PMCRVIPR - MSc Crime, Violence and Prevention

his taught master level course is intended to appeal to practitioners and students interested in careers in a range of professions such as policing, probation, prison service work, social work and many new areas in third sector and private sector security and outsourced support for offenders, vulnerable adults/youth. Practitioners and others entering such professions are hungry for information and support in their difficult roles particularly with the reduction in training and supervision within the workplace due to resource cuts and privatisation. The course encourages students to look critically as public protection which is a key practitioner concept for professionals working in socially responsible professions. It will add applied and theoretical educational understanding to students and will help transform professional practice. The modules draw on staff’s research expertise and will hopefully also create a virtuous circle, where contacts generated through students on the course will enable and assist further research. The course will include critical approaches to the understanding risk with hard to reach groups and will incorporate issues of diversity.

The MSc Crime, Violence and Prevention aims to provide students with an critical understanding of criminological theories and effective practice in relation to the origins of offending and the management of offenders/ vulnerable adults within the community.
The students by the end of this course will have:
1. An advanced understanding of the principles and developments of crime control and community safety
2. The methodological and analytic skills required to conduct research within the generic fields of criminology and criminal justice.
3. An advanced understanding of specific academic fields that form part of, or are allied to, criminology and criminal justice and /or related caring agencies.
4. A knowledge of theories of crime, effective practice with offenders, and the management of offenders in the community from a sociological and risk management perspective.
5. An awareness of the key issues and debates in relation to crime, offender behaviour and the management of offenders in the community
A clear idea of the current issues and debates in relation to Crime, Violence and Prevention, privatisation and the specialist needs of the vulnerable within the community.

The following learning outcomes incorporate and depend on a systematic understanding of knowledge, and a critical awareness of current problems and/or new insights, much of which is at, or informed by, the forefront of the academic discipline, field of study or area of professional practice.

On successful completion of this course students will be able to:

• apply methods and techniques appropriate to their own research or advanced scholarship in Crime, Violence and Prevention
• apply knowledge with originality, based on a practical understanding of how established techniques of research and enquiry are used to create and interpret knowledge in Crime, Violence and Prevention
• evaluate critically current research and advanced scholarship in Crime, Violence and Prevention.
• evaluate methodologies and develop critiques of them and, where appropriate, to propose new hypotheses
• deal with complex issues both systematically and creatively, make sound judgements in the absence of complete data, and communicate their conclusions clearly to specialist and non-specialist audiences
• exercise self-direction and originality in tackling and solving problems, and act autonomously in planning and implementing tasks at a professional or equivalent level
• advance their knowledge and understanding, and to develop new skills to a high level.
• exercise initiative and personal responsibility, including decision-making in complex and unpredictable situations
• learn independently for the purposes of continuing professional development.

Apply methods and techniques appropriate to their own research or advanced scholarship in Crime, Violence and Prevention: Understanding Public Protection and Risk SS7144
Contemporary Issues in Criminal Justice SS707N

Apply knowledge with originality, based on a practical understanding of how established techniques of research and enquiry are used to create and interpret knowledge in Crime, Violence and Prevention: Understanding Public Protection and Risk SS7144
Psychology and Crime SS7085
Urban patterns and spatial analysis SS7047

Evaluate critically current research and advanced scholarship in Crime, Violence and Prevention: Understanding Public Protection and Risk SS7144

Evaluate methodologies and develop critiques of them and, where appropriate, to propose new hypotheses: Criminological Research Methods SS7079
Quantative Data Analysis SS7054
Qualitative Data Analysis SS7101
Qualitative Research SS7049
Survey Design and Practice SS7100

Deal with complex issues both systematically and creatively, make sound judgements in the absence of complete data, and communicate their conclusions clearly to specialist and non-specialist audiences: Understanding Public Protection and Risk SS7144

Exercise self-direction and originality in tackling and solving problems, and act autonomously in planning and implementing tasks at a professional or equivalent level: Crime Control and Community Safety SS7078

Terrorism and Counter-Terrorism SS7143

Advance their knowledge and understanding, and to develop new skills to a high level: Criminological Research Methods SS7079

Exercise initiative and personal responsibility, including decision-making in complex and unpredictable situations: Crime Control and Community Safety SS7078
Intelligence Analysis SS&088

Learn independently for the purposes of continuing professional development. Dissertation SS7P81
Elective module

On the course, there is an especial emphasis on a sound grasp of the relevant academic literature, including substantial use of key scholarly journals in the field of criminology and criminal justice. There is also a concentrate on how theory relates to and enhances good practice. This is assessed through a variety of summative assessments including essays, examinations (seen), practical research methodology assignments, an extended thesis, and various formative presentations to class peers.

Opportunities are available for students to work as Special Constables within the London Metropolitan Police. Students can also be assisted to gain work in the voluntary sector as well as placements in hostels, and other public sector services for example the probation service when such placements are available.
It is envisaged that many of those undertaking this course will already be employed within Criminal Justice institutions or related agencies.

None

PG Certificate in Crime, Violence and Prevention - SS7144, SS7078 and either SS7079 or SS7077

PG Diploma in Crime, Violence and Prevention – 4 taught core modules SS7144, SS7078, SS7079 and SS7077and 2 options

The course will help prepare students for employment in the criminal justice sector (including the police, probation, prison, youth offending and community safety departments), as well as academic or government research posts. It is hoped that some students will progress to doctoral studies after successful completion of the MSc.

It is the intention that students already engaged in a related occupation will benefit markedly from the course, in that the latter will provide the academic contextualisation with which to understand and evaluate the complexity of, and reciprocity between, varied agencies, departments and policies related to crime, criminology and criminal justice.

Criminology itself is an increasingly strong and prevalent academic discipline. The analytic and research skills acquired on the MSc are, of course, transferable to other jobs and areas of expertise. Previous students from this course have joined the police service either as police officers or civil investigation officers, some have embarked upon training to equip them to join the probation service or become social workers working with young offenders.

Other students have joined the voluntary sector working in residential or drugs/alcohol units. Still others have entered research jobs within the public or private sector and finally a number have progressed on to PhD studies.

Applications will be especially welcomed from those who have at least one of the following:

• A relevant first degree (such as a degree in criminology, social or behavioural sciences)
• Specific experience related to crime and the CJS (such as police or probation work)
• Relevant professional qualifications

In some circumstances applicants who do not possess the standard entry qualifications may be permitted to enrol on the MSc, at the discretion of the course leader.

Applications are welcomed from overseas students, and all applicants are considered on individual merit, without regard to gender, marital status, disability, race, ethnic origin, religion or social background. The course will be taught in English, and for those applicants whose native language is not English, evidence of proficiency in the English language will be required.

All applicants must be able to demonstrate proficiency in the English language. Applicants who require a Tier 4 student visa may need to provide a Secure English Language Test (SELT) such as Academic IELTS. For more information about English qualifications please see our English language requirements.