Changing my major?
 

I've been thinking about changing my major for the past couple weeks now. I've been in college for two years and came in wanting to be a history teacher, but I've really been thinking about changing it to Criminal Justice. I've always wanted to be a police officer. I've got some questions about all of it though. I feel like I'd enjoy being a police officer more then a teacher.

I've been wondering if it's even a smart to change your major two years into your schooling? Basically I've gotten just about all my gen eds out of the way with a couple of my history classes done too. So those history classes would be a waste of money. I go to a four year school right now and plan on transfering to another four year program in Oklahoma City. I've also wondered if it would be better for me to attend a two year program to get my Criminal Justice degree? I am wondering if I can actually switch from a four year school to a two year program? I know that a CC could be a lot cheaper for me too. Does anyone know how long it takes to get your police officer stuff done?

Thanks

Dunit35

Good luck man; long time no see. Where ya been young man??

School and working...should be in bed right now ( 8 a.m. class) but I have stuff to do still. I'm never home on the weekends anymore either.

Well here ya go ..I 'm speaking as someone who got my B.S. in Criminal Justice and am currently pursuing my masters in CJ . I am also a Deputy Sheriff.....First off if you want to change you major now is the time to do it, if you have enough credits go ahead and get the History Minor. As far as the CJ thing goes...it only really benefits you if you work for larger departments that actually require college credits or a degree...My degree hasn't earned me anything extra in the field although even though my department doesn't require it I'd like to think it helped in the hiring process....anywho if you go to a full time academy it generally takes 6 months to complete M-F 8-6 or part time 9 months M-F 6-10 pm Sat 8-6 this is of course at an academy in colorado....You will find that larger departments like LAPD or Denver will require you attend their own academy so sending yourself is pointless but if you would rather work for a department that is smaller like a Lawrence, KS or Boulder, CO and smaller departments they will want you to be certified (attended an academy already) before applying....it just really depends on what you want to do and where you want to work...I'm sure you have more questions...let me know

Ouch; this is gonna make for a real short night. I wish I could help ysa with your delima bud, but I simply don't have any answers for ya. :shrug:

Change it and be a History minor if your school offers that. You're probably .5 there or closer if you've been in school 2 years now.

Just who I was looking for. I am wanting to work in a smaller town around OKC, pretty much as close to my girlfriends job as possible. That academy process, how could I work and pay rent and other bills? I'd like to go to a CC and get that degree, I feel like it would make me more comfortable when I actually start the process of becoming a police officer. Was the academy process pretty hard to go through?

That sounds like a good idea. I've actually probably only finished three or four classes that would go to my history degree. Just about everything I've taken has been gen eds.

Yeah, that's still about 9-12 hours. The minor is probably anywhere between 15-21, so seems it's just a matter of 2 - 4 more classes. I'm not sure how marketable that would make someone in the criminalogy field, but it can never hurt, and if you do decide to try something for a job history related, you've always got that minor.

The part time academy is geared towards people who still have to work but want to attend the academy ...I would suggest if you can to move back in with your parents and go to the full time academy ...just get it over with quickly...the degree will help you with the "books" part of the class but there will be a whole new world of other things to learn too....Don't limit yourself to one jurisdiction...I just started filling out applications ...getting a job in law enforcement is difficult and one jurisdiction will not hire you for the same reason another will...

EDIT:

Go to the website of the department (almost all have them now) ad find out if they require a degree or credit hours or none at all and also if they want you to be certified before you apply, some departments will send you to an academy and pay you a reduced salary to complete

Hey man, good to see you back, can't help with your decision though

Good Luck!

I suggest volunteering a few months in a police "ride around" program. Leawood, KS has one. There may be a municipality with one where you are. I know that's time consuming, but if you feel you want a career in a given field, then it may make sense to do something like that.

We already have too many cops in Oklahoma. Go away.

I changed my major midway through my junior year, for what it's worth. In my particular case, though, that didn't affect my graduation date. (I went from a music program with eleventy billion required hours to a business major with much fewer.)