What program makes the most sense for my situation?

[ObjectivelyStinky]

Howdy!

This is my first post, so please go easy on me. I’m looking to attend UMPI and am looking for advice on which degree path to take. So, here's a little background on me: former military security forces, receiving an honorable discharge. After the service, I went straight into a law enforcement academy and worked in a patrol position for a few years. At that point, I started experiencing some health issues and ultimately resigned. It’s been a few years and many medical appointments, but I’m still not at a reasonable health level to work. My goal is to return to law enforcement, but with more of an administrative-based/investigator role. This would still be a law enforcement position (i.e., badge and gun), but with less physical activity and more focus on interviewing, paperwork, surveilling, and eating, lol.

Since I’m currently unable to work, I've decided to pursue further education. I already have two of the general qualifications for these investigator positions: 1. Several years of LE patrol experience and 2. Veteran preference. The only thing I’m missing is a bachelor’s degree. To be completely transparent, I’m looking for the easiest program at UMPI that would keep me engaged but not overwhelmed with completely new concepts. My cognitive abilities are somewhat lacking due to pain and weakness. Additionally, there may be times when I’m unable to study or complete coursework for a week or so due to medical appointments or other physical/ mental issues.

Thankfully, this forum already led me to pursue my Pierpont BOG AAS with an “area of emphasis” in CJ. It was already a little boost for me during this unfortunate time. Many of you have already been a big help in keeping my mind occupied and padding my resume.

***Now, onto the important part: Most law enforcement agencies don’t care what degree your degree is in; it's more of a checkmark for me. I’m considering pursuing either a BA or BAS from UMPI. Ideally, something like Criminal Justice or Pre-Law due to my background. However, I'm wondering if it's worth the extra effort to pursue something more marketable. I was thinking of something like psychology since it would be relevant both within and outside of LE. Perhaps a BAS with a minor in Pre-law and Psychology versus a BA in CJ? Are the BAS programs an option since I’ve got the AAS? Can I choose any minor? Also, is the BAS significantly easier/faster to complete than a BA? Lastly, would a BA look better outside of law enforcement, even if it’s in a major like CJ?

Thanks for any and all help. You all have already been a big support

[jg_nuy]

The BA in Criminal Justice would make a lot of sense, especially if you have done a lot of the work for it for the Pierpoint AAS or have it in progress. If you have a lot of credits that may end up in electives, the BLS with a criminal justice would give you more flexibility in transferring in classes - I would suggest adding a Management minor to criminal justice.

UMPI General Education: https://degreeforum.miraheze.org/wiki/UM...ts_Roadmap
Degree plan for BA in CJ: https://degreeforum.miraheze.org/wiki/UM...egree_Plan
CJ minor details (use the BA in CJ for equivalent courses): http://catalog.umpi.edu/preview_program....turnto=225
BLS with Management minor: https://degreeforum.miraheze.org/wiki/UM...egree_Plan

It would be good to fill in the rest of the template and addendum for better assistance:
https://www.degreeforum.net/mybb/Thread-...Area-works

[bjcheung77]

@ObjectivelyStinky, Welcome to the board, congrats and great job in getting the Pierpont BOG AAS with a CJ emphasis. If you do not already have 40+ technical credits, you would not be able to do the BAS route and may want to do the BLS with CJ and Psych minors instead. At the undergraduate level and to check the box requirement, that would be the cheap, easy, fast route. You don't really need a major to get into a masters program, you need the prerequisites for them completed though. You've got the ball rolling, in order to provide us a better overall picture of your scenario, please fill us in with extra information from the addendum and template here: https://www.degreeforum.net/mybb/Thread-...Area-works

[Marlin9276]

As well, you should join the UMPI discord channel to see what current students of each major think and/or struggling with. I've found the channel to be very helpful in contextualizing my degree planning and class/professor expectations.

Here's an invite link: https://discord.gg/DBXP5fYq

Good luck!

[ObjectivelyStinky]

Your Location: West Coast, United States.
Your Age: Late 20s.
What kind of degree do you want?: Whatever is easiest and would objectively look the best for future employment.

