Subject-Specific Academic Performance and Criminologist Licensure Examination Outcomes: Implications for Curriculum Enhancement in Philippine Criminal Justice Education

Abstract

This research assessed the relationship between the Criminologist Licensure Examination (CLE) results and the subject-specific performance of the BS Criminology graduates of Cagayan State University-Aparri Campus for the School Years 2021 to 2022 up to 2023 to 2024. The study used descriptive-correlational design in analyzing the documentary data of 293 respondents comprised of 84 graduates from Batch 2022, 96 graduates from Batch 2023 and 113 graduates from Batch 2024. The data involved their CLE results across all six subject areas, namely Correctional Administration (CA), Criminology (CRIM), Crime Detection and Investigation (CDI), Criminalistics (CTS), Law Enforcement Administration (LEA) and Criminal Law and Jurisprudence (CLJ). The results of the study revealed that the graduates generally performed at satisfactory to good levels in all subject areas. They performed best in Criminalistics (CTS) and Correctional Administration (CA), which have the highest inter-cohort variability. The graduates’ board examination results showed an upward trend across cohorts in CLJ, CRIM, CDI and CA and CTS recorded to have the highest number of failures ranging from 26 percent to 41 percent. The study further found out that CDI predicted CLE performance for batch 2022 based on the regression analysis. CRIM was also found to be a consistent predictor for subsequent cohorts. The study recommends ten measures to enhance the curriculum based on the findings of the study, such as adoption of new teaching methodologies, improvement of laboratory infrastructure, continuous professional development of the faculty and conduct of review programs. These shall form a workable framework for criminal justice education programs toward improved graduate performance in the licensure examination.