Where Are We Now? The Current State of Justice-Related Education

Abstract

The ACJS Directory of Justice-Related Degree Programs is a database containing over 100 pieces of information on 29 justice-related degree programs at the associate through doctoral level (N = 2,350) offered at U.S. Title IV eligible two- and four-year degree-granting postsecondary institutions (N = 1,673) during academic year 2021–2022. Using a subsample of the five most common programs (n = 1,740) from the Directory, this article presents an empirically based review of where justice-related education stands as of academic year 2021–2022. Results indicate considerable variability – especially at the undergraduate level – in basic program areas including the type of postsecondary institution where they are housed, type of degree awarded, and number of hours in the major (total/required/elective). Much of this variability has negative implications for students not only in time-to-degree but the costs associated with degree pursuit. Such variability also evidences a lack of consensus within justice-related education about the most basic aspects of degree programs offered.