UNIVERSITY OF BRADFORDSchool of Social and International StudiesDepartment of Social Sciences and Criminal Justice StudiesMA Applied Criminal Justice Studies

Awarding and teaching institution: / University of Bradford
Final award: / MA Applied Criminal Justice studies
Postgraduate Diploma Applied Criminal Justice studies
Postgraduate Certificate Applied Criminal Justice studies
[Framework for Higher Education Qualifications level M]
Programme title: / Applied Criminal Justice Studies
Duration: / 12 months full time
Minimum 24 months part time
Date produced: / December 2011
Last updated : / April 2012

Introduction

The Masters in Applied Criminal Justice Studies offers you the opportunity to combine study of contemporary issues in the criminal justice system with theoretical approaches to study of crime. This programme has been designed to extend knowledge of the field, and to offer criminal justice practitioners and other professionalsa pathway to transform their working knowledge of the field into recognised higher education qualifications. Combining a practice and theory approach offers a thorough educational experience designed to develop your skills and qualifications and contribute to your professional development. This program is also suitable for students interested in a career in criminal justice: Combining theoretical approaches with practical work and the opportunity to complete the ‘reflection in action’module gives a sound background to future employment.

Throughout the programme you will learn to question not only your own beliefs about crime and criminals, but also the impact of theoretical perspectives and outcomes of policy interventions. The course intends to aid the development of a ‘critical eye’ to theoretical and practical assumptions. Research-led teaching (from both academics and practitioners) will lead to encountering a variety of perspectives that will enable you to look beyond the criminal justice system for answers to contemporary crime problems. The interdisciplinary approach will provide you with the skills and knowledge to develop your career within criminal justice settings. Equally, you will attain critical research competencies, which will prepare you for a range of research and policy development opportunities outside of the criminal justice system.

In line with University of Bradford‘s mission to make knowledge work, the programme is designed to maximise applied and research-led teaching (from the perspectives of both practitioners and academics), and to maximise the opportunities for you to produce advanced, critical research that benefits your career or employment prospects and contributes to policy and practice development. This form of public criminology will:

• strengthen the ties between the University of Bradford, industry and the community,

• create socially-productive interventions in the criminal justice sector

The programme includes core modules designed to develop your critical abilities within practice settings.

You can study a flexible programme, leaving after study of an individual module, a programme leading to certificate or diploma, or continue to complete a Masters’ degree.

Programme Aims

The programme is intended to:

Postgraduate Certificate

A1Provide you with the knowledge and skills required to engage with critical debates and contemporary issues in the criminal justice system.

A2Develop your skills and knowledge through the application of critical debate to a real life situation through reflective practice.

A3Develop your personal and transferable skills in academic discussion and argument.

Postgraduate Diploma

A4Introduce you to the methodological approaches necessary for producing applied criminological research

A5Undertake advanced study of equality provision in Britain and the European Union with particular attention to the demographic and social context of diversity in a criminal justice context.

A6 Critically appraise the policy and practice in applied criminal justice.

MA

A7Critically analyse current and emerging research and practice.

A8Formulate and independently investigate a complex research question, and communicate your findings in a suitable way at an advanced level.

Programme Learning Outcomes

When you have completed the programme, you will be able to:

Postgraduate Certificate

LO1. Identify and discuss the political, economic, and social structures influencing criminal justice legislation, policies and practices in the UK and globally

LO2. Critically reflect on your own and others‘ theoretical approaches to the study of crime and criminal justice

LO3. Develop your skills and knowledge through the application of theoretical approaches to a real world situation

LO4. Use IT and the Internet for advanced criminological research

Postgraduate Diploma

LO5. Apply advanced criminological theory and methods to real world examples, including the development of acritical approach to research

LO6. Identify and discuss a variety of qualitative and quantitative criminological research methods

LO7.Critically evaluate approaches to diversity and understand how these apply in professional settings

MA

LO8.Discuss and debate complex ideas and concepts, and present theoretically informed arguments

LO9. Plan and carry out a larger scale piece of written academic work including research and use of literature.

Curriculum

At certificate level two core modules provide a critical introduction to applied criminology theory and offer a practical, applied option to encourage you to forge links between theory and practice. These modules are supported by an option module encouraging development of broad interest or allowing you to focus on one aspect of applied criminology.

