As one of the ever-growing sub-fields of animation, motion capture is slowly taking the lead when it comes to modernization and advancement. Just consider, for instance, the fact that even some of the most renovated, 3D software is starting to take a backseat to simple, motion-capture-based programs. This boils down to the credibility of the deliverable, which is almost incomparable between these two alternatives.

If you are one of the many individuals that want to enter this sector, you will soon learn that the level of competition is extremely high. To build a lucrative career as an editor, producer, animator, or any other professional who handles motion capture, you will need to stand out from the crowd. To do so, consider following the next few steps as you advance through your basic studies and enter your first job.

Study Visual and Media Artistry

To get into the over-arching industry where motion capture exists, you will have to study visual and media artistry. More precisely, you must complete some formal training in animation, editing, character rigging, or similar. Doing so will help you learn the ins and outs of the creative process that goes into making multimedia deliverables from scratch.

Also, contrary to popular belief, you do not need to be an expert in everything that is animation-related. This is because motion capture is very narrow in focus and relies on your ability to learn as you go. Therefore, while knowing how to use a plethora of editing programs is a great thing to include on your resume, it will have very little practical utility when you begin capturing motions with software that the company employs.

Start Building a Portfolio

As you are completing your degree or training, regardless of which subfield of animation it is in, you should start building a versatile portfolio. That means that you have to find time to work on your projects and make a diverse catalog that offers a glance into your well-rounded skillset. Doing so will increase the odds of getting a job interview or an offer letter from a company that is willing to let you become their motion capture specialist.

Unfortunately, given that these will be the years when you have to do a lot of studying while potentially juggling a part- or full-time job, finding availability to make and edit your animations could seem impossible. If that is the case, consider prioritizing and eliminating all activities that are not pertinent to your long-term success in this area. That could translate to less sleep, a weaker social life, and maybe even a drop in income. As a consequence, however, you will get the much-needed time that can be used to optimize or polish your portfolio.

Network With People

Even though you should network with people from the moment that you start your education, beware of the sequence in which you do things. For example, if you start networking long before you have a tangible portfolio, you may run into issues with credibility. Most employers or corporate representatives want to see examples of your work, and they use that evidence as a factor that drives their decision to interview or hire you.

If you are networking with a dozen recruiters and have nothing to give them as a demonstration of your talents, your application will fall behind all the other candidates that already built their portfolios.

Apply for Jobs Across the Industry

Regardless of your success with networking, you should start applying for jobs from the moment that you become eligible. If you have a few companies that you would prefer working for, simply put them as the frontrunners on the list of all organizations that do motion capture. Further remember that, according to Intel, there are a variety of industries that rely on motion capture. In other words, animation should not be the only sector that you pursue.

Additionally, a common rule-of-thumb that you should always keep in mind during this part of the process is that saying no to multiple offers is much better than not being able to say yes to anyone. While over-applying for jobs could result in a lot of offers that you have to decline, this is much more favorable than only applying for a few jobs and not getting any offers.

If your opportunities are few and far between, think about expanding your search both location- and skill-wise. The fact that you want to work in Los Angeles should not prevent you from applying for a motion capture position in Sacramento. Similarly, just because you want to do motion capture should not prevent you from starting as a general animator. On the contrary, keeping your criteria as broad as can be will maximize the likelihood that you enter this field fast, which increases the odds of you working in motion capture eventually.

Attend On-the-Job Training

Albeit one of the important learning stages of your life, the vast majority of your education will not roll into your daily tasks. Instead, you will have to rely on your job-related training to succeed. Luckily, this means that you can finally get some exposure to hands-on, motion-capture-based work that you have been looking forward to. Hence why you should do everything in your power to learn as much as you can as quickly as possible.

That way, you can become a valuable asset to your employer’s motion capture team and begin building a career close to that department. If you are unable to grasp the concepts, you may get transferred to another sub-field of animation, the likes of which include 2D or 3D projects, and your exposure to motion capture might fall.

Finally, do not forget to have fun as you are working hard toward your dream. Being a motion capture specialist in an industry that will soon be worth over $270 billion, as per BusinessWire, is certainly a difficult feat to achieve. If you cannot afford to have some fun and excitement, things will only get harder.

Related Resources:

What is a Typical Salary for a Graphic Designer?

Which Schools Have the Best Animation Programs?

How Much Math Should I Study if I Want to Become an Animator?

What High School Classes Can I Take That Will Help Prepare Me for a Degree in Animation?

Are There Online Programs That I Can Get a Degree in Animation?

Are There Degrees in Criminal Justice Programs That Use Animation?

The post What Can I Do to Get Into the Field of Motion Capture? appeared first on DegreeQuery.com.

What You Need to Be a Licensed Bounty Hunter

The first thing you must do if you want to be a bounty hunter is find out what, if any, laws pertain to bounty hunting in your state. Regulations vary widely, with some states outlawing bounty hunting completely and others having no regulations or restrictions whatsoever. Many states fall somewhere in between, establishing a licensing or certification process for those who wish to work as bounty hunters.

Often, states that required bounty hunters to be licensed set a minimum age for applicants, which can be as low as 18 or as high as 25. In applying for a bounty hunter license, you will undergo a background check. As a bounty hunter, you won’t work for the government directly but instead are employed by a bail bonds agency or, more commonly, self-employed. You don’t necessarily need the same spotless record you must possess to be employed as a sworn law enforcement officer, but a criminal history of serious or repeated offenses may end your bounty hunter career before it even begins.

In some states, you must meet a minimum experience requirement in a position such as law enforcement officer or licensed private investigator. Other states have no such requirement, allowing candidates of any employment background to pursue the career path. States that have a minimum education requirement often look for only a high school diploma or a GED, rather than formal postsecondary education.

Once you are confident that you meet all eligibility requirements to become a bounty hunter, you must submit the application and required paperwork to your state agency in charge of licensing bounty hunters. You must pay an application fee to attain your initial bounty hunter license and, often, an additional fee to renew your license periodically. Often, but not always, getting your bounty hunter license requires the completion of some sort of training program. Once your license application is processed and approved, you may also have to wear a uniform while engaged in your professional duties as a bounty hunter, again depending on your state’s requirements.

If you want to carry a gun as a bounty hunter, you must follow your state’s requirements to do so legally, which may include firearms safety training courses and a background check. Unlike law enforcement officers, bounty hunters are not assigned or required to carry a firearm.

The Best Career Preparation for Bounty Hunters

Just because you don’t need a formal degree to qualify for a bounty hunter license doesn’t mean a college education isn’t valuable in this line of work. Your success as a bounty hunter – not to mention, your income – hinges on your ability to get results. Any skills you can develop that can help you do so are worth adding to your repertoire, including technical and computer skills, security skills, investigative skills, observation and deductive reasoning skills, communication skills and negotiation skills.

A college education may be one way to cultivate these skills, but you have a lot of freedom to choose how you want to learn. You might major in criminal justice, law enforcement, computer science or any number of other programs of study. Maybe you decide to earn a certificate rather than a full degree or to take a variety of courses as a non-degree student. In this path, you can choose the perfect blend of classes to advance your skills – like philosophy courses in logic and reasoning and psychology and sociology courses that help you better persuade a fugitive to come into custody. Since you don’t necessarily need a degree, you may decide to pursue these studies through free non-credit online courses.

You can also prepare for a bounty hunter career by building a mentorship relationship with an established bounty hunter in the field. When you network with existing bounty hunters, you may have the opportunity to ask questions about breaking into the field or even shadow them as they work.

Keep in mind that any education or training you decide to go through to improve your skills must be done in addition to any classes your state may require for licensing or certification. Having a degree or college credit does not waive state licensing requirements.

Additional Resources

What Is a Bounty Hunter?

Is Being a Bounty Hunter Really How It Looks on TV?

How Do I Become a Private Detective?

What Degree Do You Need to Be a Private Investigator?

What Classes Will I Take in a Criminal Justice Degree?

The post How Do I Get Licensed to Become a Bounty Hunter? appeared first on DegreeQuery.com.

The Intersection Between Society and Crime

A single perpetrator may commit a crime without an accomplice, but that doesn’t mean he or she wasn’t influenced by external factors, especially social ones. When these problematic social factors are allowed to persist, the impact is, unfortunately, a greater potential for future crimes. Social issues can contribute to criminal activities in many ways, but the reverse is also true.

Criminalizing crimes like drug use, rather than treating those offenses as health conditions requiring rehabilitation, often means incarcerating people for nonviolent crimes and removing them from the families, communities and economies of which they are a part. Even if the incarcerated individual gets treatment within a correctional facility and undergoes rehabilitation, the effects of that absence on the community – may be profound.

Children may grow up without a crucial parental figure. Families could lose stable homes due to the loss of a paycheck. Small businesses could flounder because an owner, manager or longtime employee is gone. All of these changes affect society, especially when they occur on a grand scale, and may drive even more criminal behavior from others affected by the original crime or incarceration. When an incarcerated individual gets released from prison, it is often difficult to find gainful employment or readjust to a family unit that has changed drastically – which only serves to increase the likelihood that the individual will commit repeat offenses.

By gathering empirical data and formulating evidence-backed theories about the relationship between social issues and crime, those who have studied criminology can develop strategies and programs that address these social issues. Altering the factors that influence crimes, rather than merely increasing the severity of sentences, may more effectively reduce rates of criminal activities.

There’s a tendency to look at psychological factors on criminal behavior in the general sense of considering a suspect’s thought processes or, more specifically, whether mental health issues played a role. Social factors are equally important, especially for prevention.

What Criminologists Do

The United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) categorizes criminologist as a specialized type of sociologist, or a type of social scientist whose area of expertise is society and social groups. Many people with a job title of criminologist work in social science research, conducting quantitative and qualitative research and collecting and analyzing data to understand crime on a social, rather than individual, level. Instead of looking at the possible motives of an individual criminal, criminologists tend to emphasize larger societal issues and explore both how these matters impact crime and how crime affects these issues in turn. For example, a criminologist may explore correlations between crime rates and unemployment rates to understand how poor economies contribute to increases in crime. Criminologists who perform research at colleges and universities often have teaching duties, as well.

Some criminologists focus less on academic and research pursuits and more on the practical application of their knowledge to criminal justice situations. In consulting roles, criminologists may help law enforcement officers solve crimes and government entities develop more effective corrections and crime prevention programs.

Criminologist isn’t the only career path you can pursue when you study criminology. The program of study is relevant to virtually any criminal justice career, especially since most roles in law enforcement, corrections and criminal intelligence require some form of academy training or on-the-job training to learn procedures. With a criminologist background, you can become a police officer, a criminal investigator, a federal agent, a private detective, a probations officer or a corrections officer.

Studying criminology doesn’t mean limiting your career prospects to research, teaching at the college level or occasional consulting. It means approaching any position in the criminal justice system from this global perspective of how outside forces drive criminal behavior.

What to Expect When You Study Criminology

Studying criminology means drawing from the concepts, principles and practices used in both sociology and criminal justice and synthesizing those findings to create something greater than the sum of its parts. Focusing on this field of study means you will complete classes in sociological principles and social problems along with courses in the legal process, criminal justice principles and criminal procedure.

Coursework in statistical analysis, psychology, anthropology, philosophical issues, political science, economics and American history round out the curriculum of this truly interdisciplinary field of social science inquiry.

Additional Resources

What Can I Do With a Criminology Degree?

What Kind of Jobs Does Someone With a Criminology Degree Look For?

What Classes Will I Take in a Criminal Justice Degree?

What Degree Do You Need to Be a Private Investigator?

Top 10 Graduate Degree Programs in Criminal Justice

The post What Does It Mean to Study Criminology? appeared first on DegreeQuery.com.

Digital art is pervasive in TV ads, animated movies, TV shows, video games, websites, mobile apps, and more. DegreeQuery highlighted some of these in the article titled: Which Jobs in Animation command the most money? With most positions, salaries vary considerably by geographical location, company stature, and elevation within an organization. This post won’t reiterate the best paying areas, but we will explore some of the possibilities regarding wages.

For example, Pixar, Blizzard Entertainment, DreamWorks Animation, and Walt Disney Animation Studios may pay more than a smaller animation studio. Many may not have heard of Illumination Entertainment, which started in 2007; however, most will be familiar with their successes. Names like Despicable Me, Minions, Robots, and The Secret Life of Pets.

Candidates starting their careers in animation often wonder what salary they can expect from their first animation job. Salaries can vary from one position to another and from one company to the next. While entry-level positions typically pay the lowest wages, animators do have the potential to earn a livable wage even if it is their first job. So many factors can come into play when determining the salary potential in animation, even at the entry-level.

What Factors Determine Wages

A person fresh out of college with an animation degree can research the average wages for this position. Still, they may not accurately portray the individual’s compensation at their first animation job because many factors influence earnings and benefits.

Training and Education

Before embarking on a search on – what and where will I earn a decent salary, you need to be selective in your college. The internet affords several rankings of the best animation programs with a range of tuition. One of the top-ranked schools is the Rhode Island School of Design with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Film/Animation/Video. Students may concentrate on animation, live-action, or open media with courses in animation preproduction, 3D animation, stop-motion animation, digital effects, and puppet animation. Unfortunately, a prestigious program carries exorbitant tuition of $55,220 per school year. In contrast, the BFA in Animation at Sam Houston State University will cost approximately $7,400 per school year for in-state students.

Although animators typically have a bachelor’s degree, someone with an associate degree may have sufficient experience to work in this field. Some animators also have master’s degrees, which is the terminal educational requirement in animation.

One notable institution is the California Institute of the Arts in Valencia, resulting from two Los Angeles art and music schools merging in 1961 by Roy and Walt Disney. By 1971, the name changed to CalArts, which offers art, design, film, theater, dance, and film degrees. The school has a three-year Master of Fine Arts in Experimental Animation that emphasizes technique and theory.

Typically, the higher the degree the individual has, the higher the starting wage. However, the additional years of studies can create further debt (tuition) and detract from the years you could be gaining experience. Undoubtedly, the master’s degree in your portfolio would open more doors. Ultimately, it’s a personal decision based on your career aspirations—individuals whose self-study and grasp of animation techniques may not require a graduate degree. Either way, most employers will want to see examples of your work from school projects or work experience.

Experience – Experience is essential when applying for any job, and more is better. An animator with minimal experience might require supervision, training, and mentoring, which could deter some employers. Furthermore, animation has different areas of expertise, each with its own salary scale:

3D Animators:  Requires immense creativity, artistry, and technical skills. According to Payscale, the median base salary is $54,385, with first-time employees closer to $36,00 per year. Computer Careers lists the junior level for 2022 at $38,666 and a senior position at $114,580.

Medical Animator:  Demands courses in anatomy and physiology. Glassdoor reports the average salary at $53,433 with a high of $83,000 for years of experience. Salary.com disagrees, as their average salary is $66,483, ranging from $54,637 to $80,164.

Special Effects Artists and Animators:  The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics BLS) states the median pay for the profession at $77,700 with a bachelor’s degree and a projected 16% growth through 2030. This position covers the gambit of creative effects used in various media and entertainment forms.

Video Game Animator:  Much of video game animation involves 3D; therefore, the jobs require this skill and the minimum of an undergraduate degree. According to Zippia, Career Experts, about 14% of video game animators have a graduate degree. They report the average pay at $74,795; however, entry-level jobs could be considerably less (<$30K/annually). The top dollars are in California, namely, San Mateo, Berkeley, Daly City, Richmond, and Irvine (Zippia).

Industry

Different companies and industries have dissimilar pay ranges. Across most sectors, larger companies usually pay higher salaries. The BLS states that most of the Special Effects Artists work in the Motion Picture and Video Industries (2.59%). That seems like a small percentage, except the second spot goes to Software Publishers with 1.09% of the animation workforce.

The Motion Picture category also has the highest annual mean wage at $105,670. The second-highest wage is in Employment Services, with only 320 employees and an average salary of $95,330 (BLS 2020).

Location – This probably plays the most significant part in determining animator salaries. Wages vary from state to state and city to city.

Location is critical when determining the salary an individual can earn at their first job in animation. Here are the five states where multimedia artists and animators earn the highest wages, followed by those with the lowest wages according to the BLS.

• Connecticut – $115,660
• California – $105,480
• New York – $98,770
• Oregon – $96,350
• Washington – $90,130

At the lowest end of the scale is:

• South Carolina – $38,050
• South Dakota – $49,890
• New Mexico – $50,360
• Ohio – $54,410
• Iowa – $57,090

As can be seen, by the numbers, there is a substantial difference between the wages earned in Connecticut and the wages earned in South Carolina. This difference will usually also be there for entry-level positions in animation.

Additionally, states with less desirable wages likely do not employ many special effects and animation.

Cities play a role in determining where an animator sits on the salary chart. As expected, the best paying cities are in California, New York, and Washington. Typically, as in most professions, a higher cost of living generates better income to offset these costs and attract talented employees. Higher median wages generally translate to more enticing entry salaries as a novice animator.

These are the top cities, per the BLS 2020 data:

• Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim:  $110,370
• San Francisco-Oakland:  $102,560
• San Jose-Sunnyvale:  $100,510
• Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue:  $90,910
• New York-Newark-Jersey City:  $97,000

The site, Comparably, contains an information treasure trove posting entry-level salaries for animators in various locales. Founded by three highly accomplished business people and entrepreneurs, the site also tells you the average rent in a particular city. These statistics allow the job seeker to weigh the housing cost against the starting average salary.

