Program Overview

Course Overview

Improve your ability to apply theory to practice in criminal justice at a doctoral level, enhancing your career and evidence-based practice in the sector. Gain highly valued critical, analytical and evaluative skills that deepen your understanding of the criminal justice environment and prepare you to be a leader in the field. This course is ideal if you work, volunteer or research in the criminal justice system and allied professions and want to influence policy and practice.

Course Details

Course Structure

Core Modules

• Advanced Independent Study
  • You conduct a self-initiated doctoral-level research project that contributes new knowledge to criminal justice. Your project is based on the literature review and research proposal that you have developed over the course of the degree.
• Criminal Justice
  • You explore the modern criminal justice system’s structure, including the police, courts, prison estate and probation service. Developing your understanding of modern approaches to criminal justice, you examine contemporary policing and court reform, and external factors influencing these systems.
• Criminal Justice Research: From Planning to Practice
  • Develop the knowledge and skills you need to conduct primary and secondary research around criminal justice. Delve into research philosophies, ethics, methodologies, data collection methods and data analysis.
• Developing Your Research
  • Explore your chosen area of professional practice and engage critically with the literature in this area, preparing you for advanced independent study. You complete individual supervisions with your personal supervisor drawn from your discipline.
• Piloting Your Research
  • You undertake a pilot study after determining the most appropriate brief for your study. Critically evaluate the lessons you learn in this study and consider how to adapt your research design for your main study.
• Theory into Practice in Criminal Justice
  • Explore your professional practice in the criminal justice sector by applying your individual experiences to wider research context. The concept of the reflective practitioner is central, as you are encouraged to develop a critical, reflective and ethical stance toward your practice.

How You Learn

• You learn through lectures, case studies and other forms of study. Modules are designed to develop your skills as an analytical, critical, creative and reflective learner.

How You Are Assessed

• You complete a range of informal and formal assessments. Formal assessment includes critical essays, reflective reports, case study analysis, oral assessments, professional conversations, research plans and critical reviews.

Entry Requirements

• You should be engaged as a professional/researcher or volunteer in the criminal justice system or allied professions.
• You should have:
  • a relevant and appropriate master’s level qualification, or 60 credits in relevant level 7 study, achieved in the last five years
  • at least two years professional or volunteering experience in a relevant field.
• In some circumstances, you may be accepted with other experience or qualifications in the criminal justice or allied sector.
• All applications are subject to interview.

Employability

Career Opportunities

• This course is designed to advance your career in the criminal justice sector and allied professions, supporting your development as an expert practitioner and researcher with relevance to both policy and practice.

Information for International Applicants

Qualifications

• International applicants - find out what qualifications you need by selecting your country below.

Fees

Full-time

• Fee for UK applicants: £7,710 a year
• Fee for international applicants: £17,000 a year
• Length: 3 years
• Start date: September

Part-time

• Fee for UK applicants: £3,855 a year
• Fee for international applicants: £17,000 a year
• Length: 6 years
• Start date: September

Choose Teesside

• Stand out from other job applicants with your higher level qualification, specialist knowledge and expanded networks.
• Improve your project management, critical thinking, research skills, time management, presentation skills and teamwork.
• The median salary for working-age postgraduates (£45,000) was £6,500 more than for working-age (those aged 16 to 64) graduates (£38,500) in 2022.
• Study in our friendly town-centre campus with £280m of recent investment.
• Study at Europe's first Adobe Creative Campus and develop your creative and digital skills.