Since this blog has been in existence, I received countless emails and comments asking whether a criminal justice degree is a waste of time. The questions were usually similar, but came with slew of different meanings:

• Is a criminal justice degree worthless?
• Is a criminal justice degree really worthwhile?
• Is a criminal justice degree a good degree? a bad degree?
• Is a criminal justice degree a waste of time?
• Should I take a criminal justice degree in college?

I even tackled a question on whether a criminal justice degree is good for law school candidacy – and probably the most common one: is a criminal justice degree program hard or easy? But, we’re here to find out if it’s worth it.

Is a Criminal Justice Degree Worthless or Worth It?

Answer: Yes, it’s worth it!

There seems to be a perception out there that those pursuing a criminal justice degree are spending their hard earned money on a degree that’s going to be worthless. The truth is that it’s a desirable degree when coupled with a quality program at a reputable college or university.

So why all the negativity out there? Simply put, many not so reputable schools, and especially those with deep advertising budgets, are giving the industry a bad name. The drive-thru effect of graduating students ill-equipped for the real world job market leaves much to be desired.

The reality is that most popular degree programs – not only criminal justice – fall under this presumption and the advent of online learning has its many critics.

Suggestion: Aim higher. Don’t just apply to the first school you saw on TV or in your search results – look deeper for the best fit. Even if your grades sucked in high school or college, aim higher and apply to at least several schools. And probably the biggest thing of all, pick a reputable school that is properly accredited. Yes, reputable online colleges and universities, like some of the ones listed in Best Criminal Justice Schools in America are just fine.

Just like when you were a kid, when you wanted that sweet cherry or extra sprinkles on top of your ice cream, the recruiters are looking for the best and often with “a cherry on top.” Who really wants a person with a questionable academic record, a shady character, or a total slacker-like attitude working in the criminal justice system; enforcing laws and protecting people, of all things? No one.

But is it worth it financially? Will I make big $$$?

It can be fairly lucrative when used in conjunction with your education, size of the organization you want to work for, and overall time on the job. For example, in terms of law enforcement job opportunities, like those of a police officer, a Sheriff’s deputy, a detective, or a FBI Special Agent, those applying in mid to large municipal, county, state or federal agencies are often required to have a college degree at the time of application.

These mid to large-size agencies usually pay much better than smaller ones and can pay significantly for each level of education above the standard requirement. There’s a big push for four-year college grads, so, those taking an Associate’s degree, may want to think about upgrading to a Bachelor program.

Keep in mind that entry level salaries may seem low, but they are ENTRY LEVEL. After you go through your probationary period, thus increasing your seniority, your salary should go up (oftentimes significantly) and advancement opportunities should become more available (keeping in line with the law enforcement example above). Small departments, like those located in villages and townships may require as little as a high school diploma or a GED, but you get pay that is commensurate with that minimum educational requirement.

It’s not uncommon to see law enforcement officers making high five-figure salaries when performing duties at larger agencies.

I’m not done, yet. Read on… You probably want to know if it’s good or bad for your purposes.

Is a Criminal Justice Degree Good or Bad?

Answer: It’s definitely bad if you are planning on becoming a Marine Biologist, or a Chemist, or a Pre-school Teacher… Or, you know, one of those people who is taking a degree just to have one, but has no TRUE intent of working in the field the degree mostly applies to.

If you are interested in working within the criminal justice system; for example, in correctional or law enforcement fields, then you picked the right degree, but be mindful that even when a college degree is a requirement in order to apply or obtain the job, you don’t have to take criminal justice – degrees in business, accounting, and law are very desirable, too (amongst others). My rule of thumb, if a degree has substance / real world application to the criminal justice system (even if just a little), and YOU LOVE that field, then I think you should pursue what you love. It’s much easier going to work when you like what you do rather than when you despise each day you clock out.

Also, USE YOUR COMMON SENSE: if the NSA needs a computer specialist, it probably wants someone with a computer programming or information technology (IT) educational background – OR – if the State Police wants to solve crimes through bullet trajectory analysis, lift latent prints, get a definite photo or video enhancement, or DNA test materials you should probably look closer into the field of Forensic Science; where, degrees like Physics, Chemistry, Digital Photography, and Biochemistry will play a huge role.

