PROPOSAL

for the

BACHELOR OF APPLIED SCIENCE DEGREE

with a major in

PUBLIC SAFETY MANAGEMENT

Submitted to

THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

by

MIAMIDADECOLLEGE

SCHOOL OF JUSTICE

OCTOBER 1, 2005 (original submission)

FEBRUARY 15, 2006 (revised submission)

MIAMIDADECOLLEGE

PROPOSAL FOR

BACHELOR OF APPLIED SCIENCE in

PUBLIC SAFETY MANAGEMENT

Submitted October 1, 2005; Revised February 15, 2006

Evaluation Criteria

  1. Description of Planning Process and Time Line for Implementation

Section1007.33, F.S. authorizes the State Board of Education (SBE) to receive proposals from community colleges to offer specified baccalaureate degree programs in their districts to meet local workforce needs through partnerships and/or through direct authority to grant baccalaureate degrees. Per the new approval process adopted by the State Board of Education, Miami Dade College (MDC), a Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) Level 2 institution, submits the following request to offer a Bachelor of Applied Science degree in Public Safety Management.

The principal goal of the Miami Dade College BAS degree in Public Safety Management is to provide students and public safety practitioners with a seamless, workforce-driven baccalaureate degree. The program will provide a convenient, one-stop opportunity to obtain a combination of a baccalaureate degree and Florida State Certification in Law Enforcement or State Certification in Corrections which would provide immediate employment opportunities.

In the mid-1990’s, Florida criminal justice professionals and industry leaders recognized that the traditional, theory-based learning programs offered by criminal justice training centers were not sufficiently preparing men and women to enter and succeed in the criminal justice profession. The Florida Criminal Justice Standards and Training Commission (CJSTC) conducted Subject Matter Expert (SME) meetings involving criminal justice personnel from across the State in an attempt to identify alternative learning strategies that would better prepare criminal justice professionals to handle job demands. The SME recommendations, in consultation with Florida Department of Law Enforcement curriculum specialists, resulted in a proposal to create the Curriculum Maintenance System (CMS), a new application-based law enforcement recruit training program.

The CMS training curriculum which was formally implemented in 2004, completely revised the basic law enforcement academy training, focused its learning methodology on applied learning pedagogy to replicate job simulations, and made both short-term and long-term problem-solving skills key elements of the new educational process. The CMS curriculum also incorporated an integral component of a needs assessment and job task analysis that was included to ensure that the new learning strategy was anchored to job requirements and profession needs.

FIU/MDC COLLABORATION:

Consequently, based upon industry recommendations, MDC began exploring options to address CJSTC concerns by initiating discussions with Florida International University regarding:

  • 2+2+2 articulation options (high school, community college, and four-year institution)
  • AS to BS Criminal Justice articulation
  • a joint-use criminal justice educational and training facility focused on serving student needs, and
  • the development of a workforce-based, applied baccalaureate degree.

To implement the recommendations, meetings were conducted between MiamiDadeCollege and FloridaInternationalUniversity to discuss the above issues and topropose that FIU utilize MDC’s basic training academies as an internship for their four-year degree students in their final semester. As noted below, the initial meetings occurred during the Spring of 1999 and although FIU Policy and Management Criminal Justice administrative personnel recommended adoptingthe basic training academy (workforce development) partnership offer, as of February 8, 1999 (see Meeting Two below), no formal agreements transpired. Copies of correspondence and a list of attendees for each meeting are listed in Appendices 1A-3B).

  1. MEETING ONE (MDC-North campus---January 28, 1999)

Agenda:

The meeting focused upon establishing a 2+2+2 partnership between MDC and FIU and the creation of a joint-use facility. In addition, discussion ensued regarding incorporating the MiamiDadeCollege basic academy training (workforce development) courses into the FIU internship program as part of the baccalaureate degree to reflect current, applied training strategies necessary to meet law enforcement needs (Appendices1A-1C, correspondence dated January 29, 1999, from Dr. Castell Bryant, MDC, to Dr. Rosa Jones, FIU).

