Criminal Justice and Policing (Taught)

Our MA in Criminal Justice and Policing offers a detailed look into the world of criminal justice and the forces that shape it. This course is ideal if you are interested in exploring how our justice system operates, what drives policing, and how to address the social impact of crime. By understanding the theoretical foundations of policing and diving deep into criminological theories of crime, you’ll develop a well-rounded view of how different approaches to crime control and investigation have evolved over time.

Led by a team with a wealth of experience, the programme brings together knowledge and practice. You will gain insights into real-world law enforcement practices and develop the analytical skills needed to assess crime and justice issues critically. The expertise of your instructors will support you as you explore the impact of social, political, and economic factors on crime policy and criminal justice policy, giving you the tools to understand how broader trends shape the challenges that modern policing faces today.

Throughout the course, you’ll cover a wide range of topics, including cybercrime, terrorism, and response policing. You will be encouraged to develop your knowledge of international developments in criminology and criminal justice, which will give you a global perspective on pressing issues and different policing models. This will allow you to gain skills relevant for roles in law enforcement, policy development, research, and beyond.

Our approach to teaching the MA in Criminal Justice and Policing centres on engaging, research-informed learning. We blend theoretical knowledge with practical insights, enabling students to critically evaluate current and evolving challenges in criminal justice. With experienced instructors and interactive sessions, our goal is to equip students for impactful careers within criminal justice and policing.

Throughout the course, you will explore the essential elements of the criminal justice system, including the functions of youth justice and prison systems, while engaging with contemporary challenges in the field. You will analyse the relationship between policing and society and consider the various factors that shape effective responses to crime. In the second year, you will focus on pressing issues such as emerging threats to public safety and the complexities of modern crime. Additionally, you will undertake an in-depth research project, allowing you to specialise in a specific area of interest. This extensive investigation will help you develop critical skills in analysis and contribute to your understanding of the field.

Compulsory

Contemporary Issues in Criminal Justice (30 credits)
The Criminal Justice System, Youth Justice and Prison Systems in England and Wales (30 credits)
Policing Models, Powers and Society (30 credits)
Terrorism and Cybercrime (30 credits)
Criminal Justice and Policing Dissertation (60 credits)

The modules and the assessments have been designed by the programme team collectively, to ensure they form a cohesive whole.

The key purpose of the assessment scheme is to enable students to demonstrate individually that they have met the aims of the programmes and achieved the learning outcomes at the standard required for the level of study. Assessment will also be used to provide feedback to students to assist in subsequent learning.

To work as a teacher at a state school in England or Wales, you will need to achieve qualified teacher status (QTS). This is offered on this course for the following level:

• Course does not award QTS