Abstract
Several studies have considered the source of job satisfaction across different types of criminal justice professionals. This article identifies factors related to job satisfaction among graduates from a criminal justice program. The authors use a sample of 236 criminal justice graduates to explore the role of education in reports of career satisfaction. Findings indicate that graduates who felt they received adequate training in the social sciences were more likely to report satisfaction with their careers. Perceptions of preparation for careers/graduate study also were related to job satisfaction. Perceptions of course availability and independent studies/research opportunities also played a role. Implications are provided.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Berg BL (2007) Qualitative research methods for the social sciences, 5th edn. Allyn and Bacon, Boston
Buckley L, McGinnis J, Petrunik M (1993) Police perceptions of education as an entitlement to promotion. Am J Police 12:77–100
Carlan P (1999) Occupational outcomes of criminal justice graduates: is the Master’s degree a wise investment? J Crim Justice Educ 10:39–55
Carlan P (2007) The search for job satisfaction: a survey of Alabama policing. Am J Crim Justice 32:74–86
Casten J, Payne B (2008) The influence of perceptions of social disorder and victimization on business owners’ decisions to use guardianship strategies. J Crim Justice 36:396–402
Castle T, Martin J (2006) Occupational hazard: predictors of stress among jail correctional officers. Am J Crim Justice 31:65–80
Courtright K, Mackey D (2004) Job desirability among criminal justice majors. J Crim Justice Educ 15:311–326
Dantzker M (1993) An issue for policing—educational level and job satisfaction. Am J Police 12:101–118
Dantzker M (1994) Measuring job satisfaction in police departments and policy implications: an examination of a mid-size, southern police department. Am J Police 13:77–101
Dantzker M (1998) Police education and job satisfaction: educational incentives and recruit educational requirements. Police Forum 8:1–4
Dantzker M, Surrette M (1996) The perceived levels of job satisfaction among police officers. J Police Crim Psychol 11:7–12
Davidson-Shivers G, Inpornjivit K, Sellers K (2004) Using alumni and student databases for evaluation and planning. Coll Stud J 38:510–518
Dowler K (2005) Job satisfaction, burnout, and perception of unfair treatment. Police Quarterly 8:476–489
Fabianic D (1987) Criminal justice internships. Justice Prof 2:19–31
Hall DL (1995) Job satisfaction among male and female public defense attorneys. Justice Syst J 18:121–139
Hoath D, Schneider F, Starr M (1998) Police job satisfaction as a function of career orientation and position tenure: Implications for selection and community policing. J Crim Justice 26:337–347
Hoey J, Gardner D (1999) Using surveys of alumni and their employers to improve an institution. New Dir Inst Res 101:43–55
Jones P (2006) Using groups in criminal justice. J Crim Justice Educ 17:87–102
Judge TA, Scott BA, Llies R (2006) Hostility, job attitudes, and workplace deviance. J Appl Psychol 91:126–138
Landrum R, Lisenbe N (2008) Use of alumni perceptions to evaluate instructional and departmental quality. Coll Stud J 42:120–127
Ma A (2007) Evaluating the curricula for entry-level care professionals in aging-related fields. Educ Gerontol 33:881–896
Mineard T (2006) Career satisfaction of Generation X law enforcement officers. Police J 79:343–357
Moriarty L (2006) Investing in quality: the current state of assessment in criminal justice. Justice Q 23:409–427
Nagy MS (2002) Using a single-item approach to measure facet job satisfaction. J Occup Organ Psychol 75:77–89
Owen S, Fradella H, Burke T (2006) Conceptualizing justice: revising the introductory criminal justice course. J Crim Justice Educ 17:3–22
Payne BK (2003) Incarcerating white-collar offenders: The prison experience and beyond. Charles C. Thomas, Springfield
Payne BK, Sumter M (2005) Students’ perceptions of career fairs. Coll Stud J 39:269–274
Payne BK, Sumter M, Sun I (2002) Bringing the field into the criminal justice classroom. J Crim Justice Educ 14:327–344
Robinson D, Porporino FJ, Simourd L (1997) The influence of educational attainment on the attitudes and job performance of correctional officers. Crime Delinq 43(1):60–77
Stichman A, Farkas M (2005) The pedagogical use of internships in criminal justice programs. J Crim Justice Educ 16:145–165
Tett R, Meyer J (1993) Job satisfaction, organizational commitment, turnover, and intention to turnover. Pers Psychol 46:259–263
Wimshurst K, Allard T (2007) Criminal justice education, employment destinations, and graduate satisfaction. Aust NZ J Criminol 40(2):218–235
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Payne, B.K., Blackwell, B.S. & Collins, S.C. Education and Career Satisfaction: Examining the Specifics of the Relationship Among Criminal Justice Graduates. J Police Crim Psych 25, 105–112 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11896-009-9058-7
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11896-009-9058-7