NCJ Number
59447
Journal
SOUTHERN REVIEW OF PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION Volume: 2 Issue: 1 Dated: (JUNE 1978) Pages: 68-76
Date Published
1978
Length
9 pages
Annotation
ISSUES AND TRENDS IN COLLEGE-LEVEL CRIMINOLOGY AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE EDUCATION ARE DISCUSSED.
Abstract
SOME OF THE ISSUES FACING THE FIELD OF CRIMINOLOGY AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE EDUCATION REFLECT CONCERNS ABOUT HIGHER EDUCATION IN GENERAL (E.G., HOW TO BALANCE EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS' RESPONSIBILITIES TO THE INDIVIDUAL AND TO SOCIETY). OTHER ISSUES ARE UNIQUE TO THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE AND CRIMINOLOGY FIELD AND TO THE SET OF CIRCUMSTANCES UNDER WHICH IT HAS BECOME A PART OF THE ACADEMIC COMMUNITY. TRENDS THAT HAVE STIMULATED HIGHER EDUCATION IN CRIME-RELATED STUDIES HAVE INCLUDED RECOGNITION OF CRIME AS A PRIMARY NATIONAL CONCERN, INCREASING MONETARY SUPPORT FOR CRIMINOLOGY AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE EDUCATION THROUGH LEAA, INCREASING EMPHASIS ON CAREER PREPARATION THROUGH HIGHER EDUCATION, AND RISING SALARIES DESIGNED TO MAKE CRIMINAL JUSTICE MORE ATTRACTIVE AS A CAREER. UNDERLYING ALL OF THESE TRENDS HAS BEEN THE GROWING INTEREST IN ACHIEVING PROFESSIONAL STATUS FOR CRIMINAL JUSTICE PERSONNEL, PARTICULARLY IN THE FIELDS OF LAW ENFORCEMENT AND CORRECTIONS. IN 1965, THERE WERE FEWER THAN 100 DEGREE PROGRAMS IN CRIME-RELATED FIELDS. IN 1978, THE NUMBER EXCEEDED 1,000. DURING THIS PERIOD OF GROWTH, TWO MAJOR ISSUES SURFACED AND INTENSIFIED. ONE CONCERNS THE NEED FOR MINIMUM STANDARDS OF ACADEMIC QUALITY FOR CRIMINAL JUSTICE PROGRAMS AND THE APPROPRIATE LOCATION OF THESE PROGRAMS IN THE ACADEMIC ENVIRONMENT. THE OTHER CONCERNS THE APPROPRIATE NATURE AND EXTENT OF LINKAGES BETWEEN CRIMINAL JUSTICE PERSONNEL NEEDS AND THE RESPONSE OF THE ACADEMIC COMMUNITY. THE DECADE FROM 1976 TO 1986 MAY SEE IMPROVEMENTS IN THE ACADEMIC QUALITY AND OCCUPATIONAL RELEVANCE OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE PROGRAMS AS A RESULT OF ACADEMIC PLANNING EFFORTS THAT COULD PROVE A PROTYPE FOR HIGHER EDUCATION. A LIST OF REFERENCED IS INCLUDED. (LKM)