Why did we decide on - Criminology/ Criminal Justice

[SAD8]

Hello future criminologist of the world,

I am currently a graduate student at John Jay (almost done!).

So, I'm debating whether I should pursue a doctorate degree or not, and this dilemma has brought me back to that initial question of, why did I choose this field of study? I mean people ask me that quite often and almost always tend to confuse it with Forensic Science. "Oh is it like CSI kinda deal?" - NO people!

Anyway, I was hoping some of you will share some of the reasons why you chose to be Criminologist? Thanks!

Edited March 3, 2011 by SAD8

[littlegirlvik]

For me, there are a number of reasons. First, I like the interdisciplinary nature of it; we're a field and a group of people who are held together not by a methodology and mixed topics, but a substantive topic. We draw on political science, sociology, gender studies, race studies, psychology, economics, public policy, and even more "liberal" classes like English to understand a huge array of topics. Next, I like the possible policy implications: as a person born into huge amounts of privileged, it means a lot to me that my studies can have real world impacts. I also really like the collective aspect of it: everything we look at are socially defined behaviors, and we analyze them through socially defined lenses and groups. It's incredible to me that, with no real overt pressure, society shaped itself into these rules, these laws. I also still get very angry; the fact that I read papers or hear people say things that are untrue and horrible stigmatizing for people and, even after all this time of studying, it sitll riles me up is important to me---it's how I know what I'm doing is important, and matters.

Finally, I've had a number of personal experiences that have brought me here. I worked in parole, I worked in loss prevention, and I worked at a residential facility for at risk youth. I realized that, as much as I want to make a difference in this field and as much as I want to be a part of it, I absolutely cannot work in it because I don't have the strength or the heart for it.

Anyway, I ohpe this helps. Good luck with your decision, and if you have any other questions, let me know: I'm more than happy to help where I can!

Hello future criminologist of the world,

I am currently a graduate student at John Jay (almost done!).

So, I'm debating whether I should pursue a doctorate degree or not, and this dilemma has brought me back to that initial question of, why did I choose this field of study? I mean people ask me that quite often and almost always tend to confuse it with Forensic Science. "Oh is it like CSI kinda deal?" - NO people!

Anyway, I was hoping some of you will share some of the reasons why you chose to be Criminologist? Thanks!

[Magga]

Would you recomend John Jay for graduate studies?

Hello future criminologist of the world,

I am currently a graduate student at John Jay (almost done!).

So, I'm debating whether I should pursue a doctorate degree or not, and this dilemma has brought me back to that initial question of, why did I choose this field of study? I mean people ask me that quite often and almost always tend to confuse it with Forensic Science. "Oh is it like CSI kinda deal?" - NO people!

Anyway, I was hoping some of you will share some of the reasons why you chose to be Criminologist? Thanks!

[SAD8]

Yes, I will definitely recommend John Jay. John Jay is different than most school in that its practiced based, as oppose to theory based. Most of your professors are former CJ practitioners along with an acquired Ph.D. So, you get taught by people who have experience in the field, as oppose to fully scholars who only have experience in researching without field experience. I came from Florida State which also has an excellent criminology program, yet, different from John Jay. I hope this helps, let me know if you have any other questions.

[MattElz]

How about the master's in ICJ? Any experiences? It looks really interesting.