Volume 7, Issue 11, November – 2022 International Journal of Innovative Science and Research Technology

ISSN No:-2456-2165

The Criminology Curriculum: Its Relevance to the

Jobs of the Graduates
Eric N. Habiatan
Isabela State University, Cabagan Isabela, Philippines

Abstract:- This study examined the relevance of the rigorous academic experiences. The structure, organization,
criminology curriculum of Isabela State University- and considerations in a curriculum are created in order to
Cabagan to the jobs of the graduates. Using descriptive enhance student learning and facilitate instruction.
design, data gathered from 134 criminology graduates Curriculum must include the necessary goals, methods,
comprising of 108 male and 26 female was analyzed using materials and assessments to effectively support instruction
arithmetic mean, t-test, and ranking. Result shows that and learning.
the Bachelor of Science in Criminology curriculum of
Isabela State University is responsive to the jobs of its Further, the study of Bueno, D. (2017) revealed that the
graduates and that the courses offered are practical to the curricula of the private higher educational institution-
real-world professions of the graduates. Likewise, the graduate school from 2010 – 2015 in the Philippines are
academic related activities of the criminology program responding to the needs of various industries. Specifically,
are significant to the careers of the graduates. Moreover, Administration and governance, curriculum and instruction,
findings displayed that there is no significant difference research, professional and cognate courses, student services,
between the assessments of male and female graduates on library, internet laboratory, interdisciplinary learning, and
the relevance of the academic related activities and teaching/ learning environment are the school-related factors
criminology curriculum particularly law enforcement relevant to the current employment of the graduates.
administration, criminal detection and investigation, Meanwhile, communication, human relations,
criminal sociology, criminalistics, and correctional entrepreneurial, information technology, problem-solving,
administration courses to their jobs. On the other hand, critical thinking, and research skills are considered relevant
result exhibited a significant difference on the assessment skills learned. Moreover, love of God, honesty, punctuality,
of the male and female graduates on relevance of criminal obedience to superior, perseverance, creativity, professional
law and jurisprudence course to their jobs. Finally, the integrity, unity, fairness, love for others, nationalism and
graduates endorsed the inclusion to the criminology being eco-friendly are the values evidently manifested in their
curriculum of the competencies such as computer related workplaces.
subjects, police operational procedure, communication
subjects, driving and swimming, and stress management Correspondingly, Toquero, C. and Ulanday, D. (2021)
subjects. displayed that curriculum of the Mindanao State University-
General Santos City is responsive to the present employment
Keywords:- Criminology curriculum, Academic related of its graduates and that the supply of graduates’ educational
activities, Education, Relevance, Jobs. skills are highly matched with the skills demanded by the
industry. Besides, a university with a relevant curriculum can
I. INTRODUCTION offer authentic practical work experience integrated in the
subjects to capacitate the graduates to be job-ready to meet
Higher education institutions acknowledge the the demands of employers in the industry.
significance of curricula in the operation of every course
offered. Without a responsive curriculum, the institution Likewise, Zainab, A.N., Edzan, N.N., and Abdul
cannot operate effectively and efficiently due to having no Rahman, S.S. (2004) asserted that content of the curriculum
definite idea of what plan to be taught to the students. Thus, of the Master of Library and Information Science (MLIS) at
the goal of teaching a subject is to ensure to build the students the University of Malaya is relevant to the current job of the
to be capable of what they want to be after completing the graduates. In addition, graduates are satisfied with the courses
academic program. Moreover, curriculum is essentially a indicating their perceived usefulness of information science
series of activities and learning outcome goals related to each related courses.
subject. It serves as a great map, outlining what the students
can achieve including the methods on how goals must be Besides, Bautista et al. (2020) displayed that the
obtained. Criminology graduates considered the subjects police
organization and administration with police planning, police
In addition, Ride Rhode Island Department of education patrol with police communication system, and traffic
defines curriculum is a standards-based sequence of planned management with traffic accident investigation as very
experiences where students practice and achieve proficiency relevant to their job placement. Also, the criminology
in content and applied learning skills. Curriculum is the graduates obtained a very high performance rating from their
central guide for all educators as to what is essential for respective employers in terms of commitment and credibility.
teaching and learning, so that every student has access to

