NCJ Number
130355
Journal
Journal of Criminal Justice Education Volume: 2 Issue: 1 Dated: (Spring 1991) Pages: 45-68
Date Published
1991
Length
24 pages
Annotation
The status of baccalaureate criminal justice education was examined using a stratified random sample of criminal justice programs in the United States as of 1988-1989.
Abstract
The study was designed and conducted to provide an empirical basis for evaluating current baccalaureate criminal justice programs in the country as a whole and within and among regions. In the sample of 416 baccalaureate programs, the midwest had the largest number of programs and the largest average number of programs per State. The south was next in size, followed by the southwest, the northeast, and the west. Regions differed significantly both in the number of required courses and in course titles and descriptions. Differences within regions were also significant, as demonstrated by a lack of agreement on required and elective courses. All colleges and universities included in the study were accredited by their regional accreditation bodies. Nonetheless, at least one program in each region had no required courses, at least one program had no requirement for completing an elective course, at least one program required no supporting courses, and at least one program offered no course as a criminal justice course. It was found that a core curriculum is needed for baccalaureate criminal justice education to incorporate the contributions of cultural anthropology, sociology, psychology, and political science. 25 references and 8 tables (Author abstract modified)