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Procedures and Standards
The Accrediting Commission
The Commission on Accreditation of Criminal Justice Programs is a
duly constituted accrediting body that operates within the incorporated
association of the National Association of Forensic Counselors (NAFC) a not for
profit tax exempt 501(c) 6 corporation. The Commission has complete autonomy to
make accrediting decisions. The Accrediting Commission has seven members, and
its make up includes persons possessing academic and administrative expertise.
All seven Commissioners are in the criminal justice field. Three Commissioners
are professors in criminal justice. Four Commissioners are criminal justice
professionals with experience in probation, parole, corrections and law
enforcement. The NAFC Board of Governors appoints all Commissioners.
The Commission originated as a result of a 2002 role delineation study of
practicing probation and parole agents as well as mental health professions
employed in the correctional system. The role delineation study provided the
domains of practice for those criminal justice professionals as well as
identifying the educational needs for a successful career. As a result, the NAFC
formed the Commission on Accreditation of Criminal Justice Programs in 2004.
Responsibilities of the Commission
The responsibilities of the Commission are to:
1. Develop and establish criteria for the evaluation and accreditation of
criminal justice programs and organizations.
2. Establish a budget and provide for a schedule of reasonable fees.
3. Receive and review applications from criminal justice programs seeking
accreditation.
4. Appoint qualified evaluators and provide for a comprehensive evaluation
procedure.
5. Review the evaluator’s results and all other pertinent material and accredit
or withhold
accreditation from applicant programs.
6. Make available to the public current information covering the criteria for
accreditation.
7. Periodically re-evaluate the accredited CJP's course of study
Why Become Accredited?
Accreditation by a non-governmental body is purely voluntary. The Criminal
Justice Program voluntarily applies for accreditation and voluntarily agrees to
comply with standards of the commission. Accreditation provides a reliable gauge
of the programs quality for students, employers, and the public. Accreditation
encourages program improvement through self evaluation, planning, as well as
being an external source of stimulation to improve services. Being accredited is
also assurance of high standards and educational quality of the criminal justice
program through adherence to established standards, policies and procedures.
Being accredited also offers students, upon completion of their criminal Justice
program, the opportunity of becoming certified through the National Association
of Forensic Counselors as a Certified Criminal Justice Specialist (CCJS) through
examination administered and proctored by the criminal justice professor or
instructor, which may assist the student seeking employment opportunities.
The Process of Accreditation
The process of accreditation begins when a criminal justice program submits its
application to the commission. Here a determination is made of the program's
eligibility on two key points: (1) the applying program must be part of an
institution which is regionally accredited; (2) whether the applicant is in fact
a criminal justice program as defined by the Accrediting Commission whose
primary purpose is providing criminal justice education which:
1. formally enrolls students and maintains student records;
2. qualified instructors service students;
3. provides students with organized instructional materials;
4. offers courses of instruction which are appropriate to meet student career
objectives;
5. is properly licensed, authorized, exempt or approved by the applicable state
educational institutional authority.
Steps in the Accreditation Process
1. Submit Application and $300 application fee
2. Review the Accrediting Commissions Standards on Accreditation
3. Complete and submit the Self Evaluation Report (SER) and course materials
4. Date of onsite visit is set
5. Examining committee is selected
6. Onsite visit is made
7. Examiners write reports and submit to the Accreditation Commission
8. Accreditation committee reviews examiner reports
9. Commission makes decision
10. Commission notifies institution
The Criminal Justice Curriculum
The broad scope of criminal justice should be reflected within the criminal
justice program curriculum. The following is the recommended core courses
focusing on the following areas:
1. Juvenile Delinquency
2. Introduction to Criminal Justice
3. Crime and Delinquency
4. Law Enforcement
5. Corrections
6. Community Corrections
7. Criminal Justice Interviewing
8. Case Management
9. Counseling (may be taken as an elective)
Institution Self-Evaluation Report
The Self-Evaluation Report (SER) serves as a document which tells the
accreditation commission about your Criminal Justice Program (CJP), including
how the program originated, what your CJP offers the field of criminal justice,
how it is managed, how it complies with the accreditation committees standards
and requirements, and what are the plans for future growth and improvements. It
should also present, in a business-like way, insightful analyses into trends and
patterns within the CJP and discuss candidly the larger issues and challenges
confronting it. The SER is, basically, a road map for the CJP in developing a
truly self-analytical and honest thoughtful picture of whom they are and where
they are going.
