It’s Not the CSI Effect: Criminal Justice Students’ Choice of Major and Career Goals

Abstract

The media tends to influence public perceptions of the criminal justice system. The media’s impact, known as the CSI Effect, is not well documented in criminal justice majors. The present study adds to a small body of literature regarding the impact of media on criminal justice students’ decisions, and seeks to identify the factors that influence students’ choices, regarding their major/career goals. Based on the results from surveys administered at an urban university in the United States, most criminal justice students reported that they were not influenced by the media, yet the vast majority believed this to be true of their fellow majors. These students chose criminal justice because they found the subject matter interesting and relevant to the real world, and they wanted to work in a field in which they could be a problem solver. Upon graduation, these students overwhelmingly reported an interest in pursuing a career in federal law enforcement. Unfortunately, corrections, a field dedicated to working with offenders, was the lowest preferred profession among criminal justice students.

Student motivations for studying criminology: A narrative inquiry

“…Student stories about understanding the ‘self’ were often related to the student’s previous (and varying) exposure to crime or negative experiences growing up, 5 their feelings of anxiety and powerlessness in response, and their subsequent attempts to develop agency. The motivation to study criminology because of its perceived relevance to the ‘real world’ (Collica-Cox and Furst, 2019) was evident in many of the stories students told. Indeed, Tommy told us: I really believe crime is a really important factor in the world.…”

“…While some speculate that students may be influenced by the ‘CSI effect’, ‘just as many are propelled into the field as a result of more altruistic and personal motivations’ (Belknap and Potter, 2007: 16) and because they want to ‘help people’ (Eren et al, 2019). Career-related motivations, increased media consumption, being good at similar subjects at school/college and deterred by more ‘scientific’ subjects, have also been identified as motivating factors (Barthe et al, 2013; Collica-Cox and Furst, 2019; Krimmel and Tartaro, 1999).…”

Rethinking Criminal Justice Education: Applying Experience Credits towards CJ Degree Completion – Generates Dollars, but Does It Make Sense?

“…WGU enables students to move through coursework and subject matter as quickly as it can be mastered through its use of Competency-Based Education (CBE), which allows students to put the freedom to put their prior expertise to use. Leaving aside the pedagogical discourse in the field on the distinction between criminology and criminal justice, the bulk of undergraduate students majoring in whatever programmatic label that falls under the umbrella of 'justice studies' has long had career aspirations that involve agency employment, specifically law enforcement organizations (Carter & Sapp, 1990;Collica-Cox & Furst, 2019;Krimmel & Tartaro, 1999). Other disciplines in the social sciences and humanities do not have this benefit of consistency with respect to the goals of students in their programs.…”

“…Sociology, English, and Psychology majors have a multitude of career paths those students are intending to tread. While it is certainly true that some criminal justice majors may have career aspirations that don't include work in policing, corrections, or another justice field, the literature shows most CJ majors do have those goals, so academic programs are able to, and should, be responsive to their constituencies (e.g., Collica-Cox & Furst, 2019;Krimmel & Tartaro, 1999;Yim, 2009). All undergraduate criminal justice programs, by necessity, must look at their educational mission from an applied standpoint in that they are educating future justice system personnel.…”

How Portrayal of Child Sexual Abuse in the News Media Increases Fear of Crime Among Guardians: The Case of Greater Malé Area, Maldives

“…This is concerning because it means that public opinion is formulated on false realities generated by the media. Hence, the adverse effects of the media on public perception can beget negative consequences to the society, especially if the public thrives on a crime-media rich diet (Britto & Noga-Styron, 2014;Collica-Cox & Furst, 2019).…”