Should I list my A.A in CJ from a DETC school on resume for now?

[Ace_King]

I'm five courses away from my B.A in Social Sciences at TESC. Also the AAS in Environmental, Security and Safety Technology degree. I am taking two of the five right courses now, will have to register late for the next three courses in the next coming weeks. I plan to graduate by December if everything goes to plan!

My question is, I do have an Associate of Arts in Criminal Justice from Penn Foster College. I never wanted to list a NA degree on a resume as it might look bad. For profit and NA just doesn't tie up well with me. I only went to Penn Foster College to get the courses transferred to TESC (when I did my research two years ago) and like planned... TESC took it all. I never looked it as if.. "Oh gee I'm going to Penn Foster for an A.A degree" I just looked at it as " Oh gee, ACE approved courses yay!" lol.

Anywho, should I list the A.A in CJ from Penn Foster on my resume for NOW? For sure though once I get my R.A degrees from TESC, PFC won't even see that resume. I see success stories from a few graduates using DETC degrees, should I just attempt it right now?

Or should I just wait until December to update my resume? If everything goes to plan that is! ;/ Lol.

[29palms]

I don't see why not. You should list everything. I think it kind of sucks when you have alot of people that can't list any kind of education, and now you have to contend with RA or NA accreditation. Put it this way, NA is legitimate and it can't hurt you to list it. It's a solid education at PF. I don't care what anyone says. Did you get anything out of it? That's the main thing.

[IrishJohn]

I agree with 29Palms, list it on your resume for now. In fact, I'd put under the education section of your resume something like the following:

AA Criminal Justice, Penn Foster College, completed 2010
BA Criminal Justice, Thomas Edison State College, expected completion 2012

As long as you put something like "expected" and you're pursuing it you can list the degree you're working on. It may help you depending on what job you're going for. Once you've completed the BA from TESC you can drop any reference to Penn Foster.

[ShotoJuku]

By all means YES YES YES be proud of YOUR DEGREE and list it!!!! :iagree:

Please leave the RA vs. NA crap for that other forum and let our IC-Forum Students seek out THEIR degree in THEIR own way and preference!

[29palms]

And like you, I too will drop all other referances when I get a BAST degree with TESC, and my AAS and AA are from RA schools too. I guess a bachelors supercedes everything else up to that. Unless you are aiming for a job in criminal justice.

[rebel100]

I would definitely list it, and I might not drop it once the RA degree is obtained. There is no harm or shame in having a NA degree....it's just not as widely accepted. It is nonetheless legitimate and reflects your good efforts. List it, be proud of it, and if it ever comes up in an interview just explain how it was your first degree and you advanced beyond it.

BTW, my resume changes regularly...but the education is just a piece of the puzzle. Use that DETC degree wherever it might help, I don't see it hurting.

[Ace_King]

Sounds good. I will list it. Don't know if I will keep it forever but I will definitely use it for now! Thanks for the responses!

[Prloko]

Remember, a degree shows your ability to make a long term plan and stick to it. It also shows you have gained abilities in research, writing and technology. Always list it. Once you get your Bachelor's, it is probably best to take it off unless you are in CJ. If you are worried that a certain employer (which are in the minority nowadays) tossing your resume, remember that type of person is also going to be ignorant/biased on a lot of other things. Probably not someone you want to work for.

Sounds good. I will list it. Don't know if I will keep it forever but I will definitely use it for now! Thanks for the responses!

[Ace_King]

Thanks for the heads up Proloko! Two things that came up which could be a life saver for me later on if I don't want to use the DETC degree.

I didn't know TESC offers a AAS in CJ , my Penn Foster credits fit perfectly in the requirements. I might not get the AAS in Environmental, Safety, and Security Technologies degree after all when I complete my BA in Social Science.

Another thing, Broward College (Fort Lauderdale, Fla), my local community college, formerly known Broward Community College (changed name), accepted all my Penn Foster credits via transfer. I didn't know this, but they accept DETC credits into transfer!! All you have to do is complete at least 5 courses with them to fulfill the residency requirement. Well I completed those 5 courses when I was a freshman YEARS ago. My adviser said the remaining credits will fit in to fulfill my AA in Criminal Justice with Broward College.

So I can either turn this upside down and get the AAS in CJ with TESC along with my BA in Social Science or I can get my AA in CJ with Broward College along with my AAS in Environmental, Safety, and Security Technologies and BA in Social Science at TESC.

Hmmm....

[rebel100]

Thanks for the heads up Proloko! Two things that came up which could be a life saver for me later on if I don't want to use the DETC degree.

I didn't know TESC offers a AAS in CJ , my Penn Foster credits fit perfectly in the requirements. I might not get the AAS in Environmental, Safety, and Security Technologies degree after all when I complete my BA in Social Science.

Another thing, Broward College (Fort Lauderdale, Fla), my local community college, formerly known Broward Community College (changed name), accepted all my Penn Foster credits via transfer. I didn't know this, but they accept DETC credits into transfer!! All you have to do is complete at least 5 courses with them to fulfill the residency requirement. Well I completed those 5 courses when I was a freshman YEARS ago. My adviser said the remaining credits will fit in to fulfill my AA in Criminal Justice with Broward College.

So I can either turn this upside down and get the AAS in CJ with TESC along with my BA in Social Science or I can get my AA in CJ with Broward College along with my AAS in Environmental, Safety, and Security Technologies and BA in Social Science at TESC.

Hmmm....

I would pick up the enviremental safety/security if you can. years from now when you leave the Police Dept. that training may look really attractive to the hospital you apply to for the Security Directors job....it's a calid credential that makes a lot of sense in many industries.

That Broward accepted your PF is way cool....I wish that was the norm!