BA (Hons) Criminal Justice Programme
The B.A. (Honours) Criminal Justice is a four year, full-time course of study.
The Programme is designed to develop students' knowledge, understanding and skills so that they are able to continue studying successfully or are able to transfer their acquired skills into a vocational environment.
The general aims of the Programme are:
- to enable students to develop an in-depth knowledge and understanding of the nature of criminal justice, criminal justice systems and their role within society
- to apply this knowledge in a variety of settings, demonstrating an analytical, evaluative and reflective approach to the disciplines studied
- to provide opportunities for students to acquire knowledge and understanding, intellectual skills and attributes and transferable skills
Programme Structure
Year 1 provides an introduction to core disciplines that will equip the students with a firm grounding in the nature of criminal justice, an appreciation of the interdisciplinary nature of the subject area and an introduction to the theories, concepts and systems that underpin the subject matter.
Core Modules :
Introduction to Psychology
Introducing Sociology
Learning and Career Development
Scottish Criminal Justice 1
Scottish Criminal Law 1
Option:
History of Crime and Justice
Year 2 continues with a more in-depth analysis that builds upon the knowledge and understanding acquired in Year 1. The focus is upon the relevant theoretical disciplines and this is developed along with a more applied approach. Underpinning this is a closer emphasis placed upon the role of research in supporting criminal justice theories and approaches.
Core Modules :
Behavioural Aspects of Criminal Justice
Criminology
Scottish Criminal Justice 2
Politics of Criminal Justice
Research Methods
Option:
Scottish Criminal Law 2
Year 3 combines four core modules with the option of two modules from a choice of four. The core modules are designed to allow the students to gain a more specialised level of knowledge and understanding and to enhance their intellectual and analytical skills. The emphasis is on a more applied and critical approach to contemporary issues and themes within criminal justice.
Core Modules :
Criminal Justice Research Methods
Deconstructing Criminal Justice
Investigative Study
Youth Justice
Options: Study 2 from
Economics of Crime and Justice
Introduction to Forensic Science
Penology
Policing
Year 4 combines four core modules with the option of one module from a choice of two. The core modules are designed to further specialise knowledge and understanding and to deepen the students' evaluative and critical skills alongside their ability to conduct research through the Dissertation.
Core Modules :
Community Safety and Crime Control
Comparative Criminal Justice
Dissertation
Security in a Global Age
Options: (Study 1 from)
Human Rights Law
Victimology
Employment Prospects
This Programme is designed to relate to significant employment opportunities within the criminal justice field, to make graduates attractive to employers in that field.
- Employment opportunities exist within the Police Service, either as police officers or as part of the growing 'civilian' support staff.
- The Prison Service is also opening up to graduate entry.
- The criminal courts administration is another employment option as is the Fiscal Service.
- Local Authorities are potential employers with jobs that are specifically related to criminal justice, already well established.
- Community Justice is another prospect for graduates, providing opportunities to work in sectors related to restorative justice and mediation, community safety and working with offenders, victims and witnesses.
- The private security industry is a growth area with a demand for qualified managers with a comprehensive knowledge of the criminal justice system.
Further information
Contact the Programme Leader, Geraldine O’Donnell
Telephone 01698 283100 extn. 8615
e-mail geraldine.odonnell@uws.ac.uk