4 answers
Stacy
Student
Lynn, Massachusetts
3
Questions
Asked
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What major should I pick if I want to do something within law enforcement?
I'm currently a junior in high school and I'm having a hard time picking a major. #law-school #college #choosing-a-major
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4 answers
Kimberly Krebs
Corporate Security Manager
80
Answers
Bethlehem, Pennsylvania
Updated
Kimberly’s Answer
Hi Stacy, good question.
Having a major in a criminal justice field is not a requirement to get hired as a police officer or federal agent. However, it can greatly benefit you and give you a head start on learning about the law. It's important to keep in mind, though, that every state has different laws and the education you gain through college will be very broad and non-specific. For example; you would learn the history of crime, prisons, probation, etc. not the specific law pertaining to those topics in your state. You will learn about case law (previous court decisions that guide police actions) in college and that is helpful & knowledge you would use as a police officer/agent.
If you are looking more into becoming a lawyer, there are numerous types of law to practice. You would want to try to narrow down your interest so you could take courses that might benefit you in the future. If you have no idea what type of law you would like to practice, I would recommend a major that involves constitutional, criminal and tort law which would most likely be Criminal Justice or Criminology majors. These are sort of the "general" base courses of law enforcement.
Keep in mind though, law enforcement agencies hire individuals based on their need at the time. For example, if economic crimes are on the rise, they may be looking for people with backgrounds in accounting or economics. It will always depend on the needs of the agency you are looking to join.
Narrow down what type of law enforcement you wish to go into
Organize a ride-along with local police (if available) to get a close up look of what they do
Talk to as many people as you can in the field you are considering
Having a major in a criminal justice field is not a requirement to get hired as a police officer or federal agent. However, it can greatly benefit you and give you a head start on learning about the law. It's important to keep in mind, though, that every state has different laws and the education you gain through college will be very broad and non-specific. For example; you would learn the history of crime, prisons, probation, etc. not the specific law pertaining to those topics in your state. You will learn about case law (previous court decisions that guide police actions) in college and that is helpful & knowledge you would use as a police officer/agent.
If you are looking more into becoming a lawyer, there are numerous types of law to practice. You would want to try to narrow down your interest so you could take courses that might benefit you in the future. If you have no idea what type of law you would like to practice, I would recommend a major that involves constitutional, criminal and tort law which would most likely be Criminal Justice or Criminology majors. These are sort of the "general" base courses of law enforcement.
Keep in mind though, law enforcement agencies hire individuals based on their need at the time. For example, if economic crimes are on the rise, they may be looking for people with backgrounds in accounting or economics. It will always depend on the needs of the agency you are looking to join.
Kimberly recommends the following next steps:
Madeline Boyd
Student
1
Answer
Winston-Salem, North Carolina
Updated
Madeline’s Answer
You should major in whatever you are most passionate about! That's what will look best on a transcript, and you will likely get the best grades if you are doing something you love!
Hello Madeline, this comment really helps! I just did a career presentation on Dental Hygienist which is something totally different from law enforcement and I feel happy with this career!
Stacy
charles crowder
Attorney
25
Answers
Santa Ana, California
Updated
charles’s Answer
1. Stacy,
I don't believe that choosing a particular type of major automatically qualifies or disqualifies you for a career in law enforcement. The good news is that as a high school junior you have plenty of time to select a major. I am an attorney who thought during my first year in college that I might major in Biology. Then Chemistry 1A and I collided head-on. I began to realize that my strength is verbal expression, not mathematical or scientific. I wound up majoring in Government (often called Political Science); and then worked as an insurance adjuster and supervisor for four years after graduation, before commencing law school.
Since you have an interest in law enforcement, you might want to consider a major in Criminal Justice. The more courses that you take that study crime, the legal system, criminal procedure, constitutional law and other related topics, will help you to ascertain whether or not a law enforcement career is in your future. Another good choice would be Pre-Law. Many FBI agents have a legal degree, whether or not they have actually taken the bar exam to qualify for practicing law. Often retired law enforcement officers will take up the study of law later in life.
I also recommend that you take courses in psychology, especially human and abnormal psychology. You will deal with many "interesting" characters as a law enforcement officer (or a criminal prosecutor or defender). It helps to have an educational background that prepares you to understand what motivates people and what disorders criminal suspects and defendants might have that in part explain why they do what they do (even if it doesn't justify their actions).
You need to be able to communicate clearly and succinctly in the fields of law enforcement. So, I recommend that you also take courses in English Composition, Literature (the great novelists explore timeless themes of human strengths and weaknesses) and Communications. In addition, basic courses in science and logic will explain the scientific method, with its hypotheses and theories, and how to rigorously examine evidence, all of which are essential to those who work in the field of law enforcement.
Lastly, don't neglect elective courses that you take for no reason other than they sound like they would be fun, or because the subject matter fascinates you. In my view, almost any course can teach something essential that you will use later in life.
Good luck to you as you explore options and narrow them down to see which courses and major best promote your goal of working in law enforcement.
I don't believe that choosing a particular type of major automatically qualifies or disqualifies you for a career in law enforcement. The good news is that as a high school junior you have plenty of time to select a major. I am an attorney who thought during my first year in college that I might major in Biology. Then Chemistry 1A and I collided head-on. I began to realize that my strength is verbal expression, not mathematical or scientific. I wound up majoring in Government (often called Political Science); and then worked as an insurance adjuster and supervisor for four years after graduation, before commencing law school.
Since you have an interest in law enforcement, you might want to consider a major in Criminal Justice. The more courses that you take that study crime, the legal system, criminal procedure, constitutional law and other related topics, will help you to ascertain whether or not a law enforcement career is in your future. Another good choice would be Pre-Law. Many FBI agents have a legal degree, whether or not they have actually taken the bar exam to qualify for practicing law. Often retired law enforcement officers will take up the study of law later in life.
I also recommend that you take courses in psychology, especially human and abnormal psychology. You will deal with many "interesting" characters as a law enforcement officer (or a criminal prosecutor or defender). It helps to have an educational background that prepares you to understand what motivates people and what disorders criminal suspects and defendants might have that in part explain why they do what they do (even if it doesn't justify their actions).
You need to be able to communicate clearly and succinctly in the fields of law enforcement. So, I recommend that you also take courses in English Composition, Literature (the great novelists explore timeless themes of human strengths and weaknesses) and Communications. In addition, basic courses in science and logic will explain the scientific method, with its hypotheses and theories, and how to rigorously examine evidence, all of which are essential to those who work in the field of law enforcement.
Lastly, don't neglect elective courses that you take for no reason other than they sound like they would be fun, or because the subject matter fascinates you. In my view, almost any course can teach something essential that you will use later in life.
Good luck to you as you explore options and narrow them down to see which courses and major best promote your goal of working in law enforcement.
Latisha Arrington-Dixon, MS
Team leader for administration and operations team within a bank.
7
Answers
New York, New York
Updated
Latisha’s Answer
Stacy,
So far you have received some good responses. To add below is a link to a number of schools which offer particular majors for students who wish to pursue law enforcement:
https://www.collegeconsensus.com/degrees/law-enforcement/
Good luck!
So far you have received some good responses. To add below is a link to a number of schools which offer particular majors for students who wish to pursue law enforcement:
https://www.collegeconsensus.com/degrees/law-enforcement/
Good luck!