Comparably reports the entry-level wage at $51,482 in Winston Salem, North Carolina; in contrast, the BLS data for the state is at $73,730. Regardless, the average rent in that city is $2,506 for a two-bedroom, which would consume 72.66% of the animator’s take-home pay.

Unexpectedly, in Long Beach, Comparably reports the average salary at $51,534 or about the same as Winston Salem. More importantly, the average two-bedroom apartment in Long Beach is $1,939 per month! Presuming the data are correct, the job in Long Beach is the better choice. From checking on Apartments.com, the rents are almost double the $1,939 figure ($3,797).

In fairness, Comparably took the rent stats from Apartmentlist.com, and this site does have a two-bedroom in Long Beach at an average of $1,939. Why the disparity? Further research is necessary to confirm data before leaving one’s current residence.

What Kind of Work Animation Involves

When we hear the term animation, we often think of these cute little animated characters we see on the television or movie screen. The exciting fact about animation is that it’s used in so many more ways than just cartoon characters. An individual with a degree in animation may work in the motion picture industry, advertising, or help solve crimes as a forensic animator. The starting salary for a job in animation will vary by industry or position.

In addition to the above two job sectors, the following three for employment are:

• Computer Systems Design and Related Services
• Advertising, Public Relations, and Related
• Specialized Design Services

Here are the top four sectors with the highest number of multimedia artists and animators employed, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).

What about Wage When Starting?

In summary, according to the BLS, wages for multimedia artists and animators ranged from $42,390 to $142,750 in May 2020. The former salary is the lowest 10 percent, and the latter is the highest 10 percent. An individual just starting at their first job in animation will typically begin at the lower end, especially if the applicant is working for a smaller market. Some may start as low as $30,000 per year until they’ve obtained some work experience. Those working in the motion picture industry typically earn higher wages than those working in the gaming or design industries.

How do you reach these wages?

With little or no experience, a degree in fine arts specializing in animation, visual effects, or motion graphics, or a degree in computer graphics. These programs require artistic talent in drawing, painting, sculpture, film, or graphics. Communication is paramount as most settings entail working as a team toward a common goal – either the game or related visual medium.

Technical skills, primarily computer proficiency, are paramount in the animation business. Employers look for candidates with the ability to use:

• Adobe InDesign
• Adobe AfterEffects
• Adobe Illustrator
• Motion Graphics
• Computer Animation

Individuals pursuing a career in video game design may see names like:

• Unity – a real-time platform
• GameMaker – Studio 2 is a powerful game development tool
• Unreal Engine – a suite of tools for game developers, designers, and builders
• Maya – 3D computer animation, simulation, and modeling software

Future animators can increase their chances of breaching the lower wage threshold by participating in an internship during their college years. Employment sites, like Indeed, post these openings at various companies scattered across the nation. Here are some examples, as of 2022:

Creative Animation/VFX Intern at General Motors in Warren, Michigan, seeks candidates working toward a degree in visual effects, animation, or entertainment design. They must have good interpersonal skills, comfort with Maya, and creativity.

Pixar Animation Studios in Emeryville, California, has an undergraduate intern program for students familiar with 3D digital art, such as Maya or Blender, and coding projects using Python or C++, including computer graphics. Candidates’ educational paths can be digital art, computer graphics, art, or related fields.

Other Qualifications

To progress in animation and, along with it, a higher salary, there are specific qualities for success. The University of Silicon Valley has offered bachelor’s and master’s degrees in various technological and creative specialties for over 130 years. Examples are game art, game engineering, and software development. The school stresses these attributes for success in 3D animation:

• Attention to detail as the profession requires combing through frame by frame
• Exemplary organization as animation projects might involve hundreds of small files
• Thrive on challenges as the job demands creating something new and powerful that audiences or gamers will love
• An excellent memory is an asset to remember the myriad of details in the creation and the appropriate software for the job.

Graduates of an animation degree are well on their way to earning a good salary and doing work that can be fun and interesting. Even working at their first job in animation doesn’t deter their ability to make a good salary because this field offers so many career possibilities.

However, keep in mind that approximately 62,400 working as special effects artists and animators in the United States (BLS); therefore, this will be a highly competitive industry to find viable employment. As stated above, the 16% growth or job turnover looks impressive, but that translates to 9,900 positions over ten years – meaning only 990 each year. Compare those statistics to Software Developers, which the BLS projects a turnover of 409,500 jobs from 2020 to 2030 or 40,950 openings per year.

Related Resources:

What is a Typical Salary for a Graphic Designer?

Which Schools Have the Best Animation Programs?

How Much Math Should I Study if I Want to Become an Animator?

What High School Classes Can I Take That Will Help Prepare Me for a Degree in Animation?

Are There Online Programs That I Can Get a Degree in Animation?

Are There Degrees in Criminal Justice Programs That Use Animation?

What Degree Do I Need to Be a Forensic Artist?

What Are the 5 Best Careers in Environmental Science?

Exciting Jobs: The Top 15 Jobs for Adrenaline Seekers

The post What Salary Can I Expect at My First Job in Animation? appeared first on DegreeQuery.com.

Where the CIA Recruits Officers and Agents

You may expect the CIA to focus primarily on recruiting new talent at the most prestigious and well-connected schools in the nation. In fact, some such colleges – like Harvard University – have been known for permitting the controversial practice of undercover enrollment of CIA agents into the school to scout out new talent, Inside Higher Ed reported.

However, it’s not only the ultra-exclusive – and expensive – Ivy League universities that CIA recruiters visit. Nowadays, the CIA also sends recruiters to less influential local colleges, CNBC News reported. Technical schools host informational events like presentations, question-and-answer sessions and opportunities for one-on-one career advice from current CIA agents. Even community colleges host CIA recruitments events.

If you think the CIA is only interested in recruiting recent college graduates, you might be surprised. As many as 20 percent of newly recruited CIA officers and agents are mid-career professionals, often with special skills, National Public Radio (NPR) reported.

Changes in CIA College Recruiting Efforts

Although CIA recruitment on college campuses is common and widespread today, that wasn’t always the case. At one time, most CIA recruitment at schools was done discreetly, NPR reported. In fact, there was a time in the 1970s when a CIA recruiter’s campus visit would have been likely to prompt student protests, according to NPR.

Since that time, things have changed considerably. By the mid-1980s, student protests were rarer and interest in a CIA career was much more prevalent, according to the agency. The CIA is also much more diverse today, in terms of both the officers and agents who work for the agency and the variety of career fields and academic backgrounds from which they come.

Although degrees in criminal justice, information technology and foreign language are still assets to the CIA, the agency also looks for recruits with backgrounds in business, accounting, finance, economics, science, technology and even communications.

What Students Should Know About Working for the CIA

Working for the CIA isn’t just another job. For one thing, you will need to get a security clearance – a process that can take months and require a polygraph, or “lie detector,” test. Opportunities for the CIA often require relocation, especially to the Washington, D.C. area, or domestic or international travel. You also have to undergo a background investigation by the United States government. Factors such as any drug use in the past year or a history of criminal activity may bar you from employment, temporarily or permanently, by the CIA. To some degree, depending on your role at the CIA, there work you do for the agency will need to be kept confidential.

Despite the challenges, there are many benefits of working for the CIA, from serving your country to the generous compensation and benefits packages.

What If the CIA Doesn’t Recruit From Your School?

If you have asked around your college’s career center only to find that no CIA recruitment events are planned, that doesn’t mean you’ll never get the opportunity to work for the CIA. The agency offers numerous student opportunities that you can apply for even if the agency is not actively recruiting at your school. Through internships with the CIA, you can gain college credits toward your degree while acquiring valuable work experience and connections within the agency. You could also apply for the CIA scholarship programs for undergraduate or graduate students. These opportunities require you to complete a summer of paid work in your field for the CIA and provide tuition assistance up to $18,000 for one calendar year.

Receiving a CIA scholarship effectively guarantees you a job with the CIA after graduation, because as part of the terms of the scholarship, students agree to work for the agency for 1.5 years per every year the scholarship was received.

Additional Resources

What Degree Should I Get to Join the CIA?

How Do I Apply to the CIA?

Can I Get Into Law Enforcement If I Have a Felony on My Record?

What Degree Do I Need to Be an Intelligence Analyst?

The post What Schools Does the CIA Recruit From the Most? appeared first on DegreeQuery.com.

Good Jobs With Bachelor’s Degrees in Psychology

When debating the quality of job opportunities with only an undergraduate degree in psychology, it’s important to clarify whether you are considering only jobs in the field of psychology or jobs in other areas. Within psychology, there are admittedly only limited career opportunities, and very few good jobs, with just a bachelor’s degree. You may be able to work as an applied behavior analyst or move into a career in social work with your bachelor’s in psychology degree, or you could use this undergraduate psychology background to work in a social science research role, such as research assistant. However, there are no good psychologist jobs with only a bachelor’s degree, because all jobs that are permitted to use the word “psychologist” in the job title require an advanced education beyond the bachelor’s degree.

RELATED: Top 10 Highest Paying Social Science Jobs

The majority of psychology majors don’t go on to work in psychology, according to the American Psychological Association (APA). Outside of the field of psychology, your job prospects can improve considerably. Studying psychology gives you insight into how other people – prospective employers, clients, customers and audience members, for example – think, feel and behave. Through studying psychology, you develop skills in observation, critical thinking, problem-solving and communication, which can make you a valuable asset in many different job functions and appeal to employers in all industries.

Although there are dozens of possible non-psychology career paths open to you with an undergraduate background in psychology, certain fields draw in greater numbers of psychology majors. In business, for example, psychology majors may make excellent managers, human resources specialists, market researchers and administrative professionals. You can use your understanding of research methods, statistical analysis and the scientific method to pursue an education in a life or physical science and become a scientist. Some psychology majors enter creative fields like writing, while others choose to work in non-psychology jobs in law enforcement and criminal justice, such as police officer or probation officer.

Although you can do many jobs with a psychology degree, you may use the skills you have learned in a career that requires no degree or any degree, the APA reported – and you may have to persuade employers that your psychology background adds value.

What Can You Do With a Master’s Degree in Psychology?

By advancing your education with a master’s degree in psychology, you can open up your career opportunities to include some limited psychologist roles. Generally, a master’s degree is enough education to qualify you as an industrial-organizational psychologist. Industrial-organizational psychologists use the principles and practices of psychology to solve problems and improve performance in business and other workplace settings. Although this field of psychology requires the least education, it is one of the highest paying roles, with a median wage of $97,260, according to the BLS.

RELATED: What Is the Fastest Way to Become a Psychologist?

A master’s degree can also open some doors in the field of school psychology, but there are several factors to consider. Different states impose different educational requirements on school psychologists, and master’s degree programs in this field can range from short programs requiring around 30 graduate credits to lengthy programs that require 60 credits. If you choose the wrong path for school psychology jobs in your state, you could end up unable to get a license and attain a position in this field.

While 47 percent of industrial-organizational psychologists have a master’s degree, 48 percent of industrial-organizational psychologists report a doctorate as their highest level of education. An additional five percent have post-doctoral training.

The Best Psychology Jobs at the Doctoral Level

If you really want to open doors to the best jobs in the field of psychology, then there’s no substitute for earning a doctoral degree. A Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) or Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D.) can prepare you to become a licensed psychologist in fields such as clinical or counseling psychology. Whether it’s research, clinical treatment of mental illnesses or counseling services that help people find better ways to approach difficult life situations that most appeals to you, a doctoral degree will help you do it.

Experience, gained both during and after your education, is also a crucial part of preparing for these high-level psychology jobs. You should expect to complete practicum and internship experiences while pursuing a psychology degree, especially at the doctoral level.

Additional Resources

What Degree Do I Need to Be a Psychologist?

How Long Does It Take to Become a Psychologist?

What Is the Salary Potential for Someone With a Psychology Degree?

The Hidden Benefits of a Degree in Psychology

The post How Advanced Does My Degree in Psychology Need to Be to Get a Good Job? appeared first on DegreeQuery.com.

Work Injuries Among Correctional Officers

Among all protective service occupations, there were 10,000 nonfatal occupational injuries in 2018, the most recent year for which the Injuries, Illnesses, and Fatalities (IIF) program of the BLS has complete data. Correctional officers and jailers accounted for 360 of these injury cases – more than animal control workers (60), private investigators (100) and firefighters (260). The job appears to be injury-prone than that of police officer, which accounts for 430 of the nonfatal occupational injuries, and protective service supervisor, which accounts for 560 injuries.

Protective service workers as a whole suffered an additional 270 fatal occupational injuries in 2018. Correctional officers accounted for 11 of these deaths, more than private investigators (just one) and detectives and criminal investigators (6) but fewer than firefighters (32), security guards (58) and police officers (108).

The potential dangers usually come from the inmates themselves, but riots and acts of violence intentionally targeting guards aren’t the only threats. Corrections officers may suffer injuries as they attempt to break up fights between inmates, as well. Statistically, most corrections officers will be seriously assaulted twice in their careers, according to The Houston Chronicle.

To help reduce the risks to correctional officers, prisons adopt safety protocols and procedures and incorporate self-defense training into their academy training curriculum.

Corrections Officers and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

In addition to the risks to a corrections officer’s physical health, there are dangers to mental and emotional wellbeing, as well. In fact, researchers have learned that as many as 19 percent of correctional officers develop symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), on par with the levels of PTSD found in war zones, The Houston Chronicle reported.

PTSD can be debilitating, leaving sufferers with such strong feelings of anxiety and depression and such intense flashbacks that it becomes difficult to live your life. Corrections officers who experience a traumatic event in the course of their work are the ones most likely to develop PTSD, but trauma is subjective and may develop from perceived threats as well as actual threats. Being surrounded in a prison riot can precipitate PTSD, but so can being injured breaking up a fight, witnessing a prisoner attempt to kill themselves or someone else or being threatened by an inmate, The Houston Chronicle reported.

PTSD among corrections officers is believed to be underreported, so while the official statistics suggest that nearly one in five corrections officers has PTSD, the real number could be much higher.

Stress, Burnout and Health Risks

Even if you never get injured on the job or experience a trauma that leads you to develop PTSD, you can develop negative health consequences from the stress of your job as a corrections officer. The stress of this occupation affects workers in numerous ways. The impact of a lifetime of shift work on your sleep schedule may mean more than being constantly tired. It can raise your risks of serious health conditions. The constant exposure to violence may lead to depression, drug and alcohol abuse and even domestic violence in an officer’s home life.

Some corrections officers leave the profession due to burnout, but retiring or switching jobs may not be enough to cope with the stress. Sadly, stress-related health conditions or suicidal behaviors often claim the lives of current or former corrections officers, The Houston Chronicle reported.

Although corrections officers have exceptionally high rates of suicide, stress, depression, anxiety, PTSD and drug and alcohol abuse, there is support out there to help workers cope with the stress of this important career, including support groups and therapy.

Additional Resources

What Are the Bad Parts of Being a Corrections Officer?

What Is the Career Outlook for Corrections Officers?

What Is a Typical Salary for a Corrections Officer?

The post Is It Dangerous to Be a Corrections Officer? appeared first on DegreeQuery.com.

Positions in the federal government, namely the DHS have three classifications:

1. Non-sensitive positions
2. Public trust positions
3. National security positions

Non-Sensitive Positions

A background check begins after the hiring agency or department makes a formal offer of employment, and the applicant accepts it. The questionnaire is on Standard Form 85, revised in December 2013, and drafted by the U.S. Office of Personnel Management. All Government and contract employees must complete the form as a condition of finalizing your placement. The form applies to Non-Sensitive Positions.

The first page of Form 85 outlines what information you have to record on the questionnaire. For example, you need to include your current or previous employer, as the investigators will contact the company or person. All information must be accurate and truthful. Anyone knowingly providing false information or concealing a material fact could be subject to fines up to $10,000 and/or five years imprisonment under the U.S. Criminal Code.

As expected, proof of U.S. citizenship is vital. Individuals born outside the U.S. but are now citizens must include the details of the Naturalization Certificate, Citizenship Certificate, or State Department Form 240. The latter form refers to proof of the individual’s birth abroad. Some of the other questions are:

• Resident locations going back five years
• Education beyond Junior High School
• Five years of employment: company, addresses, and position
• Personal references, excluding family members
• Military History
• Illegal Drug Use

When a person signs Form 85, you authorize any investigator, special agent, or designated federal agency to conduct a thorough background investigation. Your life becomes an open book based on interviews and information from friends, colleagues, credit bureaus, consumer reporting agencies, criminal justice organizations, and retail establishments.

Between Non-Sensitive and Trust Positions lies Level 2, known as National Security Non-Critical Sensitive. Form SF86 applies to this level of Confidential security. Except for Sensitivity Level 1 Non-Sensitive, all others require Form SF86, SF86P, or SF86P-S. The 86 forms have a five-year reinvestigation requirement.

Public Trust Positions

Another form is the 85P that applies to Public Trust Positions. This form has additional sections, such as Marital Status, that need the spouse’s name and country of citizenship. There is a long set of boxes to include various relatives, including mother, father, stepmother, stepfather, and foster parents.

The 85P also requires information on the foreign countries visited in the past seven years, police records (if any), and financial records (loans & bankruptcy).

Trust positions are not eligible for Confidential or Secret clearance regardless of how extensive the background investigation.