So, besides the common sense thinking and my wholehearted optimism, a degree in criminal justice has its limitations… It’s for those that want to pursue one of the many careers in criminal justice. I covered the possible speed bumps in my What Jobs Can I Get with a Criminal Justice Degree article. Check it out.

Last one… for all the marbles.

Is a Criminal Justice Degree a Waste of Time?

Answer: No, especially if you have aspirations to work within the criminal justice field, have a good credit history and a clean criminal record.

You may find taking a criminal justice program imprudent:

• if you have a criminal record that’s filled to the brim with domestic violence and felony convictions
• if you have DUIs that are recent or repetitive. I covered law enforcement employment and DUIs already.
• if your credit sucks (collections, judgements, bankruptcies). Still, those with recovering credit, showing significant improvement may still be considered.
• if you’re nearing the national average cut off age of 36
• if you have little interest in the field
• if you only want a desk job / office job – other degrees are more suitable
• if you don’t want to carry a fire arm

Saying that, a graduate degree in Criminal Justice or Criminology may be of some help for those interested in research and teaching opportunities; where restrictions on age, work environment and lethal accessories are a non-issue. Remember, that even if you get your shiny Master’s or a PhD degree, real-world experience is often preferred as an accompaniment to your education.

Should you take criminal justice in college?

University of California, Irvine is offering an online Master’s degree in Criminology, Law and Society.

I received the news recently from Adrianna Lopez, Assistant Director of the MAS Program at UC’s Irvine Campus.

I was pleasantly surprised, but perplexed why I haven’t found out sooner. Haven’t you heard? UC Irvine’s Criminology Program ranks as one of the best in the nation and has made my Best Criminal Justice Schools in California list.

About The Criminology Program at UCI

Despite the differences between Criminology and Criminal Justice, the program offers a healthy serving of theory and application in both disciplines, and then some.

Courses:

• Introduction to Criminology, Law and Society (One-week class on the UC Irvine campus)
• Legal Institutions and Society
• Police, Courts and Corrections
• Crime and Social Deviance
• Applied Statistics
• Research Methods
• Public Policy, Crime and Criminal Justice
• Organizational Perspectives on the Legal System
• Leadership
• Social Problems, Law and Policy
• Hate Crimes
• White-Collar Crime
• Sentencing and Corrections

Notice: that the first course requires you to come to the UC Irvine campus. Consider this a golden opportunity to meet your peers, professors, and have a feel for what the school is about. Then, you’ll have 99% of your time to study in your pajamas, if you choose to, of course.

Thirteen courses later, you’ll be able to attend the commencement ceremony at the UC Campus, if you want to. Oh, and you’ll have Summers off, too!

The Master’s degree in CLS is designed for working professionals seeking an advanced degree while continuing their full-time jobs.

Tuition

For $10,836 per year, or a total of $21,672 for this 2-year program you’ll be getting a Master’s of Advanced Study (MAS) in Criminology, Law and Society. I think the price for a program of this caliber is more than fair.

In case you’re wondering, the diploma and any transcripts will be the same as the on-campus students get. All you have to worry about is graduating.

Did you know the prestigious Criminology degree program at UC Irvine is, and has been, an online degree program for the past 8 years? I sure didn’t!


That means that UCI doesn’t have an on-campus clone and it has been consistently ranked as one of the best graduate programs in Criminology by US News & World Report, a very respected college ranking guide.

How Do You Benefit?

• Increase your competitive edge for advancement into managerial or supervisory positions.
• Interact with internationally recognized faculty known for their expertise and applied research in CLS.
• Earn a prestigious degree from a top-ranked research university and a nationally ranked department.
• Save time with online learning designed to fit your busy schedule.

*straight from the UCI Criminology, Law and Society MAS Program brochure

How to get in?

Simple, shell out the $70 for the application fee and apply… OK, maybe it’s not that easy.

First you’ll need to have your GRE scores ready. Adrianna informed me there’s no waiver, but don’t worry, the scores are not the only factor considered. Here’s what you need:

• Yes, get your Graduate Record Exam out of the way
• GPA of 3.0 or above
• Experience in the field or similar fields, or at least true intent
• Your letters of recommendation and the personal statement may help you if you aren’t on par with any of the last three items
• For more requirements, see the program website or request a brochure

Program & Contact Info

Official Program page: http://clsmas.soceco.uci.edu/
You can also contact Adrianna directly:
email: masinfo@uci.edu
phone: 949-824-5462

If you’re truly interested in the Criminology program from University of California (Irvine), make sure to request a brochure that explains everything you need to know about the program in more detail. However, I wouldn’t wait too long, as the first class starts in September.