The SER serves two purposes: (1) the CJP is given a rationale for conducting a
critical self-evaluation; and (2) and provides information which the visiting
examiners will need during the on-site visit, and which the Accrediting
Commission needs for its background study of the CJP, is gathered in one place.
The CJP must address each of the accreditation standards in a logical sequence.
The SER should be complete in all aspects, and leave no room for speculation or
misunderstanding by the reader. If a particular question does not apply to your
CJP, simply respond "not applicable."
The SER should include compilations of the CJP student records and statistics,
and a careful, full disclosure analysis of the CJP's problem areas. The SER
should always analyze as well as describe; it should inform the readers of the
"why" of their methods, not just the "what" and "how." It should identify
current challenges facing the program and report on what actions are planned to
address these challenges.
The program undergoing self-evaluation and accreditation review are advised to
become familiar with the standards for accreditation and prepares the SER with
these and the following suggestions in mind:
1). The SER should be prepared by the program chair or director with close
coordination with chief executive officers.
2). The preparation and actual writing of the report should involve as many CJP
staff members as possible.
3). Careful planning, coordination, and realistic time scheduling are essential.
The SER should be received no later than 90 days after the application is
received by the commission.
4). The SER often serves as the first impression of the CJP and careful
attention should be given to its editing, format, and appearance.
Preparing the SER Report
The SER should begin with a title page and a table of contents that references
both the body of the report as well as any appendices. The report must include
the CJP profile after the table of contents. The CJP profile includes basic data
and a general description about the program, its mission, and its goals.
Guidelines for Format
The SER should be on 8 1/2 x 11 inch white paper.
The report should begin with a title page (see below). The title page should
include:
* Name of College or University
* Address of Institution
* Phone number of Institution
* Certification of accuracy
* Signature of the CJP chair or Director
* Name and title of CJP Chair and Director
* Date the report is prepared
"2005 Self-Evaluation Report
Data presented for consideration of the National Commission on the Accreditation
of Criminal Justice Programs
By
University of ABC
1234 East Street
Chicago, Illinois 33333
(000)000-0000
The data submitted herewith are certified correct to the best of my knowledge
and belief.
John J. Educator, CJP Chair
Mary L. Professor, CJP Director
January 1, 2005"
The Self-Evaluation Report Contents
The SER should contain the following information:
1. The CJP History:
Describe the history of all degrees offered by the program and why they were
developed.
Describe the history of any major changes in the CJP within the last five years,
i.e., admission standards, online offerings, marketing, etc.
2. The CJP Organization:
Supply an organizational chart of the institution showing the relationship among
its component parts.
Describe any affiliations with other schools or institutions.
If external centers, enrollment offices, or training sites exist, describe in
full and give their locations.
Describe fully any distance study activities, affiliates or divisions.
3. Legal Form and Governance:
Describe the legal form of the institution which offers the CJP.
4. Approvals and Accreditations:
Identify the names of any local, state, or other government or non-government
agencies by which the overall institution is licensed, approved, or accredited.
Give dates of license and/or first approval and subsequent re-approvals.
Describe how the institution has the proper charter, license, or formal
authority from the appropriate governmental body to award degrees.
If the institution or the CJP were ever denied approval or accreditation or had
approval or accreditation withdrawn by any accrediting agency, give reasons and
corrective actions taken if any.
5. Criminal Justice Course/Program Data:
Give the title of all CJP courses for CJP undergraduate and Graduate Courses.
Type of course, i.e., resident, distance study, or combination distance
study-resident training.
Date each course was last revised.
Number of students enrolled in associate, bachelor and masters program.
Number of new students enrolled in the CJP in the last full calendar year.
Number of students completing each program within the last calendar year.
Number of school evaluated assignments, lessons, or examinations (Graded) for
each individual course.
Total number of credits needed for associates, bachelors and masters degree.
Maximum time students are permitted for completing their CJP degree program.
Total cost per credit hour.
6. Standards for Accreditation:
In the SER, address each of the following Standards for Accreditation.
Standards for Accreditation of Criminal Justice
Programs
1. Criminal Justice Program Mission and Objectives
STANDARD: The CJP has a clearly defined and simply stated mission that describes
the general purpose and specific objectives of the CJP.
PRESENT THE CJP's OVERALL MISSION STATEMENT.
