Comments on: Online Criminal Justice Doctorate – PhD Degree

By: DUSM

DUSM — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 00:29:27 +0000

Taylor,
Your enthusiasm is commendable and I’d never discourage anyone from aiming high. I’ve been in LE for 16 years, 13 of that with the marshals. My advice would be to remember to balance education and experience. To be assigned to a USMS Fugitive TF will take 4-6 years minimum as a deputy, and probably more like 10 years experience as a state/local officer. A bachelors is a good start with the USMS, a masters gets you additional points on a promotion exam. Of course the knowledge gained in your educational endeavors will be beneficial, it’s not necessary for advancement in the USMS or assignment to a TF. Years of LE experience and a relentless desire to catch bad guys are much more important. Good luck.

By: Jessica B. Gonzalez

Jessica B. Gonzalez — Mon, 12 Sep 2011 07:47:05 +0000

i know i want to major in criminal justice, i just dont know what and where to start. i know i want to be dealing w/juveniles, and guns, and drugs, and how they killed, and study stories like jaycee dugars, or bahmer, i just dont know if there is something in the C.J system there for me, can anyone help me?

By: jake

jake — Mon, 22 Aug 2011 13:14:43 +0000

Question. Why would you a PhD if you want to be a US Marshal?
You make no sense.

By: Mrs. Melig

Mrs. Melig — Thu, 18 Aug 2011 16:19:19 +0000

I have a masters degree in CJ from Texas State University in San Marcos Texas. The instructors in the CJ department there come from all over: Suny, Arizona, Oklahoma, Sam Houston, Albany, and more…
One thing you have to ask yourself is this: What do I want to do?
If you want hands on work in the field of CJ, I suggest first going into the work field while doing your bachelors degree- This will ensure you won’t have an issue finding a job like I am.

If you are more interested in research, intel, and the academic theoretical perspective, then go 100% to school and get your hands on from the internships available in the CJ program versus doing research. When you reach the masters level, start your thesis asap, don’t wait! This is the part that takes long to put together, get your committee picked out, and bug them constantly!

If you want more field work, find a professor that does that- and forgo the doctoral degree unless you have a shoe-in at your workplace that they will move you up with the phd.

Hope that helps!
S. Melig

By: Taylor

Taylor — Thu, 31 Mar 2011 03:03:12 +0000

I’m planning to join the US Marshal’s Fugitive Task Force. But, doing my research, I decided that a Bachelor’s degree would be nice, but I have no experience, even with the CSCEP my Junior and Senior year. I needed way more.
So I thought that I would finish my Bachelor degree in three years, and start my Masters degree. Florida State University and Northern Arizona University both had the Applied Masters degree, but only Florida State had a Doctor’s.
So, my question is – experience. Would the classes offer me experience, or the CSCEP, or would I have to earn it out of school? I plan on earning my Ph.D in 7 years, not 10. Taking classes year round, even during winter break. (NAU offers online classes during that time)
Which school would you say is best, and how can I earn the experience?