Doctor of Policing, Security and Criminal Justice

Awards

Target Award

Award Description:Doctor of Policing, Security and Criminal Justice - DPSCJ

Programme Offerings

Part-Time

F2F-SEP

Educational Aims of the Course

• To produce competent, informed, reflective ethically and professionally competent practitioners who have a sophisticated academic understanding of wider policing, security and criminal justice theories and issues. • To enable students to develop advanced skills and competencies in designing, conducting, evaluating and presenting research relevant to policing, security and criminal justice. • Provide a framework in which students can generate original knowledge through the research of policing, security and criminal justice, related issues in their own area of professional involvement; • Enable and encourage graduates of the programme to disseminate the results of their research with a view to contributing to academic debates or influencing policy and practice; • Enhance the development of reflective practice through discussion and networking with others who may be working in different sectors of criminal justice, security and policing sector. • Make an original contribution to the status of police studies, security studies, or criminology as a discipline, through the advancement of knowledge and professional practice within the sector and through the development of advanced practitioner researchers.

Learning Outcomes

Demonstrate possession, interpretation and creation of a substantial body of new knowledge at the forefront of police studies, security studies, criminology or criminal justice studies of a quality to satisfy peer review, extend the forefront of the discipline and merit publication.

Present information/reports clearly and concisely at a level judged suitable for publication in refereed academic and professional journals.

Demonstrate the ability to exercise personal responsibility, show autonomous evidence-based decision-making and be adaptable in unpredictable and complex situations.

Communicate concepts and conclusions clearly and effectively to specialist and non-specialist general Audiences.

Demonstrate a detailed understanding of a range of research methods and their philosophical bases applicable to policing studies, security studies, criminology and criminal justice studies.

Understand ethical issues arising from undertaking research within institutional settings and provide solutions to how these might be addressed.

Demonstrate the capacity to conceptualise, design and challenge current accepted practice within their own area of policing, criminal justice, military or security sector work

Demonstrate possession of high-level skills in critical thinking, reflective practice and reflection.

Critically analyse the methodological, theoretical and ethical dimensions of research and show a critical awareness of potential limitations and constraints.

10.

Demonstrate possession of mastery and expertise in research, education and dissemination in policing, security and criminal justice studies.

11.

Contribute to the development of professional practice in policing, military, security or criminal justice by the dissemination of their understanding through a variety of formats.

12.

Manage complex research tasks independently, and deal with problematic situations as they arise.

Teaching, Learning and Assessment

Workshops, lectures, supervision, work based learning, discussion and debate, peer and mentor critical friend feedback. A range of coursework assessments to include original research papers, reflective commentaries, and examination (viva voce by external and internal examiners). Workshops, lectures, supervision, work based learning, discussion and debate, peer and mentor critical friend feedback. A range of coursework assessments to include original research papers, reflective commentaries, thesis and viva voce examination. Workshops, lectures, supervision, work based learning, discussion and debate, peer and mentor critical friend feedback. A range of coursework assessments to include research papers, reflective commentaries, thesis and viva voce examination. Workshops, lectures, supervision, work based learning, discussion and debate, peer and mentor critical friend feedback. A range of coursework assessments to include reflective commentaries, thesis and viva voce.

Opportunities for work related learning

Opportunities for Work related Learning: The Professional doctorate in Policing, Security and Criminal Justice will enable students to contribute to research in new areas and to collaborate further with employers; in so doing we shall be engaging in an exchange of knowledge and practice at the highest level. The benefits to students will be in terms of formal recognition and accreditation of their professional development; and a raised profile within their profession both within, and perhaps beyond, their organisation as a result of the outcomes of successful project work. Their activities can also be expected to enhance their personal and professional capabilities for the future. In turn employers will have the benefit of being involved in the project planning process and the implementation of project outcomes within their organisations, together with the opportunity to collaborate with leading academics. It is anticipated that most if not all students will be currently employed within Law Enforcement or Criminal Justice Agencies and therefore those students who successfully complete their studies will have a transformative impact on professional practice.