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Volume 7, Issue 11, November – 2022 International Journal of Innovative Science and Research Technology
ISSN No:-2456-2165
As regard to the above concepts, the Criminology strengths and weaknesses of the prospective graduates of the
program of Isabela State University-Cabagan Campus started Criminology program; the students -findings may provide
its offering in year 2006 by virtue of the Board of Regents advance insight on the courses to be given focus; the
Resolution Number 14, series of 2006. The program community - this study would enlighten the members of the
outcomes of the course is to equipped its graduates with community on the contributions of the criminal justice
relevant knowledge, skills, attitude, and values shall be able education in attaining peaceful and progressive nation. At
to conduct criminological research on crimes, crime present, there were no researches focusing on the relevance
causation, victims, and offenders to include deviant behavior; of the criminology curriculum to the job of the graduates,
internalize the concepts of human rights and victim welfare; hence this study.
demonstrate competence and broad understanding in law
enforcement administration, public safety and criminal  Objectives Of The Study
justice; utilize criminalistics or forensic science in the This study assessed the relevance of the criminology
investigation and detection of crime; apply the principles and curriculum to the jobs of the graduates. Specifically, this
jurisprudence of criminal law, evidence and criminal study aimed the following:
procedure; and ensure offenders’ welfare and development 1. To determine the relevance of the criminology courses to
for their re-integration to the community. Besides, from year the jobs of the male and female graduates.
2006 to 2018, the curriculum implemented is based on CHED 2. To define the relevance of the academic related activities
memorandum order (CMO) # 21. series of 2005 having a of the criminology program to the jobs of the male and
total of 187 units particularly with six professional courses female graduates.
such as criminal laws and jurisprudence, law enforcement 3. To find out if there is significant difference between
administration, criminalistics, criminal detection and responses of the male and female graduates on the above
investigation, correctional administration, and criminal objectives.
sociology. 4. To determine the competencies recommended by the
graduates to be embedded in the criminology curriculum.
The program is now on its fifteenth year of
implementation and has produced graduates who currently II. METHODOLOGY
employed in the different law enforcement agencies such as
the Philippine National Police, Bureau of Jail Management Utilizing the descriptive method, this study employed
and Penology, Bureau of Fire Protection, and some are in the 134 criminology graduates of Isabela State University-
teaching profession. Besides, the program has received Cabagan comprising of 108 male and 26 female. In addition,
informal information related to the significance of the courses respondents were those who have served at least three years
offered in the Criminology program to the current job of the as uniformed officer of the Philippine National Police.
graduates. From this, there is a need to assess the relevance Arithmetic mean was used to figure out how relevant the
of the Criminology curriculum to the job of the graduates. criminology courses and academic related activities to the
jobs of the graduates. In addition, t-test was applied to find
The findings of the study will be beneficial to the out if there is significant difference between the assessments
following: the university administrators - the results would of male and female graduates, while ranking was employed
provide inputs and/or feedback to help in examining the to determine the competencies recommended by the
respective program offerings and will also serve as guide for graduates to be embedded in the criminology curriculum.
planning and curriculum enhancement to have a gender Shown below is the four-point Likert scale to describe the
responsive Criminal Justice Education program which is graduates’ assessments.
traditionally and continuously male-dominated course; the
criminology graduates- findings may serve as an avenue to Arbitrary values Range Description
help their alma mater improve and sustain academic 4 3.26-4.00 Highly Relevant
offerings; the faculty members - outcomes would provide 3 2.51-3.25 Relevant
insights on their competencies and thereby lead them to adopt 2 1.76-2.50 Less Relevant
more effective and quality teaching methods and strategies, 1 1.00-1.75 Not Relevant
likewise, this will provide the necessary information as to the

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Volume 7, Issue 11, November – 2022 International Journal of Innovative Science and Research Technology
ISSN No:-2456-2165
III. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

1. The relevance of the criminology courses to the jobs of the male and female graduates.

Table 1. The perceived relevance of the law enforcement course to the jobs of male and female graduates
Male Female Area DI
Law Enforcement Administration Mean
Mean DI Mean DI
1. Police Organization & Administration with Highly Highly Highly
Police Planning 3.79 relevant 3.62 relevant 3.71 relevant
2. Industrial Security Management Highly Highly Highly
3.69 relevant 3.69 relevant 3.69 relevant
3. Police Patrol Plan & Operation with Police 3.78 Highly 3.80 Highly 3.79 Highly
Communication System relevant relevant relevant
4. Police Intelligence Highly Highly Highly
3.71 relevant 3.82 relevant 3.77 relevant
5. Police Personnel and Records Management Highly Highly Highly
3.69 relevant 3.85 relevant 3.77 relevant
6. Comparative Police System Highly Relevant Relevant
3.35 relevant 3.03 3.19
Highly Highly Highly
Category Mean 3.67 relevant 3.64 relevant 3.65 relevant

