Double Major and Double Minor or should I do two separate degrees?

[videogamesrock]

It looks like I can attend Nevada State College and receive a BAS in Criminal Justice with the completion of an AAS in Criminal Justice (the AAS is a prereq.). I am 12 foreign language credits and 12 criminal justice credits shy of an AAS in Criminal Justice. I can test out of the 12 language credits and complete the criminal justice classes next semester. The AAS degree satisfies 60 credits toward the BAS. After looking at NSC's degree requirement for Management the AAS in Criminal Justice would also satisfy the 60 credits for the management degree (AAS prereq) I'd have to take 18 credits in Criminal Justice and 18 in management to complete my double major in Criminal Justice and Management. I also seem to have satisfied with my current credits the double minor in Sociology and Business. My question is should I do the double major in Management and Criminal Justice with a double Minor in Business and Sociology or should I just get two separate degrees one in Management with a Minor in Business and the other degree in Criminal Justice with a minor in Sociology?

[dmjacobsen]

First of all, are you sure you can even do what you're asking? When most people get a minor, they get it in a different (but complementary) area of study. Some universities don't allow minors within the same discipline, and some do. Another thing to consider is that a minor is basically the equivalent of an Associate's degree, and won't carry much weight midway into your career.

A major in Management with a minor in Business seems redundant. Likewise, a major in Criminal Justice with a minor in Sociology is redundant, considering that CJ is a form of Sociology. It would make more sense to get, say, a major in CJ with a minor in Business, or a major in Management, with a minor in Sociology or Criminal Justice.

In any case, what you're ultimately asking is -- is it worth is to take 36 more credits to get a second Bachelor's degree? It really depends on what your career goals are, but I think you would be better-served in putting that time toward a Master's degree. If you're looking to go down the Criminal Justice path, maybe get a Master's in Public Administration?

I think that you will get better answers from others that have gone down this road if you specify what your short-term and long-term career goals are.

[videogamesrock]

First of all, are you sure you can even do what you're asking? When most people get a minor, they get it in a different (but complementary) area of study. Some universities don't allow minors within the same discipline, and some do. Another thing to consider is that a minor is basically the equivalent of an Associate's degree, and won't carry much weight midway into your career.

A major in Management with a minor in Business seems redundant. Likewise, a major in Criminal Justice with a minor in Sociology is redundant, considering that CJ is a form of Sociology. It would make more sense to get, say, a major in CJ with a minor in Business, or a major in Management, with a minor in Sociology or Criminal Justice.

In any case, what you're ultimately asking is -- is it worth is to take 36 more credits to get a second Bachelor's degree? It really depends on what your career goals are, but I think you would be better-served in putting that time toward a Master's degree. If you're looking to go down the Criminal Justice path, maybe get a Master's in Public Administration?

I think that you will get better answers from others that have gone down this road if you specify what your short-term and long-term career goals are.

Yes they said the sociology and business minor is acceptable for the double major in CJ and Management. I've completed everything for the minors except 4 classes. All in all I'm on pace for 117 credits. So completing the minors would push me over 120 credits.

[cookderosa]

Sanantone will probably give you great advice for your path into CJ, I just wanted to ask- 12 foreign language credits!?!? Crap! Is that a university-wide policy or is it that you're just fluent in another language, plan to use the CLEP and apply it to your degree?

[videogamesrock]

Sanantone will probably give you great advice for your path into CJ, I just wanted to ask- 12 foreign language credits!?!? Crap! Is that a university-wide policy or is it that you're just fluent in another language, plan to use the CLEP and apply it to your degree?

I can substitute 12 foreign language credits at the school for 12 criminal justice credits. I am fluent in German. This is for the AAS in CJ which will eliminate 60 credits toward the 120 graduation requirement
For both management and criminal justice
Major.

[videogamesrock]

Good point dmjacobson, no need to spend an extra 30 credits after completing a BAS I'll
Just complete one degree with a double major.

[sanantone]

First of all, are you sure you can even do what you're asking? When most people get a minor, they get it in a different (but complementary) area of study. Some universities don't allow minors within the same discipline, and some do. Another thing to consider is that a minor is basically the equivalent of an Associate's degree, and won't carry much weight midway into your career.

A major in Management with a minor in Business seems redundant. Likewise, a major in Criminal Justice with a minor in Sociology is redundant, considering that CJ is a form of Sociology. It would make more sense to get, say, a major in CJ with a minor in Business, or a major in Management, with a minor in Sociology or Criminal Justice.

In any case, what you're ultimately asking is -- is it worth is to take 36 more credits to get a second Bachelor's degree? It really depends on what your career goals are, but I think you would be better-served in putting that time toward a Master's degree. If you're looking to go down the Criminal Justice path, maybe get a Master's in Public Administration?

I think that you will get better answers from others that have gone down this road if you specify what your short-term and long-term career goals are.

