Originally Posted by dingerr

It's something I've been looking at, but I can't see what doors it would open if you were to do it with absolutely no background in anti terrorism.

It looks like it will enhance a career rather than as a way to start a new one.

I'll probably complete it in the future, when it has found it's place and has competition from other establishments (I'm always dubious when something like this is only offered in one place).

I'm looking at a Masters in Explosive Ordnance Engineering first.

Hello mate - hope all fares well. I did some modules from that course when I was at SHB - very interesting.

Anyhoo to further studies. I have a friend here in Balkania who has just been awarded a couple of MA in European Studies. He is 54 so age in further studying isn't a problem. I had an online look at the Terrorism Studies course as well and although it doesn't directly impinge on my current job it does indeed look interesting and will no doubt assist me in staying out of the kafanas which will be good. Ex-Minden what exactly is the course content etc.

Did the certificate course last year, found it interesting and informative and it even changed my point of view on a couple of things. You do 4 modules with 8-9 online lessons for each, then have to produce an essay of approximately 2500 words. You can (if you really want to) bang out the lessons in a day and leave the rest of the month allocated for the module for your essay research/writing.

Why did I do it? Continuous professional development and as a leg up to get used to study once more before I start on an MSc course next year. And, with the part of the mob that I work in, I figure it can't hurt to back up operational experience with current academic study; not too many of my peers seem to bother.

PM me with any specific questions if you want to know a bit more, I'll see what I can do.

Originally Posted by grunt34

Why did I do it? Continuous professional development and as a leg up to get used to study once more before I start on an MSc course next year. And, with the part of the mob that I work in, I figure it can't hurt to back up operational experience with current academic study; not too many of my peers seem to bother.

Does it make much odds in your lot? I have to say that I don't think has every mattered one jot in my promotion if I had been studying or not...

Originally Posted by chocolate_frog

Does it make much odds in your lot? I have to say that I don't think has every mattered one jot in my promotion if I had been studying or not...

No it hasn't mattered and it probably won't on its own; I didn't do it for the sake of promotion, but to improve my knowledge and overall performance at my job. If it does that, then indirectly it may well get me promoted when the time comes...that said I'm playing a longer game.

Having read a variety of threads here and elsewhere, it is interesting how well some employers view the Certificate course - you should check the St Andrews site to see the which companies have 'sent' employees on it.

My underlying point is that although I've done a number of operational tours in a variety of roles, that doesn't make me any different from hundreds or even thousands of others, all of whom will have to re-enter the job market at some point. What will give me an edge when competing against them is current academic study into a phenomenon that affects government, industry and the general public as well as the military.

Originally Posted by grunt34

My underlying point is that although I've done a number of operational tours in a variety of roles, that doesn't make me any different from hundreds or even thousands of others, all of whom will have to re-enter the job market at some point. What will give me an edge when competing against them is current academic study into a phenomenon that affects government, industry and the general public as well as the military.

Fair one, you should see some of my 'funnies' (tackling obesity, autism spectrum, understanding weather (good for ML), nuclear power, dyslexia, dyspraxia, irlem, cyber vandalism, human nutrition and the frozen planet, then chuck in a trans-atlantic sailing trip).

Fair one C-F, between all that and my black belt in powerpoint we should think about setting up in business...?

looked at this course and it is certainly a good qual to have but in terms of overall academic relevance and transferability it is far too pricey. There is limited funding a vailable if you live in Scotland.
I would suggest looking at the University of St Andrews website on distance and part time learning. I think there is an international studies part time/ditance degree that allows much more flexible and wide ranging study for similar sums of cash. Or check out that bastion of never ending education the Open University. More crime than terrorism but give them a call and they can usually offer pertinent advice.
This course is good but the commercial provider always leaves me a little wary irrespective of academic gravitas provided by reputable universities.

Originally Posted by grunt34

Fair one C-F, between all that and my black belt in powerpoint we should think about setting up in business...?

'International Busines Conclusions'.

We could deal in economic and industrial espionage with the odd 'conclusion' thrown in for good measure.

Have you watched 'dead like me', a bit like that.

I prefer 'Cloak and Dagger, Inc.' for the name. Just think what the corporate logo would look like...