Examining Outside Classroom Factors Affecting the Performance of Criminology Graduates of Mountain Province State University in the Licensure Examination for Criminologists

Abstract

Performance in professional licensure examinations is often used as an indicator of the quality of academic preparation and readiness for professional practice. This study examined the outside-the-classroom factors that influence the performance of Criminology graduates of Mountain Province State University in the Licensure Examination for Criminologists. Guided by Bronfenbrenner’s Ecological Theory, the research explored how personal, social, and environmental conditions shape graduates preparation for the board examination. A descriptive–qualitative research design was employed. Data were gathered through interviews with ten (10) MPSU Criminology alumni who took the licensure examination from 2021 to February 2025. The responses were analyzed using thematic analysis to identify recurring patterns in their experiences. The findings reveal that several external conditions contribute to successful examination outcomes, including strong personal determination, family stability and support, participation in review programs, peer learning, independent study practices, and financial capability. These factors helped graduates sustain their preparation and maintain focus during the review period. However, the study also identified challenges faced by the alumni, including psychological pressure, digital and social distractions, competing work and household responsibilities, limited access to review resources, physical strain, and insufficient moral encouragement. These conditions affected the time, concentration, and consistency devoted to examination preparation. Based on the results, an action plan was developed to address these concerns by strengthening institutional support mechanisms, improving access to review resources, promoting psychological readiness, and encouraging greater family and community involvement in graduate preparation.