Boston Globe, 12-14-03
Fourteen college criminal justice programs have been authorized to enroll police next year under the state's stricter new standards for the controversial police bonus program known as the Quinn Bill.
The state Board of Higher Education granted approval this week to 14 of the 48 programs that applied for recognition earlier this year. Another 14 programs that met most standards were given until June to complete their compliance. A dozen more asked for additional time and will be reviewed by the board in February.
The 30-year-old Quinn Bill gives pay raises to police officers who earn criminal justice degrees, and came under fire from critics who said police did little classroom work to earn bonuses. New standards adopted early this year eliminated the practice of giving credit for military experience, limited student-faculty ratios in the programs, and mandated that most faculty members have doctoral degrees in criminal justice.
Almost half of the 80 programs that once enrolled police chose not to seek approval under the new rules, a board spokeswoman said.
Programs approved are at UMass-Lowell, UMass-Boston, Norwich University, Endicott College, Northeastern University, American International College, and six community colleges: Bunker Hill, Massachusetts Bay, Quinsigamond, Mount Wachusett, Springfield Technical, and Northern Essex.
Fourteen college criminal justice programs have been authorized to enroll police next year under the state's stricter new standards for the controversial police bonus program known as the Quinn Bill.
The state Board of Higher Education granted approval this week to 14 of the 48 programs that applied for recognition earlier this year. Another 14 programs that met most standards were given until June to complete their compliance. A dozen more asked for additional time and will be reviewed by the board in February.
The 30-year-old Quinn Bill gives pay raises to police officers who earn criminal justice degrees, and came under fire from critics who said police did little classroom work to earn bonuses. New standards adopted early this year eliminated the practice of giving credit for military experience, limited student-faculty ratios in the programs, and mandated that most faculty members have doctoral degrees in criminal justice.
Almost half of the 80 programs that once enrolled police chose not to seek approval under the new rules, a board spokeswoman said.
Programs approved are at UMass-Lowell, UMass-Boston, Norwich University, Endicott College, Northeastern University, American International College, and six community colleges: Bunker Hill, Massachusetts Bay, Quinsigamond, Mount Wachusett, Springfield Technical, and Northern Essex.
