college question for LEOs

[geoint]

Im currently interested in applying to Riverside SD and CHP. However, Im about to start going back to college with my GI Bill and I wanted to know what current LEOs think about going to school as a cop. Is it hard to do classes full time?


I only ask because of the way the post 9/11 GI Bill is structured, you get a housing allowance based on your class load. So if you are a full time student, you get 100% housing allowance, if you are only taking 6 credits, you only get 50%...etc. Id hate to lose/waste an education benefit, but not so much that I want to delay applying to agencies that interest me.

[TrailerparkTrash]

There's pros and cons to both sides of the argument. Yes it's harder to work in LE full time while also attending college. If you can go to college full time and knock it out first, that would be wise in my opinion. ....BUT, it also depends on your age. Are you young, or a late bloomer into the world of a LE career?

By starting one's LE career earlier in life, it will get your retirement account started sooner. Starting 4 years "earlier" (versus 4 years of college first), can allow one to retire at an earlier age (depending on your start age).

For example, if you're 18, I'd load up on college heavily because you need to be 21 to be sworn LE to begin with. By age 22-23 (after college), you can have your 4 year degree behind you and then start your LE "clock" ticking toward retirement.

But if you're late 20's to early 30's, it might be better to get hired and attend college part time. Basically it could take you twice as long to get a 4 yr degree that way, but at least you got that retirement clock started and that's very IMPORTANT!

Also, many departments now offer financial school incentives through certain colleges and universities, IF you're already employed with them. Many courses can also be taken online and that helps tremendously with full time career people.

[geoint]

Im 24 and Im already about half way to a bachelors. I also want to pursue Graduate level studies in healthcare administration and Im guessing that is even harder to do while having a full time/overtime job as a LEO. Im guessing it'll be 8-12 months until I get offered a job anyway (assuming I even qualify) so I fully intend to attend in the mean time.


*healthcare admin is similar to a business admin but with much better prospects lol

[RickD427]

Im currently interested in applying to Riverside SD and CHP. However, Im about to start going back to college with my GI Bill and I wanted to know what current LEOs think about going to school as a cop. Is it hard to do classes full time?


I only ask because of the way the post 9/11 GI Bill is structured, you get a housing allowance based on your class load. So if you are a full time student, you get 100% housing allowance, if you are only taking 6 credits, you only get 50%...etc. Id hate to lose/waste an education benefit, but not so much that I want to delay applying to agencies that interest me.

It's not easy, but it can be done.

I was an engineering student at UC Irvine, and worked my last two years for the University PD. I had to take a quarter off to complete the police academy. The chief was very pro-education and he allowed me to study on duty, so long as my work didn't suffer. I worked nights and there was a lot of "dead time." I took multiple classes, but the only reason it worked was that university cops don't spend a lot of time in court, and I lived on campus. If I was keeping a normal court schedule, or keeping a regular apartment, it just wouldn't have worked.

After graduation, I went to Alaska for a few years and then joined the LASD. I earned my first master's degree while working patrol. The secret was to work the early morning shift (2300-0700) and to take late afternoon/evening classes. You need to keep a routine or everything just falls apart. The few times that I needed to take a day class, I had some conflicts with court. I had good relationships with most of the D.A.s and they would help some, but I also had to miss a couple of classes. That was prior to Proposition 115, so I was going to court on a lot a preliminary hearings. I used the old GI bill cover the expense. Between the county's tuition assistance and GI Bill, I actually had the whole degree paid for.

I'd only take one class at a time. Don't be in a hurry to finish. It's better to take a hit on the GI benefits than to fail classes.

Also look for the proverbial "Golden Opportunity." I did my second masters at the Naval War College. Going to school on orders made all of the court and scheduling issues go away, all expenses were paid, and there was salary to boot. There are currently similar opportunities for LEO's at the Naval Postgraduate School. They provide a similar education in Homeland Security for non-military LEO's. There's a lot of competition, but it's a great way to earn a master's degree.

[geoint]

It's not easy, but it can be done.

I was an engineering student at UC Irvine, and worked my last two years for the University PD. I had to take a quarter off to complete the police academy. The chief was very pro-education and he allowed me to study on duty, so long as my work didn't suffer. I worked nights and there was a lot of "dead time." I took multiple classes, but the only reason it worked was that university cops don't spend a lot of time in court, and I lived on campus. If I was keeping a normal court schedule, or keeping a regular apartment, it just wouldn't have worked.

After graduation, I went to Alaska for a few years and then joined the LASD. I earned my first master's degree while working patrol. The secret was to work the early morning shift (2300-0700) and to take late afternoon/evening classes. You need to keep a routine or everything just falls apart. The few times that I needed to take a day class, I had some conflicts with court. I had good relationships with most of the D.A.s and they would help some, but I also had to miss a couple of classes. That was prior to Proposition 115, so I was going to court on a lot a preliminary hearings. I used the old GI bill cover the expense. Between the county's tuition assistance and GI Bill, I actually had the whole degree paid for.

I'd only take one class at a time. Don't be in a hurry to finish. It's better to take a hit on the GI benefits than to fail classes.

Also look for the proverbial "Golden Opportunity." I did my second masters at the Naval War College. Going to school on orders made all of the court and scheduling issues go away, all expenses were paid, and there was salary to boot. There are currently similar opportunities for LEO's at the Naval Postgraduate School. They provide a similar education in Homeland Security for non-military LEO's. There's a lot of competition, but it's a great way to earn a master's degree.

Interesting. Thanks for the tip. I should have mentioned I am married and have 1 daughter and another on the way, so I do have time commitments to my family.

Thats very cool that you got your masters. I haven't even looked into if either of the agencies I mentioned offer any type of tuition assistance. Definitely going to look into that.

Trailerpark and Rick, I really appreciate both of your thoughts!

[IrishJoe3]

Geo, I've got a little experience in this. I had the choice of going to the academy or finishing my degree. I chose to go to the academy.

I just recently finished my degree as a full time LEO and using my GI Bill.

Going back to a traditional college while a full time LEO would be VERY difficult, (depending on your agency flexibility and schedule). In my situation, with work and family, it would have been impossible.

Look up Union Institute and University. They are kind of a hybrid school; I had class on Tuesday nights from 1800-2200 hrs, coupled with online classes. This helped keep me on track, (whereas personally, online classes are easy to procrastinate). It also was set up in 6 week sessions; you tackled one class at a time for 6 weeks. Finished that class and moved on to the next class. (As opposed to juggling four classes for a five month semester). This also made it easy if you had a work conflict, (ie you could take a 6 week session off easier then a whole semester). It was also full time enrollment which was great for the GI Bill. This program is catered to military and law enforcement.

The material, coursework and instructors with this program were all excellent. I would not have been able complete my degree via traditional college or exclusively online.

In hindsight, if I had advice to give...I'd suggest wrapping up school and getting your degree, then changing gears and getting into the academy, as that would be the easier route. But I am proof that you can do both simultaneously. But you have to decide if you have the commitment to do it.

[LocalsOnly]

Get your degree first. Start applying to departments during your last semester.

[Kilber]

I use my post-911 to go to University of Phoenix full time; I also work a 40 hour a week job. The UoP curriculum is similar to the one posted earlier. It is considered full time, with most of it being online. I go to class one night a week (wed) from 6-10 PM. I'm considered full time, and get 100% BAH. It's pretty easy to fit around a full time work schedule.