Students are admitted only once a year.

Prepare for career advancement into top leadership positions in the criminal justice, legal, and social service systems

I get this question a lot: how long does it take to get a Criminology degree? Truthfully, that depends on which degree level you want to pursue. Is it an Associates, a Bachelors, a Masters, or a PhD in Criminology? Are you taking Criminology at a traditional campus university or college? Or, is the Criminology degree from an online school?

Answer based on an average of the expected completion time:

Associates Degree in Criminology

• Traditional
  • 1 and 1/2 years with a maxed-out class load – super-full-time: at or above 16 credits
  • 2 years is the norm – usually full time: 12 credits or more
  • 2 and 1/2 years, or more – usually part time: below 12 credits
• Online
  • 1 to 2 years depending on the school – usually one cannot manipulate the program to go faster or slower – but, there are exceptions to this general rule

Bachelors Degree in Criminology

• Traditional
  • 3 to 3 and 1/2 years with a maxed-out class load – super-full-time: at or above 16 credits
  • 4 years is the norm – usually full time: 12 credits or more
  • 4 and 1/2 to 5 and 1/2 years, or more – usually part time: below 12 credits
• Online
  • 2 and 1/2 to 4 years depending on the school – usually one cannot manipulate the program to go faster or slower – but, there are exceptions to this general rule

Masters Degree in Criminology

• Traditional
  • 1 and 1/2 to 2 years with a maxed-out class load – super-full-time: may depend on the school, prior permission may be required
  • 2 to 3 years is the norm – usually full time: may depend on the school
    
  • 3 and 1/2 to 5 years , or more – usually part time: may depend on the school, prior permission may be required
    
• Online
  • 1 to 2 and 1/2 years depending on the school – usually one cannot manipulate the program to go faster or slower – but, there are exceptions to this general rule

PhD / Doctorate Degree in Criminology

• Traditional
  • 2 and 1/2 to 3 and 1/2 – with a Masters degree in Criminal Justice/Criminology or prior permission to take on higher class load, usually the former expedites the doctorate.
  • 4 to 5 years is the norm – usually full time: the length of the degree may depend on the school
    
  • 5 to 6 years, or more – usually part time or a class a time: colleges and universities often cap their PhD program at 5 years, prior permission may be required
    
• Online
  • 2 and 1/2 to 4 years depending on the school – usually one cannot manipulate the program to go faster or slower -but, there are exceptions to this general rule

I hope this helps. Be aware that you can shorten or lengthen the journey to your degree. Usually it takes a little initiative, but it pays dividends down the road. Good luck!

What are the top criminal justice schools in America? It’s a question I get in my mailbox at least once a week. The truth is, it’s not University of Phoenix, Everest College, or Westwood College as you probably found other sites claiming a list of “10 Best Criminal Justice Schools” to be. Come on! Here’s the real deal.

In my opinion, some of the best criminal justice colleges in the US include:

• CUNY John Jay College of Criminal Justice
• Michigan State University
• Northeastern University
• Pennsylvania State University at University Park
• University of Albany (SUNY)
• University of California at Irvine
• University of Cincinnati
• University of Maryland at College Park Campus

These are just my recommendations, and rightfully so, as USNews.com has it’s own list of Top Criminal Justice Schools in America. Many of the schools I had in mind they listed, too.

Best Criminal Justice Schools in America for 2012

• American University
• Arizona State University
• CUNY John Jay College of Criminal Justice
• Florida State University
• George Mason University
• Indiana University
• Michigan State University
• Northeastern University
• Pennsylvania State University (University Park)
• Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey (Newark campus)
• Temple University
• Sam Houston State University
• Washington State University
• University of Albany – SUNY
• University of California (Irvine campus)
• University of Cincinnati
• University of Delaware
• University of Florida
• University of Illinois (Chicago campus)
• University of Maryland (College Park campus)
• University of Missouri (St. Louis campus)
• University of Nebraska (Omaha campus)
• University of Pennsylvania (Ivy League School)

sources: US News and Criminal Justice Degree, College, and Career Blog

This is a list of the Top Criminal Justice Schools in America without the fluff.

