recommend a degree in P.O.S.T (academy) if you're looking to get into law enforcement work.

[Falconis]

Only time I can see that being helpful is if you work in Youth Services. Other than that, you're really not gonna be a social worker.

[Watchur6]

[QUOTE=AAShooter;7504795]I found your statement surprising. What percentage would you assign to this? 90%? It makes sense it would be high but sounds higher than I thought. Maybe the drug war is a good fight.[

Maybe I should of phrased it differently. It seems to me that the majority of probationers have some type of substance abuse history, based on my contacts. I don't want to give any false info, sorry about that. Alot of the intakes I've seen in my short career has opened my eyes to the drug use among the youth(I work in juvenile corrections).

[ankyle62]

I recommend a degree in P.O.S.T (academy) if you're looking to get into law enforcement work.

Not the best idea when the competition out there is so high, and there are officers that have been laid off, have experience, and are looking for work.

I would look at degrees that you can fall back on into another career field.

[shamu415]

Not the best idea when the competition out there is so high, and there are officers that have been laid off, have experience, and are looking for work.

I would look at degrees that you can fall back on into another career field.

+1

There is way too many competition out there. I just graduated with a B.S in CJ, and nothing is biting. Wish I chose accounting or some business degree to fall back on while looking for a LEO job. Good Luck

[Foriegn power]

There are plenty of jobs in law enforcement you just need to compromise and possible move out of state. I got a job offer out of state, was going to take it but family emergency came up. But don't say criminal justice majors are useless.

[BigDogatPlay]

The minor listed by the OP would potentially be very useful in probation, or to perhaps a speciality LEO assignment such as a school resource officer or juvenile officer. Unfortunately those specialty assignments aren't entry level. But you never know, it might tickle the fancy of some recruiters or agencies.

What I don't see in the OP is the major field. If you are doing a CJ major, you should strongly consider Business Admininstration or Public Administration as a minor. Either of those will be of strong advantage down the road, particularly as it relates to promotion and would also help fill in your career if it takes you a while to get hired on or, worse, never get hired on. Either would give you a leg up on grad school down the road, if that path becomes opportune for you. Lots of command staff, or people who want to be command staff, are getting MBAs and MPAs these days.

If you are already doing a Business major, consider an IT minor if available, or a social science minor to round out.