Factors Fueling the Success of Criminology Graduates in the Board Licensure Examination for Criminologists

Abstract

This study employed a qualitative descriptive phenomenological research design to examine the lived experiences of criminology graduates who successfully passed the Board Licensure Examination for Criminologists (BLEC) at the Polytechnic College of La Union (PCLU) in Agoo, La Union. The research aimed to explore the factors that influenced their preparation and performance, including academic support, family influence, review center experiences, personal discipline, psychological readiness, and financial conditions. Twenty-eight (28) BLEC passers from 2023 to 2024 were selected through purposive sampling and participated in in-depth, semi-structured interviews. Data were audio-recorded with consent, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed using thematic analysis. The findings revealed that a strong academic foundation and faculty support, family encouragement and financial assistance, structured and effective review center programs, disciplined study habits, and stress management strategies significantly contributed to examination success. However, participants also reported challenges such as difficulty in mastering technical subjects, anxiety and emotional pressure, financial constraints, limited mentorship, health-related concerns, and time management issues due to work and family responsibilities. The study concludes that BLEC success is influenced by a combination of academic preparedness, psychological resilience, institutional support, and socio-economic stability. Based on these findings, a proposed intervention program was developed to strengthen academic mentoring, enhance stress management initiatives, improve access to review resources, and promote structured peer and faculty support systems. The results of this study may serve as a basis for institutional improvements aimed at increasing licensure examination performance among future criminology graduates.