Re: Is it worth anything?

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On 5/06/08, Mike wrote:
> I am a police officer in NY seeking to gain the personal
> satisfaction of obtaining a law degree. Of course, I also
> want the degree to be worth something to someone. I would
> like the degree to be on my resume and be of some
substance
> as a law degree to help to further my career and give me
> future career options as well as personal satisfaction.
>
> I understand that one can sit for the CA Bar after
> successful completion of many of these online law schools,
> but that is not my intent as I do not necessarily plan on
> being a practicing attorney or moving to California. I
> would, however, like to have the option to continue my
> legal education after earning one of these online JD
> degrees at an accredited institution without starting from
> scratch.
>
> I guess my question boils down to the title of this post…
> is an online BSL, JD, or eJD worth anything to anyone more
> than just personal knowledge and satisfaction? I do not
> want to waste time and money studying for a degree than no
> one recognizes as having been earned. Is a degree from
> Concord or Taft more recognized because of their
> accreditation status?
>
> I appreciate any input from those currently studying law,
> either with traditional institutions, online, or anyone
> else that can weigh in with real knowledge on this issue.
>
> Thank you,
>
> Mike

Mike:

In my class we had a full-time police officer. I talked to
him often and always expressed my admiration for his hard
work. It was incredibly difficult for him to attend full
time and also work full time. The police force was very
supportive of him and was very flexible in adjusting his
schedule. Unfortunately we don't have a part time program
at our university, he had no choice but full time. He will
graduate this month. His prospects with the law enforcement
community are very bright (including the AG and prosecutor's
office). The law enforcement agencies (including the city
police force he now works for) will be falling over each
other trying to get him to come onboard their team. I have
no idea how he managed full time law school and full time
police duty. He often came to class in uniform -- including
gun and radio.

If a local ABA accredited law school has a night or part
time program in your area, that would be a ticket to the top
for you. I'm sure that an online law degree would improve
your professional standing but the truth is that an online
degree and an ABA degree is the difference between a
security guard and a police officer. Both are worthy
achievements and not to be disrespected but if you can
manage an ABA degree you will achieve credibility with law
enforcement agencies anywhere in the nation. You can do it!