Result:

A partnership with FIU was formed to propose a joint-use facility and in 1999, the Florida Legislature granted MDC $4.2 million for a state-of-the-art building which was constructed and available for use on the MDC North campus in Fall 2003, serving 5,425 MiamiDadeCollege students. (MDC Board item, Appendix1D) Workforce and community needs have, however, continued to increase and as noted in Table 3, as of 2004-2005, 6,109 students were enrolled in School of Justice programs at MiamiDadeCollege (annual increase of approximately 700 students). Since Fall 2003, FloridaInternationalUniversity has requested use of classroom space to offer two academic evening courses each semester at the MDC North campus, Building 9000. Approximately 240-300 FIU students (two classes per semester for two years) have enrolled in upper division FIU Criminal Justice courses.

  1. MEETING TWO(MDC North Campus---February 8, 1999)

Agenda:

The meeting focused upon incorporating the MiamiDadeCollege basic academy training into the last semester of studies for FIU Bachelor of Science-Criminal Justice students, and a program outline for the MDC/FIU Criminal Justice proposal was distributed. Discussion regarding the projected enrollment, average class size, joint MDC/FIU advising, faculty hiring needs, and additional resources required for adjunct instruction and dedicated student support services took place. In addition, Howard Frank, Acting Director, FIU School of Policy and Management, indicated in his February 8, 1999, memorandum, that FIU concurred with MDC’s “desire…for a “state of the art” facility, including forensic and computer labs” and “would view this an integral part of the new program.” The memorandum endorses the proposal for a “concurrence program” as follows:

“Implementation of the joint proposal is likely to have its share of administrative teething pains. But the enthusiasm of the MDCC participants and our willingness to implement this program bode well for implementation.” (Appendices 2A-2D).

Result:

Although no formal agreements were reached during the Spring 1999 FIU/MDC meetings to combine the MDC basic academy training (workforce development) courses with the FIU internship program, MDC continued to independently explore the concept of developing an applied baccalaureate degree in public safety management that combined college credit courses with academy training, culminating in a bachelor’s degree, State certification, and immediate eligibility for employment. After several years of cooperative efforts on various topics, MDC and FIU met again in Spring 2004, to continue discussion regarding criminal justice academic and training issues.

  1. MEETING THREE (MDC North Campus----Spring of 2004)

Agenda:

The meeting focused upon curricular review to establish an AS to BS articulation agreement between MDC and FIU. Additionally, Director Ron Grimming again suggested that FIU consider incorporating the MiamiDadeCollege academy training courses into the FIU internship program as part of the baccalaureate degree.

Result:

In reference to the AS to BS articulation, MDC presented three Associate of Science programs for articulation review (AS-Criminal Justice Technology, AS-Basic Law Enforcement, and AS-Corrections). FIU agreed only to articulate the AS-Criminal Justice Technology degree which does not include basic academy training (workforce development) courses. To date, the AS to BS Criminal Justice Technology articulation agreement has been implemented (Appendices 3A-3B), but the basic academy training (workforce development) components (AS-Basic Law Enforcement and AS-Corrections) were not approved nor integrated by FIU into an educational model culminating in a workforce-driven baccalaureate degree with State certification.

As previously noted, in 2004, the Florida Criminal Justice Standards and Training Commission (CJSTC) implemented a new, approved, basic academy training (workforce development) curriculum designed to enhance the practical skills and abilities of modern police professionals who need to be equipped to handle the daily practical applications of criminal justice training and education. Consequently, based upon these recommendations, MDC renewed its effort to incorporate the new learning curriculum into a proposed BAS-Public Safety Management program, focused upon specific career and workforce-driven coursework (see additional information in Section B-Analysis of Workforce Needs/Demands for Baccalaureate Programs). MiamiDadeCollege focused the BAS-Public Safety Management proposal on addressing the formal education of public safety professionals by utilizing applied learning techniques, adult learning methodologies, and both short- and long-term problem solving skills. The educational model is designed to utilize and extend this learning philosophy through the baccalaureate level by the implementation of the MDC degree offering.

This CMS model provides opportunities for change in public safety education and training and is designed to provide the following benefits:

  • ensure that the education and training program has a direct application to job requirements and on-the-job problem-solving capabilities;
  • provide a guide for responding to and analyzing situations to identify problems, reach reasonable conclusions, take legal actions, and evaluate the effectiveness and ethical considerations of those actions; and
  • present a method to relate real-life situations to classroom learning that may involve cognitive, social, philosophical, and physical skills.