The category mean of 3.65, indicating the “highly relevance” of the law enforcement course to the jobs of male and female
graduates, implies that the subjects under law enforcement are responding to the professions of the graduates. Moreover, male
graduates perceived higher assessment of 3.67 than female graduates having a mean of 3.64, which donates that law enforcement
subjects are more useful in the performance of jobs among male graduates. Nevertheless, the subject comparative police system is
perceived relevant as indicated by the area mean 3.19 suggesting that there is a need for a curriculum heightening to make the
subject more useful to the graduates. This result is parallel to the findings of Bueno (2017), which revealed that the curricula of
higher educational institution are responding to the needs of various industries.

Table 2. The perceived relevance of the Criminal Detection & Investigation course to the jobs of male and female graduates
Criminal Detection & Investigation Male Female Area DI
Mean DI Mean DI Mean
1. Fundamentals of Criminal Investigations Highly Highly Highly
3.82 relevant 3.88 relevant 3.85 relevant
2. Traffic Management and Accident Highly Highly Highly
Investigation 3.71 relevant 3.86 relevant 3.79 relevant
3. Special Crime Investigation Highly Highly Highly
3.72 relevant 3.85 relevant 3.79 relevant
4. Organized Crime Investigation Highly Highly Highly
3.37 relevant 3.72 relevant 3.55 relevant
5. Drug Education and Vice Control Highly Highly Highly
3.69 relevant 3.80 relevant 3.75 relevant
6. Fire Technology and Arson Investigation 3.20 Relevant Highly Highly
3.34 relevant 3.27 relevant
Highly Highly Highly
Category Mean 3.59 relevant 3.74 relevant 3.66 relevant

The category mean of 3.66 shows the “highly relevance” of the Criminal Detection & Investigation course to the jobs of male
and female graduates. This figure connotes that information acquired by the graduates along criminal detection and investigation
subjects are beneficial in the performances of their professions. Besides, female respondents displayed higher assessment of 3.74
than male of 3.59, which signify that Criminal Detection & Investigation subjects are more utilized in the jobs female graduates.
The findings is supported in the study of Bautista et al. (2020), which displayed that the Criminology graduates considered the
subjects in the BS Criminology curriculum as very relevant to their job placements.

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Volume 7, Issue 11, November – 2022 International Journal of Innovative Science and Research Technology
ISSN No:-2456-2165
Table 3. The perceived relevance of the Criminal Law & Jurisprudence course to the jobs of male and female graduates
Criminal Law & Jurisprudence Male Female Area DI
Mean DI Mean DI Mean
1. Criminal Law 1 Highly Highly Highly
3.68 relevant 3.87 relevant 3.78 relevant
2. Criminal Law 2 Highly Highly Highly
3.74 relevant 3.87 relevant 3.81 relevant
3. Criminal Procedure Highly Highly Highly
3.80 relevant 3.87 relevant 3.84 relevant
4. Criminal Evidence Highly Highly Highly
3.76 relevant 3.74 relevant 3.75 relevant
5. Court Testimony Highly Highly Highly
3.69 relevant 3.85 relevant 3.77 relevant
Highly Highly Highly
Category Mean 3.73 relevant 3.84 relevant 3.79 relevant

The category mean of 3.79, reflecting the “highly relevance” of the criminal law and jurisprudence course to the jobs of male
and female graduates, denotes that the learned knowledge from the BS Criminology curriculum along criminal law and jurisprudence
is utilized by the graduates in the performance of their jobs. Further, female respondents exhibited higher rating of 3.84 than male
of 3.73, this data entails that criminal law and jurisprudence subjects have greater applicability among female graduates. This output
is matching to the study of Toquero, C. and Ulanday, D. (2021), which displayed that curriculum of the Mindanao State University-
General Santos City is responsive to the present employment of its graduates and that the supply of graduates’ educational skills are
highly matched with the skills demanded by the industry.

