THE QUALITY OF COMMUNITY IMMERSION/PRACTICUM PROGRAM OF COLLEGE OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE EDUCATION: ITS RELATIONSHIP TO THEIR LEVEL OF ACADEMIC SATISFACTION

Abstract

The College of Criminal Justice Education is a premier department of an institution for training future professionals in criminology, law enforcement, and related fields. In this regard, the caliber of students' community immersion or practicum experiences becomes critical, impacting both their acquisition of practical skills and their general academic happiness. This study will provide significant insights about experiential learning in criminal justice education by thoroughly analyzing the research objectives. The researchers used quantitative research to gather numerical data and information using statistical tools employing descriptive-correlational method. The researchers used a purposive sampling technique in determining the respondents which are the 50 criminology students at International School of Asia and the Pacific during the academic year 2022-2023. Self-made survey questionnaire used as their main instrument in gathering data, it was made after the approval of the letter by the school authorities. The following statistical tools used to treat the data of the said study were frequency count and percentage distribution, weighted mean and pearson-r. Based on the findings of the study, the demographic profile of the respondents, it came out that majority of the respondents are 22 years old which is an ideal age for college students belongs to the generation z, and most of them are male. The assessment of respondents on the quality of immersion programs within the College of Criminal Justice Education has yielded overwhelmingly positive results. Across the phases of pre-immersion, actual immersion, and post-immersion, respondents expressed high levels of satisfaction. Moreover, their satisfaction extended to the academic aspects, particularly regarding the immersion/practicum program's contribution to knowledge acquisition, value formation, and skill development. These findings underscore the effectiveness of the immersion programs in engaging students and fostering their academic growth within the criminology field. Such positive feedback reflects the program's success in delivering valuable educational experiences that align with students' expectations and needs. As a result, this study highlights the importance of continued investment in and enhancement of immersion programs within criminology education to further promote academic satisfaction and ensure the holistic development of future professionals in the field.