PROBLEMS IN DEVELOPMENT OF AN UNDERGRADUATE CRIMINAL JUSTICE CURRICULUM

• NCJ Number: 19237
• Journal: Federal Probation Volume: 38 Issue: 4 Dated: (DECEMBER 1974) Pages: 34-40
• Author(s): G J BETO; R MARSH
• Date Published: 1974
• Length: 7 pages
• Corporate Author: Administrative Office of the United States Courts
• Publication Format: Article
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

THE FAILURE TO SET UP CONCRETE CURRICULA GUIDELINES IS CITED AS THE MAJOR PROBLEM IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE EDUCATION PROGRAMS.

Abstract

THREE BASIC CLASSIFICATIONS OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE CURRICULA ARE IDENTIFIED AND DESCRIBED - TRAINING, PROFESSIONAL, AND SOCIAL SCIENCE. THE AUTHORS SUGGEST THAT THE PROFESSIONAL CURRICULUM PROVIDES THE MOST USEFUL MODEL FOR UNDERGRADUATE CRIMINAL JUSTICE EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS, SINCE IT EMPHASIZES BOTH THEORETICAL AND PRACTICAL EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCES. THE USE OF INTERNSHIPS AS A PART OF A PROFESSIONAL CURRICULUM IS HIGHLIGHTED, AND THE PROS AND CONS OF INTRODUCTORY, ONGOING, AND ADVANCED OR SENIOR LEVEL INTERNSHIP ARE DISCUSSED, WITH THE AUTHORS ADVOCATING MID-LEVEL INTERN EXPERIENCES. A MODEL PROFESSIONAL BACCALAUREATE CRIMINAL JUSTICE CURRICULUM IS ALSO PRESENTED WHICH DIVIDES THE PROGRAM INTO CORE COURSES, COURSES WITH A LAW ENFORCEMENT EMPHASIS, AND COURSES WITH A CORRECTIONS EMPHASIS.