Doctoral Dissertations

Date of Award

12-1983

Degree Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Education

Major

Curriculum and Instruction

Major Professor

Jerry J. Bellon

Committee Members

Janet Handler, John Ray, Russell French, Malcolm McInnis

Abstract

Criminal Justice education emerged as a recognized field of study in the 1960's and is now offered at over 1,200 colleges and universities across the country. One of the fundamental questions not being raised in the research to date concerns the purpose of criminal justice education. Without a clear understanding of purpose, a search for standards and evaluation efforts is of little meaning.

This study answered the following questions: (1) What is the purpose of criminal justice education? (2) What should the purpose of criminal justice education be?

Answers to these questions were sought using a three round Delphi probe drawn from a sample of leaders in criminal justice education. The data were analyzed after each rounding according to the format of the questionnaire. Statements receiving high priority rankings in the final round served as the basis for defining the present and desired purposes of criminal justice education.

Responses to the two questions were similar. Both strongly endorsed a foundation for professional development of pre-service and in-service personnel. Support was also given by panel members to a search for understanding about crime, a systemic orientation, and the development of an educated citizenry. Added as desired purposes to this common core were emphases on the ethical and moral standards involved in decision-making, leadership in the academic and applied settings, and broadening the focus of criminal justice education toward a study of justice.

There was a very strong rejection of statements suggesting no clearly defined purpose in criminal justice education. Also drawing negative responses was the statement that criminal justice education will not change in the future, the sentiment being it must.

1. The procedures of this study should be replicated with other professional associations, especially the American Society of Criminology, for an indication of agreement with the findings.

2. The general membership of the Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences should be surveyed through an appropriate descriptive research design to determine the extent of their agreement with the findings generated by studying the views of key leaders.

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