More than half of these best Criminal Justice universities have online Criminal Justice degree programs – a great alternative to on-campus education.

No matter what you’ve heard before, be aware that the name of the school and/or program ranking matters; it can make a big difference between being accepted for a career position or getting promoted. We, as society, have preconceived notions, expectations for high standards, and the understanding of what’s real and what’s not – the people and organizations that will be hiring you or looking over your grad school application will look at the program and the school your graduated from.

And one more thing… your college grades and GPA matter, especially when applying for highly sought after career positions, and of course, graduate study. Just thought you should know.

Wait… When picking schools that have multiple locations be aware that a program from one campus location – for example – may be OR may not be better than the program from the other campuses. Take University of California (a.k.a. UC). This educational system has quite a few university campuses, but UC Irvine reigns supreme in Criminal Justice/Criminology over UC Davis (example).

Even if you can’t get into a great college or university, which doesn’t hurt to apply, remember that when researching your criminal justice schools make sure to take the accreditation, tuition, and time investment into consideration. Now, go share this great resource with someone! Thanks for reading.

Do you think there are criminal justice schools that should make the list, but didn’t? Share them with us and tell us why your picks should belong among the best criminal justice schools in the United States.

Three common questions from many blog readers: Is a criminal justice degree hard? Is criminal justice a hard major? Is criminal justice hard? These 3 questions lead to a compounded one: is a criminal justice degree major hard to complete? The answer…

I personally think that a criminal justice degree is a fairly straight-forward major. It is not an easy major? I don’t think any major is, but for me it was a very rewarding educational experience. I was drawn to the field of Criminal Justice from the start and found it to be challenging, yet attainable.

But is the Criminal Justice Degree Major Hard for You?

This answer depends entirely on your own abilities, life goals, and true intentions. There is no “one shoe fits all” kind of answer for this.

Where do your interests lie? Are you planning on a criminal justice major because everyone else is doing it? it’s advertised on TV? or, because you’re out of options? These probably are not good reasons to take criminal justice in college. But these can be:

• You like issues that are related to society
• You find TV shows like COPS, 48 Hours, and Forensic Files fascinating
• You like to think critically and dig deeper to find the answers you seek
• You don’t have a problem working with other people
• You want to know more about issues pertaining to all that is “criminal justice”

BUT Wait… There’s More!

The biggest and really the only reason anyone would want to undertake a criminal justice major is that they would like to do meaningful work in this evolving field. Is that what you want to do: pursue a career in criminal justice? If so, keep reading…

Having a criminal justice degree allows one to pursue some of the most interesting criminal justice careers, which aren’t only limited to a police officer or a FBI Special Agent career path:

The reasons that create the interest in a criminal justice degree should be big enough for you to proceed further. They should be more than a path towards just a “job” – if you think of the degree as a means to a job, you’ll most likely find that the degree isn’t as easy to you. It may even be hard.

My 2 Cents:

1. Be true to your abilities. If you’re not strong in a certain subject or subjects, then a degree in criminal justice may be harder to accomplish. Check out the criminal justice courses you may be exposed to. Also, be aware that you’ll be taking English, Math, and certain Science classes while pursuing your college degree, no matter what major you pick.
2. Is your life goal to be a police officer or something entirely different? Think about what you really would like to do in the span of your life. Not sure yet? Then, you should be happy to know that most law enforcement career options for police officers, sheriff deputies, state troopers, or FBI agents do not specifically require a criminal justice degree. A Bachelor degree in Business, Computer Science, Chemistry, or something entirely different can be as good. It’s always wise to contact the agency you plan to work for in the future to find out if they have a certain educational preference. Did you know that many law enforcement agencies require only some college credits and not a full degree? And they don’t have to be derived from criminal justice classes. Aaahhhh… Now you know : )
3. Read, research, ask, and repeat… I mean if you’re really serious about pursuing a degree in criminal justice and following that up with a career in CJ I highly recommend reading and researching more about anything and everything that interests you. Don’t take criminal justice courses on a whim, hoping that they are going to solve your troubles. It’s always good to ask your teacher, professor, or someone you can trust to give you an honest answer about your educational and career goals. A criminal justice degree doesn’t have to be hard to accomplish. There are other great sites and bounty of information on the Internet; specifically on Government funded websites. If a police officer career is something you’re interested in then you should ask a police officer about how his or her career is, what it is all about, and how you can get your foot in the door. Hint… there are police officer forums on the Internet that may be full of interesting information. Interested in a different criminal justice career? Same model applies… go straight to the source!

