NCJ Number
105364
Journal
Justice Professional Volume: 2 Issue: 1 Dated: (Spring 1987) Pages: 27-43
Date Published
1987
Length
17 pages
Annotation
While there is a great deal of literature in existence dealing with normative issues in criminal justice education (that is, about what should be taught) there is surprisingly little written about what is actually offered under the rubric of criminal justice in this country.
Abstract
In an effort to at least partially fill this gap in our knowledge, the author surveyed the catalog entries of 88 criminal justice programs located throughout the country. In this examination, he found a great deal of diversity in criminal justice curricula. Sources of diversity include: whether or not the program is a free-standing one or whether it is associated with another discipline (such as, political science), the number of credits required for a major in criminal justice, whether specialization is required or not and in the types of courses that are required or offered by the program. The author concludes by suggesting that while diversity does exist, it does not appear to be as great as it was in previous decades. The present situation suggests that criminal justice is an evolving, maturing and vital field of study. (Author abstract)