Exploring the Importance of Experiential Learning Opportunities: How Field Trips Enhance Criminal Justice Student Development

• In Event: Roundtable: Teaching Criminology

Abstract

Experiential learning at the university level plays a critical role for criminal justice (CJ) majors both academically and for professional development. As universities prepare students to enter into criminal justice relates fields, it is necessary that the curriculum reflects various types of active learning. These types of learning take place on field trips which allows students to gain firsthand knowledge about an academic subject outside of the classroom environment in a practical and meaningful way. This paper discusses the critical use and career impacts of CJ field trips by analyzing interviews and surveys from criminal justice students and alumni.

Author

• Schannae Lucas, California Lutheran University