westwood college?

i am currently attending westwood college to get my bachelors in CJ. some people have different opinions on schooling so i would like to know what you think. most towns around me (chicagoland area) want atleast an associates degree. i figured im only 19 so why not go for the extra degree. some people have told me its not a real school. its a career college, most ppl are in there mid 20s not a bunch of kids like a big university ( i can learn how to binge drink on my own time) it is also very hands on. not a lecture hall where you just listen and write papers. we acually do crime scenes, go to court cases etc. all our cj professors are also LEOs or retired (one of mine is a commander with il state police) (some are retired Chicago pd) i already made up my mind and if i dont find something after 6 months of graduating i will join the military (pay student loans & get the experience.) what i want to know is if any of you have or know anyone who has gone to westwood and what do you think of it. also is there anything else i can do which will help me become an LEO like how to get internships etc.


these are my CJ classes i have to take just for reference:
intro to CJ
intro to policing
corrections
criminology
criminal law
criminal procedure and constitutional law
juvenile justice
private investigation and security
organizational issues in CJ
CJ ethics
communication for the CJ professional
rules of evidence and courtroom procedure
criminal investigations
crime scene investigation
criminalistics
criminal courts
cummunity policing
CJ administration
cultural diversity and CJ
mental health issues in the CJ system
Drugs and narcotics
crisis intervention
sex offenders
probation and parole
victimology and domestic violence
women and CJ
terrorism
gangs and criminal sub-culture
digital crime
white collar crime
CJ and public policy
special topics in CJ
comparative CJ

Not to mention all the core classes i have to take

CJ is a waste of a degree if you want to be a cop. Nobody will care what classes you had, you will sit through everything the department wants you to learn with everyone else. All the department will care about is whether you have a degree. That's all. If you climb the ranks a business degree will be more helpful. If you get hurt and can't be a cop, the CJ limits your new career options.

i was told it really didnt matter what i majored in as long as i had the degree. i just thought it might help and it gives me a little more info

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Originally Posted by Xiphos

CJ is a waste of a degree if you want to be a cop. Nobody will care what classes you had, you will sit through everything the department wants you to learn with everyone else. All the department will care about is whether you have a degree. That's all. If you climb the ranks a business degree will be more helpful. If you get hurt and can't be a cop, the CJ limits your new career options.

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+1,234,567,890


Everyone who asks me about going for a CJ degree to be a cop gets this response. You're not going to learn anything in a CJ course in college that won't be taught in the Academy, FTO, and every day on the street afterwards.

Business, Accounting, or something else will be more of a benefit in your career.

before i decided to go there 3 LEOs told me it would be a good choice. the day i sign everything for student loans i start hearing this. are you guys saying its completely useless or could be better

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Originally Posted by Xiphos

CJ is a waste of a degree if you want to be a cop. Nobody will care what classes you had, you will sit through everything the department wants you to learn with everyone else. All the department will care about is whether you have a degree. That's all. If you climb the ranks a business degree will be more helpful. If you get hurt and can't be a cop, the CJ limits your new career options.

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I'll go a slightly different tack here.

FACT: The academy, FTO, and other official training will give you much of the police stuff you'll need. Some of your CJ classes will be helpful, or may let you get a deeper read on official training -- but it's not like needing a medical degree to be doctor.

FACT: A bachelor's in anything will generally be more useful and open more doors than an associate's or a collection of credit hours. And lots of people work in fields far removed from their bachelor's. That -- or there's a crapload of historians out there, along with tons of folks doing "English" 'cause that's what they majored in, and they aren't teaching...

Put those together, and here's my advice. First, go for the bachelor's if time and money permit. If not -- keep working towards it as time and money permit, because it will open doors. You may even need more education depending on what you want to do; there are damn few chiefs in my area without at least a Master's in Public Administration or something similar.

As to what to major in... Study something you're interested in. Being interested in it will give you the best chance to do well, and doing well will look much better as you look for work until you develop a work history. If Criminal Justice is that -- great. But consider a useful minor... which might even help you on the job. Want to work financial crimes? A solid business/accounting grounding will probably help you along the way, no? Computer crimes? A degree in computer sciences will be of use. And so on.

