Master Degree In Criminal Justice

Q: I'm looking for a distance learning institution offering a creditable criminal justice degree program. So far I've contacted St. Leo University (too $$$), and Andrew Jackson University (heard good and bad). Any others worth pursuing?

A:In response to your question, I would like to offer my perspective on pursuing higher education. You wrote that you've heard good and bad things about Andrew Jackson University. If you've heard it from degreeinfo.com, please let me caution you on the following. Many of the people from degreeinfo do not understand the true value of a valid education. They focus too heavily on the accreditation issues, and you're really getting advice from one person- John Bear, since others merely repeat his words. An example of this, would be their unsupported claim that a credential from the 20+ yr old DETC accredited Califonria College of Health Sciences is much less useful than a regionally accredied Master's degree, and suddenly the favortism towards DETC accreditation when University of South Africa was pursuing DETC accreditation. In your case here, Andrew Jackson University is accredited by the Distance Education and Training Council, commonly known as DETC. It is an accrediting agency that specifically accredits distance learning/non-traditional universities up to the Master's level. This agency is fully recognized by the US Dept of Education. Go to www.detc.org for more information. I have yet seen any unbiased, research data generated by John Bear (and hence others), that a DETC degree is worthless or close-to-worthless in employer acceptance. The only inferiority John Bear noted was the acceptance of DETC degrees for transferring to brick and mortar universities. Some have noted that his samples were confounded because many registrars were questioned in a way that they were framed to favor, and to accept regionally accredited degrees only. Another possibility on the alleged "uselessness" of DETC credentials could be because of the negative comments made by the DETC Chair Dr. Henry Spille on Bear's Guides.

On page 361 of the 14th edition, Bear writes that Henry Spille has heavility criticized John BEar's past as degree mill owners (Columbia Pacific, Greenwich, and Fairfax), and his guides as being ultraly biased, and untrustworthy. I've offered my perspectives. Whatever you choose, avoid schools with only state approval or full-out degree mills. Well - many moons ago, I wanted a CJ degree and a career in corrections (not law enforcement). I got sidetracked and finally, at age 50, I find myself working in the field. To continue until retirement, I will need a bachelor's degree. I've decided to combine my avid interest with realizing a long-time dream of the degree.