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Perception of Graduates in Their Educational Experience

and Readiness to Take the Criminology Licensure
Examination

Article · August 2018

DOI: 10.18868/sher5j.05.01213.11

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SMCC Higher Education ResearchSMCC
Journal Higher Education Research Journal
ISSN Print: 2449-4402 · ISSN Online: 2467-6322
Volume 5 · August 2018

Perception of Graduates in Their

Educational Experience and Readiness to Take
the Criminology Licensure Examination
JUN C. VILLARMIA
http://orcid.org/0000-0002-7919-3225
[email protected]
Saint Michael College of Caraga, Philippines

Gunning Fog Index: 16.78 • Originality: 99% • Grammar Check: 99%

Flesch Reading Ease: 25.06 • Plagiarism: 1%

ABSTRACT

Academic exercises and practical training are provided for the students as part of the
prestige preparation of the school. The research aimed to draw the perceptions of students
on their expectations, quality of teaching, roles and responsibilities, and confidence to
take the licensure examination for criminologists. The researcher used the qualitative
method of focused-group discussion in drawing out the perception of students on their
expectations, quality of teaching, role and responsibilities, and confidence to take the
board exam. This study focused on the expectations of the 12 graduating students of the
criminology program of Saint Michael College of Caraga, pioneering batch 2016. Based
on the results, it can be concluded that the pioneering class was satisfied in their four-
year course as most of their expectations were realized during their studies. Respondents
are also prepared for any jobs related to their course that will be offered as they acquired
most of the basic duties and responsibilities. However, enhancement review is not
sufficient for them to pass the board exam. Thus, a regular review program will help
them prepare to become licensed criminologists

KEYWORDS

Perception, educational experience, readiness, licensure examination, qualitative

research design, Philippines

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 Peer Reviewed Journal

INTRODUCTION

Pioneering class of every program marks history in every institution. Academic

exercises and practical training are provided for the students as part of the prestige
preparation of the school. This is indispensable for board courses such as criminology
program. Also, performance in the board examination determines the quality of the
services and training that were received by the students (Stewart, Bates, & Smith, 2004).
As a result, these performances distinguish one academic institution from the other
(Dadian, Guerink, Olney, & Littlefield, 2002).
In Pakistan, school rivalry and increase in student’s enrollment are reasons why
academic institutions are providing an environment which satisfies the expectations
of learners (Hameed & Amjad 2011). In a competitive environment, institutions
that are providing excellent education and students’ friendly environment can survive
(Candaliza-Gutierrez, 2013).
In the Philippines, producing equipped graduates who can lead in the industry of
their choice are challenges among academic institutions. Tamayo (2015) found that
large requirements during academic preparation among criminology graduates lead to a
comparative advantage in taking the licensure examination for criminologists.
As a profession, becoming a criminologist requires passing the licensure examination
(De Vaney Olvey, Hogg, & Counts, 2002). This examination covers six areas or subjects
including law enforcement administration, criminal jurisprudence, procedure and
evidence, criminalistics, correctional administration, crime detection and investigation,
criminal sociology, ethics, and human relations. An examinee must have a general
average of at least seventy-five percent and no grade below 50%.
Thus, the researcher wanted to determine the effects of the enhancement review
in criminology on the achievement of mastery of learning in preparation for licensure
examination for criminologists.

OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY

The research aimed to draw the perceptions of students on their expectations,

quality of teaching, roles and responsibilities, and confidence to take the licensure
examination for criminologists.

METHODOLOGY

Research Design
The researcher used the qualitative method of focused-group discussion in drawing
out the perception of students on their expectations, quality of teaching, role and
responsibilities, and confidence to take the board exam.

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SMCC Higher Education Research Journal

Research Participants
This study focused on the expectations of the 12 graduating students of the
criminology program of Saint Michael College of Caraga, pioneering batch 2016.

Research Instrument
Questions were prepared, and focused-group discussion was employed to draw
perceptions of the student on their expectations, quality of teaching, roles and
responsibilities, and confidence to take the licensure examination for criminologists.

