What are the pros and cons of changing my college major (from Criminal Justice to Business Administration)?

2019-10-16T19:23:56-04:00

I'm currently enrolled in Southern New Hampshire University for AS-Criminal Justice. I'm seriously considering changing my major to AS-Business Administration. All my classes so far correlate to my prospective major so I'd have the same amount of credits and would graduate at the same time. I'm considering getting out of the Criminal Justice field for both work and school. Pros versus Cons? PFC Private RallyPoint Member SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL SSG(P) James J. Palmer IV aka "JP4" LTC Stephen F. CPL Dave Hoover SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth SSG Private RallyPoint Member Capt Dwayne Conyers CPT Jack Durish

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 16 at 2019 7:32 PM

2019-10-16T19:32:10-04:00

Degrees are pointless if they don't refine your current skills or add some.

If you are switching your degree to become a better NCO then a Business degree will add some tools from the managing perspective and strategic thinking.

However, you should ask yourself, do I see myself having a career in business management and am I passionate about it?

Just make sure your future degree will help you 5 to 25 yrs from now.

Response by LT Brad McInnis made Oct 16 at 2019 8:00 PM

2019-10-16T20:00:41-04:00

Which will make you a better soldier? Go with that one. Most degrees, in my opinion, lose their effectiveness as the years go by. So, unless you are getting out right away, get the one that will make you a better soldier. Congrats and good on you for pursuing higher education.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 16 at 2019 8:58 PM

2019-10-16T20:58:32-04:00

Which major interests you more? Choose that option. Degrees show potential employers that you have what it takes to set a goal and stick to it long enough to meet it. Degrees open doors for you and your work ethic/personality is when gets you and keeps you a job.

Unless it is a technical major, i.e. engineering, medical, law, etc., most majors do not really matter to most companies. They may prefer you to have a specific major but will definitely hire you even without the preferred concentration.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 16 at 2019 9:00 PM

2019-10-16T21:00:52-04:00

It's an Associates, it doesn't really matter much what you get it in. You can decide on what you want for a Bachelor and it will all transfer.

Response by CAPT Kevin B. made Oct 16 at 2019 9:12 PM

2019-10-16T21:12:04-04:00

Saw a comment about everything transferring. Results will vary on that especially if you chase a BS vs. a BA. Solid advice on doing whatever makes you better. Read that as bosses who want to keep you around because you're worth it. Regarding those two degrees, they are both Associates which don't get you much. Next take a look at what they can springboard into. The business side likely has more jumping off points but remember BAs, MBAs, etc. are a dime a dozen. Criminal tends to steer you to a more focused and narrower path. If you really want that route when you punch out or are put out, that's a consideration. If you don't know what you want to be 10-15 years from now, it really shouldn't matter that much in the grand scheme. After all, it's just an Associates.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 17 at 2019 4:08 AM

2019-10-17T04:08:08-04:00

Everyone I know that went the criminal justice route ended up leaving it completely or just ended up being cops. At least with business administration you have a lot of options once you determine what you really want to do for work. It’s a pretty broad major so it’ll leave more doors open for you as far as employment

Response by LTC Stephen F. made Oct 17 at 2019 5:28 AM

2019-10-17T05:28:07-04:00

Well, my friend SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member
After reviewing the previous responses;
1. How long have you been in this Associate degree program and how much longer until you are slotted to graduate? If this is the first semester, then I would consider what bachelors degree you would be aiming for.
Business Degree [Bachelor of Arts Degree]
Criminal Justice [Bachelor of Science Degree]

2. Are you planning on going for a masters program degree in the next 10 years or so? If you are the Bachelors degree needs to support that program for efficiency - otherwise you would need to get another bachelors degree.
a. If your choices are Business and Criminal Justice many of the required courses would most likely be compatible.
b. Of course the BS would have more math/science course requirements.

3. Are you using your own funding [including loans] or is this a GI bill funded program? If the latter you may have a requirement to use the degree work in an assignment long enough to validate plus you might need to reenlist to make sure you don't to reimburse the government [generally two years for each year you are in the program

4. Are you planning to change your MOS? Right now you are a combat engineer. Are you interested in becoming an MP or an CID criminal investigator? If you are the Criminal Justice could well make sense assuming you intend to get a BS in Criminal Justice.
What do you think? LTC John Shaw SFC William Farrell SPC Chris Bayner-Cwik SPC Woody Bullard SMSgt Lawrence McCarter TSgt David L.PO1 Robert George SGT John Melvin

Response by Lt Col Jim Coe made Oct 20 at 2019 6:58 PM

2019-10-20T18:58:07-04:00

It really depends on your goals in the military and outside of the military. I see you are a business owner. That tends to make me believe that Business would be an excellent major to help you with your civilian career. The Army Reserves should be happy with you either way. If you were planning on trying for OCS in the future, a bachelors degree in either field would be acceptable. The Business Degree aligns nicely with all logistics functions, but I met several combat arms officers with business degrees.