Program Overview

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Course Overview

Deepen your understanding of the criminal justice process, research methods, and contemporary issues in the field. Examine theoretical approaches alongside applied research to prepare you for a variety of careers in law enforcement, prisons, rehabilitation, and other public services. This course can also act as the foundation for law school and is beneficial if you are interested in developing your skills as a forensic scientist, social worker, or teacher.

Course Details

Course Structure

Core Modules

• Criminal Justice: 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 into Practice: Combine theoretical knowledge and real-world application in the criminal justice system. You develop reflective practice to prepare you for a diverse and evolving career.
• Dissertation Project: You conduct an independent research project on a topic of your choosing, in collaboration with your academic supervisor who guides you through the process.
• Foundations of Research Design: Explore key debates about research design and analysis while developing your skills in conceptualising and planning social research. You consider sampling strategy and error, and their impact on research findings. Throughout the module, you develop your understanding of the ethical, political, and risk considerations in social research and the balance between theory and practice.
• 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

This course is delivered completely online. You learn through lectures, seminars, guided discussion, and assigned reading.

How You Are Assessed

You receive continuous feedback from tutors and peers through discussion forums. Formal assessment includes a dissertation project, case studies, presentations, critical commentaries, and essays.

Entry Requirements

You should have an undergraduate degree of 2.2 or above in criminology or similar, or other relevant experience or qualifications.

Employability

Career Opportunities

There are three key employment areas in the criminal justice sector: support roles, investigation, intelligence, enforcement, and custodial roles, and forensics. This course lets you explore both theory and practical research, ensuring that you are prepared for careers across the sector.

Learning Platform

Our Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) Is the Platform You Use to Access Your Online Course

Teesside University online learning courses are delivered through the Brightspace Learning Environment. Here are some of the benefits:

• You can use it on your smartphone, tablet, and computer.
• And you can use it anytime, so that you can plan your learning to fit your own schedule.
• It's easy to use and navigate.
• Modules are set out by topics and themes. You can use the progress bar to understand where you are in your modules, and appreciate your achievements.
• We support you to become familiar with your VLE, helping you to start learning quickly.
• You get feedback, help, and guidance from tutors throughout your course through the VLE, and you can ask questions at any time.
• Our tutors use a live activity feed to keep you updated about your course.
• You can create a student profile, collaborate with other students, and take part in online discussion forums.

Full-time

Fee for All Applicants: £10,800

• Length: 1 year
• Attendance: 100% online
• Start date: January, May, or September
• Semester dates

Part-time

Fee for All Applicants: £855 for Each 20 Credits

£7,695 in total. Not eligible for any fee discounts

• Length: 2 years
• Attendance: 100% online
• Start date: January, May, or September
• Semester dates

Choose Teesside

Teesside University ranked in the top 50 for online learning in the Uswitch Online Learning Index 2022.

Teesside University was named University of the Year at the Edufuturists Awards 2022.

Ranked in the top 350 list of global universities aged 50 years or under.

Over 1,000 students enrolled on our open learning courses

High-quality, stand-alone, open learning education for over 30 years

More Information

Criminology

More courses in Criminology

Also of Interest

• Law, Criminology and Criminal Justice LLB (Hons)
• Criminal Justice Doctorate
• Criminal Justice (Online) Doctorate