The proposed MDC public safety workforce baccalaureate degree provides a seamless, one-stop, educational training opportunity for students to receive their baccalaureate degree and State certification.

MDC Contact with SouthFloridaState and PrivateUniversities:

In compliance with the State Board of Education Baccalaureate Program Proposal for Community Colleges, MDC communicated with seven local-area four-year State and private colleges and universities its intent to submit a proposal to the State to create a work-force driven baccalaureate degree. Letters of Intent providing information regarding the MDC BAS-Public Safety Management proposal were sent on August 23, 2005, (Appendix 4) from Ron Grimming, Director, Miami Dade College School of Justice, to the following seven South Florida public and private four-year educational institutions:

  • BarryUniversity
  • FloridaAtlanticUniversity
  • FloridaInternationalUniversity
  • Nova Southeastern University
  • St. ThomasUniversity
  • FloridaMemorialUniversity
  • University of Miami

Two of the seven institutions responded (FloridaAtlanticUniversity and FloridaInternationalUniversity) as follows:

  1. FloridaAtlanticUniversity
  2. A written response from Dr. Dave Kalinich, Chair, Criminology/Criminal Justice, FAU, to Ron Grimming, Director, MDC School of Justice, on September 9, 2005 (Appendix 4A).
  3. A written response, dated September 14, 2005, from Ron Grimming, Director, Miami Dade College School of Justice, to Dr. Dave Kalinich, FloridaAtlanticUniversity (Appendix 4B). MDC reiterated that inbuilding the program, MDC addressed the General Education skills areas to ensure that the learning objectives were integrated and assessed throughout the Public Safety Management curriculum. Appendix10 provides specific information regarding the integration and assessment of general education skills areas within the proposed upper division coursework.
  4. MDC invited the Florida Atlantic University (FAU) Criminology/Criminal Justice department to partner with MDC in its unique public safety proposal. FAU responded in September 15, 2005, that the offer would be forwarded to their internship coordinator for further review, and as of this date, no communication has occurred (Appendix 4C).
  5. FloridaInternationalUniversity
  6. Written responses from Dr. Ray Thomlison, Professor and Dean, School of Social Work, Policy and Management, FIU. An initial response was received from Dr. Thomlison on October 3, 2005 (after the MDC BAS proposal was submitted to FLDOE), apologizing for the University’s delay in responding to the MDC proposal. (Appendix 5)
  7. A formal correspondence, dated October 4, 2005, was received from Dr. Thomlison after MDC submitted its original proposal. (Appendix 6A)
  8. During Fall 2005, Dr. Norma Goonen, MDC Provost for Education, contacted Dr. Mark Rosenberg, former FIU Provost, seeking feedback on the MDC BAS in Public Safety Management proposal. Due to Dr. Rosenberg’s appointment to the Board of Governors, Dr. Goonen met with Dr. Rosa Jones, Vice President for Student Affairs and Undergraduate Education, to discuss the proposal. A response to the meeting was sent December 21, 2005, from Dr. Jones to Dr. Goonen (Appendix6B).
  9. A written response from Dr. Norma Goonen, MDC Provost for Education, to Dr. Rosa Jones, Vice President for Student Affairs and Undergraduate Education (Appendix 6C).

The proposed Bachelor of Applied Science degree in Public Safety Management has progressed according to the State Board of Education Baccalaureate Proposal Approval Process and as of September 2005, has been approved by MDC faculty and administrators, Dr. Eduardo Padrón, President of Miami Dade College, and the Miami Dade College Board of Trustees, with a Fall 2006 targeted implementation date.