Data Gathering Procedure

Focused-group discussion has set, and audio recorded where 11 respondents
have answered individually the researcher prepared questions. Recorded answers were
transcribed and analyzed.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Most of the respondents heard and learned that the school has a low tuition fee
compared to other schools that offer the same program. Another respondent replied
that during advocacy of the school personnel, he was convinced to enroll because better
school management, highly competent teachers, and complete laboratory equipment
and facilities were promising. Also, the accessibility of the school with the residences of
the respondents was among the reasons for choosing the school (Aguado, Laguador, &
Deligero, (2015).
The respondents’ expectation about the low tuition fee of the school was true. It did
not increase until the last semester of their course. With regards to school management,
teaching capabilities of instructors, and laboratory equipment and facilities, respondents,
said that management has leveled up every year.
Also, the school hired good quality of teachers who demonstrated better teaching
strategies. However, most of the respondents stated that their first two years of the
degree was frustrating. It was during these years that all of their instructors handling
major subjects are part-time. These instructors are not focusing on teaching and usually
commit absences because they are police personnel and private lawyer.
Moreover, promises of complete laboratory facilities and equipment were not
materialized. Respondents reiterated that they only used few criminology types of
equipment and experienced incomplete laboratory activities in their subjects. This is
because most of the equipment was purchased by the school when they are in the last
semester of the third year level.
The skills and abilities acquired by the respondents were mostly useful for police
officers. These include making police blotter, taking fingerprints, processing crime
scenes, conducting and following police checkpoint protocols, and conducting a
paraffin test. In addition, interpersonal skills were also acquired by the respondents such

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 Peer Reviewed Journal

as self-confidence to interact variety of people especially high ranking officers, dialogue

with prisoners and interviewing probationers.
Respondents are willing and confident to accept any job offer related to their course.
According to them, accepting the offer will enable them to apply the knowledge and
skills acquired in their studies. Also, most of them are thinking of their responsibilities
to help and pay back the effort given by their parents of sending them to school.
If the board exam was held on the day of the interview with the respondents, six
(6) of them are not sure to pass. They further stated that they need to focus and cope up
during the regular review for the board exam. The knowledge that they have acquired is
insufficient, especially for the subjects during their first year and second year.
On the other hand, five (5) respondents replied that they would pass the board
exam. They argued that a shortage of academic learnings during their lower years was
coped up because of the enhancement review and in their on-the-job training.

CONCLUSIONS

Based on the results, it can be concluded that the pioneering class was satisfied in
their four-year course as most of their expectations were realized during their studies.
Respondents are also prepared for any jobs related to their course that will be offered
as they acquired most of the basic duties and responsibilities. However, enhancement
review is not sufficient for them to pass the board exam. Thus, a regular review program
will help them prepare to become licensed criminologists.

LITERATURE CITED

Aguado, C. L., Laguador, J. M., & Deligero, J. C. L. (2015). Factors Affecting the Choice
of School and Students’ Level of Interest towards the Maritime Program.  Asian
Social Science,  11(21), 231. Retrieved on January 22, 2019 from https://goo.gl/
KSspgw

Candaliza-GutieRRez, F. (2013). Sociological Time Travel: Criminality and

Criminologists in thePhilippine Past.  Philippine Sociological Review, 69-86.
Retrieved on January 7, 2019 from https://goo.gl/Exb84V

Dadian, T., Guerink, K., Olney, C., & Littlefield, J. (2002). The effectiveness of a Mock
Board experience in coaching students for the Dental Hygiene National Board
Examination. Journal of Dental Education, 66(5), 643-648. Retrieved on January 7,
2019 from https://goo.gl/kpJ1eX

De Vaney Olvey, C., Hogg, A., & Counts, W. (2002). Licensure requirements: Have
we raised the bar too far?. Professional Psychology: Research and Practice, 33(3), 323.

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SMCC Higher Education Research Journal

Retrieved on January 7, 2019 from https://goo.gl/hBG21k

Hameed, A., & Amjad, S. (2011). Students’ satisfaction in higher learning institutions:
a case study of COMSATS Abbottabad, Pakistan. Iranian Journal of Management
Studies, 4(1), 63-77. Retrieved on January 22, 2019 from https://goo.gl/1kM3if

Stewart, C. M., Bates, R. E., & Smith, G. E. (2004). Does performance on school-
administered mock boards predict performance on a dental licensure exam?. Journal
of dental education, 68(4), 426-432. Retrieved on January 7, 2019 from https://goo.
gl/ASrFz4

Tamayo, A. (2015). Investigating the Results: A Criminologists Licensure Exam Study.

Retrieved on January 7, 2019 from https://goo.gl/MstQ1F

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