Centre for Learning Accreditation Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR)

Program-Based Criteria Table

Bachelor of Professional Arts - Criminal Justice (Program)

*For Section A, below, the breadth of knowledge of the criminal justice field refers to and includes, but is not restricted to, the following: understanding of the importance of the field of criminal justice and an awareness of major issues; of the functioning and importance of criminal justice structures and institutions; of the implications of diversity issues; understanding the importance of leadership action roles in criminal justice issues. The field of criminal justice is understood to include the following areas: community policing, cross-cultural awareness, the environment, organized crime, family violence, and law and policing that are needed by police, corrections, security and other enforcement officers such as police officers, corrections officers, court officers and private security officers.

*For Section B, below, “the discipline” or “the field” refers to content described above.

A. Demonstration of Content and Knowledge
(1 of 10) Breadth and depth of knowledge of program content, see above*
0	1-2	3-4	5-6	7-8	9-10
Not demonstrated	Acceptable level of knowledge related to the discipline. Shows basic understanding of program content*	Demonstrates some specialization of disciplinary knowledge with evidence of reading and/or research beyond the basic level	Can apply, illustrate & demonstrate knowledge	Demonstrates ability to hypothesize and/or apply complex models with discipline	Sophisticated level of knowledge permits critical assessment of subject matter and/or development of applicable principles or models
(2 of 10) Understanding of theory/concepts related to program content*
0	1-2	3-4	5-6	7-8	9-10
Not demonstrated	Acceptable level of familiarity with relevant theories, principles and concepts used in the field*	Understands and can apply theories, principles and concepts to hypothetical situations	Demonstrates ability to apply theories, principles and concepts to real world designs, purposes, or projects	Demonstrates ability to choose among appropriate theories and make appropriate decisions based on theory and principle	Monitors and assesses developments, behaviours, and changes in the field based on theoretical understanding; develops theory where appropriate
(3 of 10) Policy and policy development
0	1-2	3-4	5-6	7-8	9-10
Not demonstrated	Understands and is aware of the role of policy and their importance to the field	Can describe or enumerate practices	Demonstrates ability to use policy and/or policy frameworks as a professional tool	Demonstrates thorough understanding of the role of policy and its contribution to issues, decision-making, and the profession	Interacts with others or spearheads policy implementation, development or change
B. Essential Process and Application Skills
(4 of 10) Critical thinking, problem solving, decision-making
0	1-2	3-4	5-6	7-8	9-10
Not demonstrated	Demonstrates awareness of essential elements of critical thinking and the need for problem-solving and decision-making	Demonstrates a grasp of the tools, mechanisms, and processes of critical thinking, problem-solving, and decision-making	Analyzes situations with some consistency and demonstrates growing confidence in applying thinking and decision-making tools	Exhibits ability to recognize dilemmas, ambiguity, and a range of problems; proposes a variety of solutions	Monitors and assesses developments, behaviours, and changes in the field based on theoretical understanding; develops theory where appropriate
(5 of 10) Communication skills/Capacity to disseminate knowledge
0	1-2	3-4	5-6	7-8	9-10
Not demonstrated	Writes in relation to the discipline in a clear, informed and constructive way	Uses disciplinary knowledge to express self competently in order to facilitate understanding	Demonstrates organized, sound, and systematic written work related to the discipline	Demonstrates consistently sound writing	Demonstrates ability to write persuasively about discipline-related matters, to synthesize thoughts, and to effectively disseminate knowledge within and about the field
(6 of 10) Professionalism and ethical practice
0	1-2	3-4	5-6	7-8	9-10
Not demonstrated	Demonstrates sound understanding of appropriate discipline-related practice and ethics	Applies knowledge of professional environment and related organizational structures in a conscious and ethical manner	Demonstrates appropriate use of authority and knowledge of profession to achieve goals	Demonstrates grasp of appropriate ethical and policy consideration	Exhibits complex and nuanced judgments based on professionalism and ethical understanding of field
(7 of 10) Working independently and/or in teams
0	1-2	3-4	5-6	7-8	9-10
Not demonstrated	Demonstrates ability to complete tasks under supervision as a junior team member or to work independently with supervision	Demonstrates understanding of potential of working collaboratively and contributes to team success	Brings enthusiasm to team roles and/or works independently with limited supervision	Frequently and successfully acts on own initiative and/or contributes to team success by mentoring or acting in leadership role	Provides formal team leadership, assessment of team skills, team training, or exhibits ability to complete complex tasks autonomously with little supervision
(8 of 10) Planning, organizing and executing projects
0	1-2	3-4	5-6	7-8	9-10
Not demonstrated	Demonstrates basic planning, organizing, management skills in response to problems/ projects identified by others	Can identify need for problems/ projects and plan or organize for them appropriately	Develops and/or implements effective planning procedures for most situations	Facilitates project organization through team participation and/or partial or shared leadership	Provides formal leadership for project plan or implementation and assumes responsibility for success, troubleshooting, and alternate plans
(9 of 10) Leadership and supervisory ability
0	1-2	3-4	5-6	7-8	9-10
Not demonstrated	Ability to follow and/or give directions with supervision; will exercise or take limited responsibility	Takes responsibility for self and subordinates; seeks leadership opportunities and engages in training opportunities	Demonstrates leadership abilities and is committed to growing in leadership/ supervisory potential	Is assigned to/creates leadership and mentorship roles; self-directs toward learning opportunities	Engages in organizational policy and vision-related activities; manages leadership responsibilities (recruitment, assessment, succession, resource management); initiates change; engages in high-level professional activities beyond the organization
(10 of 10) Lifelong learning (self and/or professional development)
0	1-2	3-4	5-6	7-8	9-10
Not demonstrated	Participates in some appropriate workshops and seminars; demonstrates familiarity with professional literature	Membership in professional organizations; broad familiarity with professional literature; established participation in professional development activities	Structures self- development activities; understands place of professional in the larger context	Is guided by long range learning and/or professional development goals; contributes to organization of professional development activities in the workplace/field organization	Assumes leadership role in profession; teaches, mentors or models professional activity within the field; works toward developing the profession within society

Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (Alberta). All records and Personal Information (as defined in the Act) received, collected, created, used, disclosed and disposed of by Athabasca University as a result of this document are subject to the provisions of this Act. The personal information collected on this form is used to assess prior learning credit and identify program and course selection recommendations. This information is collected under the authority of Section 33(c) of the Alberta Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. If you have any questions about the collection and use of this information, contact the Director, Centre for Learning Accreditation, Athabasca University, 1 University Drive, Athabasca, Alberta T9S 3A3. Phone: 800.788.9041 ext 6348.

Updated December 15, 2020 by Digital & Web Operations, University Relations (web_services@athabascau.ca)