A Letter of Intent to the Commissioner of Education was submitted on June 10, 2005, and as indicated in the June 14, 2005, response from Chancellor J. David Armstrong, Miami Dade College was granted an extension of October 1, 2005, as an exception to the August 1, 2005, deadline for the Baccalaureate Proposal to be submitted to the Commissioner of DCCWE (Appendix7). The extension was granted due to the “dissolution of the Council for Education Policy Research and Improvement (CEPRI)”, and the extension date would allow “ample time for the Commissioner and staff to study the proposal and make a recommendation to the SBE for action at its January or February meeting.“ Per State Board of Education guidelines, the attached proposal was submitted by the College President, Dr. Eduardo Padron, to the Commissioner with a copy to the Chancellor of DCCWE by the extended deadline of October 1, 2005, with a request for a collaborative review with the Florida Board of Governors (FBOG), Accountability, Research, and Measurement (ARM), and others as appropriate. MiamiDadeCollege has incorporated the recommended adjustments and will submit the revised copy of the proposal to the Vice Chancellor of DCCWE no later than February 15, 2006, and will await final decision by the State Board of Education. Upon notification of approval, MiamiDadeCollege’s President will sign a five-year Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the Commissioner. Table 1includes timeline dates.

Table 1: MDC Estimated Timeline for Baccalaureate in Public Safety Management Degree

Deadline/implementation date / Activity
February 2006 / MDC submits revised proposal to FLDOE for review.
MDC posts anticipated full-time faculty positions (2).
March 21, 2006 / State submits MDC proposal as agenda item to State Board.
April 18, 2006 / State Board votes on MDC proposal (MDC College President to provide presentation).
April 2006 / MDC commences marketing campaign in the MDC service area and conducts Town Hall student and community meetings with industry leaders. Marketing media to include billboards, newsprint, and radio.
MDC posts job vacancies for part-time faculty positions, administrative staff, support staff, student services, and library positions.
May 2006 / MDC contracts with consultant to develop instructional aids, grant research and writing, advertisement and publicity components.
MDC completes textbook selection.
MDC completes library resource recommendations.
MDC orders program equipment, computers, furniture, books, and office and classroom supplies.
June 2006 / MDC completes faculty course assignments.
MDC orders required text books and library materials.
(June 12) MDC conductsNew Student Orientation. MDC conducts academic advisement and registration workshops for Summer and Fall.
July 2006 / MDC completes hiring of full-time (2) faculty members.
MDC completes hiring of part-time faculty (2), administrative staff, support staff, student services, and library positions.
August 2006 / MDC offers 1st baccalaureate-level coursework.
January 2007 / MDC submits application to the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA).
February 2007 / MDC posts vacancy for one full-time and one part-time faculty position.
March 2007 / MDC conducts interviews for new faculty positions.
MDC convenes planning committee for CALEA accreditation process.
April 2007 / MDC conducts Student Services recruitment/retention activities.
May/June 2007 / MDC conducts advisement and registration workshops for Summer/Fall 2007.
July 2007 / MDC completes faculty hiring.
July-December 2007 / MDC conducts assessments of BAS program.
January 2008 / MDC completes CALEA activities.
February 2008 / MDC posts vacancies for final full-time (1) and part-time (1) faculty positions.
March 2008 / MDC conducts interviews for new faculty positions.
April 2008 / MDC hosts CALEA on-site visit.
July 2008 / MDC completes faculty hiring.
July-December 2008 / MDC conducts assessments of BAS program.
MDC completes CALEA accreditation process.

B.Analysis of Workforce Needs/Demands for Baccalaureate Program

To gauge the interest for the proposed baccalaureate degree, MDC faculty and staff representatives conducted meetings with local and state law enforcement officials, conducted profession and student surveys, and evaluated state and national higher education initiatives. In addition, as stipulated by the Baccalaureate Proposal Approval guidelines, MiamiDadeCollege analyzed data and collaborated with its local workforce development board, economic development councils, and business and industry partners to determine workforce baccalaureate degree needs and demands.

Based upon the Florida Criminal Justice Standards and Training Commission (CJSTC) response to criminal justice administrators’ concerns that the traditional curriculum and learning strategies utilized in the basic training programs were inadequate, criminal justice personnel from across the State identified alternative learning strategies that could better prepare criminal justice professionals to handle job demands. Due to the dynamic nature of the public services professions, it was determined that the change reflect current, modern training in the necessary skills, knowledge, attitudes, and abilities to meet current law enforcement needs.The proposed MDC Bachelor of Applied Science in Public Safety Management degree addresses the proposed curriculum and provides a unique combination of education and specialized career track options and State certifications designed to produce public safety professionals who are immediately employable.