MA Public Protection

Overview & facilities

The Public Protection Masters at Middlesex in London aims to provide you with a critical understanding of criminological theories and effective practice in relation to the origins of offending and the management of offenders in the community.

The course engages with the need to progress beyond silo thinking so that agencies work effectively together to protect the public. The Masters is also your chance to look in detail at the alternative approaches to researching and evaluating crime and offender behaviour and the link between research, theory and practice.

There is also the opportunity to write an in-depth study of a selected area which aims to make a contribution to research, as appropriate for Masters level.

Content & modules

By the end of this programme,you will have gained an critical understanding of

• The main theories of crime, effective practice with offenders, and the management ofoffenders in the community from a sociological and risk management perspective and the methodological insights gained from each theoretical position.
• The central concerns of managerial hierarchies and their impact on decision making
• Alternative approaches to researching and evaluating crime and offender behaviour
• Key issues and debates in relation to crime, offender behaviour and themanagement of offenders in the community
• Key issues and debates in relation to risk evaluation
• The opportunity to write an in-depth study of a selected area which aims to make acontribution to research, as appropriate for Master's level
• The link between research, theory and practice

Students knowledge and understanding is assessed by written assignments including essays, book reviews, a research proposal and their dissertation.

Modules

• Year 1

  Criminological Theory (15 Credits) - Compulsory

  To acquaint students with major theoretical positions and debates in criminology with particular reference to crime governance in the community. To identify key issues that criminologists need to explain and to evaluate the strength of different kinds of explanation. To demonstrate and illustrate the links between criminological theory and research and to explore the relationship between criminological theory and research and criminal justice policy and practice.

  Dissertation in Criminology and Crime Management (60 Credits) - Compulsory

  This module provides students with the opportunity to develop a sustained piece of work in the area of criminology and crime managment. The research will examine an issue agreed between the student, the employer and the academic tutor. Students will define their own topic area, conduct a comprehensive review of existing knowledge on the subject, formulate a methodology for conducting their own enquiries and write an in depth report of the findings of their research.

  Organisational Management (15 Credits) - Optional

  To acquaint students with the key debates in New Public Management theory. To identify key issues in New Public Management and their impact on service delivery. Develop an understanding of the bureau-shaping and budget-maximising models in the context of policing hierarchies.

  Policing (15 Credits) - Optional

  To provide a critical understanding of contemporary issues in policing. Critically examine relations within the police and between the police and public. Examine structures of governance and accountability and contemporary controversies associated with policing styles.

  Public Protection and Multi-Agency Practice (15 Credits) - Compulsory

  To acquaint students with the key debates in Multi-agency working To acquaint students with major practice issues and debates on public protection. To identify key issues that prevent effective multi-agency working and their impact on service delivery. Develop an understanding of how multi-agency working in the context of public protection can increase the protection of the public. Communication and language exchange between professionals involved in risk assessments.

  Public Protection (15 Credits) - Optional

  To demonstrate and illustrate the links between criminological theory and research in respect of public protection. To acquaint students with major practice issues and debates on public protection. To identify key issues that criminologists need to explain and evaluate in terms of multi-agency working with dangerous offenders. To outline key processes in criminal justice, including risk assessment, pre- and post sentence report writing and the planning and delivery of interventions to tackle dangerous offending. To critically review the evidence as to what works and what doesn t in terms of interventions with dangerous offenders.

  Work Based Research Methods (30 Credits) - Compulsory

  To develop critical awareness of research and development issues in the workplace. To reflect upon the position of the worker-researcher and the ethical issues involved. To develop a work-based research project proposal supported by a critical commentary and other output demonstrating engagement and developing understanding of work-based research.

  Working with Young Offenders (15 Credits) - Optional

  To situate current youth justice policy in its historical context. To critically examine what is known about young offenders and why they offend To identify the principles. underpinning and the elements of the Youth Justice system in England and Wales. To outline key processes in youth justice including risk assessment, pre-sentence report writing and the planning and delivery of interventions to tackle offending. To critically review the evidence as to what works and what doesn t in terms of interventions with young offenders.

Download the course specification

Entry & applying

Applicants should be experienced practitioners within a Criminal Justice Agency operating at a level where they are engaging with serious and dangerous offenders. It is not essential that students are currently employed, but they must have engaged with this client group. They will normally hold a first degree of at least 2.2 standard and/or a professional qualification or have substantial relevant experience. Applicants that fulfil this criteria will be interviewed prior to acceptance on to the course.

Qualifications accepted

For a comprehensive list of qualifications accepted by Middlesex, see further information under entry requirements

English language requirements

You must have competence in English language and we normally require Grade C GCSE or an equivalent qualification. The most common English Language requirements for international students are IELTS 6.5 (with minimum 6.0 in all four components) or TOEFL paper based 575 (no less than 4.5 in test of written English) or TOEFL internet based 90 (with no less than 19 in each component) Middlesex also offers an Intensive Academic English course (Pre-Sessional) that ranges from 5-17 weeks, depending on your level of English. Successful completion of this course would meet English language entry requirements. For more information on applying for the pre-sessional please email english@mdx.ac.uk. For details of other equivalent English language requirements that Middlesex accepts see international entry requirements.

Applying

Applications for postgraduate study should be made directly to the university. You will need to fill in an application form and return it to the appropriate admissions office. UK and EU students should apply directly to the London office. Non-EU international students can apply to our international admissions office in London, or use our network of regional offices across the world to assist you with your application. Apply now

Fees & funding

September 2011 start
UK-EU £5,100
International £10,600

The tuition fee for MA Public Protection for the academic year 2012/13 is as follows:

UK/EU Students

Full-time students: £7,500
Part-time students: £63 per taught credit

Find out about our flexible payment plans for UK/EU students, and how they can help you spread the cost of your course.

International Students

Full-time students: £10,600
Part-time students: £93 per taught credit

Careers & placements