MA Criminal Justice | Part-time

About this course

LJMU's Criminal Justice MA is a stand-alone qualification designed to enhance your career prospects in criminal justice agencies, the probation service and the police.

• Learn from research-active staff and local criminal justice professionals
• Engage with the theory, policy, and practice of the institutions and agencies of criminal justice
• Choose from an extensive range of module options, including an MA International Criminal Justice pathway
• Generous funding scholarships available for home and overseas students

This Masters in Criminal Justice offers the opportunity for students, practitioners, and criminal justice professionals to critically engage with a broad range of issues that impact on the effectiveness and integrity of the workings of the criminal justice system.

Through exploring a series of theoretical and policy-orientated debates relevant to the delivery of contemporary crime control and management, and assessing their cultural, social and symbolic consequences, the course helps you to develop a comprehensive and critically aware understanding of the manufacture and delivery of criminal justice policy.

During the programme you will evaluate discriminatory practice in the criminal justice process and the causes of miscarriages of justice. Your evaluations will be informed by a critical understanding of sources of data and research methodologies and, through option modules, you will develop an in-depth knowledge of particular issues relating to criminal justice in England, Wales and elsewhere.

Course modules

Core modules

• Researching Crime and Criminal Justice (30 credits)
• Key Contemporary Issues in Criminal Justice (30 credits)

Optional modules

• Sex, Crime and Society (20 credits)
• Drugs, Alcohol and Criminal Justice (20 credits)
• Youth Justice (20 credits)
• The United Nations, International Security and Global Justice (20 credits)
• The Sociology of Policing (20 credits)
• International and Transnational Policing (20 credits)
• Transnational Organised Crime (20 credits)
• Research Dissertation (60 credits)
• Advanced Critical Criminology (20 credits)
• Delivering Rehabilitation (20 credits)
• Contemporary Issues in International Criminal Justice (20 credits)
• International Dissertation (60 credits)

Your Learning Experience

Teaching Assessment

• Study hours: Typically, students attend teaching on two or three days per week. Days of attendance vary according to timetabling requirements.
• Teaching methods: Teaching is delivered through a series of lectures, workshops and seminars by expert staff and local criminal justice professionals.
• Applied learning: Through exploring a series of theoretical and policy-orientated debates relevant to the delivery of contemporary crime control and management, and assessing their cultural, social and symbolic consequences, the course helps you to develop a comprehensive and critically aware understanding of the manufacture and delivery of criminal justice policy.

Career paths

Further your career prospects

LJMU has an excellent employability record with 94% (HESA 2022) of our postgraduates in work or further study fifteen months after graduation. Our applied learning techniques and strong industry connections ensure our students are fully prepared for the workplace on graduation and understand how to apply their knowledge in a real world context.

The Masters in Criminal Justice offers vocationally relevant knowledge and skills. It will be particularly relevant if you are currently working with or would like a career involving criminal justice agencies, the probation service, social science departments, the police or community-based correction/treatment agencies.

Tuition fees and funding

Home

• Part-time per credit: £53.05

Fees

The fees quoted above cover registration, tuition, supervision, assessment and examinations as well as library membership and student IT support with access to printed, multimedia and digital resources including programme-appropriate software and on campus wifi.

Financial Support

There are many ways to fund postgraduate study for home and international students. From loans to International Scholarships and subject-specific funding, you’ll find all of the information you need on our specialist postgraduate funding pages. The University offers a range of financial support for students. You'll find all the information you need on our specialist financial support pages including details of the Student Support Fund and other activities to support with the cost of living.

Additional Costs

In addition to fees, students should also keep in mind the cost of:

• Accommodation
• Travel costs and field trips unless paid for by LJMU
• Stationery, IT equipment, professional body membership and graduation gown hire

Entry requirements

Qualification requirements

• Undergraduate degree: a minimum 2:2 ideally in Criminal Justice, Criminology, Sociology, Law or related Social Science and Humanities subjects
• or to demonstrate a comparable academic standard through past studies and/or where work experience

International requirements

• IELTS: 6.5 (Minimum of 5.5 in each component)

How to apply

To apply for this programme, you are required to complete an LJMU online application form. You will need to provide details of previous qualifications and a personal statement outlining why you wish to study this programme.

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MA Criminal Justice - Liverpool John Moores University

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Degree Overview:

This MA Criminal Justice program is a stand-alone qualification designed to enhance career prospects in criminal justice agencies, the probation service, and the police. It offers students, practitioners, and criminal justice professionals the opportunity to critically engage with a broad range of issues impacting the effectiveness and integrity of the criminal justice system.

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Objectives:

• Develop a comprehensive and critically aware understanding of the manufacture and delivery of criminal justice policy.
• Evaluate discriminatory practice in the criminal justice process and the causes of miscarriages of justice.
• Develop an in-depth knowledge of particular issues relating to criminal justice in England, Wales, and elsewhere.

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Description:

The program explores theoretical and policy-orientated debates relevant to contemporary crime control and management, assessing their cultural, social, and symbolic consequences. It emphasizes critical understanding of sources of data and research methodologies.

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Outline:

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Core Modules:

• Researching Crime and Criminal Justice (30 credits): This module provides a comprehensive and critical guide to both the theory and practice of research on crime and the criminal justice process.
It prepares students for the compulsory dissertation, develops advanced knowledge of key ontological, epistemological, and methodological issues, and examines the politics and ethics of crime and criminal justice research.
• Key Contemporary Issues in Criminal Justice (30 credits): This module provides the opportunity to critically analyze key issues in contemporary criminal justice at an advanced level.
It helps students develop advanced knowledge and critical understanding of specific issues relating to the principles and practice of criminal justice in England and Wales.

