BS Criminology

The Bachelor of Science in Criminology is a 4 years degree program where crime

handling is studied. This course is a multi-disciplinary course with six areas which tackles about
criminal law & jurisprudence, crime detection & investigation, criminalistics, law enforcement
administration, correctional administration and sociology of crimes & ethics. BS Criminology is
said to be one of the most popular courses in the Philippines wherein according to PRC there are
more than 600 institutions offering the aforementioned course. Most of the enrollees chose BS
Criminology due to the career opportunity that awaits them which is to become a police officer
someday.
In 1954 when the first institution offering BS Criminology was established identified as
Plaridel Educational Institution. However, it was renamed as Philippine College of Criminology
(PCCR) on year 1960 founded by Felix Angelo Bautista located in Manila, Philippines. In 1972
when Board of Examiners for Criminologists was put into law but the first board examination
take place on 1988 for the reason that it was delayed due to the declaration of martial law. At this
moment, board examinations were canceled several times due to Covid-19 virus. In addition,
there are two laws about BS Criminology which are RA 6506 (1972) the act creating the board
of examiners for criminologists in the Philippines and for other purposes and RA 11131 (2018)
repealing for the purpose of RA 6506.
There are three program goals of Bachelor of Science in Criminology wherein can be
found in CHED memorandum order number 5 series of 2018. The first goal of BS Criminology
is to encourage research and inquiry on the nature, causes, treatment or punishment of criminal
behavior and how criminal justice agency’s function and respond to crime, criminals and
victims. This highlights the essence of research which is to inform action, gather evidence for
theories, and contribute knowledge in a field of study. This specifically helps to find the cause or
nature of a certain criminal behavior. The second goal is to prepare the students for careers in
crime prevention, law enforcement, scientific crime detection, correctional administration, public
safety and allied fields. This is to hone the students to be ready for the profession that awaits
them. Lastly, to foster the values of leadership, integrity, accountability and responsibility while
serving their fellowmen, community and country.
This reaction paper best explains the history, nature and goal of my chosen course. This
gives me a glimpse of what I might encounter in the process of become a police officer. Thus, as
Theodore Roosevelt said, justice consists not in being neutral between right and wrong, but in
finding out the right and upholding it, wherever found, against the wrong. I know this course will
hone and bring the best out of me in order for me to adopt the values that professional police
must possess.