NCJ Number
83855
Date Published
1981
Length
24 pages
Annotation
Community colleges, by adopting a systematic model curriculum to address the needs of criminal justice personnel, could eliminate much of the recent criticism for offering training-type programs.
Abstract
The role of community colleges in criminal justice education emerged in the mid-1960's. After reviewing numerous criminal justice models of curriculum offered for associate degrees, it is concluded that a critical analysis should comprise the basic academic criminal justice program. One reason for adopting the systematic model may be the desire to obtain acceptance of criminal justice as a field of study by other academic disciplines. Another major factor supporting the systematic approach, especially for the 1980's, is that the States have established mandatory preservice training for police officers. The community colleges' criminal justice programs no longer have to fill the law enforcement training void that existed earlier. Academic programs in criminal justice should offer students courses that provide an overview of the criminal justice system. Guidelines recommended for associate degree programs include a core of four system-oriented courses. The core is followed by a concentration in one of four options, including generalist, law enforcement, corrections, and security. An appendix, a bibliography, and 35 footnotes are provided.