wilfrid laurier criminology

[Matt_YRP]

Hello all

I was looking at wilfrid laurier criminology program recently, and I was wondering if anyone has recently taken this course, or currently taking it? If so what were your thoughts on it?


Thanks

[Xerowe]

What are your intentions if you were to get your BA in Criminology? As with most Bachelor of Arts degrees, when you graduate you are no further ahead than anyone else. It may look nice on paper, but typically becoming a police officer doesn't require any further education than high school. BA's seem either completely useless, or a stepping stone to even further education in a particular field. If you're looking to get a ph.d in Crim, then you're going to be a professor, not a police officer.

[Matt_YRP]

What are your intentions if you were to get your BA in Criminology? As with most Bachelor of Arts degrees, when you graduate you are no further ahead than anyone else. It may look nice on paper, but typically becoming a police officer doesn't require any further education than high school. BA's seem either completely useless, or a stepping stone to even further education in a particular field. If you're looking to get a ph.d in Crim, then you're going to be a professor, not a police officer.

I find it to be an interesting program, and was just curious if anyone has taken this one recently. I know of many who have taken this type of program, and applied to be police officers, and did get hired, and some did not. Nothing really makes anyone further ahead to anyone. Will it help? Maybe, maybe not. There is no guarantee in anything when applying.

[Jon.]

I think there were 3 or 4 guys in my troop that had it, or were a few credits shy when they got the call.
All it seemed to help with was your time management skills and that sort of thing. It looks good on paper, but I'm almost certain it did nothing at all to help or prepare them in any way for being a police officer.

If the outfit you're applying to needs post secondary, sure go for it, if you're looking at the RCMP, save your money. You'd be better off learning Cree(or whatever language that's spoken where you may end up), or actual first aid, or a martial art.

[Matt_YRP]

I think there were 3 or 4 guys in my troop that had it, or were a few credits shy when they got the call.
All it seemed to help with was your time management skills and that sort of thing. It looks good on paper, but I'm almost certain it did nothing at all to help or prepare them in any way for being a police officer.

If the outfit you're applying to needs post secondary, sure go for it, if you're looking at the RCMP, save your money. You'd be better off learning Cree(or whatever language that's spoken where you may end up), or actual first aid, or a martial art.

Thanks for the reply.

I get what your saying for sure. One service I applied for at the time mentioned something along the lines of my education was lacking, which I did find odd because at the time I did have a college diploma. So that's kind of where my head got the idea maybe go the degree route? Maybe I'll give the RCMP a shot as well though.

Thanks again for the reply.

[CrispyBacon]

I graduated a few years ago. It was just okay. Honestly, the only reason I finished it was because of how much money I'd already sunk into it.

When I took it, it was only taught at the Brantford campus, which is likely still the case. I was unable to take courses at the Waterloo campus, so my electives were pretty limited.

If I could rewind the clock, I'd take a different course at a different school/campus (the Brantford campus really lacked in... Everything).

[RemingtonSteel]

I graduated a few years ago. I loved the small campus and greatly enjoyed most of my courses.

Whether it has actually helped my career or not? I don't think so, most training programs I've been in have a mix of handful of highschool, large number of college grads and a handful of university folks.

I'm glad I did it in that it opens up opportunities for graduate study and increases my odds of promotions, but in terms of helping me gain entry level positions - I haven't personally found it to give an edge over most folks with a college diploma.

[ApplicantM]

having a degree in Criminology and seeing a lot of mistakes police are getting caught making on the news and what not I wish more of them had learned the material I have learned in university.

[devilwoman]

having a degree in Criminology and seeing a lot of mistakes police are getting caught making on the news and what not I wish more of them had learned the material I have learned in university.

Says a person who has never done the job.

Says a person who wants to work beside the very people he/she is criticizing without an ounce of experience.

University didn't teach you common sense or the whole concept of thinking before you speak, now did it?

[Mr. Islander]

.

[Toonces]

Interesting. I guess university didn't help ApplicantM with critical thinking, understanding slant and bias and such.

[mack_silent]

There's street smarts and then there's book smarts. Most people have one or the other.

I'd personally like to see colleges and universities focus less on book theory and step up the skill based / hands-on / interactive learning activities.
Scenario training is huge.

[victoriambaker]

Hi Matt,

I did my BA and MA in the Criminology program at Wilfrid Laurier University. If you want to PM me with some questions I'd be happy to answer them in-depth.

Best,
Victoria

[Rajon Rondo]

Avoid criminology. Do something that isn't law enforcement related so you have a back up option.

Recruiters don't care what your degree is

[Retired]

I took the BA in policing from WLU which was 20 courses online. I seemed there were other students from the Criminology program in my courses or the regular stream doing the same courses under slightly different courses.

Whether by accident or design, the curriculum covered the requirements of what is required by the latest version of the police act, Community Safety and Policing Act, 2019 under section 83 which largely requires a degree. The WLU program has two compulsory Indigenous themes courses, as well as sufficient racial awareness and diversity training.

This is not a sales pitch for WLU. I'm retired and likely wouldn't be a competitive applicant today. I liked the WLU Policing BA curriculum. Some may want to do it on the department dime online after being hired.
Good luck