Application Process

The application process consists of the following:

• The president of a NECHE-accredited or Massachusetts Board of Higher Education-approved institution with a criminal justice or law enforcement degree program must submit a letter to the Commissioner of Higher Education by May 1 of the year the application will be submitted, indicating the institution's intent to seek approval of its criminal justice degree program(s). The letter of intent shall include a statement of commitment to implement Standard D: Admission and Articulation for all students enrolling in a criminal justice or law enforcement program, and the date by which the institution expects to submit its application.
• Submit the application by September 30. Email the application to pcipp@dhe.mass.edu and include a link to the college’s catalog.
• Undergo an evaluation by an external review committee appointed by the Board of Higher Education and respond to that evaluation. A date for the evaluation by the review committee will be determined once an application is received. Most reviews will occur in October and November. The external review committee's evaluation and the institution's response will be reviewed by Board of Higher Education staff, who will make a recommendation to the Board of Higher Education to defer, approve, or disapprove the application.
• Evaluation Fee: each institution will pay an evaluation fee to help cover the costs of reviewing its program(s). The fee amount is determined by the total number of degrees awarded to all students in the criminal justice and law enforcement program(s) seeking approval, based on the average number of degrees awarded during the three years immediately prior to submitting the application (see Fee Table). The fee should be submitted at the time of application in the form of a check made out to the BHE PCIPP Quality Assurance Trust Fund. The check should be included with the hard copy of the application.
• The Board will take action by formal vote and will clearly state the reasons for its decision. Institutions that are not approved may appeal the decision. All approved institutions will submit annual reports to the Board of Higher Education and will be subject to review by the Board every five years.