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Optional Modules:

• Sex, Crime and Society (20 credits): This module critically evaluates the phenomenon of sexual offences from various perspectives, including historical, modern, social/cultural, ethical, moral, and political.
It analyzes the criminalization of sexual behavior and critically evaluates the law applied to specific factual situations.
• Research Dissertation (60 credits): This module explores the complex and dynamic relationship between policing services/agents and members of the diverse publics they serve.
It helps students develop a critical appreciation of the historical and conceptual development of modern policing forms, evaluate contemporary policing structures/methods
etworks, and explore future challenges for service provision.
• Drugs, Alcohol and Criminal Justice (20 credits): This module develops understanding of drug and alcohol use within contemporary society.
It deconstructs the drug and alcohol status quo to acknowledge the complexities and contradictions within this sphere.
• Advanced Critical Criminology (20 credits): This module examines the social construction of crime.
It provides a balance between theoretical perspectives and empirical, practical knowledge about the power imbalances in society and critically examines the relationship between these imbalances and crime.
• Delivering Rehabilitation (20 credits): This module critically evaluates the role and function of the prison and probation services in relation to the delivery of state punishment and rehabilitation.
• Youth Justice (20 credits): This module provides a critical, theoretically-informed, and socially-orientated grounding in the study of youth justice.
• The United Nations, International Security and Global Justice (20 credits): This module introduces students to the work of the United Nations in the maintenance and restoration of international peace and security.
• Contemporary Issues in International Criminal Justice (20 credits): This module enables students to gain advanced knowledge of key issues relating to international and comparative criminal justice.
• International Dissertation (60 credits): This module allows students to showcase their knowledge of an international criminal justice issue.
• The Sociology of Policing (20 credits): This module critically explores the complex and dynamic relationship between policing services/agents and members of the diverse public they serve.
• International and Transnational Policing (20 credits): This module explores emerging debates relating to international and transnational policing, particularly in relation to issues such as people trafficking.
• Transnational Organised Crime (20 credits): This module explores emerging debates relating to the impact of organized crime on an international and transnational basis and how policing strategies have and are developing in this field.

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Course Schedule:

• Students typically attend teaching on two or three days per week.
• Days of attendance vary according to timetabling requirements.

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Assessment:

• Assessment methods include essays, projects, portfolios, dissertation, and presentations.

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Teaching:

• Teaching is delivered through a series of lectures, workshops, and seminars by expert staff and local criminal justice professionals.
• The teaching team ensures students critically engage with the theory, policy, and practice of the institutions and agencies of criminal justice.
• The focus on research training equips students with the key transferable skills required to undertake original, empirical research.

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Careers:

• The Masters in Criminal Justice offers vocationally relevant knowledge and skills.
• It is particularly relevant for those working with or seeking careers involving criminal justice agencies, the probation service, social science departments, the police, or community-based correction/treatment agencies.

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Other:

• The program is based in the Redmonds Building, in the heart of the bustling Mount Pleasant Campus and Liverpool's growing Knowledge Quarter.
• The building is home to high-quality lecture theatres and seminar rooms, a mock courtroom, social spaces, and a café.
• It is only a short walk from LJMU's Aldham Robarts Library, which contains all the resources students will require for their studies.

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Tuition fees access to programme-appropriate software library and student IT support free on-campus wifi via eduroam Additional costs Although not all of the following are compulsory/relevant, you should keep in mind the costs of: accommodation and living expenditure books (should you wish to have your own copies) printing, photocopying and stationery PC/laptop (should you prefer to purchase your own for independent study and online learning activities) mobile phone/tablet (to access online services) field trips (travel and activity costs) placements (travel expenses and living costs) student visas (international students only) study abroad opportunities (travel costs, accommodation, visas and immunisations) academic conferences (travel costs) professional-body membership graduation (gown hire etc) Funding

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Overview:

Liverpool John Moores University (LJMU) is a public university located in Liverpool, England. It is a large and diverse institution with a strong focus on providing high-quality education and research opportunities.

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Services Offered:

LJMU offers a wide range of services to its students, including:

Accommodation:

On-campus and off-campus accommodation options are available for students.

Student Support:

The university provides comprehensive support services, including academic advising, career counseling, financial aid, and mental health resources.

Library:

LJMU has a well-equipped library with extensive resources and study spaces.

Student Futures:

This service helps students with career planning, job searching, and employability skills development.

International Student Support:

Dedicated support is available for international students, including visa guidance and cultural adjustment programs.

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Student Life and Campus Experience:

LJMU offers a vibrant and engaging campus experience for its students. Key aspects include:

Sports, Societies, and Lifestyle:

Students can participate in a wide range of sports clubs, societies, and social events.

Campus:

The university has multiple campuses located in Liverpool, providing a diverse and stimulating environment.

Go Abroad:

LJMU offers opportunities for students to study abroad and gain international experience.

Volunteering:

Students can engage in volunteering activities and contribute to the local community.

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Key Reasons to Study There:

Strong Academic Reputation:

LJMU is known for its high-quality teaching and research.

Diverse Programs:

The university offers a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate programs across various disciplines.

Location:

Liverpool is a vibrant and culturally rich city, providing students with a stimulating and enjoyable living experience.

Student Support:

LJMU provides comprehensive support services to ensure student success.

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Academic Programs:

LJMU offers a wide range of academic programs, including:

Undergraduate:

Bachelor's degrees in various fields, including business, law, health sciences, engineering, and the arts.

Postgraduate:

Master's degrees, PhD programs, and other postgraduate qualifications.

Degree Apprenticeships:

Programs that combine work experience with academic study.

Continuing Professional Development:

Short courses and programs for professionals seeking to enhance their skills.