At diploma level core modules introduce key aspects of applied criminal justice and diversity while also studying research skills to use in practice settings and to develop your masters’ dissertation. You will be able to complement this study with an option module designed to allow you to either broaden your interest or focus on one aspect.

Full time students will complete the six taught modules while also developing a plan of research to use to complete their masters dissertation. Part time students can complete up to four modules in any one academic year and will complete their dissertation after the taught modules are completed.

Postgraduate Certificate

Module Code / Module Title / Type / Credits / Level / Study period
SS-4032D / Critical Perspectives on crime and justice / Core / 20 / M / Semester 1
SS-4043D / Reflection in Practice / Core / 20 / Semester 2
Choose one module from the list below the tables

Postgraduate Diploma

Module Code / Module Title / Type / Credits / Level / Study period
SS-4035M / Crime, perpetrators and inclusion / Core / 20 / M / Sem 1
SS-4034D / Applied Social Research / Core / 20 / M / Sem 2
Choose one module from the list below the tables

Masters

Module Code / Module Title / Type / Credits / Level / Study period
Dissertation / Core / 60 / M / DISS

The curriculum may change, subject to the University's course approval, monitoring and review procedures.

Students can choose options from the following list-

Semester 1 options- Gender and Migration or Gender, Conflict, Development

Semester 2 options- Theoretical Approaches to Human Trafficking, Cities in Conflict

Not all options will be available in every year.

(Where appropriate and possible students may replace an option module with an elective module from elsewhere in the school: this can be negotiated with the programme leader).

Teaching and Assessment Strategies

The programme will require you to apply your academic skills to ‘real world’ debates and case studies including those that arise in your professional lives. Completion of the module Applied Social Research will help you to develop skills required to create critical research inside and outside of your academic studies.

The Postgraduate Certificate, Diploma and Masters in Applied Criminal Justice Studies are designed to facilitate the participation of students, criminal justice practioners and other professionals. To this end, the programme is available on a part-time basis to ensure that academic requirements (such as assessment) conflict as little as possible with work commitments, and equally, that work deadlines do not lead to attrition through the academic year. Study will require investment in time and we are happy to consider ways in which employed students can be best supported. Full time students will be able to complete modules developing theoretical approaches in the first semester, supported by more applied modules in the second semester.

The attendance requirements of the degree programs will, as far as possible, be timetabled to minimise numbers of attendances and maximise the usefulness for teaching, learning and private study of each attendance. Core modules offer 21 hours of attendance for face to face learning which may be a mixture of information delivery, group work, presentation and discussion. Many lecture and seminar sessions will be shared with post graduate students from other parts of the School, allowing sharing of experience and wide discussion.

Your face to face contact with lecturers will be supplemented by electronic learning. Each module will have its own Blackboard site, and this will be where you will find key learning materials. Blackboard will also provide opportunities for electronic discussion and communication and access to some key readings. In using Blackboard, you will not only have access to the administrative documents directing the content and structure of each of the modules (such as the module handbook) but also learning materials that will assist you in meeting the learning outcomes of each module. Regular access to a reliable computer, preferably with a broadband internet connection, will enhance your study experience. These IT resources are, of course, available on-campus.

Students will receive a comprehensive package of support, including subject support and the provision of reading materials from module leaders.In addition you will have full access to the UoB library and University facilities, including the learner development unit (LDU).

Final assessments generally prioritise production of a written report or assignment concentrating on one area or essay title. In the process of completing these assignments students will develop skills in literature search, use of qualitative and quantitative evidence, academic reading, writing for different purposes and a critical approach to material. Communication skills, the ability to argue and discuss in an academic forum and the ability to present material formally and informally are not always assessed skills but form the basis of the learning environment.

E. Assessment Regulations – Progression and Award

This Programme conforms to the standard University Assessment Regulations for Postgraduate Programmes, full text of which are available at the following link:

F. Admission Requirements

This programme particularly welcomes applications from professionals working in the criminal justice or associated professional sector and potentially holding non-traditional academic qualifications. Applicants who hold professional qualifications or training records are particularly welcome. While the usual educational background required for acceptance onto postgraduate study is a first degree (or equivalent) in a relevant discipline we welcome applications from interested students from all backgrounds. Candidates may be asked to attend for interview and or to undertake a written piece of work, relevant to the programme, to indicate ability to complete academic work at M level. Most important in the decision to offer a place is our assessment of a candidate’s potential to benefit from their studies and of their ability to succeed on this particular programme. Offers will be made following detailed consideration of each individual application. The Division of Social Science and Criminal Justice Studies has a flexible approach designed to give support to employed students and students from non-standard backgrounds.

