Emotional intelligence and academic performance in criminalistics students at UNES

This research addresses the relationship between emotional intelligence and academic performance in higher education. The general objective is to propose a Psychoeducational Plan based on emotional intelligence to optimize academic performance among Criminalistics students at the National Experimental University of Security at the UNES Training Center in Cojedes. It is grounded in Goleman's Emotional Intelligence Theory (1997). Methodologically, it follows the positivist paradigm and a quantitative approach, employing a feasible project design with a field study, encompassing the phases of diagnosis, feasibility, and proposal design. The sample consisted of twenty-seven (27) Criminalistics students from the I-2022 cohort of the CICPC academy at UNES. An Emotional Intelligence Test was administered for the diagnosis, revealing that students' emotional intelligence ranged from low to medium. The greatest weaknesses were in self-awareness and the management and regulation of emotions. The proposal is based on a psychoeducational intervention from a psychological perspective, rooted in cognitive-behavioral therapy and Emotional Education. It is recommended to implement the proposal to strengthen the emotional management of students. Continuous monitoring and evaluation are proposed, as well as longitudinal studies to observe changes in emotional competencies.