NCJ Number
168366
Journal
Journal of Criminal Justice Education Volume: 7 Issue: 1 Dated: (Spring 1996) Pages: 137-146
Date Published
1996
Length
10 pages
Annotation
Issues that confront criminal justice programs operated by only one full-time faculty member are discussed, based on a survey that received responses from 10 one-person criminal justice programs in New Jersey.
Abstract
Nationwide more than one-third of the community college criminal justice programs have only one educator. In addition, some 4-year college programs have only one faculty member. The survey revealed that two of the 10 participants who operate one-person criminal justice programs believed that this staffing arrangement had no advantages. The other participants believed that the advantages were less numerous and less pronounced than the disadvantages. Most of the perceived advantages centered around several administrative issues, including ease of scheduling, ease of textbook selection, leeway in curriculum development, control over hiring adjunct faculty, and autonomy. The disadvantages included an excessive workload, lack of interactions with peers, students' intellectual stagnation, the excessive use of adjuncts, and inadequate reimbursement. Adjunct professors will remain a reality due to budget issues and can help prevent students' intellectual stagnation. Networking with colleagues in other colleges can provide peer interactions. Thus, administrators and faculty can address some of the problems of one-person departments. 9 references