A hybrid is a mixture of two different things, resulting in something that has aspects of both. Illinois State Representative Jaime Andrade Jr. (D-Chicago) recently filed a bill mandating that, in order to receive a permanent position as an Illinois law enforcement officer, all probationary officers would first have to have earned a bachelor’s degree in social work or a minor in social work. Would this cut down on the number of law enforcement misconduct incidents? Would it curtail the number of lawsuits and associated costs?

It is important to note that there are major differences between a minor and a major in social work. Minors typically only require five or six classes. Majors, alternatively, would require many more classes as well as the completion of 500 hours of fieldwork (internship) in a student’s senior year. It would take much more effort to complete a social work major than a social work minor.