Criminal Justice Careers Article -University of Phoenix Pittsburgh Campus puts New Criminal Justice Program \
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, "employment of private detectives and investigators is expected to grow faster than average for all occupations through 2008...a more security-conscious society contributes to the increasing demand for police services."
The 120-credit BSCJA realizes three major student objectives:
*Advances, educationally and professionally, practitioners now working in the criminal justice system *Increases educational and training opportunities for adult learners who are interested in criminal justice professions *Equips graduates who choose to pursue master's, doctoral, and law degrees with a solid foundation in criminal justice
The College Campus Chair of this new Criminal Justice Program is Dr. Ernest L. Fullerton. Having attained a Doctor of Philosophy- Instructional Design and Technology and Master of Arts-Administration of Justice from the University of Pittsburgh, Dr. Fullerton is bringing a wealth of law enforcement and training experience to the Pittsburgh campus. With over 33 years of Law Enforcement experience and 27 years at the Indiana University of Pennsylvania Police Academy (Criminal Justice Training Center), Dr. Fullerton will manage the College of Criminal Justice, its instructors, course curriculum, and content. We recently sat down with Dr. Fullerton and discussed some key elements associated with the Criminal Justice program at the University of Phoenix:
1. How is the Criminal Justice Program proceeding?
I am very pleased with the reception of the CJA Program from both prospective students and from prospective adjunct faculty. Indeed, half of the new students for Robinson Township the month of March 2004 were CJ students. We are slated to begin classes at both our Robinson Township and Monroeville locations next month. Students are excited about our FlexNet Program, the new standard in hybrid learning systems, and in the caliber of the faculty for Criminal Justice Administration. We have faculty from administrative positions in the Office of Attorney General, Allegheny County District Attorneys Office, Office of the Public Defender for Allegheny County, the Office of Criminal Tax Investigations of PA Department of Revenue, the City of Pittsburgh Police Department, Probation and Parole Agents of both Allegheny County and the state of Pennsylvania, Allegheny County Prison officials and police officers from various local police departments in the Western Pennsylvania area. We are, therefore, excited about the enthusiasm that our students and faculty are bringing into our program.
2. After being at UOP for a month, what have you observed as the core strengths of the UOP approach to higher learning?
UOP's superior approach to higher learning lies in providing our students with a solid foundation in criminal justice. That foundation is built, initially, from the strict hiring guidelines enforced by UOP. It is to the advantage of our students that our faculty must have a master's degree in criminal justice or a related field along with direct experience in the topic area that they will teach. This experience must have been within the past two to five years. This ensures that the information, which our students will utilize to develop the skills necessary to enter or excel in the field of law enforcement, is timely and appropriate.
Another core strength is the ability of our students to concentrate on one five-week course at a time in order to assimilate and utilize that information to build upon in each successive course. The FlexNet modality permits our students to experience on-ground (classroom) lectures at the beginning and end of the course, along with three weeks of on-line classes. This mixture of thoroughly developed teaching techniques allows our students to continue as working professionals while acquiring their degrees in criminal justice.
The highest impact of the UOP program to students is the ability to continue their studies throughout the year (no summer break) to finish their degree in an accelerated fashion. The students can do this without sacrificing the quality of instruction or without having to overburden themselves with a heavy course load in order to finish their studies in an expedited fashion.
3. Dr. Fullerton, you have such an extensive background in Criminal Justice, and CJA, what part of your background do you feel is of most use to you in this position at UOP?
I feel that my experience in many areas of law enforcement gives me the ability to relate o our students no matter what their aspirations. I am also able to relate to our students, because I have remained very much up-to-date in all facets of training in policing by teaching and coordinating at a police academy for the past twenty-seven years. This training portion of my background fits in well with the theoretical grounding I received from my master's in the administration of justice and from my Ph.D. in education (instructional design). Finally, I knew from the age of ten years old what I wanted to do with my life. I wanted to be a law enforcement officer involved at the highest levels of the criminal justice system. I have done that and I feel strongly that it is my responsibility, and, indeed, my pleasure, to assist young men and women in their desire to become law enforcement officers and to experience the exhilaration that I did throughout my career.
4.On a personal note, are you a Western Pennsylvania native?
I was born in Erie, Pennsylvania in northwestern Pennsylvania. I have lived and worked in Pittsburgh since 1971, making me a Pittsburgher, also. I am proud to be from Western Pennsylvania and know the fierce pride that we all have for our town and for our children. It helps me to relate to the goals of our youth.
5.Do you have a personal and professional philosophy?
I believe that I have acquired and developed a very strong ethical base that I have had to drawn upon throughout my law enforcement career. It is important, especially to those who will work in an undercover capacity where their professional ethics will be tested on a daily basis. I treat everyone with respect and in a manner in which I would like to be treated. A person's social or financial status, race, religion, or background is immaterial to me. We are all in search of acceptance within society. It is at a human level that a police officer can make a difference in society and, therefore, I never teach a course without including the basics in professional ethics.
6.What qualities would make a successful CJ adult learner at UOP ââ¬â Pittsburgh?
I believe that the qualities of perseverance, high achievement, and occupational professionalism are necessary to any adult learner. An adult learner has already had many life experiences by the time he or she enters our university. It is this blending of life experiences with a theoretical, ethical, and practical base, and the above qualities of perseverance, high achievement, and professionalism that will mold the educational career of our students.
7.Do you have a special message to potential CJ adult learners?
To those students who choose to attend the University of Phoenix to begin or to enhance a career in law enforcement, I promise the highest levels of instruction from credentialed working professionals. All of our faculty will provide not only the theoretical aspects of law enforcement, but they will also present the practical aspects of policing. It is these practical aspects of policing that will allow us to provide the strong ethical base that you will need to flourish in all phases of the criminal justice system. It will also be my honor to assist in your efforts to find the job you seek or the promotion you desire. I know that your affiliation with the University of Phoenix will enable you to achieve your professional goals at the highest levels possible.
The BSCJA program offers practical knowledge from faculty seasoned in the front lines of criminal justice.
The University of Phoenix has been providing educational opportunities to the working adult population for over 25 years. The effect is a unique learning experience that allows working adult students to develop both affective and cognitive skills through concentrated courses, during evening and weekend hours. The option for a pure "On-line" curriculum or the blended "Flexnet" program is available to UOP-Pittsburgh Campus students for "around the clock" learning.
The University's Pittsburgh Campus is currently accepting applications for enrollment in all degree programs, including the new Criminal Justice Bachelor of Science Degree Program. For more information call 412-747-9000 or visit www.phoenix.edu/pittsburgh.