Reviewed by: Cindy Hatcher
It’s never too late to get the degree you want—take it from 1 new Alabama resident
Reading time: 4 minutes
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In 2024, Katie McFerran was a wife, mom and experienced police detective living in Colorado when she started a criminal justice degree program.
When she and her husband, Jason, relocated their family here to Alabama later that year, she was able to move her studies with them, thanks to the flexibility of her online coursework through Columbia Southern University (CSU), based in Orange Beach.
Now, she’s completed her program to earn a Bachelor of Science in criminal justice administration, bringing this knowledge and nearly a decade of law enforcement experience to serve her new hometown of Florence.
Read on to learn more about why McFerran chose CSU and how it may be the perfect fit for your goals, too.
CSU success story quick guide
Meet Officer Katie McFerran
In Colorado, McFerran applied to become a police officer in 2016, completed training and joined the Colorado Springs Police Department (CSPD) the following year. Her husband is a firefighter, and the whole family has hearts for service, McFerran shared.
During police academy training, presentations on child crimes and human trafficking especially stood out to McFerran, who soon learned she had a gift for interviewing and interacting with survivors. She applied that ability and care, along with hundreds of hours in training and investigations, to become an expert witness for the El Paso County, Colorado, District Attorney’s Office.
After serving three years on patrol, she earned a promotion to detective, two years less than it typically takes. She continued work in investigations for five years before the family moved to Florence.
How did McFerran discover CSU?
While McFerran had put in the work at CSPD to earn the promotion, in 2024, she wanted a degree to back up the experience she’d earned.
Despite not knowing what it would be like to go back to school at age 40 and overcoming the idea that it was “silly,” she found CSU online, applied for a Knight Scholarship and won the award in 2024.
“I felt the school clearly stated its support for first responders and for the military, and I value that a lot. I am so thankful for this opportunity I’ve been given.”
– CSU Alumna Katie McFerran
ICYMI: Meet another CSU alumna, Felicia Rucker-Sumerlin, who is a history-making law officer in Jefferson County
When the family moved to Alabama, McFerran continued her studies with relative ease, since all coursework was online. Since the move, she’s completed her degree and joined the Florence Police Department, where she serves as a mental health officer and on the Florence Water Rescue and Recovery Team. She also serves on the board for One Place, a victim advocacy program that supports people who have experienced domestic violence.
Why do people choose CSU?
Flexibility, accessibility and affordability are more than buzzwords for students pursuing degrees and certifications through CSU.
Here’s what that looks like for students:
- 100% online coursework, so you can study anywhere + on your schedule
- No required login times, with courses accessible 24/7
- 11 start dates to choose from each year
- Zero textbook costs, as tuition includes all required materials
- 120+ degree programs across high-demand fields, from criminal justice and nursing to business and cybersecurity
- Accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
Multiple factors, including prior experience, geography, and degree field, affect career outcomes. CSU does not guarantee a job, promotion, salary increase, eligibility for a position, or other career growth. Testimonials may not reflect the experience of all CSU students.
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