I agree with this. You have to figure out if it's worth it to take those 4 extra classes for those two minors. That's an extra semester and a couple to a few thousand dollars I'm guessing. If you want to work in the criminal justice field, then criminal justice and sociology are the same for all practical purposes. In other words, like dmjacobsen said, they're redundant. If you want to work outside of the criminal justice field, then a sociology major would give you a little more flexibility. I don't think the sociology minor is worth the extra time and expense unless you plan to get a master's degree in sociology and want a foundation in the subject.

Usually, management and business administration programs have a lot of overlap. What would you gain by minoring in business? I would argue that you should get a bachelor's in business administration instead of management if you can just because it's the standard degree. Otherwise, I would drop the idea of the business minor because business is very broad. If it were a minor in something more specific like finance, accounting, or management information systems, then I'd say go for it.

Some people never graduate or spend more years than planned trying to finish because they chased so many majors and minors at once. Sometimes, it's better just to get that one degree out of the way so you can have it for employment purposes and go back for that second major. Honestly, you'll probably be better off completing an MPA or MBA. Just so that you can be prepared for any possible prerequisites for MBA programs, you should consider a major in criminal justice and a minor in business like dmjacobsen recommended.

[videogamesrock]

I agree with this. You have to figure out if it's worth it to take those 4 extra classes for those two minors. That's an extra semester and a couple to a few thousand dollars I'm guessing. If you want to work in the criminal justice field, then criminal justice and sociology are the same for all practical purposes. In other words, like dmjacobsen said, they're redundant. If you want to work outside of the criminal justice field, then a sociology major would give you a little more flexibility. I don't think the sociology minor is worth the extra time and expense unless you plan to get a master's degree in sociology and want a foundation in the subject.

Usually, management and business administration programs have a lot of overlap. What would you gain by minoring in business? I would argue that you should get a bachelor's in business administration instead of management if you can just because it's the standard degree. Otherwise, I would drop the idea of the business minor because business is very broad. If it were a minor in something more specific like finance, accounting, or management information systems, then I'd say go for it.

Some people never graduate or spend more years than planned trying to finish because they chased so many majors and minors at once. Sometimes, it's better just to get that one degree out of the way so you can have it for employment purposes and go back for that second major. Honestly, you'll probably be better off completing an MPA or MBA. Just so that you can be prepared for any possible prerequisites for MBA programs, you should consider a major in criminal justice and a minor in business like dmjacobsen recommended.

Thank you for your feedback. I will pursue a double major in management and criminal justice and not pursue the minors. The other minors they offer would bring me closer to taking 18 credits and really wouldn't benefit me (psychology, math, biology, English, writing, history). The double major will barely bring Toward 120 credits.
The business administration degree will require too many additional credits For a double major.

[Prloko]

Thank you for your feedback. I will pursue a double major in management and criminal justice and not pursue the minors. The other minors they offer would bring me closer to taking 18 credits and really wouldn't benefit me (psychology, math, biology, English, writing, history). The double major will barely bring Toward 120 credits.
The business administration degree will require too many additional credits For a double major.

Weren't you the guy who was trying to max out student loans so you could buy property? If student loan fraud is still your goal, wouldn't you want to take the path that requires the most credits so you can extend your time? I'm confused, what is your end game? Wouldn't business courses help you better manage your business?

[videogamesrock]

Weren't you the guy who was trying to max out student loans so you could buy property? If student loan fraud is still your goal, wouldn't you want to take the path that requires the most credits so you can extend your time? I'm confused, what is your end game? Wouldn't business courses help you better manage your business?

They only do loans up to 120 credits according to the school. So I don't want to exceed that. Most bang for my buck. Maybe after that I can get more For additional schooling.

Student loans can be used for tuition, transportation, cost of living, Housing, food. That doesn't make it fraud if used for that. What I do with my investment income such save that to buy more investment property is my choice.

As for business courses help me do what I've been doing for years I Am not sure. It's amazing to me when dealing with business bankers who have business degrees who know absolutely nothing about business. I don't think college can really teach you anything more than real life experience running a real business. I went into a bank to open a checking account for a Florida LLC that I set up about an hour before heading to the bank. The business banker was shocked that I didn't have to use a lawyer. Apparently he never learned how to do that in business school. In addition I really don't want to listen to someone talk about business who has spent their entire life in academia. So learning about what makes people tick is interesting to me.

On a side note, my neighbor has $160,000 in student loan debt and has a degree in English. He graduated 4 years ago and says he hasn't even earned $160,000 in 4 years. I would say he took a $160,000 loan to buy a piece of paper. He would have been better off going to a community college followed by a state college. Used that money to buy a rental and use the rent profits to pay back the loans. Outcome tenants pay for your degree, property value increases to the real rate of inflation and you own something of real value in addition to that diploma that may or may not get you that dream job.

Thanks for chiming in.