Course overview

UK/EU Applicants must submit full applications by: 9am Friday 7th September 2012
Non-EU Applicants must submit full applications by: 9am Friday 27th July 2012

Security management has become an increasingly important issue in organisations and many employ specialists in security. Security managers have responsibility for protecting organisations’ people, assets, information and reputation from risks such as crime, fraud, accidents, and protesters to name a few. The risks of terrorism and other crimes have made security a much more important issue and with the introduction of regulation, the needs to enhance professionalism have become more important. This course is designed for those already working in the field seeking to improve their professionalism or those with a good honours degree seeking to obtain a more relevant qualification to secure a career in security management. It provides the key knowledge and latest thinking in security to enhance your career.

Why study at the University of Portsmouth?

The Institute at Portsmouth is one of the leading providers of security, counter fraud, criminology and forensic education utilising a range of the very latest teaching and learning strategies. It is also a centre of research in security, counter fraud as well as other criminological and criminal justice related subjects.

Find out more

If you are interested in this course and would like further information please contact the Department.

Who should attend the course?

• Graduates seeking a specialist qualification to secure a job in security.
• Security and fraud risk professionals holding a good honours degree.
• Policy-makers with a responsibility for security with a good honours degree.

Course content

Full-time campus-based

The units studied will include:

• Security Management (30 credits) (Campus Block Teaching)
• Crisis Management and Governance (30 credits) (PBS) (Campus Block Teaching)
• Research Methods and Research Management (30 credits) (Campus Teaching)
• 15,000 word Dissertation (60 credits)

You will choose 30 credits of options from:

• Cyber Crime, Security and Risk Management (30 credits) (Campus Block Teaching)
• Investigation and Psychology (30 credits) (Campus Teaching)
• Work Based Learning Project (30 credits) (Campus Teaching)
• Countering Fraud and Corruption in the Public and Private Sector (30 Credits) (Campus Teaching)
• White Collar Crime (30 Credits) (Campus Teaching)

Part-time (distance learning and block teaching)

The units studied will include:

• Security Management (30 credits) (Campus Block Teaching)
• Crisis Management and Governance (30 credits) (PBS) (Campus Block Teaching)
• Research Methods and Research Management (30 credits) (Campus Teaching)
• 15,000 word Dissertation (60 credits)

You will choose 30 credits of options from:

• Cyber Crime, Security and Risk Management (30 credits) (Campus Block Teaching)
• Investigation and Psychology (30 credits) (Distance Learning)
• Work Based Learning Project (30 credits) (Distance Learning)
• Countering Fraud and Corruption in the Public and Private Sector (30 Credits) (Distance Learning)
• Managing Justice and Security Organisations (30 Credits) (Distance Learning)

Notes

Campus Block Teaching = intensive teaching on campus in Portsmouth

Campus Teaching = traditional weekly lectures and seminars

Online=course delivered online

DL=course delivered by specialist books supported by E-learning

Teaching and assessment

Full-time campus-based

This course is delivered in campus-based mode utilising lectures, seminars and the latest E-resources. Some of the core units are shared with distance learning students over intensive workshops. You will need to attend on campus for the workshops for the following core units:

• Security Management (30 credits) (17, 18 and 19 October 2011)
• Crisis Management and Governance (30 credits) (PBS) (TBC)

Assessment will be based upon a range of written assignments including essays, reports, a presentation, a dissertation proposal and a dissertation of 15,000 words.

Part-time (distance learning and block teaching)

This mode is delivered by a combination of campus based intensive workshops, distance learning and the latest E-resources. You will need to attend on campus for the workshops for the following core units:

• Security Management (30 credits) (15, 16, 17 and 18 October 2012)
• Crisis Management and Governance (30 credits) (PBS) (TBC)

And if you choose these options:

• Cyber Crime, Security and Risk Management (30 credits) (TBC)

Assessment will be based upon a range of written assignments including essays, reports, a dissertation proposal and a dissertation of 15,000 words.

Career prospects

Given the broad range of issues considered and the skills acquired throughout the degree programme, our students graduate with a portfolio of knowledge and abilities that supports a diverse range of career development opportunities in this field.

Facilities and features

Student Support

The course is managed by a Course Leader and an extensive induction programme introduces the student to the University and their course. Student course and unit handbooks provide information about the course structure and University regulations, etc.

The University of Portsmouth has consistently been awarded an excellent rating for student support and guidance in a number of Quality Assurance Agency inspections.

Personal Tutoring

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.

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.

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.

Campus-based international students who speak English as an additional language will be placed within an appropriate English for Academic Purposes (EAP) class and progress will be monitored by their Personal Tutor. The University of Portsmouth values the cultural diversity of our student population and provides additional English language support and cultural events. The details of dedicated support services for International Students are available at www.port.ac.uk/international/.

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

Online Library and Study Resources

The University has excellent library facilities including extensive electronic library services available on and off-campus. 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. Other key support services include:

• Library Information Literacy
• Academic Skills Unit
• Additional Support and Disability Advice Centre

Entry requirements

The entry requirements for MSc Security Management are shown above, for more detailed information please contact:

Department: Institute of Criminal Justice Studies
Tel: +44 (023) 9284 3923
Email: mark.button@port.ac.uk