DESCRIBE HOW THE MISSION STATEMENT REFLECTS THE GOALS OF THE CJP.
EXPLAIN HOW THE CJP's ARE REASONABLY ATTAINABLE.
2. Review and Display of the CJP Mission
STANDARD: The CJP faculty, administration, institutional advisory committee
and/or appropriate governing boards regularly evaluate the CJP mission
statement. The CJP mission statement is publicly available and is used
consistently in CJP planning.
EXPLAIN HOW THE MISSION STATEMENT PERIODICALLY UNDERGOES A PROCESS OF REVIEW AND
AFFIRMATION.
3. Implementation of the CJP Mission and Objectives
STANDARD: The CJP can demonstrate that it is effectively meeting its mission and
objectives.
EXPLAIN HOW THE CJP MEASURES ITSELF IN TERMS OF FULFILLING ITS STATED MISSION
EFFECTIVELY.
EXPLAIN THE VARIOUS WAYS THAT THE CJP's MISSION AND OBJECTIVES ARE ACCOMPLISHED,
DOCUMENTED AND DISCLOSED TO THE PUBLIC.
4. Educational Objectives and Materials
STANDARD: Educational objectives for the CJP are clearly defined and simply
stated. They indicate what the criminal justice educational program can do for
reasonably diligent students. The character, nature, quality, value, and the
source of instruction and educational service are set forth in language
understood by the students enrolled in the CJP.
ATTACH A COPY OF THE OVERALL PROGRAM OF INSTRUCTION (CURRICULUM) FOR EACH DEGREE
CJP DEGREE PROGRAM. AT A MINIMUM, THE PROGRAM OF INSTRUCTION SHOULD DESCRIBE
SUBJECTS THAT ARE INCLUDED, OVERALL PROGRAM OBJECTIVES, THE SEQUENCE IN WHICH
SUBJECTS ARE TAUGHT, AMOUNT OF CREDIT AWARDED FOR EACH SUBJECT, SCOPE AND
COVERAGE OF EACH COURSE/SUBJECT, AND OTHER AREAS ONE MAY WISH TO INCLUDE.
5. Appropriate Objectives
STANDARD: The CJP program objectives must be reasonably attainable and be of
such a nature that they can be achieved through classroom, electronically
delivered, online or other methods of study. Appropriate objectives include the
development of skills, the imparting of information, training in the application
of knowledge, and the development of desirable habits and attitudes. The
evaluation of the criminal justice program is based on the announced course
outcomes and the success with which the outcomes are achieved.
EXPLAIN HOW THE LEARNING OBJECTIVES ARE KEPT UP-TO-DATE.
EXPLAIN THE WAYS IN WHICH THE CJP INTERACTS WITH RELEVANT COMMUNITIES OF
INTEREST TO KEEP THE CJP AND COURSE/PROGRAM OBJECTIVES CURRENT.
EXPLAIN HOW THE COURSE/PROGRAM OBJECTIVES MEET THE EMPLOYMENT NEEDS OF THE
PROSPECTIVE STUDENT.
6. Comprehensive Instructional Curriculum
STANDARD: The curriculum is sufficiently comprehensive to achieve the CJP
announced program objectives.
EXPLAIN HOW THE INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS PREPARE STUDENTS TO MEET EMPLOYMENT
OPPORTUNITIES IN THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE FIELD THAT MAY BE IMPLIED IN THE CATALOG
OR OTHER INSTITUTIONAL ADVERTISEMENT.
DESCRIBE WAYS THAT THE INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS ARE SUFFICIENTLY COMPREHENSIVE
AND HAVE SUFFICIENT DEPTH TO PREPARE STUDENTS TO MASTER THE SUBJECT.
7. Curriculum Accuracy
STANDARD: The curriculum as well as the instructional materials are accurate and
reflect current knowledge and practice in criminal justice. Procedures are in
place and utilized to improve materials and keep them current.
EXPLAIN WHAT PROCEDURES ARE IN PLACE TO MONITOR COURSE/PROGRAM MATERIAL'S
ACCURACY.
EXPLAIN HOW CONTENT ERRORS IN COURSE/PROGRAM MATERIALS ARE CORRECTED BETWEEN
COURSE REVISION
8. Examinations and Other Evaluative Techniques
STANDARD: Examinations and other evaluative techniques adequately measure
achievement of the courses learning objectives.