National Security Positions

There are different levels of security clearance dictated by the classified information you may encounter in the job, as well as the secure nature of the facility in which you work. Regardless of the level, you will need to complete the Standard Form 86, as revised in November 2016. The lengthy questionnaire covers 133 pages, inclusive of extended pages to supply employment particulars going back ten years. There are pages devoted to Military History, Marital/Relationship Status, Relatives, Foreign Contacts, Foreign Activities, Foreign Business, Foreign Travel, Psychological and Emotional Health, Police Record, Illegal Drug Use (7-year history), Use of Alcohol, and Financial Records for seven years also.

As stated, there are different levels of national security clearance for non-military employees within the DHS or any other federal agency. The U.S. Department of State lists three:

1. Confidential: Majority of the military have this level of clearance
2. Secret: information that could harm national security if disclosed to unauthorized personnel
3. Top Secret: applies to information that could cause severe damage to national security

Regardless of which level an employee has access to, some info is restricted based on a need-to-know status.

Conclusion

Applying for employment in the DHS can take time. After a review of your application, interviews, and then the security clearance process may extend to one year. That timeframe is a worst-case scenario, affected by the level of clearance, which in turn dictates the thoroughness of the background investigation.

Additional Resources

What Kind of Profile Does the Secret Service Look for in Applicants?

Are There Requirements to Be an Agent for Homeland Security?

What Degree Do I Need to Become a Detective?

What is the Best Path to work for the Department of Justice? 

The post What is involved in the background check to join the DHS? appeared first on DegreeQuery.com.

If you’ve ended up here you’ve likely heard the buzz that cyber security is one of the hottest career tickets of the 21st century. Hardly a day goes by without a high profile hack which costs organizations millions. And close to a million cyber security job openings are unfilled due to a lack of talented individuals within the field. 

Cyber security is also the rare field where individuals without formal academic credentials can not only “get in the door,” but can advance to the pinnacle of decision making. While a forma degree in a computing discipline may be a straighter path to entry, many individuals eschew this route and teach themselves the basics. 

We’ve covered all sorts of computing education topics here at DegreeQuery, and in this guide hope to culminate some of our research on how you can train yourself well enough to enter the field of cyber security!

Interested in checking out related routes to a cyber security career? 

• The 50 Top Scholarships For Cyber Security Degrees
• The Highest Paying Degrees in Cyber Security
• The 20 Best Online Master’s in Cyber Security
• What Kind of Security Clearance Do You Need For Most Cyber Security Jobs
• What is the Hiring Process For Cyber Security
• What Can You Do With a Cyber Security Degree? 
• What Is the Benefit of a Degree in Cybersecurity vs. Network Security?

Check out some of our reviews of related degrees below: 

• The 25 Best Online Bachelor’s in Information Technology
• The 25 Best Online Master’s in Information Technology
• The 20 Best Online Master’s in Cyber Security
• The 20 Best Online Master’s in Computer Science

In this Guide: 

• Start with programming basics
• Learn IT fundamentals
• Complete certifications
• Hack things at home
• Attend hackathons
• Learn at work
• Pursue a degree

Start with programming basics

If this part of the learning process is daunting to you, realize that not all cyber security jobs require programming knowledge. Some policy-related jobs don’t require much hands-on computing knowledge. Also note that of the cyber security jobs that do require programming knowledge, there’s a large range to what is required. Some cyber security professionals instead focus on information technology, some on best practices within an organization, some focus on web-centered security, while others hack routers. 

With this said, your options for a career in cyber security will be GREATLY enhanced with some or even a great deal of programming knowledge. 

Luckily for you, there have never been more options for being able to teach yourself. 

So where should you start? You’ll need to at least learn the syntax of some common programming languages. One exceedingly popular language for web-based technologies is Javascript. 

• Codeacademy’s Javascript Basics Tutorial
• The Modern Javascript Tutorial

You’ll also need familiarity with your command line, which will enable you to interact with your operating system of choice as a power user. 

• The 10 Best Courses For Learning Linux Command Line

Additionally, many cyber security professionals choose to opt for less widespread operating systems which enable users greater control to many operating system components as well as the ability to interact with other systems in more advanced ways. Two of the most popular alternative operating systems used in cyber security work include the following: 

• Kali Linux, an OS used for penetration testing and ethical hacking
• Linux, an OS better suited to power users and more secure than Windows
• Fedora Linux, an open source OS great for dealing with servers, development, and iOT

While any three of these operating systems will largely look the same as Windows or Mac for basic use, you’ll likely want to learn some power users moves, and may find these operating systems referenced in cyber security tutorials, particularly as you get more advanced. 

Learn IT fundamentals

While you can focus on cyber security at the policy or software levels, many cyber security exploits utilize hardware as well as software. A common requirement of nearly all cyber security positions is to at least hold an introductory set of cyber security certifications. Many of these certifications focus on a basic understanding of how networks, networking equipment, computing, and telecommunications hardware works. 

There are many ways to learn IT fundamentals that include pursuing a degree program in information technology, playing around with your own technology, taking non-credit courses, or working in an IT help desk setting. 

One element worth noting as you begin your study of IT fundamentals is that many study materials are centered around one of two tracks: a general understanding of information technology, or a vendor-specific path for learning IT fundamentals. 

Perhaps the largest pathway to IT competency involves following along with popular study pathways for the most popular IT certifications. We’ll tackle what exactly these certifications cover in the next section. But for now we’ll just list a few of the best youtube series for learning the fundamentals of IT. 

• Professor Messer’s Network+ Youtube Study Series
• Professor Messer’s A+ Youtube Study Series
• IProTV

Complete certifications

As many cyber security employers are large or governmental employers, certifications are commonly used as a way to vet the many individuals within an organization. Commonly certifications are required in two subject matter areas for cyber security: (1) general IT understanding, (2) cyber security-specific. 

Among general IT understanding certificates there are two primary certifications. These include: 

• CompTIA A+, which covers 9 areas of general IT knowledge
  • Hardware
  • Operating Systems
  • Software Troubleshooting
  • Networking
  • Hardware Troubleshooting
  • Security
  • Mobile Devices
  • Virtualization and the Cloud
  • And Operational Procedures
• CompTIA Network+, which covers networking in greater detail
  • Networking concepts
  • Infrastructure
  • Network Operations
  • Network Security
  • Network Troubleshooting and Tools

Among security-specific entry-level certifications some collection of the following are the most common: 

• CompTIA Security+
  • Threats, Attacks and Vulnerabilities
  • Architecture and Design
  • Implementation
  • Operations and Incident Response
  • Governance, Risk and Compliance
• Microsoft Technology Associate
  • Microsoft-centered cyber security techniques
  • Windows server and networking skills

If you already have a handle on basic cyber security and IT knowledge, you can actually continue to progress to quite advanced and specialized domains of cybersec knowledge through additional certifications. 

These include certifications for penetration testing, governance, virtualization, policy and decision making in cyber security, and more. 

Hack things at home

A big part of learning cyber security is getting hands on and discovering how one can actually break into a information system. While professionals called penetration testers (or ethical hackers) are paid to hack into systems with the permission of others, it’s important to note that it’s illegal to hack into someone else’s system. Even if you’re just “practicing.” What this essentially leaves is the option to practice your hacking skills in one of two ways: (1) in a sandbox environment meant to emulate another system, or (2) on your own equipment.

There are many videos online that tackle very specific hacking patterns. You should read up on some of the prerequisite skills. Or many videos may step you along line by line of code that you may need to configure. 

For a few favorite videos stepping you through hands-on hacking you can do at home check out the following: 

• Email spoofing attack tutorial 
• Brute force attack tutorial
• Cookie stealing attack tutorial
• Introductions to XSS Attacks

Attend hackathons

Hackathons can be intimidating for self taught individuals or those early in their learning cycle. But one thing that surprises many who have never attended a hackathon is that individuals come into hackathons with very different skill sets, perspectives, and prior knowledge. If you study up on some of the basics and learn fundamentals, more experienced members of your team will help you to find some way that you can contribute to your project. This is one of THE BEST ways to learn from more experienced individuals in the field in a short accelerated timeframe. 

• Check out this comprehensive list of cyber security hackathons

Learn at work

There’s little better incentive to learn cyber security technologies than (a) being paid to do so, and (b) knowing that you need to do a good job learning new techniques because it’s part of your job. 

There are a number of ways to get into cyber security at work. You can take a new job in some IT or developer position. You can also just start volunteering (or asking) for cyber security projects. Nearly every organization of any size has some cyber security initiatives to tackle. Whether this initiative is to update the organization’s policies towards secure use of org equipment, or trying to break into your systems as an authorized ethical hacker. 

Seek out a degree

Finally, the most direct route for many individuals seeking to get into cyber security is to head to school for a degree. You can typically focus on a range of subjects if you’re seeking to enter cyber security, including information technology, information systems, computer science, information assurance, or cyber security. 

Check out some of our reviews of related degrees below: 

• The 25 Best Online Bachelor’s in Information Technology
• The 25 Best Online Master’s in Information Technology
• The 20 Best Online Master’s in Cyber Security
• The 20 Best Online Master’s in Computer Science

The post How To Learn Cyber Security appeared first on DegreeQuery.com.

“I really think that if we change our own approach and thinking about what we have available to us, that is what will unlock our ability to truly excel in security. It’s a perspectives exercise. What would it look like if abundance were the reality and not resource constraint?” — Greg York

That York quote is indicative of many neglected aspects of our society, but it certainly applies to Cyber Security.

First things first: you deserve massive respect for taking the time to read this. It means you want to earn a degree and enhance or redirect your career, and you’re willing to do the legwork to make it possible. Not everyone can say that.

Here at Degree Query, we’ve worked diligently to offer you a litany of resources that will help you decide on and choose educational and career paths. We’ve covered so many different disciplines and urge you to explore all of your options.

But you’re here for the highest paying degrees and jobs in Cyber Security, so let’s get to it!

Cyber Security is now among the most essential and understaffed sectors of the American economy. In recent years we’ve seen Facebook hacked, compromising data from 50 million users. Hackers stole data of 143 million Americans from the records they took from the credit report agency Equifax. Hundreds of millions of these records were sold on the black market. Experts found that the attack was entirely preventable if Equifax had taken the proper measures to protect their users’ data. These were major (albeit brief) news stories. They’re indicative of a much larger problem. In 2018 experts estimated that cybercrime would cost the world $6 trillion annually by 2021. In 2017, it cost humanity $3 trillion.

Most organizations that rely on digital information (virtually all of them) either want to build or have contracted out their cybersecurity and information assurance work to qualified professionals. That’s where you come in. By completing a Cyber Security program, you’ll get the training necessary to fill these vital, highly demanded roles. Just how much demand is there? We’ll go into further detail in conclusion, but The United States Bureau of Labor Studies reported there were 112,300 Information Security Analysts in 2018. This is predicted to jump by 32% between 2018-28, creating 35,500 new roles. This is just one position within Cyber Security.

So what do Cyber Security professionals do? Many things, but chief responsibilities and requirements include:

• Designing secure systems and networks.
• Preventing unauthorized access to any digital properties, whether that’s organizational information, systems, networks, or other resources.
• Working effectively within organizational limitations.
• Taking charge of disaster recovery and investigations after security breaches or systemic failures.
• Helping organizations reach their goals through Information Assurance or Cyber Security.
• Have an understanding of and experience in at least some of the following: data analysis, fundamental scripting/programming, networking, system administration, cryptography, IT systems, and policy, legal, ethics and compliance issues.

These are broad strokes, and there are more specific responsibilities depending on your particular role in the field. Whatever path you choose, it begins with a degree program in Cyber Security. To do this work, you’ll need at least a Bachelor’s degree. The disparity between demand and supply, and the intricate, complex, and essential nature of the work mean Cyber Security offers high pay to qualified workers. Let’s use the example of Information Security Analysts (more on them later). Their 2019 median wage was $99,730 annually. The top 10% of these workers made over $158,860 that year.

In this guide, we’ll inspect high paying roles in the field and the degrees that qualify you for them. We’ll share the work we’ve done at Degree Query on Cyber Security and Information Assurance, and we’ll explore applicable employment and payment statistics. Before we dive in, ask yourself and consider the following as you read this guide, and search for a Cyber Security degree:

•  What are your career and educational experiences? What are your natural strengths, and where do you need improvement?
•   What are your innate talents and ingrained skills?
• To succeed in Cyber Security, you’ll need a certain amount of natural computer science aptitudes. That means strong logic and problem-solving skills, along with resilience in the face of omnipresent obstacles. A knack for math proficiency will also be instrumental.
• What’s your ideal position in Cyber Security? What responsibilities and competencies would you want to fulfill? What degree does it require?
• Many jobs in the field require a Bachelor’s, but some demand a graduate degree. A Master’s in Cybersecurity correlates to far higher pay.
• What are your long and short term goals? How will a specific degree program help you achieve them?
• What delivery format would you like to use to earn your Cyber Security degree?
• There are Cyber Security programs online, in-person, and in hybrid forms that combine the two. Because so much of the labor is done virtually, Cyber Security lends itself to online learning.
• How much time do you have for a Cyber Security degree daily, weekly, and in total, before you complete it?
• Different programs will take longer or shorter to complete. Many have different delivery schedules to allow motivated students to finish quicker, let busy students take their time, and work around professional adults’ schedules.
• How much can you spend on a Cyber Security degree?
• There are cheaper and more expensive CS degree options, but the cost of a degree in Cyber Security may be prohibitive for some students.
•  If you need to borrow money, where will you borrow it from? How much will you need?
• Always prioritize public, low-interest loans over private, adjustable-rate ones.
•  Where do you want to study and live, before, during, and after earning your degree?
• Cyber Security professionals are demanded throughout the country and world. However, let’s say you want to work for the government. By selecting a Cyber Security program in the D.C., Maryland, and Virginia (DMV) area, you’ll have opportunities to network with government agencies, and likely professors or faculty that have connections to government jobs.
• Is the program you’re considering certified by the National Centers of Academic Excellence in Information Assurance/Cyber Defense CAE IA/CD? Schools that receive this designation from the NSA and DHS have demonstrated collaboration, research, outreach, and multidisciplinary scientific education about information assurance and cyber defense.
• What specializations or focus areas does a Cyber Security degree offer? How would a specific specialization help you achieve your career goals?

This is just a taste of the issues to consider when searching for a degree. Add any others you feel are useful and try to answer them for prospective programs or your overall goals and parameters throughout your degree search.

By writing out answers to these questions, you’ll elucidate your objectives, needs, and how useful individual programs are for you.

Let’s look at some of the highest-paying jobs in the field:

What are the Highest Paying Jobs in Cyber Security?

Computer Network Architects: In these roles, you’ll work with various systems, including computer networks and data communication systems, to ensure their security and functionality. You’ll model, analyze, plan, develop networks and communication systems, implement them, and measure their effectiveness. Throughout, you’ll work within whatever resource parameters your organization provides and will likely advocate and achieve improvements. People in these roles work for organizations of all kinds and sizes. They understand the technical and business aspects of an organization and work with a variety of peers and junior employees. BLS reports that Computer Network Architects made a 2019 median salary of $112,690.

Cybersecurity Engineer: People who work in these positions protect organizations and their systems from hacks and other cyber-attacks. They guard data, build systems to protect it, and stay on top of the latest means of unauthorized entry that cybercriminals use. They may also work on breaches that can occur from systems failures or natural disasters. People in these roles must liaise with other professionals, some with technical experience and others without. The approximate average salary for these roles is $106,000 annually.

Software Developer/Engineer: Software Engineers or Developers design, create and monitor software and its applications. They might directly program, supervise programming, monitor performance, and evaluate productivity. They might also design and implement new features and programs into existing software. They consult with staff and superiors to guarantee software meets organizational goals, report on results, make recommendations to fine-tune software, and much more. In Cyber Security, they work to built new software and tools that can protect digital information. BLS found the median pay in 2019 for Software Developers was $105,590 annually. (Learn more about which degree is best for a software engineer.)

Vulnerability Analyst/Penetration Tester: People in these positions find weaknesses in networks and software then assist in correcting them. They create risk-based mitigation tactics for operating systems, networks, and more. They review and approve requirements that govern information security protocols for organizations.  They also scan networks to find where network attacks would be most effective and assess individual workstations, servers, and network hosts to determine their vulnerabilities. An approximate average salary for these roles is $103,000 annually.

Systems Engineer: Systems Engineers supervise and monitor systems and their infrastructures. This means installing, configuring, assessing, and upholding software, operating systems, and other system management tools. They guarantee the highest levels of system functionality and infrastructures are available given organizational resources and limitations. In short, they build, maintain, and problem-solve an organizations’ digital infrastructure. People in these roles demonstrate stellar technical abilities and exhibit elite levels of availability, performance standards, and of course, security. An approximate average salary for these roles is $77,000 annually.

Information Security Analysts: People in these roles analyze, plan, and enact the security measures required to protect organizational computer networks and systems. They monitor networks and systems for attacks, mitigate them when they occur, then investigate the bad actors and how they were successful. They research the latest trends in cybercrime and IT security tools and methods. They recommend security upgrades to senior staff, install and use software like firewalls and data encryption programs to enhance cyber security, and much more. According to BLS, the 2019 median pay for these roles is $99,730 annually.

Now let’s look at the various levels of Cyber Security degrees:

What Degrees Lead to High Paying Cyber Security Careers?