Finally... DO RIDE-ALONGS. In fact, look into Explorers, cadet programs, or internships to get a taste of real police work, not classroom exercises. I know someone who waited to do this until his final semester of school, and only then during an internship did he discover that he didn't want to be a cop! Had he done something much earlier, he might have been able to change his major and be better prepared. (He did land on his feet, and is doing well in a different field.)

Could be better. The CJ degree may not be a total loss with the knowledge you will receive. However, you will learn a lot in the academy and on the street. I agree with Xiphos. A business degree will help you in the long run and you will still have a degree to show. Not trying to talk you out of it just my opinion.

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Originally Posted by nick122590

i was told it really didnt matter what i majored in as long as i had the degree. i just thought it might help and it gives me a little more info

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That's likely true.

If you like CJ classes, fine. Get some psych in there in your electives or minor in it.

Take INTENSIVE writing classes and public speaking, but especially writing.

Also, do internships. Do internships. Do internships.

i already looked into some pych and sociology classes. now it may sound stupid but i dont have many resources, how exactly do i get a internship? local pd, county, state where should i look who should i talk to

Call and ask around where you want to see yourself working!

Where you at Nick. I have a degree in History with a minor in Poly Sci and I interned with the Secret Service. See what is available in your area, and then call and ask them.

another quick question. what should i expect on the ride-alongs? i have heard theres not much you do besides drive around and watch him work the computer do to reliability reasons

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Originally Posted by nick122590

another quick question. what should i expect on the ride-alongs? i have heard there is not much you do besides drive around and watch him work the computer do to reliability reasons

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Understand that you will initially be looked at as a liability to the officer. I would look at you as such. Now, you keeping that initial status is solely up to you. Couple of rules:

What is said in the car stays in the car.
Don't point out every little BS violation.
Keep you mouth shut until you asked why you are so quite but be attentive.
If the radio is talking you shouldn't be.
(There are a lot more that other will share. You opened a whole other subject by introducing ride-a-longs.)

Once the person you are assigned to figures out you are learning without being a burden to him you will start getting somewhere. Remember it will take time to gain trust. This is coming from an FTO that isn't thrilled when Chaplains ride with him. I show up to work not entertain if that makes sense.

i know what you mean. i was thinking about trying to do it in my town since i know it pretty well and know alot of the officers around. would i be able to go with one of them that i know?

ps: my professor already told me when i start to do ride-alongs i should keep my mouth shut at 1st till spoken to

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Originally Posted by nick122590

ps: my professor already told me when i start to do ride-alongs i should keep my mouth shut at 1st till spoken to

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Eh, I dunno about that. A silent ride along would creep me out.

Be friendly and open and appreciative - but not overly so.

What he means by "keep your mouth shut" is don't comment or critique or suggest things to the officer about his job. He knows how to do it.

Feel free to ask polite questions and express an interest in the answers.

A polite question would be, "Is it alright if I take care of the meal tonight?":thumbsup:

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Originally Posted by nick122590

i already looked into some pych and sociology classes. now it may sound stupid but i dont have many resources, how exactly do i get a internship? local pd, county, state where should i look who should i talk to

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Talk to your professors. Your school may have an internship office, as well.

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Originally Posted by Five-0

A polite question would be, "Is it alright if I take care of the meal tonight?":thumbsup:

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It's a polite question -- but I wouldn't let a ride-along buy dinner. Personal choice -- but I do get paid. College kids, especially, may not be.

What I want out of a ride-along is that they follow directions, not expect me to be the entertainment, and that they listen and pay attention. Whether they get out of the car or not depends on the call, and whether they follow directions. If the ride along is a college student or cadet or the like... they can expect me to ask them some basic questions, like search and seizure principles. After all, they're there to learn...

thanks for all the help guys, i wish i found this forum sooner. i was told that they deal with customs alot and since i live less then a mile from an airport im going to try and get a internship there.

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Originally Posted by Five-0

Where you at Nick.

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i live just west of chicago next to ohare airport. if theres any LEOs in the area let me know!