Kylie Ramsden, MS in Criminal Justice: Criminal Behavior
Current occupation: Legal Secretary
What made you decide to pursue your degree as an adult?
I have always wanted to further my career within the Criminal Justice system, so the next step was obtaining my Master’s Degree.
Why did you choose to study at Tiffin University?
I chose to study at Tiffin University because of the specific program in Criminal Behavior. Not many schools provide degrees specifically in Criminal Behavior, so when researching different programs and reading about this particular program offered at Tiffin University, I could see that it was a perfect fit for my future career aspirations.
How was your experience in the program?
I just recently finished the program, and my experience was great. I was not surprised by anything, and the technology was easy to use, which eased any anxiety I had at the beginning of the program.
How was your experience with faculty?
All my teachers during the year were incredibly helpful and knowledgeable in the different required courses. In addition, every teacher seemed to care about your success and would make themselves available if anyone had questions or needed further explanations on a particular assignment. Even if I did not need help, knowing that a teacher was there to help if necessary and cared about my success in the class was a great feeling.
How did you juggle work, life and going back to school? Any tips?
While completing this program, I worked full-time. Therefore, there were some weeks that I did not have much time to enjoy my personal life outside of work and school. However, while this program was highly labor-intensive, I realized that it is crucial to make time for yourself and have that balance between work, life, and school. Once I found that balance, I felt I was even more successful.
What kept you motivated to stay in the program?
What kept me motivated to stay in the program was the positive impact receiving a Master’s Degree can have on my future and, of course, the continual support from my friends and family. The outcome of obtaining a Master’s Degree has always been a goal of mine. While I sometimes wanted to give up and quit, I just looked toward the finish line and knew that having a Master’s Degree would help me in my future career.
What advice would you give to a prospective student who is thinking about going back to school?
The most simple and concise advice I would give to a prospective student who is considering returning to school is just to do it. I spent a couple of years contemplating whether I should go back, and going back to school was such a great decision. The more time you continually think about going back to school, is time you could be in school. In the end, it will always be worth it; for me, it definitely was.
TU’s motto is: Without risk there is no gain. Can you tell us about a time when you took a risk and what you gained from it?
For me, going back to school was taking a risk. I knew that going to school full-time and working full-time would be a risk and, at times, may have seemed impossible. But what I gained from this program is a Master’s Degree and more knowledge that I can apply to my current job and future career. Without risking going back to school, I would not have had the opportunity to achieve such an accomplishment. I am so happy I took the risk and cannot wait to see what the future has in store for me!
Learn about our Master of Science in Criminal Justice Degree Programs