Associate Degrees in Cyber Security

These degrees require two years to complete and will give you a foothold in the world of Cyber Security. You’ll study the vulnerabilities of software and hardware, prepare for certification exams, and likely prepare to continue your education at the next level. Courses might include Computer Forensics and Cyber Law, Network Security, Security Administration, Microcomputer Operating Systems, Networking and Computer Systems Technology, and much more. Graduates will be ready to sit for several certifying exams, work in entry-level Cyber Security positions, or continue their education through:

Bachelor Degrees in Cyber Security

These four-year degrees will prepare students for most entry-level positions in Cyber Security. They might include specializations in areas like Forensics, Information Assurance, Network Security, Investigation, or Cybercrime. Sample courses might consist of Disaster Recovery, Networking, Criminology, Information Security Planning and Assessment, and Computer Forensics. Most Cyber Security positions require a Bachelor’s degree as the baseline education necessary for entry. Graduates of these programs can work as Digital Forensic Experts, Cyber Security Analysts, Network Security Administrators, among other positions.

Master Degrees in Cyber Security

As mentioned, far higher pay in the field correlates with Cyber Security graduate degrees. In these one to three-year programs, you’ll prepare to enter elite positions in Cyber Security. You’ll learn how to protect networks, computers, and other infrastructures from internal and external threats. You’ll work on theoretical issues and practical problems. Sample courses might include LAN/WAN Security, Cryptography, Introduction to Cyber-Terrorism, Information systems Security, Firewalls and Proxies, and more. Students must write and defend a graduate thesis as part of these programs. Graduates will have incredible agency in their career options within Cyber Security.

Doctoral Degrees in Cyber Security

If you want to work in the highest levels of Cyber Security research, management, or education, these are the degrees for you. In these five to seven-year programs, you’ll achieve elite competencies in the field. You’ll study the latest issues in Cyber Security, and methods for preventing or mitigating cybercrime. You’ll do crucial research, and likely publish your findings in scholarly journals. You’ll probably specialize in a specific area of Cyber Security, like forensics, criminology, or identifying looming cybercrime threats. Candidates will write and defend a doctoral thesis on an original topic within the field. You can opt for a Ph.D. (doctor of philosophy) or DSc (doctor of science) in Cyber Security. The former is far more theoretical and research-based, while the latter is also heavy on the research but prizes technical chops. Graduates will have their pick of Cyber Security positions in academia, governmental agencies, and private corporations.

Now let’s explore the work we’ve already done to help you in Cyber Security:

How Can We Help You Find a Cyber Security Degree?

Here at Degree Query, we’ve worked tirelessly to provide you a nexus of resources that can help you find a degree and career in specific areas you’re interested in. We’ve ranked schools, written guides like this one, looked at jobs and answered common questions on Cyber Security, and many other disciplines. Here’s a taste of the work we’ve done on Cyber Security:

Common Questions on Cyber Security
What are good subjects to double major or minor with Cyber Security?
What kind of security clearance would I need for most Cyber Security jobs?
What Is the Career Outlook for Cyber Security?
What is the hiring process for Cyber Security?
Is there a clear career path to get into Cyber Security?
What is a Master’s Degree in Cyber Security Engineering?
What Degree do I need to work in Cyber Security Law?

What Is the Benefit of a Degree in Cybersecurity vs. Network Security?

How Advanced a Degree Do I Need to Work in Cryptography?

Guides on Cyber Security 

How to Learn to Program
What Can I Do With a Cyber Security Degree?

Rankings of Cyber Security Degree Programs

The 20 Best Online Master’s Degrees in Cyber Security
50 Best Online Master’s Degrees 2019
100 Most Affordable Online Graduate Schools of 2019
Online Degree Rankings For 2019

This is just some of the work we’ve done on Cyber Security. If you find any schools or programs through our work that you’re interested in exploring, reach out to their support staff directly. You can ask curricular questions, refine your application based on their suggestions, and much more. Before we close out, let’s look at pay and employment outlook in the field:

Fast Facts on the Highest-Paying Cyber Security Degrees and Careers

As you know, Cyber Security is a crucial, complex, and extremely undersupplied sector of our economy. Working in this field won’t be easy, but people who complete Cyber Security degree programs will have several advantages over the general workforce populace.

These include the high demand for qualified professionals, the growing need for improved Cyber Security nationally and globally, the shortage of students entering Cyber Security positions compared to the need for them, and the increasingly destructive efforts of cybercriminals.

So let’s talk business. Individually, how much can you earn in Cyber Security, and where are the most job openings today and in the next decade. We’ve profiled three common positions in this area, but there are many others and will continue to be as Cyber Security grows and develops.

All of the following information comes from the Bureau of Labor Statistics:

Computer Network Architect:

• The 2019 median salary for these roles was $112,690, or $54.18 per hour.
• In 2018 there were 159,300 people in these roles, which was predicted to jump by 5% between 2018-28. This increase would create 8,400 new jobs.
• The top 10% of Computer Network Architects earned over $168,390 in 2019. Areas associated with higher pay include working for insurance carriers, computer systems design work, and management roles.

Software Developer/Engineer:

• In 2019 Software Developers/Engineers had a median salary of $105,590, or $50.77 per hour.
• There were 1,365,500 people in these roles in 2018. This was expected to jump by 21%, creating 284,100 new positions.
• The top 10% of earners in these roles made more than $161,290 in 2019. Higher pay correlated with those working for software publishers, manufacturing, and finance, and insurance.

Information Security Analysts:

• In 2019 the median salary for these workers was $99,730, or $47.95 per hour.
• There were 112,300 of these jobs in 2018. This was predicted to increase by a whopping 32% between 2018-28, creating 35,500 new jobs.
• The top 10% of ISAs earned over $158,860 in 2019. Areas associated with higher pay include finance and insurance, computer systems design and related services, and information careers.

There you have it! Remember, there are many other positions within Cyber Security. These are just the ones that you can find robust and reliable data on. By earning a Bachelor’s or above in Cyber Security, you’ll be set up to work in many different positions.

We hope you’ve found this guide thoughtful, constructive, and a useful means to decide whether Cyber Security is right for you if you’ve used it to make an educational or career plan, even better! Please check back soon to see our frequently updated content. Have a great day!

For Further Reading: 

What Degree Do I Need to Be a Policy Analyst?

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What is Sociology?

It is the study of human behavior and relationships in a social setting. These settings could involve small groups, institutions, religions, organizations, different cultures, and more. Sociologists analyze how consequences and events in society affect individuals in the collective sense. For example, how does crime, poverty, discrimination, family violence, aging, and religion influence society?

Sociologists observe, interview, examine, and conduct surveys to determine how the above elements in society shape human lives. Researchers in this field require writing and communication skills, critical thinking, analytical skills, and creativity.

What is Social Work?

Social work deals with many of the same factors as sociology that affect human behavior. Crime, poverty, aging, domestic violence, substance abuse, and racial inequality are all components that can adversely affect individuals. A social worker assesses the impact of these circumstances to help people cope with daily life.

Social workers may counsel with one person and many in their hands-on approach. These professionals help people deal with emotional and behavioral issues. In this endeavor, there are specialties, such as child and family, public health, mental health, substance abuse, and aging or geriatrics.

Degrees

For sociology, you can begin with either a Bachelor of Arts or Science. One of the differences in the two options is that the B.S. degree aims at students considering a graduate program. An Arts program provides a foundation into the organization of societies and sociological fundamentals. The B.A. may suit students who use their degree in other areas than sociology.

Generally, there are commonalities in the coursework of the B.A. and B.S. in sociology. Some of the standard topics in both are statistics, race and ethnicity, gender sociology, poverty, and social class. Depending on the curriculum, there may be less mathematics in the Arts program. Math, and in particular statistics, is imperative because quantification is an essential aspect of sociology. A course in research methods explores the collection, integration, analyzation, and reporting of data.

RELATED: Top 10 Highest Paying Social Science Jobs

The curriculum may differ concerning the subject of math in a bachelor’s degree in social work. Except for the possibility of a math course in the school’s General Requirements, you can avoid additional math classes. The Bachelor of Arts in Social Work (BASW) at the University of Pittsburgh has no math courses.

Similarly, a Bachelor of Science in Social Work entails no mathematics. The exception found in one program refers to a math prerequisite before enrolling in the Research Methods class at Bowling Green State University’s College of Health and Human Services. Therefore, you should carefully review the coursework of schools on your preferred list.

Another difference in a sociology major is the choice of taking a Bachelor of Arts and Science. The College of Professional Studies at Dallas Baptist University offers this degree. Some of the classes in their General Studies 39 to 49 credits include natural science, religion, kinesiology, social science, English, mathematics, and Fine Art.

Licensure

A significant difference between the two disciplines is the selection of a social work program that leads to professional licensure. Each state has its regulatory board, which you can find at the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB). To become a Licensed Bachelor of Social Work (LBSW), you need an undergraduate degree in social work and pass the ASWB examination.

Licensure raises another difference. For social work, you should attend a program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). The CSWE sets standards for social work education, which includes over 750 bachelors and master’s degrees in the United States. As you advance your degree, there are various requirements and licenses. For example, a Clinical Social Worker must have a Master’s (MSW) in most states. In contrast, there is no licensure for sociology.

Careers

There are many similarities in employment opportunities for both sociology and social work graduates with a baccalaureate. Education, government and public administration, public policy, family issues, race relations, and criminal justice are potential areas.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) states that sociologists will experience a 9% growth rate through 2028. However, this equates to only a change in 3,000 jobs for the ten-year period of 2018-28. The BLS reports the median income as of May 2018 at $82,050.

The BLS numbers see a big difference in the number of job changes over the same ten years. Employment openings for social workers is predicted to be 707,400 or an 11% growth rate (2018-28). More jobs but less money. The BLS has its median wage at $49,470 (May 2018).

Both salaries based on a master’s degree.

Related Resources

What Salary Can You Earn With a Master’s in Social Work Degree?

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What Masters in Social Work Salary Can I Expect After I Earn My Degree?

The post What is the Difference between a Degree in Sociology and Social Work? appeared first on DegreeQuery.com.

Academic Roles in Criminology

One type of career path you will find in criminology that isn’t common with a criminal justice degree is a role in academia. Fitting under the category of sociology, according to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), criminology is primarily a social science. Criminologists who work in academic roles spend their time teaching at colleges and universities and, often, engaging in social science research at those institutions. Both teaching and research responsibilities allow you to contribute to the field of criminology in meaningful ways – such as by educating the next generation of professionals in sociology and criminal justice and by shedding light on previously undiscovered data about the relationship between social community and crime.

RELATED: Top 10 Highest Paying Social Science Jobs

Research topics in criminology often include how matters like health care access and unemployment contribute to crime and how crime and incarceration affect the health and economic prospects of a community.

Criminology and Forensic Consulting Roles

Despite its academic nature, criminology has important applications in real-life crime situations. Criminologists may consult with law enforcement personnel to help guide their criminal investigations. They may testify at trials as expert witnesses, either for the prosecution or the defense. A criminologist may have some responsibility for criminal profiling, although this work often is not as exciting or as prevalent as is appears in television representations. In fact, the topics of consultation in the case of many consulting criminologist jobs are much more mundane, including security measure recommendations for private companies and policies for improving public safety and crime prevention initiatives.

Some students leverage an undergraduate degree in criminology to pursue further studies in forensic psychology, a discipline that involves applying the psychological principles involved in understanding thought and behavior to criminal and legal matters.  

Careers in Criminal Investigation

If you plan to work in a field involving criminal investigation, understanding the social factors that contribute to crime can make an impact in your daily work. Individual factors still matter, of course, but placing them in context of the social factors at work can help investigators understand a perpetrator’s motives, resources and potentially even whereabouts. You may benefit from choosing a degree in criminology if you aspire to work as a private investigator, a police detective, or even an insurance investigator, fraud investigator or compliance investigator. Some intelligence analysts also benefit from approaching criminal activities from a perspective of complex sociological factors. Of course, being able to understand statistical data trends and interpret the reasons behind them is no substitute for the skills of observation and deduction needed to solve a crime, or for the technical abilities to collect, preserve and analyze evidence.

Some students of criminology become criminalists – another word for forensic science technicians, or crime scene investigators (CSIs), who use the principles of natural sciences to analyze evidence from a crime scene.

Traditional Criminal Justice Careers

Thanks to the interdisciplinary nature of a criminology program of study, this degree is suitable for many different jobs for which a background in criminal justice would be expected. The subjects of study in criminology are relevant to law enforcement roles like police patrol officer and federal agent. Probation and corrections officers, too, may opt to pursue studies in criminology rather than criminal justice. Despite the field’s focus on the sociological principles the apply to crime, criminology programs include some coursework traditionally found in criminal justice curricula, including law and legal process, law and society, principles of criminal justice, law and legal process and criminal law and procedure.

Some aspiring criminal defense lawyers or district attorneys major in criminology as undergraduates before going to law school. Although criminology isn’t specifically sought after by law schools, the major provides a strong foundation in the study of crime.

Related Resources: 

What Can I Do With a Criminology Degree?

What Does It Mean to Study Criminology?

What Are My Degree Choices in Fraud Analysis?

Statistics Jobs: What Kind of Job Can You Get With a Degree in Statistics?

For Further Reading:

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The Difference Between a Master of Law and a Juris Doctor

Earning your Juris Doctor degree was a vital step – arguably, the single most important step – toward becoming a lawyer. This education is the foundation that prepares you to practice law and qualifies you to sit for the bar examination. Master of Law degrees hold a different place in career training, especially for candidates who are already attorneys. On their own, these degrees will not allow you to become an attorney. Instead, they can help you delve deeper into advanced study of the law. This could mean immersing yourself in a specialization of legal practice, such as business and commercial law, intellectual property law, cybersecurity law, criminal justice and civil litigation. The curriculum of a Master’s of Law degree also places more emphasis on the theoretical underpinnings of law, as opposed to the skills and knowledge needed for professional practice, according to U.S. News & World Report.

There are different types of graduate degrees in law and legal studies, so it is important that attorneys considering going back to school choose the option that best meets their needs. Generally, established lawyers should look for a Master of Laws, or LLM, degree rather than a program with the title Juris Master (JM), Master of Science in Laws (MSL) or Master of Legal Studies (MLS) program, the Law School Admission Council reported. These non-LLM master’s programs in legal studies are interdisciplinary programs intended to provide non-lawyers with a legal foundation.

Both LLM programs and non-lawyer master’s programs in legal studies can often be completed in just one year of full-time study.

What a Master of Law Can Do for You

Generally, a Master of Law degree is optional. You can have a lifetime of career success as a lawyer in many different fields and work environments without ever feeling that you have missed out on an opportunity because you didn’t have a Master of Law degree. The exception is if you studied law and became a practicing attorney in a country outside of the United States and Canada but later decided to immigrate to these countries. The LLM is the typical step required for international attorneys to meet the qualifications to practice law in the United States and Canada. Barring this situation, pursuing your LLM is completely voluntary – but that doesn’t mean earning the degree isn’t worthwhile.

In the United States and across the globe, having your LLM degree is associated with a greater likelihood of being promoted to partner, particularly at large international law firms. It can also function as a stepping stone into certain competitive career roles, like government jobs, according to U.S. News & World Report. It may seem that an LLM degree is all about moving up to higher-level roles, but in fact, there are numerous reasons to consider an LLM program. If you have academic interests in the law, pursuing your LLM can offer you research opportunities that you wouldn’t have as an attorney engaging only in traditional legal practice. The curriculum specialization is what most appeals to many LLM students. You might choose to get your master’s degree so you can branch out into a new specialization that interests you or simply become more adept at handling cases in your current specialization.

Will you make more money by earning your LLM degree? This question remains a subject of debate. Salary reporting websites like PayScale report a difference in average salary as high as $45,000 per year between workers with their LLM and those with their JD. However, the site also reports an average wage for JD holders – $88,000 – that is much lower than the $120,910 median, or midpoint, wage reported by the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Ultimately, while getting your LLM degree may improve your earning potential, the advanced degree is more likely to help you climb to high-paying senior-level roles than to increase your earning potential in and of itself.

A non-lawyer degree like a Master of Legal Studies can help professionals in many fields move into senior-level roles, such as senior contract negotiator, human resources manager, senior business analyst, compliance director and operations director.

Additional Resources

20 Non-Law Firm Jobs With a Law Degree

Top 25 Law Schools

What Degree Do You Need to Be a Lawyer?

Is a Law Degree Helpful in Getting a Job in Criminal Justice?

What Jobs, Other Than Being a Lawyer, Will Having a Law Degree Help Me?

What Can I Do With a Law Degree?

20 Non-Law Firm Jobs with a Law Degree

What Salary Can You Expect With a Master’s Degree in Criminal Justice?

The post Is There Value in Getting a Master’s of Law If I’m Already a Lawyer? appeared first on DegreeQuery.com.

Political science or polisci, as colleges often refer to the term as, is a social science that includes the analysis of political systems, political thoughts and ideologies, and political behavior, to name a few. Another word you may encounter in this field is politology, whose synonym is political science. Either term also encompasses the cultural and psychological factors that influence the governments. Other subjects of discussion involving political science are philosophy, economics, theology, history, and law.

