History of the College of Criminal Justice Education
History of the College of Criminal Justice Education
The Institute of Criminology of the University of Northern Philippines was established School Year 1976-1977. The degree program, Bachelor of Science in Criminology is focused on the different criminological sciences, law enforcement administration, criminal law, correctional philosophies and practices, probation, defense tactics, trends in the criminal justice system, and other relevant fields of criminology.
The Bachelor of Science in Criminology is a four year-program. The curriculum is work oriented. What are incorporated in the curriculum are subjects chosen on the basis of actual needs and priorities to make it responsive to the manpower requirements of law enforcement as well as of private organizations requiring police service, a day-to-day concern, person-to-person, and person-to-community involvement, in which social mores, needs, and problems come into full play.
The restricted curriculum, as approved by the Ministry of Education Culture, and Sports (MECS), now the Department of Education (DepEd), thru implementing Order No. 22, s. 1983, was formulated by the National Police Commission (NAPOLCOM), the Philippine Constabulary / Integrated National Police (PC/INP), and the Bureau of Higher Education (BHE), now the Commission on Higher Education (CHED). Its foundation anniversary is usually celebrated on the month of September every year.
Several prominent individuals became the Deans/Directors/Officers-In-charge since its existence, to wit: Dr. Bernard Ramirez, Dr. Francisco Macanas, Mr. Delfin Artajos, Mr. Placido Unciano, Dr. Witerico Balbuena, Dr. Lauro Tacbas, Mr. Trinidad Rojo, and Dr. Sina Bestre (incumbent).
At present, the college continues to grow. The number of student enrolment every year increases because the police profession is very much in demand today. It can be said that the college is the number one source of manpower for the police service in the northern part of the country.
The College is proud to say that it has produced topnotchers in the Criminology Board Examinations, to wit: Jane Roxanne Damian – 4th placer (2011), Richard R. Davalos – 2nd placer (2007), King Julius Crisologo – 18th placer (2003), Wilter Cris Ayunon- 19th placer -(2001), Reynaldo Serafica – 12th placer – (2000), William Ponce - 13th placer – (1997), Juanito Cabang- 8th placer – (1989).
In the field of sports activities, this is now the seventh year that the college is awarded the Overall Champion in the Intramural Games at the University. This shows that the College does not only excel in academics but also in sports.
In the year 2012, the College of Criminology was changed to College of Criminal Justice Education & Social work. The College offered three programs, namely: Bachelor of Science in Criminology, Bachelor of Science in Law Enforcement Administration, and Bachelor of Science in Social Work. Due to tremendous increase of enrollees in the Social Work program, the need for separation was granted on December 1, 2015. The Social Work program was separated as the College of Social Work, while two programs (BSCrim. & BSLEA) are under the College of Criminal Justice Education.
On November 13-16, 2012, the Criminology program was assessed by the Accrediting Agency of Chartered Colleges and Universities in the Philippines (AACCUP), Inc. for Level I accreditation. After few weeks, the accrediting agency forwarded to the office of the University President Dr. Gilbert R. Arce the result with passing mark that made the Criminology Program Level I accredited. Through the enthusiasm of the entire work force of the college, the Criminology program was submitted for Level II-Re-accreditation last August 13-16, 2014. On September 1, 2014 the result was furnished with a passing mark that made again the Criminology program for Level II Re-accredited up to the present.
The college continues to grow and meet the challenges of the times in accordance with the University’s vision: A global university anchored on excellence. The Criminology program was submitted last October 2015 for evaluation on Center for Development/Center for Excellence (COD/COE).
In addition, the college was able to improve along. In fact,vertically articulated faculty profile to wit: Dr. Sina C. Bestre (BSCrim; MSCrim; PhDCrim) designated acting dean, Dr. Dolores R. Bersamina (BSCrim; MSCrim; PhDCrim) designated Program Chair on Criminology program, Dr. Witerico T. Balbuena (BSCrim; MSCrim; PhDCrim) OJT & Co-Research coordinator, Mrs. Myline C. Aleson (BSCrim; MSCrim) designated college secretary & adviser of the college publication (the Defender) , Mr. Mervic M. Pariῆas and Mr. Arlan G. Reburon currently on dissertation writing in their Ph.D Criminology (on study leave under FSDP), Mrs. Lorna C. Navarro –CSO adviser & Co-OJT Coordinator and Mr. Rowel B. Tacbas-Coordinator, Physical Plant & Facilities are currently pursuing their Ph.D Criminology. Mr. Trinidad P. Rojo (MPA-PA) Co-Research Coordinator, Atty. Tito R. Tugade . Three faculty were able to finish their graduate studies last March 2015 and March 2014 namely: Dr. Ruben R. Ragunjan-Doctor of Public Administration, Mr. Wilson R. Tolio-Master in Public Administration, Mrs. Leia Grace Elaine U. Bayag-o-Master of Science in Criminology. Faculty who are currently pursuing their MS Criminology are Cmrgst. Marlow T. Pacapac, Crmgst. Kevin Mel Pacpaco, Crmgst. Sheryl P. Lim, Crmgst. Loida A. Rilveria, Crmgst. Jenifer M. Dato, Crmgst. Michelle R. Mendoza, Crmgst. Edwin Q. Cerna and Crmgst. Jevee I. Ulibas. Other affiliate faculty are Atty. Cecilia Rialubin, Atty. Jonathan Florentino, Atty. Joseph Darren Centeno, Prosecutor Noel Meinrado Plete, Atty. Ronnie Rapanut, Prosecutor Nazariel Biado, Atty. Elizabeth Bringas and Prosecutor Alfred Ganaban. General education subjects are handled by faculty from Departments of Languages and Humanities, Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Social Sciences and Philosophy, and National Service Training Program (ROTC).
Last July 14, 2015, the College was evaluated by the CHEDRO1-Quality Assessment Team for the offering of Master of Science in Criminal Justice Education with specialization in Criminology.
With the full support of the administration and commitment of the workforce of the College, the Master of Science in Criminal Justice with Specialization in Criminology was submitted for Level 1 to AACCUP for evaluation last July 25-28, 2021. Likewise the Bachelor of Science in Criminology Program was evaluated for Level III Phase 2 last June 7-9, 2021 and recommended by the Board of AACCUP to its Level III-Re-Accredited effective June 16, 2021-June 15, 2025.