Tale of two badges: Police officer and Dean’s Medalist balances duty, dreams
Jonathan Cole (left) salutes a fellow Royal Canadian Mounted Police officer. Courtesy photo
Editor’s note: This story is part of a series of profiles of notable spring 2025 graduates.
As a veteran officer with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), New College of Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences graduate Jonathan Cole knows firsthand the complexities of violent crime and the critical role psychology plays in investigations.
Balancing a full-time law enforcement career, fatherhood and academic responsibilities, he found a natural next step in ASU Online's Master of Science in forensic psychology — a program that not only fit his demanding schedule but also deepened his impact on the field.
Whether investigating domestic violence and sex crimes or mentoring fellow graduate students, he applies his education in real time to support victims, strengthen investigations and build community.
With a drive to make a lasting difference and a belief in the power of education, Cole — also a first-generation college student — credits ASU’s forensic psychology program with broadening his perspective and paving the way for what’s next.
Read below to learn more about Cole's ASU journey and plans for the future.
Note: Answers may have been edited lightly for length and/or clarity.
Question: What was your “aha” moment when you realized that you wanted to study forensic psychology?
Answer: I completed some training with the RCMP to become a child forensic interviewer. The lady who taught the class is a forensic psychologist, and I took a lot away from that class. She inspired me to research forensic psychology master's programs, and I was actually accepted to multiple master's programs, (but) ultimately chose the online degree offered at ASU.
Q: Why did you choose New College?
A: When looking for master's programs in forensic psychology, I found that I needed something to balance maintaining my full-time job with the RCMP and still being able to continue my education. The ASU Online program for this degree has been fantastic.
Q: What is something you learned while at New College that surprised you or changed your perspective?
A: As a police officer, I currently investigate violent crime. That's my day-to-day job. I'm also a crisis negotiator and a child forensic interviewer. With that, I found that a lot of the topics we covered in school were very applicable to what I was working on, and I found myself often talking and discussing them with colleagues. A lot of the data and statistics that we went through in class were directly transferable to the things that I do day-to-day.
Q: Why are you passionate about forensic psychology?
A: I think it's just naturally come about. Many years ago, I was a correctional officer, and I found that it was a great opportunity as a young man to get exposure to law enforcement. I really enjoyed my time as a correctional officer, but I felt like I needed and wanted to do more with my life.
I applied to the RCMP, and I think that's probably one of the best decisions I have ever made in my life. I've been in law enforcement for 15 years and enjoy the finer details of the job and serious investigations. With that and the underlying mental health issues and things that go along with that, it just felt like a natural transition for me.
Q: What would you say to someone who is considering, going to online school but might be hesitating because they have a job and a family, and they think it is very difficult to juggle it all?
A: The online forensic psychology program with ASU has been fantastic. I think it's a great option for working professionals. It allows you to really maintain your day-to-day job and life while balancing a very structured program. Facilitators and professors were fantastic and easy to build a relationship with. If you had questions, you just needed to reach out.
Q: What do you enjoy doing outside of school?
A: Besides being a father and husband and my many duties for my career, I've also taken on additional roles as a peer mentor for graduate students and as a teaching assistant. So, with the little free time I have, I really just love spending time with my daughters.
Q: What are your plans after graduation? What do you plan to do for work?
A: I plan on continuing my education. I've been accepted to a couple of places for law school, but I haven't decided on exactly what I'm going to do in the fall. It's an important decision. My wife and I have been discussing it, and with little kids, it’s a big decision to make. I also enjoy my job with the RCMP and would love to continue with that as well.
Q: Do you think your degree will help you in your future career and life in general?
A: Yes. It's been a wealth of knowledge, and it's so directly related to my current job, working with the RCMP. I've had an opportunity to be exposed to so many different, great opportunities. I think that earning my master’s degree, particularly through this program, has opened some other doors for me, such as continuing with my education. It also opened my eyes to different perspectives and different ideas to further my career with the RCMP.
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