The precursors of modern political science are rooted in philosophy from familiar names as Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle. The trio expounded on political thought through the analysis of military and governmental leadership from leaders as Julius Caesar. Emperor Marcus Aurelius (121-180) inadvertently became a political philosopher by writing The Meditations, which remains a source of inspiration and guiding light for many today.

Bachelor’s Degree

For this degree, most institutions have a preponderance of classes devoted to politics, in some form or other. As examples:

American National Government:  Students will need a firm grasp of the U.S. constitution democracy, political parties, and administrative groups.

Political Ideologies: The course material will vary; however, some of the topics might include Marxism, liberalism, conservatism, and dictatorships.

Comparative Politics or Government:  A popular subject in the field that analyses and compares how society functions under the banner of different government styles and methods. The material and lectures may examine the strengths and weaknesses of current political systems.

Public Administration:  You may explore the evolution of the bureaucratic state, the purpose of administrators, federalism, war powers, Presidential authority in the U.S., taxation, government spending, and election process.

Judicial System:  How does the U.S. legal system compare to other nations? How does the current system work as a cog in the grander political machinery of the country? Students may also explore how courts work, the role of judges, the organization of states and federal courts, and the criminal justice involvement in politics. Some schools refer to this area of polisci as the Judicial Process.

Human Rights:  On the surface, this may appear to be a class that deviates from politics, per se. However, it generally involves human and civil rights as they relate to economic and cultural influences.

Where a student may branch into courses unrelated to politics is in the college’s core curriculum. These are classes required by the institution to satisfy your graduation eligibility. At Texas Woman’s University in Denton, Texas, a sample of their core work includes composition, mathematics, physical sciences, language, and history. The school offers the choice of a Bachelor of Science or Arts in Political Science. The core classes are similar for both degrees.

Another way to take a tack away from programs weighted in politics is to combine political science with an emphasis in Secondary Education. Boise State University has such an undergraduate degree for those interested in teacher education. Examples of classes in this concentration are:

• Writing and Rhetoric
• Oral Communication
• Mathematics
• Applied Science course with lab
• Education and Schooling
• Teaching Secondary School Social Studies

The Boise program does incorporate polisci courses, namely American Politics, International Relations, and Comparative Politics.

Why?

Why so many classes with politics as the theme? The obvious answer is because when you select a college major, the coursework will concentrate on that particular major. After all, you most likely chose that area of study to learn as musk as possible during the undergraduate program. Moreover, looking to a future career as a political analyst, legislative assistant, public relations specialist, political campaign staff member, or political consultant, your knowledge of all things in the political realm will boost your chance of success.

Master’s Degree

At the graduate level, as your education proceeds, the emphasis of classes is entirely committed to politics, government, and diplomacy, for example. You may have a course in Economics and Public Policy, which focuses on how economic decisions and policies affect society. Financial markets, trade, debt, taxation, and the International Monetary Fund are possible areas of study.

A choice you may face is whether you want a thesis or non-thesis program in the master’s program. Sam Houston State University offers the option of either in its Master of Arts in Political Science. The thesis is shorter, with 30 hours of classes versus the non-thesis of 36 hours.

Conclusion

Politics, by definition, is the science or art of governmental policy, influences, and activities concerning the operation of a government. Therefore, college courses will explore all aspects of how and what makes government vital in society, past, and present. Outside of core or general requirement courses, yes, the classes will hone in on learning about politics.

Related Resources: 

Top Highest Paying Social Science Careers

Which is better in the field of political science: advanced college degree or practical experience?

What are some of the possible fields to work with my political science degree?

Why does it seem so many people with a degree in Political Science go on to get a law degree?

Is Washington D.C. the only place where a significant number of jobs are available for a Political Science major to work?

For Further Reading:

What Degree Do I Need to Become a Lighting Designer?

Top 10 Graduate Degree Programs in Criminal Justice

The post Does a Political Science student study things other than politics? appeared first on DegreeQuery.com.

GRE stands for Graduate Record Examination, which is a multiple-choice, computer-based examination often used as a prerequisite for graduate programs. Typically, the exam applies to individuals applying for a master’s in business, MBA, J.D. degree, or doctoral degree in a business-related specialty. The test is not indigenous to the United States; schools around the world require the GRE.

The Educational Testing Service (ETS) has an extensive list of learning institutions across the globe offer the GRE. Alphabetically, the countries begin with Argentina and end with Zimbabwe. For each country, there is the name of the school that has the GRE; those with an asterisk do not have a graduate program. Zimbabwe is one such country.

According to the ETS-GRE bulletin of 2019-20, there is a General Test and a subject-specific test. This test measures an undergraduate’s grasp and background in these disciplines:

• Biology
• Chemistry
• Literature in English
• Mathematics
• Physics
• Psychology

What does the GRE General Test measure?

The exam consists of three scores:

• Verbal Reasoning has a score range of  130–170 comprised of two-thirty minute tasks
• Quantitative Reasoning has the same score range. It consists of two-forty minute sections with 25 questions each
• Analytical Writing has a score range of 0–6. There are two separately timed sections of 30 minutes each.

Verbal reasoning tests the student’s ability to analyze writing skills and critical thinking, as well as the ability to express and draw conclusions from complex ideas. The test also assesses the student’s reading comprehension through the understanding of entire texts and the author’s intent literally and figuratively.

The quantitative portion of the GRE demands mathematical skills in arithmetic, algebra, geometry, and data analysis. Generally, the difficulty of the questions is at the high school level.

The Analytical Writing or essay section measures how well the student articulates thoughts and the quality of the responses.

Examples of colleges and universities requiring the GRE

Florida State University (FSU) offers a Master of Science in Criminology at the Tallahassee campus. Students must meet all of the admission requirements before acceptance into this one-year graduate program. These are:

• A GPA of at least 3.25 in your undergraduate degree
• GRE score between 148 and 160 on the verbal test
• Three letters of recommendation from professors associated with your Bachelor’s degree
• A 300-500 word essay outlining your career goals, your background, and the reasons for the interest in criminology and criminal justice

The School of Arts and Sciences Department of Criminology at the University of Pennsylvania requires graduate program applicants to have the GRE within the past five years (no score mentioned). The Master of Science in Criminology, as well as all graduate degrees, has this requirement. UPenn also has the same stipulation as FSU – three reference letters from professors must accompany your application.

The School of Economic, Political, and Policy Sciences at the University of Texas Dallas offers a Master of Science in Criminology to those with a GPA of at least 3.2. A baccalaureate in sociology, criminology, or a related discipline is preferred. Admission also requires a combined score of 300 on the verbal and quantitative GRE tests.

Barton College, founded in 1902, is situated in Wilson, North Carolina. The 65-acre campus has an undergraduate enrollment of 976 students and 83 in graduate programs. One of which is a Master of Science in Criminology and Criminal Justice Sciences or MSCCJS. Their admission details make no mention of the GRE test. The institution emphasizes GPA and prior courses to qualify for admission.

Applicants to Barton with no CCJS courses may need up to 12 hours of undergraduate coursework. Alumni with a B.S. in CCJS require a GPA of 3.0 or higher in this major and an overall GPA of 2.75 or more.

The School of Criminology, Criminal Justice and Emergency Management at California State University-Long Beach has a Master of Science in Criminology and Criminal Justice. Their admission requirements give applicants choices. As evidence of your aptitude for a graduate degree, you may submit ONE of the following:

1. Your GRE test result on the writing section should have a score of 4.0 or higher (0 to 6 scale).
2. Your official test score on the Law School Admissions Test or LSAT
3. Applicants may forgo the standardized tests by providing one or two writing examples that demonstrate the abilities of critical thinking, research, and writing proficiency.

Conclusion

The GRE test as a prerequisite for admission into a graduate program can vary by department. For example, Princeton University eliminated the GRE requirement in 14 of its academic departments. The school believes this creates a more diverse student population. In addition, many professors opine that the test is not an accurate predictor of academic success.

Worth noting – students who prefer to avoid the GRE tests will likely find more schools not requiring the test scores in criminal justice graduate programs. This specialty is more plentiful than institutions offering criminology.

Additional Resources

Top 10 Graduate Degree Programs in Criminal Justice

How Do I Apply to the FBI?

What Are the Positives and Negatives of Working for the FBI?

What Is Involved in the Background Check to Join the FBI?

How fast can I earn a degree in Criminal Justice?

What Government Jobs are there with a Criminal Justice Degree?

Top 25 Law Schools

The post Which Master’s programs under the heading of Criminology do or don’t require the GRE? appeared first on DegreeQuery.com.

This scientific impulse — to question how the world works, and proceed to find answers in a methodical way — is behind almost all of the scientific breakthroughs that make our world what it is today.

And luckily for you, there are more paths to scientific education as well as more jobs in the sciences than ever before.

Here at DegreeQuery we’ve worked with students and potential students of almost every subject matter; many of them hoping to study science. We’ve answered all sorts of questions revolving around science education. And the one that comes up more than any other is “what can I do with a degree in science?”

So here we are, outlining many of the paths you can take to become a scientist (or one of the many related roles) through pursuing a scientific education. First off, let’s look at what exactly a degree in science is.

Check out our list of FAQs below, or proceed down the page for our guide on what can I do with a science degree?

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What Types of Science Degrees Are There?

The short answer: there are many degrees you can gain in the sciences.

Much like “humanities” or “technology” degrees, science encompasses many, many disciplines at the university level. Science degrees also fall into the categories of applied degrees — centered on learning skills specifically for a job — and research degrees focused on obtaining and sharing new knowledge in your field.

Science degrees can be broken down into a few large groups including social sciences, hard sciences, and applied sciences. Let’s take a look at what degrees fall into these categories below:

Common Social Sciences in University Settings

• Anthropology
• Cognitive Science
• Criminology
• Cultural studies
• Development studies
• Economics
• Education
• Environmental studies
• Gender and sexuality studies
• Geography
• History
• Information science
• Law
• Library science
• Linguistics
• Management
• Political science
• Psychology
• Public administration
• Social work
• Sociology

Social science degrees apply scientific methods to questions related to society and relationships between individuals. Questions considered by social sciences can include things like:

• Why are some people better at dealing with adversity?
• What are the best ways to promote productivity among workers?
• Why do small children babble?
• What are the most efficient ways to promote voter turnout?

As you can see, social sciences cover a wide variety of inquiries. Though all social science inquiries (and fields of study) are centered around the study of individuals and society.

Natural Sciences
Natural Sciences (often called “hard” sciences) focus on applying modes of scientific inquiry to the natural world (and beyond). While hard sciences don’t specifically focus on answering questions about society and individuals, many “hard” science discoveries have greatly impacted us all.

Examples of discoveries in the natural sciences include:

• The discovery of penicillin
• The law of gravity
• The discovery of other planets in our solar system
• The untangling of the human genome
• “Why” we get stomach flu
• And many other questions

There are many specializations within the natural sciences, as well as many more applied degrees that relate to the natural sciences. A quick list of natural science degrees available at the university level includes the following:

• Astronomy
• Physics
• Chemistry
• Biology
• Atmospheric Science
• Oceanography
• Geology
• Materials Science

(Learn more about the highest-paying jobs with a biology degree.)

Within each of the above fields of study, there are many subdisciplines. But broadly speaking most of the natural sciences fall into one of the above.

Applied Sciences
Applied sciences take the lessons and methods of social or natural sciences and apply them so as to solve a particular type of problem.

Many applied sciences are multidisciplinary. For example, nursing science may look at social sciences including management and psychology, as well as natural sciences like chemistry and biology. Depending on their focus, engineers may regularly apply knowledge from chemistry, physics, geology, or materials science.

There are too many branches of applied science to go over in our current article. But some of the most common applied sciences are listed below:

• Engineering Fields
• Business Fields
• Medical Fields
• Counseling Fields
• Educational Fields

What Can You Do With a Degree in Science?

The short of it is a lot. The longer answer is a little more complex and depends on what type of degree you hold.

Holding a degree in science, particularly one denoted by the word science in the type of degree (ex: Bachelor’s in Science, or Master’s in Science) is emblematic of a number of things.

People that hold degrees in science are viewed as…

• Having an understanding of the scientific method
• Having the ability to read and process data and come to conclusions
• Being quantitatively bright
• Having the ability to communicate complex scientific concepts
• Being well-rounded thinkers suited for many challenging and rewarding roles
• Having an understanding of current literature in their field of study (depending on degree level)

What this means is that science majors are suited for jobs both inside and outside of science. Science degrees prepare students with quantitative skills as well as the ability to communicate. While switching to a role outside of the field of science you studied in will mean some on-the-job learning, most employers prefer candidates that show the potential for quantitative reasoning, ability to learn new skills, and the ability to communicate. Science degrees prepare you in all three of these areas.

Additionally, science degrees can prepare you for a career in the field that you studied in. Unlike some other degrees (such as some in the arts and humanities) where there aren’t as many jobs in the field as there are graduates, there’s a shortage of skilled science workers.

Some of the most in-demand and under-staffed careers related to science today include the following:

• Biologists
• Biomedical Engineers
• Physicists
• Chemists
• Science Teachers
• Geologists
• Nuclear Engineers
• Computer Scientists
• Data Scientists

A Day in the Life of a Scientist

Scientists work a variety of settings, including governmental labs, hospitals, engineering firms, for pharmaceuticals, in university settings, and in the criminal justice system.

For this reason, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that the “average day” of a scientist means many different things.

What is clear is that scientists — more than potentially any other field — are often involved with research. The scientific method, after all, is a method of conducting experiments to verify hypotheses. And this is precisely what many scientists are employed to do.

Additionally, some scientists may be employed to interpret data, to teach those of less advanced scientific knowledge, to present scientific findings, or to help apply scientific findings to make products of solutions.

Below we’ve listed the most common locations of employment by type of scientist:
Most Common Employment Locations for Chemists

• Pharmaceutical and Medical Manufacturing
• Chemical Manufacturing
• Scientific Research

Most Common Employment Locations for Physicists

• Scientific Research
• Federal Labs
• University Settings

Most Common Employment Locations for Biologists

• Federal Government
• University Settings
• Scientific Research

Most Common Employment Locations for Geologists

• Architecture and Engineering Firms
• Oil and Gas Extraction
• Scientific Consulting

Most Common Employment Locations for Psychologists

• Elementary and Secondary Schools
• Health Practitioner Offices
• Individual and Family Services

Most Common Employment Locations for Economists

• Federal Government
• Scientific Research
• Scientific Consulting

Most Common Employment Locations for Material Scientists

• Scientific Research
• Architecture and Engineering Firms
• Management of Companies

Career Outlook for Scientists

Technological advancements may be replacing workers in some fields, but scientists are responsible for making, honing, and maintaining these technological advancements. In short, even if automation takes many, many jobs, scientists will still be needed to create and maintain automation tools.

What this means is that scientific careers are some of the safest you can enter for job stability and earnings.

Below we’ll list the current number of jobs in a variety of scientific fields, as well as the percentage increase in job numbers expected by 2026.

• Physicists: 19,900 (+14%)
• Chemists and Material Scientists: 96,200 (+7%)
• Biologists: 19,400 (+8%)
• Psychologists: 166,600 (+14%)
• Geologists: 32,000 (+14%)
• Economists: 21,300 (+6%)

(Source)
Aside from job security, job satisfaction is also important. A number of comprehensive job satisfaction studies have been completed in the last few years. A prominent job satisfaction survey made note of median salary, stress levels, work environment and projected growth in a number of fields.

The top-ranked jobs for job satisfaction that involve a great deal of science include the following (of the top 25 out of 200 jobs surveyed):

• #2 – Medical Services Manager
• #3 – Operations Research Analyst
• #5 – Data Scientist
• #6 – University Professor
• #12 – Biomedical Engineer
• #14 – Dental Hygienist
• #15 – Diagnostic Medical Sonographer
• #17 – Audiologist
• #18 – Dietitian
• #20 – Optometrist
• #21 – Meteorologist
• #23 – Economist

Science Degree Levels and Types

What you can do with a science degree ultimately depends on what science degree you pursue. Below we’ll work through some of the most common science degree types (and levels) with the aim of informing you as to what you may be able to do with a degree.

Psychology Degrees

Psychology is one of the most popular undergraduate science degrees. At the undergraduate level, psychology degrees prepare you for grad school, can open some doors for entry-level psychology jobs, and generally make you a well-rounded thinker, writer, and speaker. These skills are transferable to a wide range of jobs or graduate school opportunities.

Psychology degrees are available at the associate’s through doctoral levels. There are pros and cons to each level of psychology schooling, and they can lead to many different work settings, from elementary schools to private practice, to research hospitals.

Associates degrees in psychology require around 60 credit hours for completion, and most students complete their course of study in 1.5-2.5 years (with 2 being a “normal” pace). Students obtain a solid general education through general education requirements. These requirements include entry-level courses in a wide range of fields with the end goal of ensuring students know how to read, write, perform critical thinking and communicate clearly.

After general education requirements, an associates degree in psychology may include courses such as the following:

• Introduction to Psychology
• Abnormal Psychology
• Psychology of Substance Abuse
• Human Growth and Development
• Research Methods in Psychology
• And several electives

For those that wish to work in psychology roles, associates degrees are generally “transferred into” bachelor’s level programs. This allows students to obtain bachelor’s degrees at most colleges in as little as two years.

Bachelor’s degrees in psychology are one of the most common science degrees out there. These degrees can prepare you for some entry-level psychology jobs, though for those seeking to work one-on-one with clients in a clinical or counseling psychology role, more advanced degrees are required.

