ObjectivesThis established programme of studies is designed to develop students' understanding of the internationalisation of criminal justice, and the importance of comparative perspectives. Specifically, the programme aims to develop students' understanding of the role, function and international policy-making impact of a diverse range of international and regional criminal justice bodies and develop students' awareness of universal human rights standards and ethics. Students will also have opportunities to critically examine the development of international and transnational offending via appropriate criminological, legal and political perspectives, study the application of human resource management within criminal justice agencies, and to study a range of international criminal justice and international police science subjects. Students will design, research and write a substantial piece of academic written work. The specific programme aims are -To develop students' understanding of the internationalisation of criminal justice and the importance of comparative perspectives; -To develop students' understanding of the role, function and international policy-making impact of a diverse range of international and regional criminal justice bodies; -To develop students' awareness of universal human rights standards and ethics with reference to the law enforcement in a modern international policing context; -To enable students to critically examine the development of international and transnational offending via appropriate criminological, legal and political perspectives; e.. To provide an opportunity for students to develop an understanding of the application of human resource management within criminal justice agencies; -To provide opportunities for students to study a range of criminal justice and police science subjects; and -To develop students' ability to use a range of research methods, understand the importance of research design, and to develop students' writing skills to enable the completion of a substantial research project of the students' choice.
Entry requirementsAll students with an interest in crime, criminality and criminal justice in an international context will find this course of interest. If you work in national or local police, other criminal justice agencies with international duties, or as liaison officers or analysts at international police and judicial agencies then this course is ideal for you. Likewise, if you work for a pressure group, examining national criminal justice and human rights with reference to international norms of human rights and police ethics, then this course will provide you with a framework to explore your interests.
Academic titleMSc International Criminal Justice
Course descriptionThe MSc in International Criminal Justice is an interdisciplinary programme of study delivered by the Institute of Criminal Justice Studies, at the University of Portsmouth. This Higher Education award has been specifically designed for students with an interest in crime, criminality and criminal justice in an international context, including serving law enforcement practitioners, officials and those on UN duties.
The programme provides students with a sound academic framework for the study of international police studies in an increasingly internationalised professional context. The curriculum is responsive to students' diverse international backgrounds, wth opportunities for undertaking case studies and examples from their own country or region.
The available mode of study is
-Part-time by distance learning from any location world-wide (two- or three-year study schedules)
This interdisciplinary programme of study delivered by distance learning utilises specially designed interactive open learning packages with tutorial and online support. Students interact and network with each other within the web-based Postgraduate Online Learning Centre.
Course structure
Core Units
-Advanced Information and Study Skills (non-credit rated)
-International and Comparative Criminal Justice (30 credits)
-Human Rights, Law and Police Ethics (30 credits)
-Research Methods and Research Management (30 credits)
-15,000 word Dissertation (60 credits)
+ 30 credits of Optional Units
-Transnational Organised Crime and Drugs Control (15 credits)
-International and Regional Police Cooperation (15 credits)
-Terrorism and Political Violence (taught fully online) (15 credits)
-Comparative Community Justice (15 credits)
-Managing People (15 credits)
Please note that all Options are subject to minimum student numbers, and may not all be available