MSc Criminology with Forensic Psychology Programme Specification 1. Programme title Criminology with Forensic Psychology 2. Awarding institution Middlesex University 3. Teaching institution Middlesex University 4. Programme accredited by N/A 5. Final qualification MSc 6. Academic year 2008/2009 7. Language of study English 8. Mode of study F/T, P/T 9. Criteria for admission to the programme First degree, lower second class honours, or better. International students for whom English is not a first language should have one of the following: IETS at 6.0; TOEFL at 550; Cambridge Advanced or Proficiency at grade c. 10. Aims of the programme The programme aims to: The MSc Criminology with Forensic Psychology aims to provide students with an advanced understanding of psycho-criminological theories regarding the origins of offending. By the end of this programme, the successful student will have gained an advanced understanding of ; The main theories of crime and crime control both from a sociological and psychological perspective and the methodological insights gained from each theoretical position. The central concerns of forensic psychology to explain crime and offender behaviour Alternative approaches to researching and evaluating crime and offender behaviour Key issues and debates in relation to crime and offender behaviour The major institutions and processes involved in the criminal justice system
The opportunity to write an in-depth study of a selected area which aims to make a contribution to research, as appropriate for Master's level. 11. Programme outcomes A. Knowledge and understanding core areas: On completion of this programme the successful student will have knowledge and advanced understanding of 1. The major theoretical paradigms of contemporary criminological and psychological theory. 2. Alternative approaches to researching and evaluating crime and offender behaviour 3. key issues and debates in relation to crime and offender behaviour 4. The major institutions and processes involved in the criminal justice system B. Cognitive (thinking) skills On completion of this programme the successful student will be able to: 1. Apply theoretical perspectives to specific areas of crime and offender behaviour 2. Critically assess recent research and scholarship relating to crime and offender behaviour 3. Understand the factors that influence criminological and psychological research, policy and practice 4. Develop their own strategies for undertaking criminological research 5. Compare and contrast at international level issues in and approaches to crime and offender behaviour Teaching/learning methods Students gain knowledge and understanding through lectures, student led seminars, workshops and individual tutorials as well as personal study. Learning is supported by the provision of handbooks, reading lists and web-based materials. Assessment Students knowledge and understanding is assessed by written assignments including essays, book reviews, a research proposal and their dissertation and also through oral presentation of their work. Teaching/learning methods Students learn cognitive skills through preparation for and participation in seminars and through the presentation of ideas in verbal and written formats. They receive formative feedback on their skills through group-work and in individual tutorials as well as in written feedback on assignments. Assessment Students cognitive skills are assessed by written assignments including essays, book reviews, a research proposal and their dissertation and also through oral presentation of their work.
12. Programme structure 12. 1 Overall structure of the programme The MSc Criminology with Forensic Psychology requires a total of 180 credits of study all at level 4. This will comprise of three core modules that students have to take as part of their programme. These are CRM 4310 Contemporary Criminology: Theory and Research 30 credits PSY 4017 Criminological and Legal Psychology 30 credits CRM 4970 Dissertation 15,000 words 60 credits To make up the remaining 60 credits, students select from a list of options available Option Modules Choose any two modules from the following; CRM 4330 Critical Issues in Criminal Justice 30 credits CRM 4305 International Comparative Criminology 30 credits CRM 4315 Drugs, Crime and Criminology (distance learning) 30 credits CRM 4320 Crime, Conflict and Control 30 credits AND EITHER but not BOTH from CRM 4335 Contemporary Issues in Youth and Adult Offending 30 credits CRM 4325 Community Safety 30 credits
12.2 Levels and modules. All modules are at level 4 COMPULSORY 1 Students must take all of the following: CRM 4310 Contemporary Criminology: Theory and Research 30 credits PSY 4017 Criminological and Legal Psychology Criminological and Legal Psychology 30 credits CRM 4970 Dissertation 15,000 words 60 credits OPTIONAL 2 Students must also choose at least two from the following: CRM 4330 Critical Issues in Criminal Justice 30 credits CRM 4305 International Comparative Criminology 30 credits CRM 4315 Drugs, Crime and Criminology (distance learning) 30 credits CRM 4320 Crime and Conflict 30 credits AND Either but not BOTH from CRM 4335 Youth and Adult Justice 30 credits CRM 4325 Community Safety 30 credits PROGRESSION REQUIREMENTS 1 Compulsory modules are those that must be taken, that is, the qualification cannot be made unless these modules have been successfully completed. Each of these modules makes a unique contribution to the learning objectives of the programme. 2 Optional modules are those from which a specified minimum number must be taken, that is, the qualification cannot be given unless this specified minimum number of optional modules have been successfully completed. Each of the possible combinations of optional modules will make a similarly unique contribution to the achievement of the learning objectives of the programme.