Current Regional Accredited Credits: Community College post-High School:
Principles of Accounting
Intro to Comp Info Sys
Principles of Justice System
Pol Soc History of US
Concepts of Crim Law

Current ACE, CLEP, or NCCRS Credits: These include Study, Sophia, InstantCert InstantCredit, CLEP, Straighterline, Davar, etc.

Sophia Credits: YES
Art History I
Art History II
College Algebra
Environmental Science
Human Bio
Human Bio Lab
Intro to Chem
Intro to Ethics
Intro to Sociology
Intro to IT
Project Management
Spanish 1
U.S. Gov
US History I
Visual Comm
Workplace Comm
ENGLISH 1 (Currently enrolled)

Any certifications or military experience? Yes.

Police Academy:
Intro to Crim Justice
Crim Procedures
Constitutional Law
Homeland Security
Intro to Law Enforcement

Navy JST:
Patrol Procedures/ Operations / Techniques
Basic Crim Investigation
Communications
Criminal Behavior
Criminal Evidence and Procedures
Principles of Supervision
Leadership
Management Principles
Criminal Law
Intro to Law Enforcement
Police Methods
Training and Development
Law Enforcement Operations

---

The BA in Criminal Justice would make a lot of sense, especially if you have done a lot of the work for it for the Pierpoint AAS or have it in progress. If you have a lot of credits that may end up in electives, the BLS with a criminal justice would give you more flexibility in transferring in classes - I would suggest adding a Management minor to criminal justice.

UMPI General Education: https://degreeforum.miraheze.org/wiki/UM...ts_Roadmap
Degree plan for BA in CJ: https://degreeforum.miraheze.org/wiki/UM...egree_Plan
CJ minor details (use the BA in CJ for equivalent courses): http://catalog.umpi.edu/preview_program....turnto=225
BLS with Management minor: https://degreeforum.miraheze.org/wiki/UM...egree_Plan

It would be good to fill in the rest of the template and addendum for better assistance:
https://www.degreeforum.net/mybb/Thread-...Area-works

Thanks for taking the time to respond

Are the BA programs known to be significantly more difficult than the BLS or BAS programs? The Pierpont AAS was obtained in 2023. I was under the impression that the BAS was similar to a BLS, but "appeared more legitimate/professional"?  I added the template if that changes your perspective at all? Thanks for the links as well! Those Roadmaps are so useful so shoutout to the folks that worked on them.

---

@ObjectivelyStinky, Welcome to the board, congrats and great job in getting the Pierpont BOG AAS with a CJ emphasis.  If you do not already have 40+ technical credits, you would not be able to do the BAS route and may want to do the BLS with CJ and Psych minors instead.  At the undergraduate level and to check the box requirement, that would be the cheap, easy, fast route.  You don't really need a major to get into a masters program, you need the prerequisites for them completed though.  You've got the ball rolling, in order to provide us a better overall picture of your scenario, please fill us in with extra information from the addendum and template here: https://www.degreeforum.net/mybb/Thread-...Area-works

Thanks for taking the time to respond

I appreciate the attaboy. I would not have been made aware of Pierpont if it weren't for folks like you, and it's truly appreciated! You're definitely one of the names I've noticed on here the most, and I'm sure you've helped thousands. I believe I meet the requirement for 40+ technical credits. I don't really understand how the BAS works. Do I just need 40+ technical credits in anything to have access? Do I need 40 technical credits in each minor? I was under the impression that the AAS unlocked the BAS. What even is the difference between a BLS or BAS when it comes to coursework?

---

As well, you should join the UMPI discord channel to see what current students of each major think and/or struggling with. I've found the channel to be very helpful in contextualizing my degree planning and class/professor expectations.

Here's an invite link: https://discord.gg/DBXP5fYq

Good luck!

Thanks for the suggestion. Cheers!

