Course overview

All applicants should apply as soon as possible to reserve a place and ensure adequate preparations are made for the start of your studies. The latest we can receive an 'on time' application (with all associated documentation)is: 6 September 2013 (16 August 2013 for non-EU students). Applications received after this date may be processed, but your course induction and start to studies may well be disrupted.

This established programme of studies is designed to develop students' understanding of criminological theories of offending and the extent of crime, enabling them to critically examine the role and function of the criminal justice and penal policy process and the criminal justice policy-making context in England & Wales. Students will have the opportunity to examine the treatment of disadvantaged communities and groups discriminated against, by and within, the criminal justice context.

Further, students will have an opportunity to develop an understanding of the application of criminological and criminal justice principles to law enforcement and criminal justice agencies and to study a range of criminal justice subjects. Students will design, research and write a substantial piece of academic written work.

This Higher Education award has been specifically designed as an interdisciplinary programme for graduates of criminology, or other related degrees, for those with criminal justice career aspirations, or those already working in the criminal justice arena at all levels: e.g. police officers, probation officers, prison officers, Youth Offending Team (YOT) officers, and those in professions where they are involved in criminal justice issues, such as social workers.

Video: Watch staff and students discuss their experience of this programme
 
 

For campus-based enquiries, contact Dr Francis Pakes on
Tel: +44 (023) 9284 3607
Email: francis.pakes@port.ac.uk

For distance learning enquiries, contact Tom Ellis on
Tel: +44 (023) 9284 3921
Email: tom.ellis@port.ac.uk

Course content

The specific programme aims are

• To develop students' understanding of criminological theories of offending and the extent of crime;
• To enable students to critically examine the role and function of the criminal justice and the criminal justice policy-making context in England & Wales;
• To develop students' awareness of the penal process;
• To examine the treatment of disadvantaged communities and groups discriminated against, by and within, the criminal justice context;
• To provide an opportunity for students to develop an understanding of the application of criminological and criminal justice principles to law enforcement and criminal justice agencies;
• To provide opportunities for students to study a range of criminal justice subjects and to write a substantial piece of academic written work.
• In addition, students will benefit from an extra-curricular visiting programme that includes several key criminal justice institutions and settings.

The available modes of study are

• Full-time by attendance at the University of Portsmouth (1 year full time)
• Part-time by distance learning from any location world-wide (two or three year study schedule)

The specific programme aims are

• To develop students' understanding of criminological theories of offending and the extent of crime;
• To enable students to critically examine the role and function of the criminal justice and the criminal justice policy-making context in England & Wales;
• To develop students' awareness of the penal process;
• To examine the treatment of disadvantaged communities and groups discriminated against, by and within, the criminal justice context;
• To provide an opportunity for students to develop an understanding of the application of criminological and criminal justice principles to law enforcement and criminal justice agencies;
• To provide opportunities for students to study a range of criminal justice subjects and to write a substantial piece of academic written work.
• In addition, students will benefit from an extra-curricular visiting programme that includes several key criminal justice institutions and settings.

Units of Study

Core Units

• Criminology Past and Present (30 credits) (campus based only)
• Criminology (30 credits) (distance learning only)
• Criminal Justice (30 credits)
• Research Methods and Research Management (30 credits)
• 15,000 word Dissertation (60 credits)

Optional Units

• Policing and Police Reform (30 credits) (campus based only)
• Substance Misuse, Crime and the Criminal Justice System (30 credits) (campus based only)
• Risk, Dangerousness and Vulnerability: Managing public protection (30 credits) campus based only)
• Investigation and Psychology (distance learning only)
• Managing Justice and Security Organisations (distance learning only)
• Countering Fraud and Corruption in Public and Private Sectors (distance learning only)

Please note that all options are subject to minimum student numbers, and may not all be available.

Please note that the course structure may vary from year to year; course content and learning opportunities will not be diminished by this.

Student support

All ICJS distance learning students are supported in the initial stages by the extended Induction Programme (online and face-to-face). Immediately following Induction, an ‘engagement officer’ proactively ensures any issues are resolved rapidly, and thereafter personal support is provided by their Course Leader for the duration of their studies.

All ICJS campus-based students will be assigned a personal tutor, responsible for pastoral support and guidance, and have access to wider University support services including careers, financial advice, housing, counselling etc. via a dedicated Student Services Centre.

Academic support will be delivered by the relevant academic Unit Coordinators and the Course Leader. This will take the form of online, telephone and email. All students have access to the formal and informal support areas of the course discussions areas (Graduate Common Room, etc) and student peer support and Library support services in specific discussion rooms.

Teaching and assessment

Assessment is based upon a range of written assignments including essays, case study, a literature review and research proposal focussed on your chosen project, and finally a 15,000 word dissertation. For each assignment full academic support is provided by an academic subject expert and you will be provided with academic supervisor once you have identified the subject area of your dissertation.

Career prospects

Given the broad range of issues considered and the skills acquired throughout the degree programme, upon graduating Criminology and Criminal Justice students are well equipped to embark upon a diverse range of career choices. Over the years our graduates have found employment in areas including policing (both as officers and as civilian staff), crime analysis, probation, the courts and prison service, local authorities, academia and research, the third sector, charities and private industry to name just a few.

Facilities and features

Academic Skills Development

Relevant Unit Coordinators will act proactively, for example in contacting those students whose performance appears to indicate that they would benefit from study support. A marker referral system is also in place to identify specific academic skills gaps and their resolution via additional skills support.

The library

The library is renowned for its high quality, responsive and customised support to students studying at a distance, or seeking to research criminal justice projects at a distance. A range of library services for distance learning students are provided to supplement the broad range of online academic resources (e-journals and e-books, etc.) available to all.

• Library Information Literacy
• Library services for distance learning students
• Criminology subject resources

Further support

Other key support services include:

• Academic Skills Unit
• Additional Support and Disability Advice Centre

Entry requirements

The entry requirements for MSc Criminology and Criminal Justice are shown above, for more detailed information please contact:

Department: Institute of Criminal Justice Studies
Tel: +44 (023) 9284 3607
Email: francis.pakes@port.ac.uk