THE
STATE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT / THE UNIVERSITY
OF THE STATE OF |
TO: |
Higher Education and Professional Practice Committee |
FROM: |
Johanna Duncan-Poitier |
SUBJECT: |
Master
Plan Amendment to Authorize ASA Institute of Business and Computer
Technology to offer an Associate in Applied
Science (A.A.S.) Degree Program in Criminal Justice |
DATE: |
May 30,
2006 |
STRATEGIC
GOAL: |
Goals 2
and 4 |
AUTHORIZATION(S): |
|
SUMMARY
Issue for
Decision (Consent Agenda)
Should the Regents authorize the
amendment of the master plan of ASA Institute of Business and Computer
Technology in order for the Institute to offer an Associate in Applied Studies
(A.A.S.) degree program in Criminal Justice?
Reason for
Consideration
Required by State
regulation.
Proposed
Handling
This question will come before the
Higher Education and Professional Practice Committee at its June 2006 meeting
where it will be voted on and action taken. It then will come before the full
Board at its June meeting for final action.
Procedural
History
Master plan amendment is required
because this would be the Institute’s first degree program in the discipline
area of Social Sciences.
Background
Information
ASA Institute of Business and Computer Technology is a proprietary
institution authorized to award the Associate in Occupational Studies (A.O.S.)
and Associate in Applied Science (A.A.S.) degrees. The Institute’s main campus is in
Recommendation
The Department has determined that
the proposed program in Criminal Justice, if approved, would meet the standards
for registration set forth in the Regulations of the Commissioner of
Education.
It is recommended that the Board of
Regents amend the master plan of ASA Institute of Business and Computer
Technology authorizing the institution to offer an Associate in Applied Studies
(A.A.S.) degree program in Criminal Justice. This amendment will be effective
until June 30, 2007, unless the Department registers the program prior to that
date, in which case master plan amendment shall be without
term.
Timetable for
Implementation
If the Regents approve the master
plan amendment, the Department will register the program. ASA Institute will begin offering the
program in the semester following registration. The Department will conduct a follow up
review of the institution and of the program’s implementation, impacts and
outcomes.
Information
in Support of Recommendation
Curriculum. The proposed program in Criminal Justice, leading to
the Associate in Applied Science (A.A.S.) degree, is designed to provide
students with a broad-based understanding of the criminal justice system in
American society. It is intended to prepare students to assume positions in
public and private agencies that deal with crime detection and prevention. The
program has been designed to provide students with the knowledge and skills
necessary for rational analysis of problems pertinent to the criminal justice
system and the needs of society. According to the institution, students would be
trained to use analytical tools to develop objectivity and a firm understanding
of the balance between the rights of individual citizens and society’s
continuing need for safety and security. The graduates would also obtain a
foundation in liberal arts. The
proposed program is congruent with the mission of ASA Institute to “provide
high-quality, career-oriented programs that respond to the needs of both
students and employers.” This is the second A.A.S. degree program developed by
ASA Institute.
The proposed program consists of 61 semester hours of credit. Students
will be required to complete 33 credits in their major, 23 credits in Liberal
Arts (with 6 elective credits), and 5 credits of college core
competencies.
Major-related courses are designed to provide an understanding of law,
the nature of crime, and the administration of justice. Graduates would be
expected to understand social issues of modern society, human behavior, public
management policies, and issues related to juvenile populations. They also would
learn the history and the current state of crime control and crime prevention.
Additionally, students would be introduced to the future trends in criminal
justice, such as terrorism prevention and cyber-crimes. An internship is
required at the end of the proposed program. Curriculum structure and the
program’s outcome objectives are consistent with published standards of the
Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences (ACJS), a national professional
society.
Admission. The basic admissions requirements for students are the
same as those for other programs at ASA Institute, namely a high school diploma.
In addition, a background check of
the prospective student will be added to the admissions requirements. Applicants
will be tested in English, Math and/or ESL, and, if necessary, will be placed in
remedial courses based on their test scores.
Student Body. The proposed program would start with an estimated
20 students, with a projected increase to 147 total enrollees by the fifth
year. It is anticipated that the
proposed program will draw students from the same socio-demographic categories
as other ASA programs. The racial/ethnic profile of ASA Institute is:
Asian/Pacific 9.69 percent; African-American 38.44 percent; Caucasian 13.71
percent; and Hispanic 35.68 percent. Students’ ages are diverse: 37 percent are
25 or younger; 34 percent are 26-35; 20 percent are 36-45; and 9 percent are 46
and older. The Institute expects an increase in enrollment of male students in
the proposed program since the field is traditionally
male-dominated.
Resources. As of December 2005, the ASA Library had over 7,928
book titles (11,868 volumes); 745 video titles; 127 audio titles; and 135 serial
titles. The library budget of $161,362.50 (excluding salaries of staff) includes
$92,599 for print collections. Budgetary allocations are sufficient to ensure
the continued increase in library print holdings as well as additional databases
and e-books. The Institute’s
library has substantial database access to publications and other materials
pertinent to the proposed program.
The library subscribes to 34 on-line journals in law, criminal justice
and government.
The Institute currently occupies 120,000 square feet in two locations -
downtown
All classrooms have equipment, furniture and tools required for the
courses offered. A total of 1,000 computers with Pentium 4 processors are
available to students. A wide range of current software is available, including
a variety of widely-used programs for business/accounting, computer science, and
medical assisting. Computer labs are networked, offer Internet access, and are
connected to high-speed laser printers.
Prospects for Employment. The U.S. Bureau of Statistics’
Occupational Outlook Handbook (2002-2003) shows that the employment of police,
detectives and special agents in the U.S. (both public and private) is expected
to increase faster than the average of all other occupations through the year
2010. Graduates of the proposed program would be employable in government
agencies at the federal, state, and local levels, as well as in the private
sector.
The Department conducted a canvass of all degree-granting institutions in