Work World of Coordinators of Criminal Justice Education Internship Program in Negros Island Region (NIR), Philippines

The study’s main objective is to explore the experiences, coping strategies, and aspirations of coordinators of the Criminal Justice Education Internship Program in Negros Island Region (NIR), Philippines. Guided by Role Theory, Experiential Learning Theory, and Vroom’s Expectancy Theory, the research aimed to address the gap in understanding the multifaceted role of coordinators in the criminology internship program. Employing a transcendental phenomenological design, the study engaged ten (10) purposively selected coordinators from higher education institutions offering the Bachelor of Science in Criminology program. Data were gathered through in-depth interviews and analyzed using Colaizzi’s method, resulting in twelve emergent themes organized into four areas: positive experiences, negative experiences, coping strategies, and aspirations. Positive experiences highlighted real-world student preparation, practical pre-internship training, values and professional formation, and collaboration with agency and alumni support. Negative experiences reflected the interns’ emotional and behavioral concerns, safety risks, logistical limitations, and administrative bottlenecks and constraints in placement. Coping strategies emphasized the coordinators’ personal commitment and resource gap, as well as conflict mediation and communication skills. Aspirations focused on improving the program based on feedback, strategic planning, and effective coordination. The study concludes that coordinators play a crucial yet demanding role in internship delivery, underscoring the need for policy reforms, institutional support, and professional development to strengthen internship programs in Philippine higher education.