NCJ Number
67482
Date Published
1980
Length
139 pages
Annotation
THE DISSERTATION ANALYZED THE HISTORICAL DEVELOPMENT, IMPLEMENTATION, AND CURRENT NATURE OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE PROGRAMS IN PENNSYLVANIA COLLEGES AND PREDICTED FUTURE GROWTH PATTERNS.
Abstract
BEGINNING WITH A BRIEF HISTORY OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE EDUCATION IN THE UNITED STATES, THE STUDY SURVEYED LITERATURE ON TRAINING AND EDUCATION OF LAW ENFORCEMENT PERSONNEL AND GOVERNMENT INFLUENCE ON CRIMINAL JUSTICE EDUCATION. THE ROLE OF THE COMMUNITY COLLEGE IN SUCH PROGRAMS WAS ALSO REVIEWED. DATA FOR THE STUDY WAS COLLECTED BY INTERVIEWING DIRECTORS OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE PROGRAMS IN 11 COMMUNITY COLLEGES. CATALOGS, PROGRAM DESCRIPTIONS, AND BROCHURES WERE ALSO ASSESSED, ALONG WITH ANNUAL REPORTS ON ENROLLMENTS FROM THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION. THE INFORMATION WAS GROUPED INTO SIX MAJOR AREAS: PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT, STUDENT ENROLLMENT, CURRICULUM, FACULTY, FINANCING, AND FUTURE STATUS. THE COMMUNITY COLLEGES STUDIED DEVELOPED CRIMINAL JUSTICE PROGRAMS BETWEEN 1966 AND 1975 WHICH EMPHASIZED LAW ENFORCEMENT. IN RECENT YEARS THE PROGRAMS HAVE EXPANDED TO INCLUDE CORRECTIONS, PROBATION, AND SECURITY. THE POLICE HAVE INFLUENCED THE PROGRAMS BECAUSE THEY SERVE ON ADVISORY COMMITTEES AND PROVIDE THE MOST STUDENTS. THE ENROLLMENT FOR CRIMINAL JUSTICE PEAKED IN 1975 AND APPEARS TO BE DECLINING. STUDENTS HAVE BEEN PREDOMINANTLY WHITE, MALES, AND MUNICIPAL POLICE OFFICERS, BUT THE NUMBERS OF FEMALES AND RECENT HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATES ARE STEADILY INCREASING. BLACK ENROLLMENT WAS MINIMAL AND NOT EXPECTED TO CHANGE. USUALLY, THE APPLIED SCIENCE DEGREE, WHICH IS TRANSFERABLE TO 4-YEAR INSTITUTIONS WITH FEW CREDIT LOSSES, IS AWARDED. CRIMINAL JUSTICE PROGRAMS OFFER A BROAD CURRICULUM REQUIRING STUDENTS TO TAKE MATHEMATICS, SCIENCE, SOCIAL SCIENCE, AND ENGLISH. ALL SCHOOLS HAD SOME FULL-TIME FACULTY, MOST OF WHOM HAD AT LEAST A MASTER'S DEGREE. CRIMINAL JUSTICE PROGRAMS ARE INEXPENSIVE TO OPERATE, AND FEW COLLEGES RECEIVE FEDERAL FUNDS. ADMINISTRATORS EXPECTED FEDERAL SUPPORT TO DECREASE FURTHER. MANY PROGRAMS WERE INVOLVED IN SPECIALIZED PROJECTS SUCH AS POLICE TRAINING AND SECURITY GUARD TRAINING. TOPICS FOR FUTURE STUDY INCLUDE FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO A DECLINE IN ENROLLMENT, A FOLLOWUP OF GRADUATES' CAREERS, AND MINORITY RECRUITMENT. THE APPENDIXES CONTAIN A TRAINING CURRICULUM FOR A PENNSYLVANIA POLICE OFFICER, RECOMMENDED COURSES FOR A CRIMINAL JUSTICE DEGREE PROGRAM, AND THE INTERVIEW GUIDE. A BIBLIOGRAPHY IS PROVIDED. (MJM)