I am in school for criminal justice to become a cop in Illinois and I not sure if my associates sets me apart from other applicants enough will I be able to get the job or do I need a bacholer degree to have a fair chance??

I'm in the same boat kind of. I have an associates in Computer Networking and I wonder that all the time. I stopped after my associates thinking it was enough and to be honest IT'S NOT. Unless you know someone that can hook you up then I say continue on. I stopped thinking I would focus on certs. Which did help me but I don't think there are special certs. For policeman are there?

Anyhow I say continue on, you owe to yourself to be the best, and strive for the best. Ask yourself one question... "Where do i want to be?" "Does it take a bachelors to get there?" If you answer yes to the second question or even think about it then it's a good sign that maybe you should continue furthering your education.

Good Luck in your choice and remember that you owe to yourself to be number one, where taught to be the best and sometimes one must sit down and realize that in order to be the "top dog" steps must be taken.

Having an associates will probably get you something but is it what you want? Is it what you set out for?