I hope this helps some of you in answering this seemingly easy, but complicated, question. What have been your experiences with taking criminal justice courses? Are they easy or hard, or totally something different? Let us know by leaving your comment below.

Email from Jake in Illinois: What’s the difference between Criminal Justice and Criminal Law?

I can’t believe I didn’t think of answering this age-old question back when I started my blog. However, it’s never too late to tackle this one so I’ll give it my best shot.

Criminal Justice vs. Criminal Law

So you’re thinking about majoring in something. Criminal Justice, Criminal Law, and other criminally interesting degree programs come to mind. So what the heck is the difference between Criminal Law and Criminal Justice? They both have “criminal” in them and they both pertain to the criminal justice system. Yes, but they are totally different from one another.

Criminal Justice refers to the universal and policy aspects of the field, including the exploration of policing, courts, corrections, and other daily applications. For example when I studied Criminal Justice at Boston University, I had the opportunity to explore the criminal justice system from the perspective of a victim and the criminal ( Victimology ) or the historic relevance of the death penalty. I learned how today’s police departments have to adhere to the demands of the communities they serve and how terrorism and the proliferation of the Internet changed the policing landscape. You can pick a Criminal Justice major at any academic level. Whether it is an Associate’s, a Bachelor’s, or a graduate degree, you’re sure to find a program you like.

Criminal Law can be studied in depth at the graduate level (after completion of a Bachelor’s degree). It is a concentration that is available at most law schools in the United States and mainly leads to a career as a lawyer. Criminal Law is not as versatile as Criminal Justice, although both majors are applied to the criminal justice field. When taking Criminal Law you’ll be focusing on the legal ramifications of crime rather than on the social aspects of it. You will be immersed in a research intensive environment where pristine writing skills are very important and a keen eye to detail is a must. Besides a law degree – aka JD or Juris Doctor degree – you can study Criminal Law from a historical standpoint on any academic level, but such programs are seldom seen.

Criminal Justice and Criminal Law Careers

With a degree in Criminal Justice you can gear your career seeking efforts towards law enforcement (Police, Sheriff, Federal Agent – FBI, DEA, CIA, Diplomatic Security Special Agent, ICE, and etc.). If you have an advanced degree, like a Master’s or a Doctorate in Criminal Justice or Criminology, you may seek consulting and academic careers.

A Law Degree with the Criminal Law concentration is most definitely going to propel you towards a career as a lawyer, perhaps even a judge, but since it is an advanced degree, you will be able to obtain jobs in the law enforcement, consulting, and academic fields as well.

A common term for a lawyer that specializes in Criminal Law is a defense attorney. Defense attorneys are lawyers who represent clients in court in exchange for money. Some defense lawyers work on a pro bono basis, which in layman’s terms means for free.

pro bono publico – a.k.a. pro bono -  is derived from Latin and literarilly means for the public good

A prosecutor most likely studied Criminal Law in college as well and is the proverbial adversary of the defense attorney. Prosecutors go after the criminals by preparing cases which most often don’t go to trial. In most court cases, the defense attorney and the prosecutor present the case in front of a judge who will subsequently make the decision on the outcome of the case. If a criminal case goes to trial, you can expect the usual charade that you see on Court TV and your local news, but mostly without all the drama.

For more information on the different careers available to you please see the criminal justice careers page where there are many more interesting jobs that didn’t get listed here. As always feel free to comment and ask questions. Till next time, take care.

How long does it take to get a Forensic Science degree? A great question! The answer depends on which degree level one is seeking to accomplish. Is it an Associate’s, a Bachelor’s, a Master’s, a PhD, or perhaps an MD in Forensic Sciences or similar disciplines? Are you taking this specialized degree program at a traditional campus or is the Forensic degree from an online college or university?