Table 4. The perceived relevance of the Criminal Sociology course to the jobs of male and female graduates
Criminal Sociology Male Female Area DI
Mean DI Mean DI Mean
1. Introduction to Criminology and Highly Highly Highly
Psychology of Crimes 3.78 relevant 3.78 relevant 3.78 relevant
2. Philippine Criminal Justice System Highly Highly Highly
3.73 relevant 3.82 relevant 3.78 relevant
3. Police Ethics and Community Highly Highly Highly
Relation 3.87 relevant 3.88 relevant 3.88 relevant
4. Juvenile Delinquency and Crime Relevant Highly Highly
Prevention 3.15 3.81 relevant 3.48 relevant
5. Human Behavior and Crisis Highly Highly Highly
Management 3.57 relevant 3.83 relevant 3.70 relevant
6. Criminological Research and Relevant Relevant Relevant
Statistics 2.86 3.16 3.01
Highly Highly Highly
Category Mean 3.49 relevant 3.71 relevant 3.60 relevant

The category mean of 3.60 indicates that the criminal sociology course of BS Criminology curriculum is highly relevant to the
jobs of the male and female graduates. This result magnifies the high applicability of the acquired learnings of the graduates on
criminal sociology to their jobs. Moreover, female respondents exposed higher assessment of 3.71 than male of 3.49, this data infers
that criminal sociology course is more practical among female respondents. Nonetheless, the subject criminological research and
statistics is perceived relevant as reflected in the area mean 3.01 suggesting a need for curriculum enhancement to align the subject
to the needs of the graduates. This finding is supported in the study of Zainab, A.N., Edzan, N.N., and Abdul Rahman, S.S. (2004),
which asserted that the content of the curriculum of the Master of Library and Information Science (MLIS) at the University of
Malaya is relevant to the current job of the graduates.

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Volume 7, Issue 11, November – 2022 International Journal of Innovative Science and Research Technology
ISSN No:-2456-2165
Table 5. The perceived relevance of the Criminalistics course to the jobs of male and female graduates
Criminalistics Male Female Area Mean DI
Mean DI Mean DI
1. Personal Identification Relevant Highly Highly
3.22 3.59 relevant 3.41 relevant
2. Police Photography 2.84 Relevant 3.05 Relevant 2.95 Relevant
3. Forensic Ballistics Highly Highly Highly
3.58 relevant 3.68 relevant 3.63 relevant
4. Questioned Document Examination 2.97 Relevant 2.9 Relevant 2.94 Relevant
5. Polygraphy 2.69 Relevant 2.84 Relevant 2.77 Relevant
6. Legal Medicine Highly Highly Highly
3.48 relevant 3.65 relevant 3.57 relevant
Highly
Category Mean 3.13 Relevant 3.29 relevant 3.21 Relevant

The category mean of 3.21 directs that the criminalistics course of BS Criminology curriculum is relevant to the jobs of the
male and female graduates. The female respondents revealed that criminalistics course is highly relevant to their job as showed in
the 3.29, while male respondents viewed that the course is relevant to their job as indicated in the mean 3.13. This result infers that
criminalistics subject are significant in the performance of jobs among graduates, nevertheless, the data suggests that there is a need
for a curriculum enhancement on criminalistics course making the subjects more fitting to the prospect professions of the students.
This result is influenced by the actual assignment of the graduates wherein no one among them is assigned to laboratory functions
that require the use of criminalistics knowledge.

Table 6. The perceived relevance of the Correctional Administration course to the jobs of male and female graduates
Correctional Administration Male Female Area Mean DI
Mean DI Mean DI
1. Institutional Correction 3.21 Relevant 3.13 Relevant 3.17 Relevant
2. Non- institutional Correction 3.20 Relevant 2.81 Relevant 3.01 Relevant
Category Mean 3.21 Relevant 2.97 Relevant 3.09 Relevant

The category mean of 3.09 displays that the correctional administration course of BS Criminology curriculum is relevant to
the jobs of the graduates. Both male and female respondents regarded the course as relevant as indicated in the means 3.21 and 2.97
respectively. This result manifests that the knowledge developed by the graduates along correctional administration subjects are
pertinent to their professions, though not in its fullest extent. Hence, there is a need for a curriculum enrichment to make the subjects
under correctional administration course more practical to the future professions of the students. This finding is attributed to the
actual job assignments of the graduates wherein no one is employed to the correctional institutions that require skills on correctional
administration.

2. The perceived relevance of the academic related activities of the criminology program to the job of the male and female
graduates.