Programme Structure

Programme Structure Description

The programme is set for two years of full-time study as a minimum. Part-time trainees are studying on the programme on a pro-rata basis, normally set at half-time (i.e. four years in total). The Doctoral phase comprises 360 level 8 credits, all of which must be completed successfully to obtain the award of Professional Doctorate. Students enter the programme with a cognate Masters qualification in a related area (e.g. Security Studies, Criminology, Criminal Justice, Police Studies, professions allied to Policing, Criminal Justice, Military or Security sector work). The programme is set for two years of full-time study as a minimum. Part-time trainees are studying on the programme on a pro-rata basis, normally set at half-time (i.e. four years in total). The Doctoral phase comprises 360 level 8 credits, all of which must be completed successfully to obtain the award of Professional Doctorate. Students enter the programme with a cognate Masters qualification in a related area (e.g. Security Studies, Criminology, Criminal Justice, Police Studies, professions allied to Policing, Criminal Justice, Military or Security sector work). On entry students will be awarded advanced standing of 180 credits at Level 7 by credit transfer/RPL. Participants without a masters degree would not be considered for entry and would instead be encouraged to enrol and complete a relevant MSc degree before re-applying. The programme follows the university professional doctorate framework, and consists of three modules intended to map onto the three stages of the university framework. The three modules are: Planning and Research in Policing, Security and Criminal Justice: (30 credits),Policing Security and Criminal Justice Investigative project: (270 credits) and Reflection in Policing, Security and Criminal Justice: (60 credits). All modules are Core. Professional Planning and Research in Policing, Security and Criminal Justice covers issues associated with professional practice and research methods. The discussion of key elements of professional practice, the identification and understanding of the justification and implementation of key social science research methods and the development of a research project proposal provide a platform for the remaining modules. The achievement of these learning outcomes demonstrates the necessary professional planning and understanding of research methods needed for the programme content. It is also an essential record of the early stages of the thesis proposal; this can be used as self-audit and for trainees to have a baseline for reflection in the final module. Policing, Security and Criminal Justice Investigative project is the thesis. This module enables the trainees to demonstrate mastery and expertise in the design and conceptualisation of an extended project including original empirical research and recommendations for professional practice. The reflective module capture those elements of practice related to a holistic view of professional skills and to show reflection on the research conducted in the programme. This process is achieved through the continual record of programme and professionally related activity included in a diary/log. It is expected that this process will include critical reflective comments in the areas of research, ethics and professional practice. On entry students will be awarded advanced standing of 180 credits at Level 7 by credit transfer/RPL. Participants without a masters degree would not be considered for entry and would instead be encouraged to enrol and complete a relevant MSc degree before re-applying. The programme follows the university professional doctorate framework, and consists of three modules intended to map onto the three stages of the university framework. The three modules are: Planning and Research in Policing, Security and Criminal Justice: (30 credits),Policing Security and Criminal Justice Investigative project: (270 credits) and Reflection in Policing, S

Structure

Level 8

Entry Requirements

Alternative qualifications considered

Participants already possessing an appropriate and relevant Masters degree (normally an MSc) may enter the programme at Doctoral level. Appropriate Masters degrees are: MSc in Advanced Policing Studies, MSc Policing and Criminal Investigation; MSc Policing and Cybercrime; MSc International and Transnational Policing; MSc Policing, Port and Maritime Security; MSc Police and Law Enforcement Leadership; MSc Crime Science and Covert Investigation; MSc Crime Science and Homicide Investigation and MSc Crime Science and Serious Crime Investigation; MSc International Relations, MSc Security Studies, MSc Security and Intelligence Studies, Security Management, MSc Criminology, and MSc Criminal Justice. Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) will be awarded following confirmation that the modules studied and the learning outcomes in the Masters programme are equivalent to but not necessarily identical to those specified in the MSc Advanced Policing Studies, Criminal Justice programmes. Students are expected to demonstrate a significant career of service within Policing, Security and Criminal Justice professions.

Course Catalogue