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Associates in Criminal Justice a waste of time if wanting to become a Forensic Anthropologist ?
Hello everyone. I want to become a Forensic Anthropologist and I know it's a lot of work and schooling which is fine. But I enrolled in a Community College recently to up my GPA from the last College I attended which was another Community College. I was okay with this plan until I 1) spoke with an advisor who wanted me to do an add on certificate, which I really don't believe I need. She also totally ignored the bigger picture of what I wanted to do by getting my PHD later on. 2) I realized after doing additional research that I merely need a Bachelor's degree in Anthropology, plus my Master's and PHD to get into Forensic Anthropology. Making my current degree track in Criminal Justice useless? My question is should I get my associates in Criminal Justice? Would it be an asset to me later on? Or is it a massive waste of time and I should consider transferring after a year? Any advice would be great, thanks!
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Paul Goetzinger MPA
Academic and Career Consultant and Freelance Writer
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Paul’s Answer
Many times there is a lot of cross over with associates degrees and bachelors. Since your concentations are both mostly within the social science areas, you might be able to do both degrees.
Or combine the criminal justice degree with a junior or community college associates transfer degree, which will enable you to complete the general university requirements and pursue a bachelors at the four year university.
Or combine the criminal justice degree with a junior or community college associates transfer degree, which will enable you to complete the general university requirements and pursue a bachelors at the four year university.
Thank you Paul! That was originally my thought to be honest. But after a lot of thought today I realized that based on my electives if I keep criminal justice in the background it will shape my career in such a way that at a certain point I won't be able to turn back. Example is with Criminal Justice and Arabic as a minor. It would set me up for the Federal route and I'm not 100% sold that it is something that I want. That would be right after graduating with my Bachelor's. Where Anthropology especially Forensic Anthropology, I don't have to hone in until my Master's I believe, giving me more time to change direction if I ever need to before then. I'm hoping this makes sense. But I do value your advice because originally that is where my train of thought was for sure 😊.
Nekesha
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Michelle’s Answer
Hello, Nekesha !
You know, I agree with you Nekesha. My advice is to determine how far along you are with the Criminal Justice degree and if it's for an Associates and you are close to graduating, it's not going to matter because you should have had some important forensics courses within that major that will be useful for a Forensic Anthropology Degree. You stated that you want to take this to a PhD level, so your Associates Degree can actually be in anything. It's your Bachelors, Masters and PhD that is more vital in preparing you to be an Anthropologist and also for becoming a College Professor of it. I would follow through with the Criminal Justice Associate Degree but make sure to take a bit more forensic oriented courses and a ballistic course. You did not waste your time.
Just make sure that you find a four year university that offers a Bachelors Degree in Forensic Anthropology. Consult with the university academic counselor at the college you select to go over it and make sure they offer a focused program. It may be that many four year universities offer the major titled Anthropology and part of that study is learning the forensic part. Try to take a biology class while doing your Associates, too. But I understand fully why you would want to opt out of the Criminal Justice Associate major if it is not needed for your graduate school path. I can agree with whatever you choose to do in this situation, but please do not ever feel that any education was a waste, although I can understand what you mean by that. I think that you will be a winner no matter what you choose to do. Remember that your Bachelors, Masters and PhD will be the most important for your career.
It's awesome that you are in New York City because you have many universities to choose from as well as institutions for observation and research. I know that you will do well with this academic experience and career ! I hope that this is helpful and hope that the rest of your study is exciting and fun !
You know, I agree with you Nekesha. My advice is to determine how far along you are with the Criminal Justice degree and if it's for an Associates and you are close to graduating, it's not going to matter because you should have had some important forensics courses within that major that will be useful for a Forensic Anthropology Degree. You stated that you want to take this to a PhD level, so your Associates Degree can actually be in anything. It's your Bachelors, Masters and PhD that is more vital in preparing you to be an Anthropologist and also for becoming a College Professor of it. I would follow through with the Criminal Justice Associate Degree but make sure to take a bit more forensic oriented courses and a ballistic course. You did not waste your time.
Just make sure that you find a four year university that offers a Bachelors Degree in Forensic Anthropology. Consult with the university academic counselor at the college you select to go over it and make sure they offer a focused program. It may be that many four year universities offer the major titled Anthropology and part of that study is learning the forensic part. Try to take a biology class while doing your Associates, too. But I understand fully why you would want to opt out of the Criminal Justice Associate major if it is not needed for your graduate school path. I can agree with whatever you choose to do in this situation, but please do not ever feel that any education was a waste, although I can understand what you mean by that. I think that you will be a winner no matter what you choose to do. Remember that your Bachelors, Masters and PhD will be the most important for your career.
It's awesome that you are in New York City because you have many universities to choose from as well as institutions for observation and research. I know that you will do well with this academic experience and career ! I hope that this is helpful and hope that the rest of your study is exciting and fun !
Thank you so much Michelle! I am right now weighing the Pros and Cons. I am still in my first Semester so about 75% of my brain is saying that I should stay a year and then transfer out. I do agree that there would be some courses that would be beneficial and I am working on taking those and my gen ed requirements. I plan on double minoring in art history and Arabic and I will be taking some art history courses while at the Community College to set the foundation for my minor. All in all I am almost confident that just doing a year would be the way to go now. Thank you again for your advice.
Nekesha
You are so welcome, Nekesha and your plan sounds awesome !
Michelle M.
Thank You! 😊
Nekesha