If you have prior certificated learning or professional experience which may be equivalent to parts of this programme, the University has procedures to evaluate this learning in order to provide you with exemptions from specified modules contained within the curriculum. Please talk to us if you do not fit the standard pattern of entry qualifications.

The University of Bradford has always welcomed applications from disabled students, and these will be considered on the same academic grounds as are applied to all applicants. Support for study and assessment is available to meet the needs of disabled students: you may wish to contact the programme leader before you apply or when you have received an offer.

Applicants whose first language is not English will also be expected to possess a University approved English Language qualification such as IELTS 6.0 with no sub-test 5.5; Pearson overall55 with no sub-test of 51; or TOEFL overall 80 with sub-tests of Listening 17, Reading 18, Speaking 20 and Writing 17.

G. Learning Resources

The JB Priestley Library on the city campus and our specialist library in the School of Management provide a wide range of printed and electronic resources to support your studies. We offer quiet study space if you want to work on your own, and group study areas for the times when you need to discuss work with fellow students. Subject librarians for each School provide training sessions and individual guidance in finding the information you need for your assignment, and will help you organise your references properly. Much of the key literature for this programme is available through internet or e-learning sources and the subject librarian will be able to help new learners to access these resources.

Student PC clusters can be found in all our libraries and elsewhere on the campus. Many of these are open 24/7. You can also use the University's wireless network to access the internet from your own laptop. Most of our online journals are available on the internet (both on and off campus), and you can also access your University email account, personal information and course-related materials this way.

Staff are on hand during the daytime to help you if you get stuck, and there is a 24/7 IT helpline available.

H. Student Support and Guidance

Course Team

Support for you personally and in your course of study will be provided both by the University and the Course Team. You will be allocated a personal tutor who is someone with whom you will be able to talk about any academic or personal concerns. The School will ensure that there is someone available with whom you feel comfortable to help and support you. You will be provided with a comprehensive series of handbooks that you can consult on a range of learning issues and your course tutors will be available to consult on subject specific queries. The programme leader will be responsible for ensuring that part time students are offered a coherent programme of study and the best opportunities for success. Employed students will be able to discuss the most appropriate way of developing their studies to complement their professional responsibilities and aspirations.

Students’ Union

We value the feedback provided by students and collaborate with the Students’ Union, through a system of course representatives and formal staff student liaison committees, so that any issues you wish to raise are addressed rapidly.

The Students’ Union and the University of Bradford work in partnership to provide confidential counselling and welfare services where you can get help with any aspect of your personal or academic life. Student Financial and Information Services (part of the Hub) will provide you with information about a diverse range of issues such as council tax, personal safety and tourist information. International Students can access a range of additional advice and support services through the Student’s Union.

Careers and Employability

This programme provides a specific opportunity to focus on work and employment through the choice of applied modules given. Flexible delivery and maximising the impact of time spent at University will enable employed students to study alongside existing careers and to develop their academic and practice skills in tandem. Students who are not in employment will be able to study a work environment or a practice issue. Other option modules offer the opportunity to develop knowledge and ability in a specific area or across a variety of different areas.

In particular-

  • The approach to teaching on this course is aimed to develop student confidence in presenting an argument and ability to write appropriately for different purposes
  • The module ‘Reflection in Practice’ offers opportunity to develop a project or research plan within a workplace if appropriate. This can actively encourage ease of contact between UoB and workplaces and encourage three-way learning agreements between UoB, students and employers
  • The module ‘Crime, perpetrators and Inclusion’ offers up to date knowledge of law and practice relevant to UK and EU workplaces
  • The module ‘Applied social Research’ encourages the ability to use research evidence for evidence based practice.

The University is committed to helping students develop and enhance employability and this is an integral part of many programmes. Specialist support is available throughout the course from Career Development Services including help to find part-time work while studying, placements, vacation work and graduate vacancies. Students are encouraged to access this support at an early stage and to use the extensive resources on the web site