Investing in Quality: The Current State of Assessment in Criminal Justice Programs

Abstract

This manuscript describes how criminal justice programs in higher education engage in student assessment. A web‐based survey adapted from the work of Kelly and Klunk (2003, Learning assessment in political science departments: Survey results. PS: Political Science & Politics, 36, 451–455) that focused on (1) general information about the institution, (2) learning objectives developed by the program, (3) assessment instruments used by the program, (4) methods of analyzing the assessment data, (5) application of learning assessment results, and (6) institutional environment was administered to 369 two‐year and four‐year institutions that had criminal justice programs. A response rate of 44 percent was achieved. Based upon regional representation of programs provided by ACJS, it was determined that the sample was fairly represented of national Criminal Justice programs. The manuscript details the assessment activities that are occurring at the departmental/program level. One of the more paradoxical findings is that grades in major course work is the most often used assessment instrument among the programs, but it is not rated the highest in terms of its effectiveness in evaluating student learning objectives. The manuscript concludes with recommendations about the assessment process.

Keywords:

• investing
• quality
• assessment
• criminal justice programs

Notes

1. Program is the generic term used throughout the paper to mean CJ program, department, or school.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Laura J. Moriarty

Laura J. Moriarty is a Professor of Criminal Justice in the L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs and the Acting Associate Vice Provost for Academic Affairs at Virginia Commonwealth University. Her earned degrees include the PhD in Criminal Justice from Sam Houston State University. She is the author, co‐author, or co‐editor of six books and has published over 45 scholarly articles, book chapters, and non‐refereed articles. Dr. Moriarty is the Immediate Past President of the Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences.