1

University of North Florida

Student Case Study
Criminal Justice Department
March 29, 2013
Presented To:
Linda Howell; Writing Instructor
Team Members:
Dalton Carter & Justin Daniels

Criminology & Criminal Justice Department Case Study

University of North Florida

Criminology & Criminal Justice Department Case Study
Table of Contents
I.
II.

Introduction
3
Background
4-6
2.1 Student Experience
4
2.2 Program of Study (Undergraduate)
4-5
2.3 Department & Instructors
6
III. Criminology & Criminal Justice Department Assessment
Tools
7-8
3.1 Assessment Process
7
3.2 Department Learning Outcomes
7
3.3 Communication Skills Outcome
7
3.4 Content Discipline Knowledge Outcomes
7
3.5 Critical Thinking Skills Outcomes
8
3.6 CCJ Department Assessment Instrument
8
IV. Assessment
9
4.1 Office of Institutional Research and Assessment 9
4.2 Academic Learning Compacts
9
V.
Analysis
10-12
5.1 Outcomes Analysis
10
5.2 Assessment Instrument Analysis
10
5.3 Room for Improvement
10
5.4 Department Growth
11
5.5 Lack of Accreditation
11
5.6 Results
11
5.7 Accreditation Concerns
12
VI. Internship Opportunities
13
6.1 Agency Placements
13
6.2 Federal Internship Track
13
VII. Conclusion
14
7.1 Graduate Program/Professional Community
14
VIII. Resources
15

Criminology & Criminal Justice Department Case Study

I.

Introduction_____________________________________________________________

Our team has drafted a report that analyzes the assessment process for the department of
Criminology & Criminal Justice (CCJ) at the University of North Florida (UNF). The following
report details the departments academic attributes including the student experience, coursework,
instructors and expected student outcomes. In addition, this report details the departments tools
for assessment, their assessment procedures and analysis of the success of the assessment.

Criminology & Criminal Justice Department Case Study

II.

Background_____________________________________________________________

2.1 Student Experience

Criminal Justice as a discipline brings together the social and behavioral sciences, the natural
sciences, mathematical and computer sciences, and the study of theory and law to focus on the
problem of crime in society.
Students examine law making, crime, societal issues, justice, and responses to various law
violations. In doing so, students develop decision making skills for judgment of modern crime
prevention and punishment strategies. Participation in department research and internships
enhances the students ability to apply their knowledge directly to the field.
The vantage points provided by the program aid students with opportunities to make a positive
impact on the lives of individuals and communities they serve. Prospective students learn the
more deeply rooted complexities of modern social life. Students learn the social patterns behind
crime and punishment as well as the issues of economics, social exclusion, gender socialization,
family breakdown and education failure that trend closely with high rates of crime in urban
areas.
2.2 Program of Study (Undergraduate)
To receive a Bachelors of Arts (B.A.) in Criminology and Criminal Justice at UNF one must
complete the following:
Major Requirements (24 credits):

CCJ3023 3 Intro to Criminal Justice

CCJ3014 3 Criminological Theory
CCJ3700 3 Research Methods Criminology & Criminal Justice
Prerequisite: STA 2014
CJJ3010 3 Juvenile Delinquency and Juvenile Justice
CJL4310 3 Criminal Law and Procedures I
CJE4017 3 Law Enforcement System/Process
CJL4510 3 Court Systems And Processes
CJC4015 3 Correctional Systems/Process

Major Electives (6 credits):

The student must select TWO CCJ electives.

CCJ 3932 ST: Criminal Justice

CCJ 4283 Philosophy of Law & Justice
CCJ 4604 Crime & Mental Illness
CCJ 4662 Minorities & Crime
CJC 3410 Offender Treatment
CCJ 4663 Women & Crime
CCJ 4664 White Collar Crime

Criminology & Criminal Justice Department Case Study

CCJ 4681 Family Violence

CJE 4144 Security & Society
CCJ 4905 Directed Independent Study
CCJ 4931 Controversial Legal Issues
CCJ 4935 ST: Criminal Justice Administration
CCJ 4938 ST: Criminology
CJL 4315 Criminal Trials Seminar
CCJ 4641 Organized Crime
CJE 3281 Women in the Legal System
CJE 4211 Hate Crimes
CJC 4510 Punishment & Society
CJE 3232 Drugs & Crime
CJE 4270 Child Abuse
CJL 4111 Criminal Law & Procedures II
SYP 3570 Deviance & Social Control
CCJ 3930 Criminal Justice Junior Seminar

Internships (6 credits)
CCJ4939 3 Pre-Intern in Criminal Justice and CCJ4940 3 Internship in Criminal Justice
Minor Required
A minor is required for this major. The minor must be selected from the list of approved minors,
including those outside the college of the major.
Foreign Language/Foreign Cultures
Students who successfully completed 2 years of foreign language in high school have the option
of taking 6 hours of foreign culture courses instead of 8 hours of college level foreign language.
Free Electives (3 credits)
Electives 3 Hours (3000/4000)

Criminology & Criminal Justice Department Case Study

2.3 Department & Instructors

Currently, the CCJ department hosts nine full-time members and 15 part-time members having
grown 45 percent since 2008 according to Department Chair Dr. Michael Hallett. Part of UNFs
College of Arts and Sciences, the CCJ Department was formerly associated with the Sociology
and Anthropology programs until 2002. Soon after, the singular program independently became
the Department of Sociology and Anthropology and the Department of Criminology and
Criminal Justice.
According to the CCJ webpage, their mission statement reads as follows: Our mission is to
provide students the intellectual tools they need for success while empowering students with
research skills necessary for critical thinking. Our top priority is to help students succeed.
UNF faculty members have graduate degrees from several well-established graduate programs in
the social sciences including: Arizona State University, Indiana University of Pennsylvania,
Michigan State University, Sam Houston State University, University of Central Florida,
University of Cincinnati and Washington University, St Louis.
UNFs CCJ Department is headed by Dr. Michael Hallett, the founding chairman since 2004. His
work has been included in multiple books and journals such as Punishment & Society, Critical
Criminology and others. His current research focuses on the market dynamics of prisoner
reentry.
Internship Coordinator and Professor Joy Feria is the permitting body that oversees all internship
opportunities within the department. Students must submit all necessary documentation to
Professor Feria and must receive permission to register for the designated Pre-Internship courses
before interning.

Criminology & Criminal Justice Department Case Study

III.

Criminology & Criminal Justice Department Assessment Tools__________________

3.1 Assessment Process

Assessment is a continuous process that includes:

Deciding what graduates need to know and be able to do.

Recognizing where in their UNF experience graduates develop the knowledge and skills
the OIRA identifies.

Developing measures for the selected skills and knowledge.

Gathering and analyzing data from student achievement of the selected outcomes.

Using the results of the assessment to improve programs and practices.

3.2 Department Learning Outcomes

The Criminology & Criminal Justice Department (CCJ) has expected outcomes for each of the
key areas of assessment. The following information comes directly from the CCJ Academic
Learning Compact of 2011 issued to both team members by department Chair Dr. Michael
Hallett.
3.3 Communication Skills Outcome
The CCJ Department expects students to be able to comprehend and communicate specific
applications of theoretical knowledge derived from coursework through internship placements
and assigned papers.
3.4 Content Discipline Knowledge Outcomes
Testing instruments assess a students mastery of core content in the following areas:

Understanding patterns and trends of crime in the United States through identification of
relevant data sources and critical analysis of crime data.

Understanding criminological theory, including various schools of thought through

recognition of theorists and evaluations of theory strengths and limitations.

Understanding of the logic of the American judicial system and characteristics of the law
enforcement, courts, and correctional systems through critical analysis and evaluation of
relevant research.

Understanding of the tension between democracy and social control through

identification and critical analysis of legal doctrine, social philosophy and system
practice.

Understanding of CCJ research as it relates to theory and practice during completion of

the required internship program through production of student journals, work portfolios,
site supervisor evaluations and critical application of social science research findings.

Criminology & Criminal Justice Department Case Study

3.5 Critical Thinking Skills Outcomes

To critically assess criminological theories through written work and objective

examinations.

To recognize and identify the appropriate qualitative and quantitative research designs on
researchable topics.

To articulate awareness of the ways in which prevailing social arrangements may bias the
legal process against some groups and not others.

3.6 CCJ Department Assessment Instrument

As mentioned above in the Content Discipline Knowledge & Skills Outcome section,
asynchronous testing instruments are used to assess a students understanding of the core
content. Dr. Michael Hallett provided the team physical copies of the Spring 2013 CCJ
Assessment Instrument. The department issues this instrument at various times thorough a
students experiences within the department. The content outcomes are for the student to
evaluate and express their understanding of criminological research through analysis and
application. The instrument offers 4 core understanding questions which the student is to answer
correctly. Student responses are evaluated by faculty and sent to the department Chair.
The Assessment Instrument also calls for personal demographic data of the students detailing the
number of credit hours the student has completed at UNF. This data provides an insight as to
what our students progression rates are and how faculty can aid their growth.
Lastly, the Assessment Instrument calls for a written communications submission that asks the
students to identify their favorite criminological theory and a description of the cause of crime.
Students are expected to give the name of at least one proponent of this theory. This assesses the
students ability to write on a collegiate level and gauges their retention of knowledge.

Criminology & Criminal Justice Department Case Study

IV.

Assessment______________________________________________________________

4.1 Office of Institutional Research and Assessment

The Office of Institutional Research and Assessment (OIRA) supports planning, decisionmaking, and assurance of student learning at the University of North Florida. According to the
official UNF website, the OIRAs mission is to serve these specific administrative purposes:

Perform the university's data administration function, producing or coordinating all

official data reports and electronic files submitted to federal, state, regional, and local
agencies.

Collect, analyze, organize, maintain and interpret data concerning all areas of university
operations, from which it generates reports, analyses and projections for external and
internal units and entities.

Support all units of the university in the preparation, execution, and documentation of
plans to assess student learning, and in the use of the resulting data to promote continuous
improvement of student learning and success.

4.2 Academic Learning Compacts

The OIRA produces Academic Learning Compacts (ALCs) to assess the success of the students
achieving of the expected outcomes of each department. The ALCs are developed by each
department to identify the necessary goals that a prospective student should reach by the time
they graduate with a degree issued by their respective department. Each department must identify
goals for three distinct areas: Content Discipline-Specific Knowledge and Skills, Communication
Skills, and Critical Thinking Skills. In addition, the ALCs list the methods by which the
department measures the progression of students in the areas listed above.

Criminology & Criminal Justice Department Case Study

V.

10

Analysis________________________________________________________________

5.1 Outcomes Analysis

Though the outcomes focus more solely on content and critical thinking skills, communications
assessment is primarily met in the form of peer evaluation of student presentations, student
papers, etc. In the our team interview, Dr. Hallett ensured the team that although communication
outcomes are not as demanding as the others, practical applications of the students
communication skills are internship placements and student papers.
5.2 Assessment Instrument Analysis
Given the departments small stature it has a strong method for presenting where students excel
and where they can improve. Students are regularly given course embedded assessments with
these instruments. Indirect measures of students abilities such as pass rates on key area tests,
student publications, conference presentations and intern supervisors reviews of student
performance are also considered when gauging academic growth.
5.3 Room for Improvement
Dr. Hallett mentioned in our team interview that assessment is a new academic procedure
stemming from needs to ensure student success not only in the CCJ Department but any
collegiate field of study. Hallett expressed that the departments largest problem that most
broadly affects other departments is that undergraduates declaring a CCJ major may be under
skilled in their writing abilities. This is because the department does not offer many service
courses that would serve to increase a students pre-existing writing abilities and those who
claim the major are expected to already possess sufficient writing skills. Students must be a
junior to declare a CCJ major. Hallett commented on this factor stating the claim that led
towards assessment was that class grades didnt reflect the actual learning of fundamental
communication skills. These instruments and outcomes are the departments way of
supplementing those class grades.
Understanding criminal behaviors and the administration of justice in America today has also
become increasingly important in many professions outside of the criminal justice system.
Teachers, counselors, clinicians, social workers, business personnel and governmental
employees are just some of the many professionals who, in their course of work, may have
contact with the criminal justice system, its staff, or the offenders or victims involved in the
system.

Criminology & Criminal Justice Department Case Study

11

5.4 Department Growth

Dr. Hallett has also indicated what is crucial to department improvement is a larger number of
dedicated faculty members. Hallett acknowledged that while we host a strong undergraduate
faculty we are hurting for graduate faculty meaning faculty members with doctorate degrees.
Hallett has suggested that to address this, we should continue placing ads with the American
Criminal Justice Association and the Academy for Criminal Justice Sciences during conferences.
The emergent need for department growth can be represented by the Undergraduate Program
ALCs explicit mentioning that advanced students are encouraged to work directly with faculty
in research and writing projects and to pursue doctoral studies. If a larger faculty could be
achieved, students could be even better prepared for their field.
5.5 Lack of Accreditation
An accreditation process at the department level ensures that the certification practices for
students are acceptable. Educational accreditation is a type of quality assurance which is
evaluated by an external body to determine if the desired standards are met. If these standards are
met, accreditation status is granted by the external body. UNF is accredited by the Southern
Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award baccalaureate, masters,
and doctoral degrees.
The CCJ Department at UNF, unlike other educational departments lacks an accrediting body.
Although one of the largest accrediting bodies in America, the American Criminal Justice
Association, has several chapters in our region of the country, currently, there is no operational
chapter at UNF.
As a result, without an accrediting body, the CCJ Department currently uses peer reviews from
the department Chair and indirect measures of assessment such as employment data and law
school placement information.
5.6 Results
Though the CCJ program at UNF has been recognized as one of the largest and expansive
programs in the country without an accrediting body that may ensure the student learning
outcomes are being achieved, the efficacy of the programs measures may be questioned. In this
case, the truest representations of these outcomes are in the form of student publications and
employment data from the numerous agencies in an agreement with the program. In order to
expand with the most progression, in the next few years, the department needs to align itself with
an accrediting body to ensure beneficial institutional and educational practices.
Accreditation separates the institutions that are taken seriously by other schools, institutions,
employers and professional associations from those that arent. From the employers perspective
a diploma from a non-accredited school can be a waste of student time and effort. The problem
that students may face with seeking post-graduation employment is situation dependent.

Criminology & Criminal Justice Department Case Study

12

5.7 Accreditation Concerns

The ultimate concern for departments seeking continuous accreditation is cost which places a
constraint on the department. Departments with accredited programs often do not include a place
in their annual budget for the costs related to becoming or staying accredited. Constraints that the
CCJ Department may face in the future could include:

The cost of accreditation application

The cost of the accrediting bodys site visits
Course requirements (subject to change any time after accreditation is awarded)
Program flexibility

While accreditation provides professional recognition and credibility to the institution, increasing
the opportunities for professional third party associations, sponsors, and funds, accreditation can
also create a disassociation between the student learning outcomes and the actual results of the
program. The costs of including a third party to accredit the CCJ program may hinder the
adaptability of the program.

Criminology & Criminal Justice Department Case Study

VI.

13

Internship Opportunities__________________________________________________

6.1 Agency Placements

UNF offers one of the most extensive Criminology & Criminal Justice Capstone internship
placement programs in the United States, placing over 100 students a year in federal, state, local
or non-profit organizations. The program has placement agreements with over 60 organizations,
both governmental and non-profit, where students can gain hands-on experience in the field.
Some of these organizations include:

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)

The U.S. Marshals
The Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF)
The City of Jacksonville Mayors Office
Quigley House (non-profit)

The CCJ Department has also partnered with the State Attorneys Office to give students unique
training otherwise unachievable in the classroom. There, prospective interns get hands-on
experience at the Jacksonville Courthouse and can learn about the justice system. Students at the
State Attorneys Office are able to work in the Offices Bad Checks department processing bad
check cases to help secure payment for merchants, can contribute to appellate cases and observe
some of the bigger cases as they go to trial.
6.2 Federal Internship Track
The department supplements their internship opportunities with a Federal Internship Track. This
list benchmarks what steps students can take to secure a position with the agency of their choice.
All required documents must be submitted to Professor Joy Feria, the Internship Coordinator in
the Social Sciences Building, Room 2309. Students who wish to be considered for the Federal
Internship Track must complete rigorous criteria including:

Being enrolled as a full-time undergraduate student at UNF and majoring in Criminal

Justice
Being enrolled in six credits hours or more
Having three semesters remaining prior to graduation
Having a minimum GPA of 3.0
Providing a transcript, resume, cover letter, two letters of recommendation and an essay
Being interviewed by the department Chair or the Internship committee
Being interviewed by the agency of interest
Completing a background check by the agency upon acceptance
Completing a minimum of 20 intern hours per week

Criminology & Criminal Justice Department Case Study

VII.

14

Conclusion______________________________________________________________

7.1 Graduate Program/Professional Community

Public concerns about crime and the expansion of the criminal justice system in recent decades,
have caused a large increase in the number of pursuable courses in colleges across the country.
Jobs that did not exist at all two decades ago such as victim advocates or police computer
mapping specialists continue to develop especially in cities with a consolidated metropolitan
layout such as Jacksonville. There is a growing demand for those with graduate level education
in all sectors of the system.
Despite the increasing demand for professionals, the department can only move forward if UNF
increases graduate faculty. The CCJ department has made an impressive improvement in less
than a decade of being headed by Dr. Hallett, being of UNFs largest field of graduates. The
campus as a whole has a strong professional reputation for being a credible academic institution
and alignment with a proper accreditation agency would further improve our institutional profile.
With applicable standards, graduates can achieve the student learning outcomes and will
accurately reflect the skills necessary for post-secondary educational success.

Criminology & Criminal Justice Department Case Study

VII.

15

Resources_______________________________________________________________

Office of Institutional Research and Assessment. (2013). Retrieved from

http://www.unf.edu/oira/
Academic Learning Compact. (2012, April 24). Retrieved from
http://www.unf.edu/uploadedFiles/aa/oira/assessment/ALCs_042012/Communication.pdf
Wilhem Jr., J. (2010, 11 10). Unf internship program one of the largest in the country. Retrieved
from http://www.jaxdailyrecord.com/showstory.php?Story_id=532050
Peterson, T. (2007, 08 23). Degrees pros and cons-what you need to know about accreditation.
Retrieved from http://ezinearticles.com/?Online-Degrees-Pros-and-Cons---What-You-Need-ToKnow-About-Accreditation&id=701194
Internship agency placement list. (2012). Retrieved from
http://www.unf.edu/coas/ccj/agency_list.aspx
Hallett, M. (2013, 03 14). Interview by J. Daniels [Audio Tape Recording]. Interview with Dr.
Hallett.
American criminal justice association. (2008). Retrieved from http://www.acjalae.org/
Dr. Michael Hallett. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.unf.edu/coas/ccj/faculty/hallett.aspx