Bachelor’s in psychology degrees start with the same general education requirements that associates degrees require. They then proceed with some combination of the following courses:

• Human Growth and Development
• Abnormal Psychology
• Psychology of Personality
• Biological Psychology
• Cognitive Psychology
• Research Methods in Psychology
• Multicultural Psychology
• Learning Theories
• Industrial Organizational Psychology
• Statistics for Psychology
• Several Electives
• Capstone or Research Project

You can enter the psychology field with a bachelor’s in psychology, proceed to another field, or enter grad school. Some psychology-centered roles you may be able to perform with a bachelor’s in psychology include case manager positions, technicians, counselors (not performing one-on-one counseling), and rehab specialists.

Master’s degrees in psychology prepare students for school counseling roles, career counseling roles, organizational and industrial psychology roles, and in some states can lead to licensure as counseling psychologists. For students that wish to become clinical psychologists, doctoral degrees are often required.

At the master’s level, psychology degrees typically begin to specialize more. Students may specialize in degrees leading to a specific job such as forensic psychology or organizational industrial psychology. Other students may pursue master’s level degrees that are stepping stones to doctoral degrees. These degrees include master’s focused on clinical psychology and counseling psychology.

School psychologists comprise a large number of psychologists that practice with master’s degrees. A number of degree options are available to those seeking to become school psychologists or counselors. Some are more education-centered, while others focus on developmental psychology or a specific psychological school of thought. Most states have slightly different standards required for school psychologists to gain a license.

Doctoral degrees for psychology are primarily offered through three degrees: Ph.D. programs, Ed.D. programs, and Psy.D. programs. As with most disciplines, Ph.D. programs seek to prepare students to perform original research and teach at the university level (if they so choose).

Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D.) degrees are professional doctorates that — while terminal degrees — do not primarily seek to prepare recipients to teach at the university level. These degrees often do not require a dissertation, and instead, focus on applied skills related to psychology jobs.

Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) degrees with psychological focus are sometimes research doctorates and sometimes professional doctorates. These degree programs look at psychology through the lens of education and can help to prepare school psychologists.

Chemistry Degrees

Chemistry degrees are offered primarily at the bachelor’s through doctoral levels. Entry-level chemist positions are available after a bachelor’s degree. Related degrees such a bachelor’s in chemical engineering or biochemistry can lead to related roles.

In research settings, graduate-level chemistry degrees are more common, with many prestigious research labs only employing Ph.D.’s as full chemists. As with most science degrees, paths into teaching are available at almost every degree level, though a Ph.D. is often required to teach at the university level.

Bachelor’s in Chemistry degrees provide one of the strongest natural science backgrounds one can achieve at the undergraduate level. These degrees can prepare you for a wide range of graduate schools including chemistry, medical school, biochemistry, or engineering.

As with other bachelor’s-level degrees, degrees in chemistry require around 120 semester credit hours for graduation. The course of study often begins with general education requirements. These requirements are not within the field of chemistry, though aim to ensure that graduates are well-rounded in their university knowledge, can think critically, can read and write well, and are articulate.

Once into the major courses, chemistry majors will often take some arrangement of the following courses:

• Intro to Biology
• Organismal Biology
• General Chemistry
• Chemistry for Engineers
• Organic Chemistry
• Analytical Chemistry
• Biochemistry
• Corresponding Lab Courses for Much of the Above
• A number of electives

What a Master’s degree in chemistry students can begin to specialize more thoroughly. Generally speaking, chemistry master’s degrees are applied, with students looking to pursue original research opting for doctoral programs. At the masters level, chemistry students will often gain a more advanced understanding of chemical research methods, and will focus on one area of applied chemistry. Examples of specializations at the master’s level can include the following:

• Analytical Chemistry
• Biochemistry
• Inorganic Chemistry
• Organic Chemistry
• Polymer Chemistry
• Physical Chemistry

Additionally, some courses of study will focus chemistry education, clinical biochemistry, chemical engineering, or applied chemistry generally.

Master’s degrees can help you advance to senior research positions in chemistry depending on your location of work. They typically require 30 credit hours and may be completed in 2 years or less.

Doctoral degree in chemistry are typically gained through a Doctor of Philosophy (PH.D.) in chemistry degree. This means that chemistry doctorates are research doctorates that provide a central aim of helping doctoral candidates to perform original research and gain preparation for teaching at the university level.

Of course there are plenty of work settings outside of universities for Ph.D.’s in chemistry. But the fact that the Ph.D. is the main route to a doctorate in chemistry means that students seeking this degree should be prepared to spend several years performing original research to prepare their dissertation.

Physics Degrees

Physics degrees are primarily offered at the bachelor’s through doctoral levels, and can lead to employment in a variety of engineering, research, and laboratory settings. Some of the largest employers of physicists include the Federal Government, private engineering and architecture firms, and universities.

A bachelor’s degree in physics shares a great number of courses with mathematics and engineering degrees. It can be a great entry point into an engineering profession or lead to graduate school opportunities in a number of disciplines.

Bachelor’s in physics degrees require around 120 semester credit hours for graduation, with the first third of the course of study often consisting of general education requirements. General education requirements do not focus on the major at hand (physics), but instead, ensure that the degree candidate is well-rounded in their learning and ability to think critically.

Once students are into major courses in physics, the following courses are often offered at the undergraduate level:

• Physics for Engineering I and II
• Electronics
• Modern Physics
• Mechanics
• Electricity and Magnatism
• Optics and Waves
• Thermodynamics
• Quantum Mechanics
• Calculus I, II, and III
• Differential Equations
• Statistics

Furthermore, some bachelor’s in physics programs offer the ability to specialize. Common bachelor’s-level specializations include the following:

• Biophysics
• Teaching Physics
• Computation
• General Physics
• Radiation Physics

At the master’s level, many physics students may elect to pursue more applied coursework in engineering or architecture fields. For those seeking a master’s in physics specializations in applied topics are usually offered. Additionally, graduates of physics master’s-level programs are in a great position to gain admittance to a wide range of Ph.D. programs including astronomy, astrophysics, physics, neuroscience, or engineering.

Master’s degrees in physics typically require 2-3 years for completion. And often offer specializations including:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Electrical Engineering and Computer Science
• Engineering Science and Applied Mathematics
• Interdisciplinary Biological Sciences
• Mechanical Engineering
• Materials Science

Those that obtain master’s in physics find employment as senior engineers, in research settings, as founders of companies, or in teaching.

Finally, a doctorate in physics typically comes in one of two varieties: a doctor of philosophy (Ph.D.) in physics, or an applied doctorate such as a Doctorate of Engineering in a related discipline.

While doctoral candidates in both Ph.D. or D.Eng. programs may focus on a wide variety of physics-related topics, the main difference between the program types is that one is applied and one is research-based.

Ph.D. programs are built around the central goal of enabling students to perform original research in their field. Additionally, successful candidates in Ph.D. programs are expected to be able to teach at the university level upon graduation.

D.Eng. degrees offer a range of applied engineering-related degrees that are physics heavy. D.Eng. degrees with a focus on aerospace or (more broadly) engineering physics are common courses for those looking to work in engineering upon pursuing a physics-related Ph.D.

Geology Degrees

Geology degrees are in high demand in architecture, engineering, and oil and gas extraction fields. The entry-level degree required to enter many of these settings is a bachelor’s degree, with greater opportunities with a master’s or doctorate in geology.

A bachelor’s in geology degree generally requires around 120 semester credit hours and is completed in around 4 years. After general education requirements (around the first third of a degree, generally) that focus on aiding students to become well-rounded learners, major courses can include:

• Geology Laboratory
• History of the Earth
• Mineralogy
• Igneous and Metamorphic Petrology
• Sedimentology and Stratigraphy
• Structural Geology
• Watersheds
• Calculus I, II, and III
• Chemistry I and II
• Physics I and II
• A number of electives

While a number of career types can be available within geology after just a bachelor’s the primary hiring parties for those with a bachelor’s include the following:

• Smaller oil and gas companies (particularly during booms)
• Governmental or non-profit agencies
• Primary and Secondary Schools

To obtain employment in geological engineering or in major oil and gas companies, master’s or doctoral degrees in geology are needed.

We’ve covered geology in a number of pieces of content at DegreeQuery. Some of our favorites are listed below:

• 30 Great Outdoor Jobs that Require College Degrees
• The 50 Highest-Paying Bachelor’s Degrees
• What Degree Does a Mining and Geological Engineer Need?
• What Classes Will I Have to Take for a Degree in Petroleum Engineering

A master’s in geology typically offers specialization into one applied field of geology as well as preparation for future Ph.D. programs. Common specializations within geology master’s programs include the following:

• Solid Earth Geochemistry and Petrology
• Solid Earth Geophysics
• Sedimentary Basins and Palaeoclimate
• Water Resources
• Geological Engineering

For those seeking to pursue a doctorate in geology, the primary degree sought is a doctor of philosophy (Ph.D.) in geology. As a Ph.D., doctoral geology degrees have the primary aim of supporting original research from doctoral candidates as well as preparing doctoral candidates to teach at the university levels.

Thought those are the primary aims of Ph.D. programs, obtaining a Ph.D. in geology doesn’t “pigeon hole” one into academia. Rather, a wide variety of research positions as well as applied geology positions in oil, gas, and engineering value Ph.D.-holding geologists.

Economics Degrees

As with many of the social sciences, economics is a versatile study that can lead to jobs or graduate school in a wide variety of fields. Economics degrees are typically offered at the bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral levels.

At the bachelor’s-level of economics students pursue a four-year degree that often requires 120 credit hours of coursework. After general education courses (a well-rounded selection of courses meant to promote overall literacy and critical thinking) students proceed into more advanced major courses.

Typical courses offered at the bachelor’s level in economics include the following:

• Calculus I and II
• Statistics I and II
• Probability and Statistics in Engineering
• Economic Principles
• Microeconomics I and II
• Macroeconomics I and II
• Econometrics
• History of Economics
• Finance Electives
• Microeconomics Electives
• Macroeconomics Electives

While advanced degrees are typically required for jobs with economist in the title, a variety of related positions are available to those holding bachelor’s in economics degrees. Some of these jobs include secondary civics or economics teacher, bookeeper, accounting (with additional coursework), financial advisor, financial analyst, and a number of other positions.

We’ve covered economics degrees in great detail elsewhere on DegreeQuery. If you’re interested in pursuing a degree in economics, make sure to check out some of our other FAQs listed below:

• What Can I Do With a Degree in Economics
• What Degree Should an Actuary Have?

At the master’s level and beyond, those with economics degrees can begin to take on roles with economist in the title. Students at the master’s level typically pursue theoretical economics or some more applied subset of economics or econometrics. Common specializations within a master’s in economics degree include the following:

• Public Finance
• Labor Economics
• Health Economics
• Agricultural Economics
• Development Economics
• Financial Economics
• Industrial Economics
• or International Economics

Degrees typically require 10-24 months for completion depending on whether they are accelerated or not. Coursework at the master’s level varies depending on one’s specialization, but may include courses in the following:

• Graduate-Level Microeconomics
• Graduate-Level Macroeconomics
• Graduate-Level Econometrics
• Graduate-Level Data Analysis
• And a wide range of electives and research opportunities

Applied Science Degrees
While the above categories constitute some of the more popular social and natural science disciplines, a wide range of degrees incorporate science to some degree.

The most common applied science degrees include engineering, business, and health care related degrees. If you came across our page looking for any of these applied science disciplines, make sure to check out our coverage of these topics below:

• Business Degrees
• Engineering Degrees
• Health Care Degrees

For Further Reading: 

What Degree Do I Need to Be an Intelligence Analyst?

The post What Can I Do With a Degree in Science? appeared first on DegreeQuery.com.

What Is Involved in the Background Check to Join the FBI?

The background investigation comes at a precise point in the application process for a job role with the FBI. First, candidates find and apply for the position of their choosing, whether FBI Special Agent, Intelligence Analyst, forensic accountant or one of a variety of specialized career paths in fields ranging from science to business and from art to legal and medical. The FBI does complete a screening upon the submission of a job application. However, this screening is much less extensive than the full background check and focuses primarily on determining whether the candidate meets employment eligibility requirements.

Depending on your intended position, the application process may include written and physical fitness tests. Aspiring FBI Special Agents, for example, must complete two phases of testing during the application process which are not required for other specialized career paths and pass an Official Physical Fitness Test. After a potentially lengthy process that includes in-person interviews, the submission of required documents and any required testing, the FBI may extend a conditional offer of employment to a candidate. The primary condition that must be met is passing the background investigation and other relevant screenings. The FBI conducts a full background check only after a candidate has been offered conditional employment.

Joining the FBI is a lengthy endeavor, in large part because of the time needed to conduct an extensive background check. FBI background checks take 6 months on average but may take up to 18 months if necessary.

What’s Checked in an FBI Background Check

You can expect the background check for employment with the FBI to be thorough. After all, the background check is being conducted by the federal agency that’s responsible for investigating major matters of terrorism, violent crime, organized crime, cybercrime and many other high-level criminal offenses. The FBI has a great deal more resources and specialized skills when it comes to investigating the history of job candidates than your average prospective employer. Additionally, you’re not just applying for a job, but rather for a Top Secret security clearance that permits you to work for the agency – even in roles outside of the FBI Special Agent position.

As part of the background check, you will undergo in-person interviews and a polygraph examination, widely referred to as a “lie detector” test. The FBI will examine your credit history, including late payments and bills or loan repayments that are delinquent. Naturally, the agency will look at your record for any past criminal offenses. Part of what takes so long is the agency’s numerous interviews with people you know – ranging from your friends and neighbors to your college professors – even if you have been out of school for some time already – and your current or former colleagues.

To work for the FBI, you will also need to pass a drug test. The FBI has a strict drug policy. Although you won’t necessarily be disqualified from FBI employment solely based on having ever used illegal drugs (or legal ones in an unlawful manner) in the past, you must have been drug-free for quite some time – 10 years for most illegal drugs and 3 years for marijuana. A history of selling, making or distributing drugs may bar you from eligibility for FBI employment.

Marijuana use within the last three years counts against applicants for FBI employment even if the drug use occurred in a state that has legalized marijuana and if the drug was legally prescribed by an authorized medical professional.

Disqualifiers for FBI Employment

It doesn’t always take a full, months-long background check process for the FBI to rule out candidates whose applications are otherwise strong. A number of automatic disqualifiers exist that could eliminate consideration of your application, potentially early on in the process.

Because only legal citizens of the United States may work for the FBI, non-citizenship is a disqualifier – but it is one that, theoretically, could be addressed if the candidate applies for and completes the lengthy process of securing citizenship. Many of the other automatic disqualifiers, based on past offenses or violations, cannot be resolved to allow for future FBI employment. If you have a history of felony criminal conviction or if you previously were involved in any activities with the intention of overthrowing the federal government, for example, you may not join the FBI.

Other disqualifiers are financial in nature, such as failing to file your income tax returns, make court-ordered child support payments or maintain federal student loans in non-delinquent status.

Related Resources: 

How Do I Apply to the FBI?

What Are the Positives and Negatives of Working for the FBI?

Will a Master’s Degree Make Me Look More Attractive to the FBI?

What Degree Do I Need to Be a Crime Analyst?

What Degree Do I Need to Be an Intelligence Analyst?

For Further Reading: 

What Degree Do I Need to Be a Policy Analyst?

The post What Is Involved in the Background Check to Join the FBI? appeared first on DegreeQuery.com.

The selection of your degree, as mentioned above, is as vast as the different areas of employment. A shortlist of college majors is information security, IT security, computer science, network security, network engineering, cryptography, systems security, cybersecurity, and more. (Note that the words cyber security and cybersecurity are interchangeable).

RELATED: The 20 Best Masters in Cyber Security Online

Some degrees pair with a related discipline, creating a double major, of sorts. There isn’t a ‘best’ combination of majors or minors. Some pairings provide the education to expand your knowledge into the various facets of cybersecurity. The following is a random selection of bachelor’s degree options:

Cyber Forensics and Information Security

Courses involve the application of IT security tools, as well as the techniques to collect, analyze, preserve, and report on digital network evidence. Students learn about the technical aspect, for example, in courses covering system analysis, database management, digital media forensics, and network defense. Also, you may study security policies, ethical and legal environments of business, and white-collar crime.

The example above is a single major since it is one-degree incorporating coursework in the subjects of cyber forensics and information security. Individuals interested in these disciplines can find several colleges offering them. One example is the Bachelor of Science degree at Keiser University. Graduates of their program are eligible to sit for the Certified Systems Security Professional exam. A vital credential for anyone in the field of cybercrime.

An example of a good double major is in cybersecurity and computer science. These are complementary disciplines; however, they are not synonymous. Computer science involves all things related to computers, such as networks, hardware, system maintenance, programming, design, and applications. Cybersecurity uses computers to prevent, analyze threats, protect systems, and detect hackers.

Mount St. Mary’s University offers a pure double major in cybersecurity and computer science. Their Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity and CS is available through the School of Natural Science and Mathematics. The core requirements include a range of subjects, such as network administration and security, UNIX and Windows Systems, data structures, computer security, and cybersecurity electives, among others.