Here’s the answer based on an average of the expected completion time frame:

Associates Degree in Forensic Science

• Traditional
  • 1 and 1/2 years with a maxed-out class load – super-full-time: at or above 16 credits
  • 2 years is the norm – usually full time: 12 credits or more
  • 2 and 1/2 years, or more – usually part time: below 12 credits
• Online
  • 1 to 2 years depending on the school – usually you can’t manipulate the program to go faster or slower – but, there are exceptions to this rule

Bachelors Degree in Forensic Science

• Traditional
  • 3 and 1/2 to 4 years with a maxed-out class load – super-full-time: at or above 16 credits
  • 4  to 4 and 1/2 years is the norm – usually full time: 12 credits or more
  • 5 and 1/2  years, or more – usually part time: below 12 credits
• Online
  • 2 and 1/2 to 4 years depending on the school – usually you can’t manipulate the program to go faster or slower – but, there are exceptions to this general rule

Masters Degree in Forensic Science

• Traditional
  • 1 and 1/2 to 2 and 1/2 years with a maxed-out class load – super-full-time: this may depend on the school, prior permission may be required
  • 2 to 3 and 1/2 years is the norm – usually full time: may depend on the school
    
  • 4 to 5 years , or more – usually part time: this may depend on the school, prior permission may be required
    
• Online
  • 1 and 1/2 to 3 years depending on the school – usually you can’t manipulate the program to go faster or slower – but, there are exceptions to this rule

PhD / Doctorate Degree in Forensic Science

• Traditional
  • 2 and 1/2 to 3 and 1/2 – with a Masters degree in certain desirable science based programs and/or Forensic Science degree: prior permission to take on higher class load may be required, usually having an advanced degree (ie. MS in Forensic Science) expedites the fast track – not all schools work this way, so it’s always wise to make sure before you start.
  • 4 to 6 years is the norm – usually full time: the length of the degree may depend on the school
    
  • 6 to 7 years, or more – usually part time or a class at a time: colleges and universities often cap their PhD program at 5-6 year mark, prior permission may be required
    
• Online
  • 2 and 1/2 to 4 years depending on the school – usually you won’t be able to manipulate the program to go faster or slower – but, there are may be exceptions
    

Just remember that a Forensic Science degree is not a “walk in the park” – it is a science based degree for which not everyone is “cut out” for. This degree track will require more initiative than others, but the rewards are vast and if you like to solve crimes through the use of brains, rather than brawn, this is a great route to go. I hope this helps you. Good luck!

Verbal Advantage is the best vocabulary builder, bar none. While in college, I was looking for vocabulary building tools, specifically a GRE vocabulary builder. After a few failed attempts at using different programs, Verbal Advantage came into my sights through a good friend of mine who got me the CD program as a gift.

Lets just say I was very skeptical at first, but at the request of my friend, a Harvard graduate, I was bound to give Verbal Advantage a try.

At that time, the program came on 24 CDs, and I think it still does. I really liked having those CDs in MP3 format so I can listen to them on my Ipod. I used one of the many free CD to MP3 converters (Google it to get one) to accomplish this. Peace a cake.

I started to listen to the first level of Verbal Advantage, written and narrated by: Charles Harrington Elster, when I was in the midst of my business degree at Colorado Tech. 5 years later, and successfully completing a Master level criminal justice degree program at Boston University, I still listen to Verbal Advantage and feel very empowered by being able to communicate with virtually anyone. Next, a PhD.

Originally, Verbal Advantage was going to be used as my LSAT vocabulary builder, but after much needed soul searching, the program proved to be an invaluable tool for my GRE vocabulary building needs. Law School wasn’t for me, as I am more of an explorer by nature.

Verbal Advantage is a great tool for anyone who wants to:

• attend grad school and needs to take the GRE, or Graduate Record Exam
• attend grad school and needs to take the MAT, a.k.a. Miller Analogies Test
• attend law school, where the LSAT, or the The Law School Admission Test, is a requirement
• attend graduate business school where the GMAT, or the Graduate Management Admission Test, is needed in 99% of cases
• improve their overall vocabulary
• improve their academic advancement
• improve their career options
• improve their ability to confidently use the English language

Remember all these wants can only be accomplished with diligent use of the self-paced program. I am not saying that you will instantly improve in all the deficient clusters of your written and spoken life, but the program is designed to  exponentially improve your vocabulary, and theoretically, improve your lifestyle. It’s really up to you.

