Posted on Oct 22, 2015
SGT Robert Zuniga
72.7K
247
63
13
13
0
I obtained my BS/CJ last summer and have enrolled in the masters program. Is this a good decision or should I look into another degree program.
Avatar feed
Responses: 49
BG David Fleming III
5
5
0
Get a masters! If you plan on staying in and making this your career, then a masters is the way forward. I can't tell you how much more competitive you are against your peers with a graduate degree in the eyes of any promotion boards!
(5)
Comment
(0)
Avatar small
MSgt April Monthie
4
4
0
I would continue to go up to a Masters Program unless you are going to change career fields. If you decided to do a second BS program make sure that it isn't closely related to the current degree program you already completed if your using your GI Bill benefits to pay for the program. The VA compliance officer that inspects your college records (if your name randomly selected) during the annual visit to the school will actually look at your past education and training to determine if the two BS are too closely relate (ie. BS Criminal Justice and BS in Criminology) The VA can actually take back the benefits paid to you and the school if the compliance offers determines that the VA is paying for basically the same program twice. A lot of Schools don't do a good job of counseling the veterans about GI Bill benefits and they don't do prior credit evaluations like they are required to do before enrolling you into a college program. The can leave Veterans with a big debit to the VA for the housing allowance even up to 3 three after you've finish school. I used to work for the VA in Education benefits for 7 years inspecting the records.
(4)
Comment
(0)
Avatar small
CW3 Kevin Storm
3
3
0
Graduate degree will carry you further in life than two Bachelors.
(3)
Comment
(0)
Avatar small
SGT Robert Zuniga
3
3
0
Thanks for all the responses. My how time flies. I will graduate with my MS/CJ in 5 weeks. All the way!!!
(3)
Comment
(0)
Avatar small
Lt Col Jim Vasconcellos
3
3
0
You can go for a more generalized masters, also. Like Organizational Leadership. Do not waste time with a different bachelor
(3)
Comment
(0)
Avatar small
SPC John Canning
3
3
0
A MPA is a good one too.
(3)
Comment
(0)
Avatar small
SPC John Canning
3
3
0
It all depends on where you want to go. I would not go for a second BS. My advice would be to get an MBA, it is a way for you to diversify your skillsets. The combination of disciplines should enhance your ability to look at issues that arise from multiple view points. You will also have an indepth understanding of the business side of law enforcement.
(3)
Comment
(0)
Lt Col Jim Vasconcellos
Lt Col Jim Vasconcellos
>1 y
MBA is a way to go, but they are a dime a dozen. Leadership is the hot degree now
(1)
Reply
(0)
Avatar small
SSgt David Nace
3
3
0
I would suggest getting the graduate degree also. Employers give more to a person with one Bachelor and a Masters, then they do to a person with two bachelor degrees in different fields.
(3)
Comment
(0)
Avatar small
PO3 Machinist's Mate
3
3
0
Having done both, I can tell you that, really, it's just a matter of do you want to spend the time (and other additional precious resources) and which will help you achieve your dreams. Many will tell you that an additional Bachelor's is a lateral move and you should be striving to move upward. This isn't necessarily wrong, but there are times when an additional Bachelor's CAN be beneficial (such as expanding your knowledge base into a closely related field).
As an example, I was going to double major in History and Anthropology (specifically Archaeology) because I wanted to pursue a Master's in Museum Studies, but dual majors were a no-no under the GI Bill, so I did my support work for History in Anthropology and then stayed on an additional year to finish my my BA in Anthropology after my BA in History. This set me up perfectly to be accepted into several different Museum Studies programs and I don't think that either degree on it's own would have done that.
As it turned out, I ended up not being able to move away for a Museum Studies program as planned (ended up having to take care of a parent), so I kind of ended up wasting my time for the second Bachelor's, but that was because life sometimes gets in the way.
I later got a Master's in a different field, and that's now where I work, so everything worked out...
(3)
Comment
(0)
Avatar small
MSgt Daniel Attilio
3
3
0
I was contemplating a similar move but all the advice I received was to pursue a Master's. Upon reflection I am glad I listened to the advice.
(3)
Comment
(0)
Avatar small

Join nearly 2 million former and current members of the US military, just like you.

close