Online enthusiasts may prefer the University of Maryland’s lobal Campus (UMGC) bachelor’s degree in Computer Networks and Cybersecurity. Graduates of this 120-credits program will be versed in operational procedures and technologies to design, administer, implement, secure, and troubleshoot corporate networks. The coursework teaches network security, ethical hacking, Cisco devices, and digital forensics in the criminal justice system. The practical skills learned in this double major will enhance employment prospects in cybersecurity.

Anderson University offers a choice of double majors. You may combine a Bachelor of Arts in Cybersecurity with Computer Science, Criminal Justice, National Security Studies, and Accounting. Criminal justice takes you into criminal law, legal process, social problems, and social deviance. National security deals with homeland security, terrorism, political violence, and U.S. government safety concerns. The double major that includes accounting may interest individuals who want a career in accounting forensics and white-collar crime.

Soft Skills

Most jobs have an array of soft skills employers look for in potential hires. Recent or soon-to-be college graduates should not underestimate the power of soft skills. These skills are those not learned entirely in the classroom. One primary skill is effective communication. Despite your stellar academic achievements, employers desire verbal and written communication. Therefore, a minor in communications teaches students about public relations, advocacy, conflict resolution, and leadership.

Emotional intelligence is another skill that is transferable to the work environment. Industrial/organizational psychologists act as management consultants for corporations to increase self-awareness and empathy among employees. The knowledge obtained with a minor in psychology would apply to work in a group setting and dealing with different personalities.

Mathematics is another possibility as a minor; however, basic math may be sufficient for an entry-level position in cybersecurity. Binary math is integral to the operation of computers as run on binary data. This math specialty refers to the conversion of data into a group of ones and zeros. A course in algebra is also beneficial to understand binary math.

Philosophy may seem like an odd coupling with cybersecurity, but a minor in this subject teaches critical thinking. Some programs have a choice of customizing your interests. For example, chose courses from business, law, science, history, or psychology in your philosophy minor. Graduates typically have the ability to produce concise verbal statements, comprehensive writing skills, and construct arguments.

Conclusion

As expressed, there is not one major or minor that best suits a degree in cybersecurity. As mentioned in the opening, the diverse branches in this field translate to a host of subjects you can major in, double major in, or add as a minor with cybersecurity.

Additional Resources:

How fast can I earn a degree in Criminal Justice?

What is a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice?

What Is the Benefit of a Degree in Cybersecurity vs. Network Security?

How Advanced a Degree Do I Need to Work in Cryptography?

The post What are good subjects to double major or minor with Cyber Security? appeared first on DegreeQuery.com.

However, flexibility isn’t the only benefit of online learning. An online degree may also be the fastest degree to get.

If you’re thinking, “I need a degree fast,” you’re in luck. Our list of the quickest online degrees includes degree programs at every level – including certificate programs and associate degree to master’s degree and even doctorate programs – that allow students to fast-track their college education.

Some of these programs may be completed in just half the time it would usually take to finish your degree. The fastest online degree programs on our list include 18-month programs degrees and even, at some schools, 12-month degree programs.

Important Things to Know About Fast Online Degree Programs

There are a few important things students who want to get their degree fast should know about quick online degrees. 

Major Options for Online College Are Extensive

If you’re thinking about enrolling in an online school, you can’t just look for “the fastest degree.” You need to choose a major.

Today, many schools offer online courses in just about every subject. Examples of the areas of study you might explore through online classes include:

• Accounting
• Business administrationeas
• Computer science
• Corporate finance
• Creative writing
• Data analysis
• Engineering
• Environmental science
• Fire science
• Forensic psychology
• Homeland security
• Human resource management
• Human anatomy
• Human services
• Laboratory science courses (biology, physics, chemistry, etc.)
• Liberal arts
• Mathematics (algebra, calculus, etc.)
• Nursing
• Organizational leadership
• Political science
• Public speaking
• Social work
• Software engineering
• Supply chain management

Online learning is more of a good fit for some programs of study than others. If you need to develop extensive clinical, hands-on or technical skills in an offline environment, it may not be possible to complete a degree exclusively through online study. Instead, you might learn through online classes combined with simulation and/or in-person laboratory, clinical and fieldwork experiences.

Computer science degrees, naturally, lend themselves well to online instruction. It isn’t hard to find a course – or an entire degree program – in computer information technology, web development, programming or other areas of computer science that can be fully completed through online coursework. You may notice that our list of the fastest online degree programs includes schools that offer computer technology degree options.

On the other hand, nursing degrees, like an RN-to-BSN program, require considerable clinical training that can’t be completed completely online.

Still, if you’re committed to earning your degree online, you have options even in the medical field. For example, prospective students who care more about preparing for a whole in the healthcare industry than about becoming physicians or registered nurses specifically might instead opt for a major in health science or health care management. These fields would allow them to work in areas that don’t require as much clinical training, such as health promotion, public health and healthcare administration.

Fast bachelor degrees are some of the most widely offered accelerated online degree programs out there. You can also find fast online degrees at the associate’s level, the master’s level and the doctoral level, as well as accelerated certificate and certification programs.

Online Learning Isn’t Always Easy

The flexibility and the unique ability to progress at your own pace that distance learners enjoy may mitigate some of the challenges traditional students pursuing on-campus degrees face. However, if you go into your higher education journey expecting to breeze through “easy” online degree programs, you may be disappointed.

RELATED: The 20 Easiest Bachelor’s Degree Online Options

An online degree from a fully accredited school is the same degree that on-campus students earn. That means it requires the same amount of college credits. Often, online students complete the same courses as other students.

Even if there are some changes to the degree requirements for students pursuing their degrees in an online format, students pursuing their degrees online still have to complete as many general education courses and intermediate through advanced major coursework as students studying on campus.

In some ways, online degrees can be more difficult than traditional campus-based programs. You have to be disciplined and self-motivated to make sure you get your work done without the structure of regular meetings in a physical classroom and face-to-face interactions with professors.

In particular, if your goal is to earn your degree faster, you will have to cover more of the curriculum in a shorter time or continue your studies over numerous terms with few breaks.

Accreditation Matters

One of the most important factors in choosing an online degree program is making sure you enroll in an accredited university or college. Accreditation means that the institution has been determined to meet a set of standards of academic quality established by an outside organization.

Ideally, you should focus your online college search on schools that have acquired regional accreditation. The regional accrediting bodies recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) are:

• Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges (ACCJC) Western Association of Schools and Colleges
• Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
• Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
• New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE)
• Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU)
• Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
• WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC)

In addition to institutional accreditation, you may also need to look at programmatic accreditation. In certain fields of study, attending a program that hasn’t achieved accreditation from a programmatic accrediting body can have serious consequences. You may be unable to get the license required for the career you want.

The need for programmatic accreditation is most significant in careers that are licensed or otherwise highly regulated, such as careers in the healthcare field.

Who Can Benefit From Choosing Fast Online Degree Programs?

There are more accelerated online options than ever before. This means programs exist that can cater to or accommodate a more diverse student body. The fastest online degrees are a good choice for any student looking to get a degree quickly, including:

• First-time students
• Working professionals seeking career advancement in their lifelong career
• People who are re-tooling for a new career path (career changers)
• Former students who want to finish a degree they started years before

This isn’t an exhaustive list. Self-paced online degrees are a great option for anyone who needs flexibility or wants to benefit from the instruction of exceptional faculty members at a school that is too far away to reasonably commute to for in-person classes.

Each of the fast degree programs on our list is a great choice for someone who is eager to quickly gain the knowledge they need to qualify for popular jobs or increase their worth in the job market.

The Quickest Online Degree Programs

So many programs now offer the opportunity to earn fast online degrees on your own schedule.

How do we begin identifying the quickest degree to get online and the fastest degree programs online? 

Methodology

• Time Until Degree: the estimated time until a bachelors-level degree may be completed if students take advantage of all accelerating program components.
• Accreditation: All of the schools on our list of the … are regionally accredited by one of the seven regional accrediting organizations recognized by the CHEA.

The Fastest Online College Programs by Category

All of the programs below are fast. However, they provide the opportunity to obtain a degree quickly in different ways. Examples range from super-accelerated courses (the fastest) to programs that allow you to transfer tons of credit or shorten your degree based on work experience.

The online programs on our list of the quickest degrees to earn online fit into one (or more) of the following categories:

• Accelerated courses (generally, the fastest degree to get online)
• Fast degree programs online with shorter requirements overall 
• Personalized learning fast online degree programs
• The fastest online degree completion programs

Accelerated Courses

The fastest degree online programs offer a large variety of class start dates throughout the year. They may condense a full semester’s worth of study into a shorter duration. The course lengths available vary across schools, but examples include 5-, 6-, 10- or 12-week course lengths.

Short Total Program Length

Some programs offer a short expected time frame for degree completion thanks to generous transfer policies or alternative program structures.

Personalized Learning

Certain college programs may be completed at an extremely fast pace by leveraging credit for prior knowledge or experience. Students may be able to test out of classes, get credit for portfolios or use other personalized learning experiences to work toward their degrees.

Degree Completion or Bachelor/Masters Completion Programs

Some of the fastest online schools and programs offer an array of degree completion options. Schools also offer combined bachelor’s and master’s degrees in an accelerated and bundled format.

Check out the 30 fastest online degree programs below.

1. Liberty University Online

Liberty University offers a wide range of fully online bachelor’s level degree programs.

Students can accelerate their progress toward a degree through paths to obtain credit by examination, for military training, for professional training and life experience, through MOOCs, and through the submission of a portfolio.

Students at Liberty University can pursue 60 online bachelor’s degree programs and, depending on the program, may choose from numerous minors and concentrations.

View program details.

2. American Intercontinental University

American Intercontinental University offers an accelerated online program that tests students’ prior knowledge for credit. Credit for prior knowledge can be applied to both general education and core courses.

Students who are able to apply the full amount of prior learning credit through transfer credits, standardized tests, challenge exams and professional experience portfolios can reduce the credit hours (and time) needed to earn a degree by 75%. It’s possible for these students to complete their degree in just 9 months.

View program details.

3. Regis University

Regis University’s Center for Professional Studies offers courses in accelerated 5- or 8-week terms. Classes start six times per year.

If you’re close enough to attend some courses on campus, Regis offers a number of accelerated delivery methods, including campus-based, online, or directed study.

Regis University currently offers accelerated online bachelor’s degree programs in the following areas:

• Business administration
• Accounting
• Computer science
• Communication
• Elementary education

Depending on which degree you choose, you may be able to transfer between 66 and 90 credits earned through prior college studies, slashing the requirements for graduation to as much as one-half or even one-quarter.

View program details.

4. Albertus Magnus College

Albertus Magnus College offers a number of accelerated undergraduate courses of study for adult learners.

Students at this school take courses in six- and eight-week terms. To make the maximum progress toward your degree, take as many as three classes at a time.

Adult learners can choose from 16 accelerated online bachelor’s degree programs in fields that range from accounting to humanities and even project management. The school also offers accelerated online certificate programs, associate degree programs and master’s degree programs.

View program details.

5. University of North Carolina Wilmington

At the University of North Carolina Wilmington, accelerated online degrees include business, nursing and healthcare degrees, as well as the Master of Arts in Integrated Marketing Communication degree.

All but two of the 18 accelerated online degree options are master’s-level degrees. The Registered Nurse to Bachelor of Science in Nursing program is a bachelor’s degree completion program that requires the RN credential and a minimum of 24 credits to transfer from prior college study.

Similarly, the Bachelor of Science in Respiratory Therapy Degree Advancement Program is for registered respiratory therapists with an associate’s degree ant at least 24 credits to transfer.

For all of the accelerated online degrees at North Carolina University, students taking the maximum number of courses may complete the degree in as little as 12 months.

View program details.

6. Lamar University

Eight-week semesters and multiple start dates year-round allow students at Lamar University to move through their curriculum faster.

The school offers online degrees in fields like business, health science, nursing, education and criminal justice.

Aside from accelerating their progress by loading up on courses during each condensed semester, students may be able to apply Prior Experiential Learning Credit to their degree.

View program details.

7. Immaculata University

At Immaculata University, adult professional programs include more than a dozen online options at the associate’s and bachelor’s levels.

A generous transfer policy allows Immaculata University students to transfer as many as 72 credits obtained through prior college study.

It isn’t only formal higher education that can count toward your degree. Students can also get credit for prior learning, which includes training in the workplace, that can take the place of some college credits.

Between these ways of accruing credits and the condensed terms that allow students to finish more course per term, students may be able to finish a bachelor’s degree within two years.

View program details.

8. Colorado State University

Colorado State University’s Global Campus offers a wide variety of bachelor’s- and master’s-level degree programs online.

The accelerated bachelor’s degree programs at the Global Campus of Colorado State University are intended to be completed in as little as three years, saving students a full year of study – and tuition – over a traditional four-year bachelor’s program.

To graduate on this faster-than-normal timetable, Colorado State University students must take 15 to 16 credits of study during each fall and spring semester. Over two or ideally three summer sessions, they complete 6 to 9 credits of coursework, as well.

Year-round study is what allows students to graduate early even if they have no prior college coursework.

Current accelerated options for online students at Colorado State University include the following subjects:

• Business administration
• Communication studies
• Economics
• History
• Human development and family studies
• Interdisciplinary liberal arts
• International studies
• Journalism and media communication
• Languages, literatures and cultures
• Mathematics
• Natural resource tourism
• Political science
• Psychology

View program details.

9. Marquette University

Online learning options at Marquette University have grown considerably over the past few years. The school has added new online options at both the graduate and undergraduate levels.

The bachelor’s degree in business communication became Marquette University’s first fully online undergraduate degree program in 2019.

Degrees listed as accelerated by Marquette University are the school’s combined bachelor’s/master’s dual-degree programs. The school offers nearly 30 programs that award multiple degrees. In most cases, these accelerated programs are five-year programs that culminate in both undergraduate and graduate degrees.

Not all of the accelerated options offered by Marquette University are available in fully online formats.

View program details.

10. University of Indianapolis

The University of Indianapolis offers Accelerated Adult Learning Programs online, as well as through campus-based and hybrid formats.

Online courses at this school may be synchronous or asynchronous, so prospective students should pay close attention to the sort of online course for which they’re signing up.

The accelerated degree programs for adult learners at the University of Indianapolis include bachelor’s degrees in the following areas:

• Business administration
• Early childhood education
• Liberal studies
• Organizational leadership
• Public health education and promotion

Most of these programs are hybrid programs rather than full-online courses of study. However, the University of Indianapolis does offer the following eight 100% online degrees in the fields of education and health sciences:

• Master of Arts in Curriculum & Instruction (STEM concentration available)
• Master of Arts in Special Education Leadership and Practice
• STEM certificate
• Technology certificate
• Doctor of Nursing Practice
• Master of Science in Aging Studies
• Master of Science in Healthcare Administration
• Master of Public Health

View program details.

11. Thomas Jefferson University

Thomas Jefferson University, which since 2017 encompasses what was formerly Philadelphia University, offers seven accelerated bachelor’s degree programs:

• Behavioral & Health Services
• Business Management
• Health Sciences
• Health Services Management
• Health Studies
• Human Resource Management
• Information Technology

Students complete their coursework through a series of eight-week terms.

Thomas Jefferson University also offers a Bachelor of Science Degree Completion program in 10 areas:

• Building & Construction Studies
• Business Management
• Human Resource Management
• Information Technology
• Leadership in Emergency Services
• Organizational Leadership
• Health Studies
• Behavioral & Health Services
• Health Sciences
• Health Services Management

Undergraduate students can transfer up to 87 credits toward their bachelor’s degree, making Thomas Jefferson University a very transfer-friendly school.

View program details.

12. Park University

The accelerated eight-week courses at Park University facilitate faster program completion.

The school offers online degrees in more than 70 fields of study. The variety of programs available to online students at Park University includes undergraduate minors, certificates, associate’s degrees, bachelor’s degrees and master’s degrees.

View program details.

13. Notre Dame College

Notre Dame College offers a variety of online program offerings at the certificate, associate’s, bachelor’s and master’s levels.

Business, education, criminal justice, psychology, social work and nursing are some of the areas in which online learners can pursue degrees or certificates at Notre Dame College.

A generous transfer policy means that students can generally transfer up to three-quarters of the credits required for a bachelor’s degree, as long as those credits were completed within the past 10 years. It’s possible for students to transfer the maximum number of prior college credits to graduate within 1 year.

View program details.

14. Northeastern University

Northeastern University offers numerous online programs at the certificate and bachelor’s levels. However, the most accelerated options at the institution are the school’s 10 fully online bachelor’s completion programs:

•  Advanced Manufacturing systems
• Analytics
• Digital Communication and Media
• Finance and Accounting Management
• Healthcare Administration
• Information Technology
• Interdisciplinary Studies
• Management
• Project Management
• Psychology

Through an extensive Prior Learning Assessment program, Northeastern University helps students get maximum credit toward their degree for professional certifications and experience. The school’s transfer policy permits up to 50% of the credits required for a bachelor’s degree (60 credits total) to be transferred from prior study at other institutions.

Students completing a bachelor’s degree at Northeastern University may be able to earn their degree in as little as 18 months. To do so, they would need to transfer the maximum amount of credits and complete an intensive workload year-round. The PlosOne accelerated master’s degree programs may also be of interest.

View program details.

15. Concordia University – Chicago

Concordia University of Chicago offers five bachelor’s-level degree completion programs:

• Health Care Management (BA)
• Human Resource Management (BS)
• Kinesiology (BS)
• Organizational Management (BA)
• Sports Management (BA)

Transferring as many as 67 credits allows ambitious students to finish their bachelor’s degree in as little as 16 months.