Pros of Verbal Advantage

• you will learn new words and the meanings of them, including where they came from (Greek, French, Latin, and etc.)
• it is narrated in such a way that will help you effectively remember, connect, and use the newly acquired words with ease
• the program is designed to sequentially move up in difficulty, thus helping you retain much more when moving up to more challenging vocabulary words
• it offers quizzes at the end of each level to test your skills and engrave the words in your verbal palette
• you can stop and repeat the program at any time (highly recommended)

Cons of Verbal Advantage

• really… only one – the CDs. I wish the program was also offered in MP3 format.

In the category of vocabulary builders, Verbal Advantage stands far apart from the rest. However, this vocabulary building program is not for everyone. It is only for those who really want to increase their vocabulary and develop into eloquent speakers and/or writers. In all honesty, I wouldn’t be as far in life academically, occupationally, and financially if it wasn’t for Mr. Elster and Verbal Advantage. That’s my 2 cents.

He Doesn’t!

I went to court the other day and overhead a tenacious injury lawyer presenting a case for his client. I didn’t care for the details, but when he started going into the medical and technical terms associated with Taser related injuries his client sustained I nearly wanted to hit him upside the head with, umm… a book!

I’ve had enough with all the TV shows, newspapers, and even educated newscasters feeding the American public with misleading information. Sensationalized headlines and articles are flooding the human mind to the point where we collectively become dumber and dumber by the minute.

If you picked up a newspaper, read an article on the Web, or watched TV in the last year, you probably heard of Tasers and their 50,000 volt strike. However, behind the smoke screen, there lies another number, and it’s closer to 5,000.

It seems the media doesn’t like to inform the public about all the pertinent facts – what a shocker. It’s not feasible to explain that a Taser’s power output is 50,000 volts (estimated) and penetrates the human skin releasing approximately 5,000 volts into the body. The real shock is 90% less, but no, the media likes to feed us the higher number, and we buy it. In all likelihood, 50,000 volts would kill the healthiest man or cause permanent brain damage in majority of survivors. So please, before you open your mouth and start up an interesting conversation, or a legal proceeding, get the facts straight.

F.Y.I. – Taser is actually the name of the company that manufactures stun guns. This device is widely used in the law enforcement community, especially by police officers. It is meant to protect the lives of law enforcement officers as well as those on the receiving end – mainly used as an alternative to lethal force. As with any weapon, injuries do occur, but are mainly caused by the fall to the ground (due to incapacitation). Deaths do occur, but are very rare.

Michigan State University is one of the best places in U.S. to study Criminal Justice and other Criminology programs. MSU initiated its online Masters in Criminal Justice program back in 1998, making it the first degree program on the Internet from Michigan State. Quite frankly, it is one of the first prestigious programs on the Net.

Michigan State University is offering the following Master level Criminal Justice courses:

• CJ 433 Law Enforcement Intelligence Operations
• CJ 439 Homeland Security
• CJ 801 Crime Causation, Prevention and Control
• CJ 809 Issues in Criminal Justice
• CJ 810 Proseminar in Criminal Justice
• CJ 811 Design and Analysis in Criminal Justice Research
• CJ 812 Criminal Justice Management Seminar
• CJ 822 Comparative Criminal Justice
• CJ 823 Globalization of Crime
• CJ 837 Counterterrorism and Intelligence
• CJ 838 Terrorism
• CJ 839 Analytical Thinking and Intelligence
• CJ 885 Security Management
• CJ 886 Security Administration
• CJ 887 Quantitative Methods in Criminal Justice Research
• CJ 890 Independent Study
• CJ 894 Practicum
• CJ 896 Policy Analysis Under Conditions of Change

* Courses may change from time to time.

The Criminal Justice program at MSU may take you 2 to 3 years to complete. Michigan State University is highly respected in the law enforcement field, the academia, and has an enormous presence in the media.

MSU was one of the schools I considered attending to complete my graduate degree. I applied to only three schools: Michigan State University, Boston University, & University of Cincinnati. I was accepted to all of them, amidst the high level of competition and limited space. I researched all of them and conclusively found that MSU is one of the best schools worldwide which you can consider for your graduate studies, including a PhD.

For more information on this online program visit MSU website.