Course summary
The MSc Crime and Justice focuses on contested notions of ‘Crime’ and ‘Justice’. The overall aim of the MSc is to facilitate the development of a deeper knowledge and understanding of central issues and debates in the criminal justice arena and related areas. This postgraduate course will allow students to examine in-depth criminological issues and to question and critically evaluate debates around notions of crime and justice both in philosophical and practice related ways, and from a variety of different perspectives. The MSc Crime and Justice places emphasis on policy and practice in the contemporary UK, however, where possible students , will be encouraged to draw on wider theoretical resources drawn from an international stage. Students will be encouraged to focus on research areas they are particularly interested in. Tuition draws upon the expertise of research staff in the University’s well established Centre for Criminology.
Modules
Stage One (Certificate) Stage 1 is primarily aimed at developing core academic expertise at level 7 in the areas of criminology and criminal justice policy. Crime and Criminal Justice Theory The module provides fundamental underpinning knowledge of criminological theory and of the criminal justice system. Critical Issues in Criminal Justice Policy This module makes further links to relevant contemporary policy areas. The teaching strategy focuses on core skills and knowledge and is linked to an assignment strategy which makes explicit links between theory, policy and practice. Stage Two (Diploma) Stage 2 is primarily aimed at enhancing skills and knowledge developed at stage one and allows for direct entry to the diploma stage for those students with relevant academic and practice backgrounds. Students at this level are expected to critically consolidate a range of theoretical material and demonstrate the ability to utilise specialist skills in a research environment. Learners are encouraged to tailor the course to their needs. The teaching strategy is linked to an assignment strategy which makes explicit links between the students’ own employment background or area of interest and the theory and knowledge explored in the modules. The assessments explicitly assess the student’s ability to take responsibility for their own professional development. Criminological Research Approaches and Methods This module gives students support in the appropriate methods for their chosen topic of study. There are also four optional modules at this stage and students will select two: •Drug Interventions •Violence and Homicide •Guided Independent Study •Restorative Approaches with Children and Young People Stage Three The focus of the MSc dissertation is upon the integration of theoretical knowledge and practice and how this integration can inform and help both personal and organisational development. Students are therefore encouraged to choose an area of research that will enable them to inquire and make links between the theoretical frameworks that inform and motivate policy and practice within their particular area of interest. The cognitive independence required at this level of study enables students to explore how their wider inquiries, reading and theoretical understanding, has an impact on their conceptions of, and ideas about: ‘crime’, ‘justice’, ‘harm’, ‘criminalisation’, ‘victimisation’ and ‘punishment’, and how these ideas relate to current practice within the criminal justice system.
Assessment method
Assignments are assessed in a range of ways. The majority involve written essays and some form of examination, but individual presentations, reflective work, text analysis and other approaches are also used. The MSc award requires a dissertation of around 18,000 words on an individual piece of research, which may be work-related.
Entry requirements
A minimum 2:2 Honours degree in a social science, or related discipline. Applicants with established professional experience will be considered on an individual basis via the Accreditation of Prior Learning (APL)/Accreditation of Prior Experiential Learning (APEL) mechanism (University regulations will apply). The MSc Crime and Justice course welcomes international applicants and requires an English level of IELTS 6.5 or equivalent.
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
No fee information has been provided for this course
Additional fee information
No additional fees or cost information has been supplied for this course, please contact the provider directly.
Provider information
University of South Wales
Llantwit Road
Treforest
Pontypridd
CF37 1DL