[bjcheung77]

@ObjectivelyStinky, you need 40 technical credits in total for a BAS. You can have any minors they offer, as long as the credits come into the respective requirements. The difference between BAS (Applied Science) and BLS (Liberal Studies) is minimal, they're basically the same with a slight difference of flexibility and number of credits, BAS is more flexible and needs only 18 upper level credits, the BLS requires 24 upper level and specific spots to have the upper level. Since you have the AAS, you should fill us in with the addendum, so we can view more details, as the template didn't indicate what the 40+ credits were. If you're missing them, you can get the credits cheap/free by using Coursera/TEEX/Sophia.org

[LevelUP]

If you are leaning towards administrative work, you should consider a business degree.

You can do minors in CJ/pre-law and psychology.

[allvia]

Thanks for taking the time to respond

Are the BA programs known to be significantly more difficult than the BLS or BAS programs? The Pierpont AAS was obtained in 2023. I was under the impression that the BAS was similar to a BLS, but "appeared more legitimate/professional"?  I added the template if that changes your perspective at all? Thanks for the links as well! Those Roadmaps are so useful so shoutout to the folks that worked on them.
I appreciate the attaboy. I would not have been made aware of Pierpont if it weren't for folks like you, and it's truly appreciated! You're definitely one of the names I've noticed on here the most, and I'm sure you've helped thousands. I believe I meet the requirement for 40+ technical credits. I don't really understand how the BAS works. Do I just need 40+ technical credits in anything to have access? Do I need 40 technical credits in each minor? I was under the impression that the AAS unlocked the BAS. What even is the difference between a BLS or BAS when it comes to coursework?

I don't see anything near the required 40 Technical credits currently in your course listing for a BAS; they would need to be in a singular area (such as IT).  CJ or Business credits wouldn't count as technical.  There is nothing wrong with a BLS (it is a bachelor degree, checks the box), but you may be better served with a BA in CJ or Psychology (both offered as a UMPI YourPace program). I suggest you look at the required courses for each of the BA degrees and see which appeals to you more, if you still feel it doesn't matter then opt for the BLS for the flexible course options. From what you've said, and is most often the case, it is important that you complete 'a bachelor'.

[ObjectivelyStinky]

Thanks for taking the time to respond

Are the BA programs known to be significantly more difficult than the BLS or BAS programs? The Pierpont AAS was obtained in 2023. I was under the impression that the BAS was similar to a BLS, but "appeared more legitimate/professional"?  I added the template if that changes your perspective at all? Thanks for the links as well! Those Roadmaps are so useful so shoutout to the folks that worked on them.
I appreciate the attaboy. I would not have been made aware of Pierpont if it weren't for folks like you, and it's truly appreciated! You're definitely one of the names I've noticed on here the most, and I'm sure you've helped thousands. I believe I meet the requirement for 40+ technical credits. I don't really understand how the BAS works. Do I just need 40+ technical credits in anything to have access? Do I need 40 technical credits in each minor? I was under the impression that the AAS unlocked the BAS. What even is the difference between a BLS or BAS when it comes to coursework?

I don't see anything near the required 40 Technical credits currently in your course listing for a BAS; they would need to be in a singular area (such as IT).  CJ or Business credits wouldn't count as technical.  There is nothing wrong with a BLS (it is a bachelor degree, checks the box), but you may be better served with a BA in CJ or Psychology (both offered as a UMPI YourPace program). I suggest you look at the required courses for each of the BA degrees and see which appeals to you more, if you still feel it doesn't matter then opt for the BLS for the flexible course options. From what you've said, and is most often the case, it is important that you complete 'a bachelor'.

Wow, I must be a bit dense. I was thinking 40 technical credits meant technical to the minor your hoping to achieve with the BAS. It seems like it instead is technical as in related to technology? What is considered a technical credit for purposes of a BAS? I just ASSumed technical was non GEC classes that lined up with your chosen minor (All the classes related to CJ). I think the BLS will be a better fit as I'm looking to start sooner at UMPI and maximize my ACE credits. Thank you for your help.

[jg_nuy]

Technical credits in this context are things like computer science and IT.