Brooke Stoeklen
Taking online classes at Herzing University gave me the ability to pursue my dream of becoming a police officer while I continued to care for my family and work three jobs. I had originally started college more than 15 years ago, and after completing my associate degree I decided to wait and go back for my bachelor’s degree once my children were older.
My associate degree credits transferred into the criminal justice program at Herzing, which took me about two years to complete. One thing I loved about the program was the eight-week courses because they went so fast! Additionally, because Herzing offers three semesters per year, rather than two, I was able to complete the program quickly.
The instructors were also very upfront about expectations for each course, providing all assignments, timelines and deadlines for the full eight weeks at the start of each course. This was incredibly helpful because I was constantly juggling multiple obligations, including a long work trip outside of the country, and my instructors were so supportive and flexible with me – even allowing me to submit assignments early or make other adjustments as needed.
Two classes in particular were especially beneficial for me. The professional development course I took my first semester really got me back into thinking like a professional and helped me understand what my resume should look like and what I needed to do to get it there. My capstone project during my final semester helped me apply everything I learned over the past two years to a real-world scenario, helping me feel even more prepared for my career in criminal justice.
I’m currently working as a correctional officer at a detention center in Minnesota, and I’m planning to complete a 6-month skills training program that is required by the state to become a police officer. My ultimate goal is to become a school resource officer and help young people get on the right track.