12.3 Non-compensatable modules Module level Module code Level 4 CRM4310, PSY4017, CRM4970 13. Curriculum map See attached. 14. Information about assessment regulations The Department of Criminology and Sociology adheres to the Middlesex University Guide and Regulations on all assessment regulations. 15. Placement opportunities, requirements and support (if applicable) N/A. 16. Future careers (if applicable) The implementation of Middlesex University and the School of Health & Social Science s Graduate Skills Strategy provides students with structured opportunities to develop a range of graduate skills. The curriculum group has received positive feedback from students on the usefulness and applicability of this skills training. 17. Particular support for learning (if applicable) Our students are encouraged to take full advantage of University-level and student union learning support schemes and facilities. 18. JACS code (or other relevant coding system) 19. Relevant QAA subject benchmark group(s) 011L371 Criminology Subject Benchmark (2007) 20. Reference points Self Assessment Document for Sociology and Allied Disciplines HEFC 1995 Middlesex University Mission Statement The Learning Framework Programme Design Guide (2006) Middlesex University Guide and Regulations University and School Learning, Teaching and Assessment Strategy QAA Qualification Descriptors
21. Other information N/A Please note programme specifications provide a concise summary of the main features of the programme and the learning outcomes that a typical student might reasonably be expected to achieve if s/he takes full advantage of the learning opportunities that are provided. More detailed information about the programme can be found in the rest of your programme handbook and the University Regulations.
Curriculum map for MSc Criminology with Forensic Psychology This section shows the highest level at which programme outcomes are to be achieved by all graduates, and maps programme learning outcomes against the modules in which they are assessed. Programme learning outcomes Knowledge and understanding A1 A2 A3 A4 A5 ` The major theoretical paradigms of contemporary criminology and psychology Alternative approaches to researching and evaluating crime and offender behaviour Key issues and debates in relation to crime and offender behaviour The major institutions and processes involved in the criminal justice system The techniques and issues associated with comparative analysis of crime and offender behaviour Cognitive skills B1 B2 B3 B4 B5 Apply theoretical perspectives to specific areas of crime and offender behaviour Critically assess recent research and scholarship in relation to crime and offender behaviour Understand the factors that influence criminological and psychological research, policy and practice Develop their own strategies for undertaking criminological and/or psychological research Compare and contrast at international level issues in and approaches to crime and offender behaviour Practical skills C1 C2 C3 C4 C5 Formulate and present structured arguments and justify conclusions drawn Manage their own time and resources Draw on a range of learning resources and materials Engage in debate and discussion Apply research methods to the study of crime and offender behaviour
Programme outcomes A1 A2 A3 A4 A5 A6 A7 B1 B2 B3 B4 B5 B6 C1 C2 C3 C4 C5 C6 Highest level achieved by all graduates Module Title Module Code by Level Contemporary Criminology theory and research Criminology and Legal Psychology A1 A2 A3 A4 A5 B1 B2 B3 B4 B5 C1 C2 C3 C4 C5 CRM 4310 X X X X X X X X X X X X PSY 4017 X X X X X X X X X X X X X Dissertation CRM 4970 X X X X X X X X X X Critical Issues in Criminal Justice International Comparative Criminology Drugs, Crime and Criminology Crime, Conflict and Control Contemporary Issues in Youth and Adult Offending CRM 4330 X X X X X X X CRM 4305 X X X X X X X CRM 4315 X X X X X X X CRM 4320 X X X X X X X CRM 4335 X X X X X X X Community Safety CRM 4325 X X X X X X X
Programme Structure Diagram MSc Criminology with Legal Psychology Full Time 1. CRM4310 Contemporary Criminology: Theory and Research 2. PSY4017 Criminological and Legal Psychology 3. Option 1 4. Option 2 5. CRM4960 Dissertation Option Modules Choose any two modules from the following; 1. CRM4330 Critical Issues in Criminal Justice 30 credits 2. CRM4305 International Comparative Criminology 30 credits 3. CRM 4315 Drugs, Crime and Criminology (distance learning) 30 credits 4. CRM4320 Crime Conflict and Control 30 credits 5. and either but not both from a. CRM4335 Contemporary Issues in Youth and Adult Offending 30 credits b. CRM4325 Community Safety 30 credits
MSc Criminology with Forensic Psychology Part Time Year 1 Year 2 1. 3. CRM4310 Contemporary Criminology: Theory and Research OR PSY4017 Criminological and Legal Psychology CRM4310 Contemporary Criminology: Theory and Research OR PSY4017 Criminological and Legal Psychology 2. 4. Option One Option Two 5. CRM4960 Dissertation N.B. Students can nominate for options one and two to be both undertaken in year one if desired (thus completing 90 credits in each year rather than 60 in the first and 120 in the second) Option Modules Choose any two modules from the following; 6. CRM4330 Critical Issues in Criminal Justice 30 credits 7. CRM4305 International Comparative Criminology 30 credits 8. CRM 4315 Drugs, Crime and Criminology (distance learning) 30 credits 9. CRM4320 Crime, Conflict and Control 30 credits 10. and either but not both from a. CRM4335 Contemporary Issues in Youth and Adult Offending 30 credits b. CRM4325 Community Safety 30 credits