DESCRIBE WHAT TYPES OF EXAMINATIONS OR EVALUATIVE TECHNIQUES ARE UTILIZED.
EXPLAIN HOW THE NUMBER AND LENGTH OF EXAMINATIONS ARE DETERMINED.
EXPLAIN HOW EXAMINATIONS MEASURE THE ACHIEVEMENT AND MASTERY OF THE
COURSE/PROGRAM OBJECTIVES.
9. Curriculum Development
STANDARD: Qualified persons competent in their field prepare the curriculum and
instructional materials.
IF STANDARD TEXT BOOKS ARE UTILIZED, LIST TITLES, AUTHORS, PUBLISHERS, AND
COPYRIGHT DATES.
EXPLAIN HOW THE CJP FACULTY IS INVOLVED IN WRITING AND REVISING OR REVISING
LEARNING MATERIALS.
EXPLAIN HOW SUBJECT MATTER EXPERTS ARE INVOLVED IN WRITING OR REVISING LEARNING
MATERIALS.
10. Organization of the CJP Instructional Materials
STANDARD: The organization and presentation of the educational materials are in
accord with sound psychological principles of modern learning psychology.
EXPLAIN HOW THE ORGANIZATION AND PRESENTATION OF THE SUBJECT MATTERN IN THE
COURSES ACCOMMODATE THE PRINCIPLES OF MODERN LEARNING PSYCHOLOGY.
11. Student Evaluation of Courses
STANDARD: Reactions of students in the CJP is sought as one basis for evaluating
and improving materials and services.
DESCRIBE WAYS IN WHICH STUDENT REACTIONS ARE SOUGHT AS A BASIS FOR EVALUATING
AND IMPROVING COURSE MATERIALS AND PROGRAM SERVICES.
12. Evaluation Services
STANDARD: Minimum student services include prompt return of accurately graded
assignments and examinations.
DESCRIBE HOW STAFF EVALUATES, CORRECTS, AND GRADES SUBMITTED ASSIGNMENTS.
EXPLAIN WHAT CONTROLS ARE IN PLACE TO ENSURE THE ACCURACY OF CORRECTION,
GRADING, AND EVALUATION.
DESCRIBE THE GRADING SCALE OR MARKETING SYSTEM USED TO EVALUATE STUDENT WORK.
EXPLAIN WHAT PROVISIONS EXIST FOR SAFEGUARDING TEST ANSWERS.
DESCRIBE THE PROCEDURES FOR PROCTORING FINAL EXAMINATIONS.
13. Counseling and Employment Assistance
STANDARD: Counseling should be available to students upon request. If employment
assistance and other services for alumni are offered, they should be described.
DESCRIBE THE CJP'S PROGRAM TO OFFER EMPLOYMENT RELATED ADVICE COUNSELING TO
STUDENTS AND ALUMNL EVEN IF NO FORMAL JOB PLACEMENT ASSISTANCE PROGRAM IS
OFFERED.
14. Criminal Justice Program Faculty and Staff
STANDARD: The CJP staff and faculty possess sound reputations, ethical conduct
and possess appropriate backgrounds, qualifications, and experience for their
positions and have demonstrated the ability to direct the CJP operations
successfully.
PROVIDE THE NAME, POSITION, AND QUALIFICATIONS OF EACH CJP FACULTY.
EXPLAIN THE EXPERIENCES THE PRESENT FACULTY HAS IN CRIMINAL JUSTICE EDUCATION,
EDUCATION METHODOLOGY AND ADMINISTRATION.
LIST THE RATIO OF QUALIFIED INSTRUCTORS TO ACTIVE STUDENTS.
DESCRIBE HOW THE CJP FACULTY ARE EVALUATED FOR JOB PERFORMANCE.
15. Building, Workspace and Equipment
STANDARD: The building, workspace and equipment all comply with local fire,
building, health, and safety regulations and are adequately equipped to handle
the CJP of the institution.
PLEASE DESCRIBE COMPLIANCE WITH LOCAL FIRE, BUILDING AND OCCUPATIONAL AND SAFETY
REGULATIONS.
PROVIDE A BASIC FLOOR PLAN OF WHERE THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE PROGRAM IS LOCATED
WITHIN THE INSTITUTION INDICATING THE OCCUPANT/ACTIVITY CAPACITY FOR THE AREA.
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