View program details.

16. Southern New Hampshire University

At Southern New Hampshire University in Manchester, NH, the eight-week accelerated terms that begin six times per year are a large part of what makes it possible to earn accelerated online degrees.

For example, if you decided to pursue a bachelor’s in accounting degree from SNHU online and doubled up on the number of college classes you took each term, you would be able to graduate almost a year early. The accelerated bachelor’s degrees, of which SNHU offers six in subjects like communication, finance, marketing, nursing and sport management, are among the most popular degrees.

Additionally, SNHU is a great place for online students who are interested in master’s degree programs. The school’s policies allow undergraduate students to take some graduate-level coursework that applies to their bachelor degree. Then, if they choose to enroll in graduate school at SNHU, the individual student can also apply those graduate-level college credits to the school’s master’s programs.

View program details.

17. Elmhurst College

Elmhurst College offers both in-person night classes as well as accelerated online courses for adult learners.

Students may complete accelerated bachelors-level degrees in as little as one year. TheOnline Accelerated BSN (ABSN) can be completed in just 16 months. So can the Elmhurst Management Program, a business administration degree completion program.

View program details.

18. Arkansas Tech University

Arkansas Tech University offers several online bachelor’s degree programs. Students with 90 or more credits of prior college study qualify for the Accelerated Professional Studies degree program.

Under this program, students need just 30 credits of study at Arkansas Tech University to complete their Bachelor of Professional Studies Interdisciplinary Studies degree.

Students interested in graduate study should also consider Arkansas Tech University. The school offers 20 Accelerated Bachelor’s to Master’s Degree programs in areas like the following:

• History
• Journalism
• English
• Teaching/education
• Creative writing
• Foreign languages (world languages and Spanish)
• Health and exercise science
• Kinesiology
• Strength and conditioning studies
• Accounting
• Business administration
• Finance
• Business data analytics
• Business management
• Emergency management/homeland security
• Electrical engineering
• Mechanical engineering
• Computer engineering

View program details.

19. Limestone University

Limestone University offers accelerated evening and online bachelors-level offerings. Students complete each course in eight-week increments.

The maximum number of courses a student can take at once is two. By doing so, full-time students can take up to 36 credit hours per year. That’s roughly one-and-a-half times the pace of traditional college programs.

Other factors that help to expedite the time to degree for online students at Limestone University include:

• Generous transfer policies
• Acceptance of AP credit
• Acceptance of credit through CLEP (the College Level Examination Program)

View program details.

20. Western Governors University

Two core features of the online degree programs at Western Governors University help students massively accelerate their progress toward a degree.

A competency-based education means that students with previous experience may test out of subjects. The more assessments you can pass, the closer you are to obtaining your degree.

Western Governors University charges a flat rate subscription fee regardless of the number of credit hours completed. This pricing structure allows highly motivated students to save money. They can take as many credit hours during a single term as desired, with no financial penalties for progressing toward their degree at breakneck speed.

View program details.

21. Fisher College

Fisher College offers a number of bachelors-level degree programs fully online and on an accelerated schedule. New accelerated course start dates begin six times yearly. Each course lasts eight weeks.

Fisher College currently offers more than a dozen distinct bachelors-level degrees online. The school embraces alternative degree pathways, such as prior learning assessment (PLA) programs.

View program details.

22. Eastern Kentucky University

Eastern Kentucky University offers a variety of accelerated offerings at associates through doctoral levels of study.

Courses of study are tailored to working adults. With six term start dates spread throughout the year, ambitious students can take numerous courses in a single academic year.

The school currently offers 28 bachelor’s-level online programs of study.

View program details.

23. Indiana Wesleyan University

Indiana Wesleyan University is an Evangelical Christian school that offers a number of 100% online bachelor’s degree options. These degrees are tailored to working adults.

Many online programs have five start dates yearly. These frequent start dates allow adult learners to take courses in an accelerated fashion or as they fit into their busy lives.

Students with some college coursework under their belts can use the generous transfer policy to continue their progress toward a degree.

Indiana Wesleyan University now offers more than 160 online degrees, including dozens of online bachelor’s degree programs.

View program details.

24. University of Wisconsin

The University of Wisconsin system offers a flexible competency-based program that allows students to complete a variety of bachelors-level degrees in a fraction of the time of a traditional degree.

Experience from prior courses, real-world professional work and military experience are all accepted if you can prove your competency. Current Flex program degrees available through the University of Wisconsin include:

• Associate of Arts and Sciences
• Bachelor’s in Nursing (RN-to-BSN)
• Bachelor’s in Biomedical Sciences – Diagnostic Imaging
• Bachelor’s in Biomedical Sciences – Health Sciences
• Bachelor’s in Information Science and Technology
• Bachelor’s in Business Administration

The school also offers flex certificate programs in project management, health care informatics and substance use disorders counseling. Additionally, the University of Wisconsin – Madison offers 40 accelerated programs outside of the Flex programs, although some of these programs are campus-based.

View program details.

25. Florida State College at Jacksonville

Florida State College at Jacksonville offers an accelerated schedule. Accelerated, fast-paced courses make it possible for students to work through individual courses faster than traditional sixteen-week semesters.

Students can accrue a large amount of credit for past experience. Prior learning, portfolio assessment, credit by examination and military service are all among the non-traditional ways students can earn credit toward their online degree.

Some of the areas in which Florida State College at Jacksonville offers accelerated learning options include:

• Communication
• Design
• Business
• Finance
• Construction trades
• Manufacturing
• Culinary arts
• Hospitality
• Education
• Human services
• Health care
• Public service
• Science
• Technology
• Engineering
• Mathematics
• Transportation
• Logistics

View program details.

26. Charter Oak State College

Charter Oak State College offers an accelerated environment for students to pursue bachelor’s degrees in a variety of fields that are in high demand.

The school kicks off a new semester five times per year. Course durations range from 5-week super-accelerated courses to traditional 15-week courses.

Procedures through which students may accelerate their degree include a generous transfer policy, CLEP tests, military training, corporate and agency training, the Connecticut Credit Assessment program, and portfolio assessment.

Charter Oak State College offers accelerated online programs in areas like business, health care, public safety and information systems.

View program details.

27. Saint Louis University

Saint Louis University’s School for Professional Studies offers a wide range of bachelor’s, master’s and bridge programs for busy adults.

Saint Louis University currently offers more than 50 fully online programs of study. These programs include undergraduate minors, certificate programs, bachelor’s degree programs, master’s degree programs and even a few doctorates.

The online degree programs available at Saint Louis University include courses of study in the following areas:

• Analytics
• Aviation
• Biosecurity and disaster preparedness
• Blockchain, cryptocurrency and financial technology
• Brewing science and operations
• Cannabis science and operations
• Computer information systems
• Cybersecurity
• Emergency management/homeland security
• Evidence-based decision-making
• General studies
• Health administration
• Information systems
• Leadership and Organizational Behavior
• Medical cannabis science and therapeutic management
• Nursing
• Nutrition
• Organizational development
• Professional studies
• Project Management
• Security and Strategic Intelligence
• Technology and leadership

Not all of these online degree programs are accelerated, but some are. Many of the accelerated online degrees at Saint Louis University are bachelor’s-to-master’s programs. Accelerated bachelor’s-to-master’s online program options include analytics, cybersecurity, information systems, leadership and organizational development and project management. Through these bridge programs, students take master’s level classes while they are still undergraduates. 

View program details.

28. Mercy College

Mercy College, with its main campus in Dobbs Ferry, New York, awards online degrees through more than 50 programs.

In particular, the school is known for its accelerated online nursing programs. These second-degree programs are for students who already have a bachelor’s degree but want to become qualified as a registered nurse. Through the accelerated program, students can prepare to become nurses in just 18 months.

The school also offers an accelerated online degree in organizational management. It’s possible for students to complete this business-related degree in as little as 12 months.

View program details.

29. Grand Canyon University

Grand Canyon University offers hundreds of online bachelor’s degree programs. The school’s four-credit, one-course-at-a-time process allows students to efficiently make their way through the courses required to graduate.

Two accelerated online degree programs also provide opportunities for driven students: a 3+1 and a 4+1 year program. The 3+1 program allows students to finish both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree through four years of intensive year-round study. Students in the 4+1 program obtain a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree in five years, because they take summer off.

View program details.

30. California Baptist University

At California Baptist University, students can pursue degree completion and accelerated online programs through the Online and Professional Studies departments.

The coursework in California Baptist University Online’s fastest degree completion programs is designed specifically to meet the needs of working adults. The degree programs are a great option for students who need flexible schedules. Transfer students are welcome here, with a generous transfer policy under which students can bring with them up to 100 semester units of prior college study.

Students at California Baptist Univesity can choose from more than 40 total bachelor’s degree and master’s degree programs that can be completed online.

Each semester consists of two different, eight-week sessions. During each session, students can choose their courses and finish a class in a short amount of time.

By taking full advantage of the program’s flexibility to take 12 or more units per semester, online learners can work their way through their degree requirements quickly. This makes California Baptist University one of the fastest degree completion programs out there. Many students finish their degrees within a period of 12 months to 16 months.

View program details.

Our Fast Degree Series

– Fastest Overall Programs
– Fastest Online Associates Degrees
– Fastest Online Bachelor’s Degrees
– Fastest Online Master’s Degrees
– Fastest Online Doctorate Degrees

For Further Reading: 

Top 10 Graduate Degree Programs in Criminal Justice

The post 30 Quickest Online Degrees appeared first on DegreeQuery.com.

Minimum Eligibility Requirements for Homeland Security Agents

The Department of Homeland Security is home to more than a dozen agencies, offices and administrations, including the United States Secret Service, the Coast Guard, Customs and Border Protection, and the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). Although different career opportunities exist in different components of the Department of Homeland Security, the minimum eligibility requirements to be considered for a Homeland Security role are standard across most component agencies.

Usually, you must be a citizen of the United States. You must be able to pass a drug screening, criminal background investigation and polygraph test and must not have any obstacles that would prevent you from attaining a security clearance. Because agent roles in Homeland Security tend to be physically demanding, you must be able to meet minimum physical fitness requirements that may include speed, strength, stamina, agility and flexibility. For some positions, you may need to take the Physical Efficiency Battery (PEB) test. The Department of Homeland Security usually looks for candidates who are at least 18 years of age but not older than 37 at the time of hiring, although established Homeland Security agents may work past the age of 37 as long as they are physically capable of doing their job duties.

When the Department of Homeland Security was established in 2002, it consolidated 22 separate federal agencies into one department.

Education and Experience Requirements

The Department of Homeland Security offers job opportunities at various levels of education and experience. A bachelor’s degree is usually the minimum level of educational experience required to work as an agent, according to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), but in certain cases, experience such as military training – can take the place of a formal college education.

Agent positions with Homeland Security are often law enforcement roles, so an academic background in law enforcement, criminal justice, forensic technology, corrections, rehabilitation or forensic psychology is often beneficial. Some colleges and universities now offer specialized programs of study in Homeland Security. In a bachelor’s degree program in Homeland Security, you are likely to study how Homeland Security handles matters of intelligence, international relations, strategic planning, legal and political issues and critical incident response. In addition to learning about the infrastructure that makes up the Department of Homeland Security, your core curriculum may also focus on public safety policies, research, administration and leadership.

Homeland Security degree programs are also offered at the master’s level. In a graduate program in Homeland Security, students delve deeper into topics such as terrorism and insurgency, social and ethical issues in national security, the administration of policies and programs and multifaceted approaches to national security. Although this graduate program is already specialized beyond what you would find in a traditional law enforcement or criminal justice program, it may allow you to focus your education even further. Some academic concentrations you may find in a graduate Homeland Security program include geospatial intelligence, counterterrorism, information security and forensics, cyber threat analytics and prevention, public health preparedness and agricultural biosecurity and food defense.

The Department of Homeland Security also has opportunities available for experienced professionals through numerous pathways, including temporary and permanent positions. In these roles, it isn’t only the quantity of your experience that matters but also the quality. Some positions for experienced professionals may require just one year of specialized experience rather than numerous years of generalist work history.

One type of experience that is particularly valuable when seeking a job with Homeland Security is military experience. The training veterans undergo when preparing for and serving in any branch of the military is highly relevant to the work done by Homeland Security, and the Department offers individuals who have served our country special consideration through Veterans’ Preference and other special programs for veterans.

The Department of Homeland Security also hires retirees, often on a part-time, short-term or flexible schedule contract basis, particularly if they have specialized skills.

Additional Resources

What Degree Should I Get to Join the FBI?

What Degree Should I Get to Join the CIA?

Can I Get Into Law Enforcement If I Have a Felony on My Record?

The post Are There Requirements to Be an Agent for Homeland Security? appeared first on DegreeQuery.com.

Aspiring forensic animators often wonder what part of the country will be the easiest to find a job as a forensic animator. There are several types of animation, and individuals interested in working with law enforcement and solving crimes often choose to become forensic animators. Most individuals who choose this career crave excitement and stimulating career. Here is some career information on forensic accountants as well as information on the actual position.

What Forensic Animators Do

Forensic animators are professionals who assist investigators by reconstructing incidents or accidents. They do the reconstruction using a variety of tools, including audio/visual aids, simulations stills and computer animation. We typically think of cartoon characters when we hear the term animation, but it involves so much more. In addition to the various animation tools, forensic animators also use data and engineering calculations.

Forensic animation is widely used in insurance and court cases because the demonstrations and simulations can take complicated evidence and portray it in ways that jury members and others can easily understand. We’ve all watched court cases on TV and seen lawyers show the jury drawings and exhibits as evidence. These exhibits are usually forms of forensic animation.

How to Become a Forensic Animator

Most forensic animators have a bachelor’s degree in computer animation or animation with a minor or double major in criminal justice. Some forensic animators may advance their education and earn master’s degrees, but the majority start their careers with bachelor’s degrees. They also are required to have a couple of years of experience working in this field.

All animators, including forensic animators, must be proficient in various software programs, including Photoshop, Adobe Premium, PhotoModeler, 3DS Max, AutoCad and After Effects to name a few. Many animation programs also require the student to complete a portfolio of their work and complete an internship to obtain hands-on training.

Skills Used in Forensic Animation

Forensic Animation is a specialized field that’s often used alongside video footage and witness descriptions. It may be used to prove or disprove what appears to be compelling evidence. Here are some of the artistic skills used by forensic animation and what they involve:

• Image modification – This involves enhancing or enlarging a photograph to help an attorney or investigator determine things like age progression or to help identify an individual.
• Image identification – This involves recording someone’s distinguishing features for future identification. This is helpful for when suspects may have changed their appearance.
• Composite drawing – This involves having a forensic animator manually draw a picture of a suspect or victim based on a description given by a witness.
• Crime scene sketching – This involves the animator drawing or sketching a crime scene using dimensions and measurements so law enforcement can see the layout of a crime scene.
• Age progression/regression – This involves using animation to determine someone’s in appearance in the past or the future. This is very helpful in missing person cases.
• Postmortem drawing – This involves viewing a deceased individual’s picture or remains and drawing what the victim may have looked like before his or her death.
• Collaboration – This involves the forensic animator working together with anthropologists, forensic artists and other professionals looking at an individual’s skull to determine his or her gender, age and race.

Best Geographic Location to Find Work as a Forensic Animator

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) does not give specific career information on forensic animators but does provide it for multimedia artists and animators, a category in which forensic animators belong. Multimedia artists and animators overall are expected to see job growth of four percent during the 2018-2028 decade. Animators with specialized skills, such as forensic animators, will typically see better job opportunities.

In the world of art and design, multimedia art and animation is the third-largest career field in the United States. The states with the highest employment level for multimedia artists and animators are California, Texas, New York, Georgia and Florida. The salaries for multimedia artists and animators can depend on many factors, including experience, level of training, specialization, company and geographic location. Connecticut offers the highest annual wages ($102,630) for multimedia artists and animators, while the lowest wages ($36,270) for these professionals are earned in South Carolina.

A state may not offer the highest wages but may include cities known for higher wages. Here are some of the top-paying metropolitan areas for forensic animators according to a 2018 BLS report:

• Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT
• San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clare, CA
• San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA
• Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
• New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ and PA
• Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA
• Savannah, GA
• Sacramento-Roseville-Arden-Arcade, CA
• Raleigh, NC
• North Port-Sarasota-Bradenton, FL

Forensic animation is a field that’s in demand throughout the entire nation. It can be an exciting, lively and very rewarding career. It’s also a field where, because of its popularity, professionals who aren’t bothered by relocating can choose to work in the parts of the country that offer the best wages and jobs.

Related Resources:

What is a Typical Salary for a Graphic Designer?

Which Schools Have the Best Animation Programs?

How Much Math Should I Study if I Want to Become an Animator?

What High School Classes Can I Take That Will Help Prepare Me for a Degree in Animation?

Are There Online Programs That I Can Get a Degree in Animation?

Are There Degrees in Criminal Justice Programs That Use Animation?

What Degree Do I Need to Be a Forensic Artist?

Exciting Jobs: The Top 15 Jobs for Adrenaline Seekers

The post Are There Certain Parts of the Country Where it’s Easier to Find a Job as a Forensic Animator? appeared first on DegreeQuery.com.