Bulacan State University

College of Criminal Justice Education

Level of Preparedness of BS Criminology
Graduating Students of Bulacan State University
For Criminologist Licensure Examination: an assessment

CHAPTER 1
THE PROBLEM AND ITS SETTING
This chapter presents the introduction of the study, statement of the problem,
significance of the study, scope and limitation, definition of terms and the conceptual
framework.

Introduction
The Bachelor of Science in Criminology or Criminal Justice is a 4-year college
degree program intended for individuals who wish to have a career in the fields of
law enforcement, security administration, crime detection and prevention or
correctional administration.

Many students would classify this field of study as interesting and not difficult
at all. The course includes several intriguing subjects such as forensic, criminal
psychology, human behavior and crisis management, criminal investigation,
accidents investigation, arson, crime organizations, drugs, criminal procedures,
defense tactics and more. Even the 2-phased Practicum is highly anticipated by the
graduating students due to its social relevance.

Bulacan State University

College of Criminal Justice Education
Level of Preparedness of BS Criminology
Graduating Students of Bulacan State University
For Criminologist Licensure Examination: an assessment

Normally, the BS Crim. program takes 4 years to complete. Some schools

who apply the trimester system do the program in shorter period of time.
On

the

job

training

internship

takes

semester

or

540

hours.

Reviews for the board exam may require an additional 5-6 months, depending
whether you pass on your first try.

As mandated by CHED (CMO no.37 series of 2010) BS in Criminology

students are required to take Practicum for 1 semester on the fourth year of the
program. The Practicum shall be divided in two components, 270 hrs of on-the-job
training and another 270 hours of Community Immersion, to complete the 540 hrs of
internship.

The Practicum is designed to provide practical experiences for BS

Criminology students working in the 5 pillars of the Criminal Justice System: Law
Enforcement, Prosecution, Judiciary, Corrections and the Community. During this
period, the criminology interns are allowed to observe and assist, but not to perform
actual operations that may compromise their safety. Interns are expected to keep the
informations learned during the practicum confidential.

Bulacan State University

College of Criminal Justice Education
Level of Preparedness of BS Criminology
Graduating Students of Bulacan State University
For Criminologist Licensure Examination: an assessment

A graduate of BS in Criminology who passed the Criminologist Licensure

Examination is called a Criminologist. All certified criminologists shall be exempt
from taking any other entrance or qualifying government or civil service examinations
and shall be considered civil service eligibles to the following government positions:
dactylographer, ballistician, questioned document examiner, correctional officer, law
enforcement photographer, lie detection examiner, probation officer, agents in any
law enforcement agency, security officer, criminal investigator, or police laboratory
technician. Certified criminologists shall be eligible for appointment as Patrolman in
chartered cities and municipalities, provided they possess the general qualifications
for appointment provided in Section 9 of Republic Act 4864.
Passing the Board Examination in Criminology known as the Licensure
Examination for Criminologists is the only means to get the license to practice the
profession as a criminologist in the Philippines.
Criminology Licensure Examination is usually conducted in the months of
March or April and October or November each year. The Board of Criminology gave
the exam in the following places Manila, Baguio, Cagayan de Oro, Cebu, Davao,
Iloilo,

Legazpi,

Lucena,

Pagadian,

Pangasinan,

Tacloban,

Tuguegarao and

Zamboanga.
Criminology board examination covers Criminal Jurisprudence, Procedure
and Evidence, Law Enforcement Administration, Crime Detection and Investigation,
Criminalistics, Correctional Administration, and Sociology of Crimes and Ethics.