Table 7. The relevance of the academic related activities of the criminology program to the job of the male and female graduates.
Academic Related Activities Male Female Area DI
Mean DI Mean DI Mean
1. Reserve officer training corps Highly Highly Highly
relevant relevant relevant
3.71 3.73 3.72
2. Criminology Field Training Exercises Highly Highly Highly
3.63 relevant 3.60 relevant 3.62 relevant
3. Criminology student celebration Highly Highly Highly
3.38 relevant 3.30 relevant 3.34 relevant
4. Criminology Sports fest Highly Highly Highly
3.52 relevant 3.41 relevant 3.47 relevant
5. Emergency drills Highly Highly Highly
3.62 relevant 3.77 relevant 3.70 relevant
Category Mean Highly Highly Highly
3.57 relevant 3.56 relevant 3.57 relevant

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Volume 7, Issue 11, November – 2022 International Journal of Innovative Science and Research Technology
ISSN No:-2456-2165
The category mean of 3.57 reflects that the academic related activities of BS Criminology program are highly relevant to the
jobs of the graduates. Correspondingly, the male and female graduates revealed that the academic related activities of the program
are highly relevant to their jobs as exhibited in the category means of 3.57 and 3.56. This finding implies that the graduates have
practically used the experiences picked up from the academic related activities of the BS Criminology program to their current
professions.

3. Significant difference between responses of the male and female graduates on the relevance of criminology courses and academic
related activities to their jobs.

Table 8. Difference between the responses of the male and female graduates on the relevance of criminology courses and
academic related activities to their jobs.
VARIABLE RESPONDENTS MEAN P- T-VALUE DECISION AT
VALUE P<0.05
Law Enforcement Administration Male 3.67 .822 .23 NOT SIGNIFICANT
Female 3.64
Criminal Detection & Investigation Male 3.59 .258 -1.21 NOT SIGNIFICANT
Female 3.74
Criminal Law & Jurisprudence Male 3.73 .016 -3.14 SIGNIFICANT
Female 3.84
Criminal Sociology Male 3.49 .299 -1.11 NOT SIGNIFICANT
Female 3.71
Criminalistics Male 3.13 .494 -0.71 NOT SIGNIFICANT
Female 3.29
Correctional Administration Male 3.21 .381 1.47 NOT SIGNIFICANT
Female 2.97
Academic Related Activities Male 3.57 .929 0.09 NOT SIGNIFICANT
Female 3.56

As shown in the table, there is no significant difference between the assessments of the male and female graduates on their
subjects Law Enforcement Administration with p-value .822; Criminal Detection & Investigation with p-value .258; Criminal
Sociology with p-value .299; Criminalistics with p-value .494; Correctional Administration with p-value .381; and Academic
Related Activities with p-value .929. These figures conclude that the male and female graduates have analogous views on the
relevance of the criminology courses and academic related activities to their professions. On the other hand, there is significant
difference between the assessments of the male and female graduate on Criminal Law & Jurisprudence course with a p-value .016.
This implies that the female graduates’ assessment on the subject Criminal Law & Jurisprudence is significantly greater than the
male graduates.

3. Competencies recommended by the graduates to be embedded in the criminology curriculum.

Table 9. Competencies recommended by the graduates to be embedded in the criminology curriculum

Competency Frequency Rank
Computer related subjects 112 1
Police operational procedure subjects 92 2
Communication subjects 89 3
Driving and swimming subjects 83 4
Stress management subjects 75 5

The preceding table displays that most graduates jobs of its graduates. Hence, the courses offered in the
recommended the competencies such as computer related, criminology curriculum are practical to the real-world
police operational procedure, communication, driving and professions of the graduates. Likewise, the academic related
swimming, and stress management subjects to be embedded activities of the criminology program are significant to the
in the curriculum of the Bachelor of Science in Criminology careers of the graduates. Moreover, there is no significant
program. difference between the assessments of male and female
graduates on the relevance of the academic related activities
IV. CONCLUSION and criminology curriculum particularly law enforcement
administration, criminal detection and investigation, criminal
In view of the aforementioned findings, it can be sociology, criminalistics, and correctional administration
concluded that the Bachelor of Science in Criminology courses to their jobs. On the other hand, there is significant
curriculum of Isabela State University is responsive to the difference on the assessment of the male and female

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Volume 7, Issue 11, November – 2022 International Journal of Innovative Science and Research Technology
ISSN No:-2456-2165
graduates on the relevance of criminal law and jurisprudence
course to their jobs. Finally, the graduates endorsed the
inclusion to the criminology curriculum of the competencies
such as computer related subjects, police operational
procedure, communication subjects, driving and swimming,
and stress management subjects.

REFERENCES

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