MA Youth Justice, Community Safety and Applied Criminology

Overview & facilities

Our Youth Justice, Community Safety and Applied Criminology Masters fills a two-fold gap in current academic provision. It provides experienced practitioners with the opportunity to apply academic knowledge to, and critically analyse and assess, the context in which they work.

If you have a limited knowledge of criminal justice, the course offers a detailed understanding of the agencies in the criminal justice system, their functions and responsibilities. You can take up to a third of the course as an internship within a criminal justice agency.

The flexibility of the coursealso allows you to complete up to a third of the course through work based learning.

We expand your awareness of the social and political context of working with offenders.In-depth analysis includes 'what works' and the concept of risk assessment; key criminological theories including cultures of punishment; the legal and organisational context of crime; mediation and reparation schemes; victims and victimology; community safety; mental health issues; the history and development of youth justice; the problem of youth and youth as a problem; and drug misuse and drug-related crime.

Course highlights:

• You have the option to complete up to a third of the course through work based learning
• You can take up to a third of the course as an internship within a criminal justice agency
• We have an excellent reputation for providing academic and vocational training because of our experience in providing insights into the sociology of deviance and criminology
• Excellent employability record

Dowload the course flyer

Content & modules

This programme is based at our flagship Hendon campus.

Full-time students attend formal teaching up to two days a week; part-time students one day a week.

Each module is assessed by a 4,000-word essay. MA students must pass a dissertation of 10-15,000 words.

Modules

• Year 1

  Community Safety (30 Credits) - Compulsory

  For the first time in 1998 local authorities and police forces were charged with the responsibility with other agencies of developing policies to address crime and disorder in their localities in general, and in high crime neighbourhoods in particular: Crime and disorder reduction has become a dominant issue on local and national governments agendas. This module will enable students to understand and analyse developments in crime and disorder reduction in urban localities and their implications. This module therefore aims to examine crime and disorder in its socio-spatial aspects, exploring the variety of ways of understanding urban and neighbourhood dimensions of crime in the contemporary context, local modes of regulation and national-level policies to deal with neighbourhood problems, their problems and merits. Criminology at Middlesex University in its orientation is concerned with issues of crime, deviance and interpersonal violence. The module gives students knowledge designed to acquaint them with core knowledge and skills and some practical experience.

  Contemporary Criminology - Theory and Research (30 Credits) - Compulsory

  To acquaint students with major theoretical positions and debates in criminology. 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 To acquaint students with the principal research methodologies deployed in criminological investigation To equip students with the core skills involved in conducting criminological research.

  Contemporary Issues in Youth and Adult Offending (30 Credits) - Compulsory

  Criminology at Middlesex University in its orientation is concerned with issues of crime and interpersonal violence. Within this context crimes committed against children illustrates graphically their relative powerlessness. The module critically examines the nature and context of youth offending, victimisation and the systems in place to deal with this. It also covers the changing nature of how the state deals with adult offenders from historical, theoretical and practice perspectives. Probation practice is a key theme of adult offender intervention and the changing nature of offender management is examined since probations inception in 1907.

  Crime, Conflict and Control (30 Credits) - Optional

  This module aims to introduce students to key debates about conflict between groups and the variety of attempts to defuse, manage, repress or govern them. The module gives students specialised knowledge of the complex ways in which sociology and criminology try to understand conflict, change, social movements and political violence. Both institutional and anti-institutional violence are discussed, along with the controversies surrounding the definitions of violence and terrorism in the different epochs. The module examines in detail the contributions of the major schools of thought, along with the most recent sociological-criminological analysis of authorised and unauthorised political violence.

  Critical Issues in Criminal Justice (30 Credits) - Optional

  This module deals with policy issues and debates relating to the criminal justice system. The aim is to understand the interrelated role of the various parts of the criminal justice system and the impact of recent social and political changes on the working of the criminal justice institutions. In addition the module aims to enhance your ability to critically evaluate the effectiveness of criminal justice institutions and formulate alternative policies in this area.

  Dissertation Youth Justice (30 Credits) - Optional

  To provide an advanced understanding for the development of an appraisal of the theoretical and practice knowledge gained. To provide an awareness of the social and political context of working with offenders and the obligation not to discriminate, as set out in the Criminal Justice Act 1991, Section 95. To encourage a review of relevant theory knowledge and practice within a particular applied field.

  Dissertation Module (60 Credits) - Optional

  To provide an advanced understanding for the development of an appraisal of the theoretical and practice knowledge gained. To provide an awareness of the social and political context of working with offenders and the obligation not to discriminate, as set out in the Criminal Justice Act 1991, Section 95. To encourage a review of relevant theory knowledge and practice within a particular applied field.

  Drugs, Crime and Criminology Distance Learning (30 Credits) - Optional

  This module aims to develop skills in the application of criminological theories and concepts in relation to drugs, drug use and drugs control and in critically analysing the relationship between drugs and crime. Students will critically evaluate the laws, policies and institutions of drugs control and their social, political and economic contexts and compare and contrast the role of the criminal justice system in responding to drugs in various countries. The module also aims to foster a critical interest in the reform of drugs control policy and institutions.

  International Comparative Criminology (30 Credits) - Optional

  This module aims to engage students in the criminological debate across Europe and the rest of the world. It considers the nature of crime control governance at the international level and explores issues of criminological interest from a transnational perspective. The module aims to allow students to focus in depth on key comparative international studies as well as to question the validity of the comparative research methods used. In its second half, the module seeks to develop a proficiency in academic presentation skills through the use of an assessed oral paper.

  Work Based Learning (30 Credits) - Optional

  To permit stduents to maximise academic value from their everyday employment by allowing them to make explicit links between university and workplace activities, aprticularly relating theory to practice. The module will enable the student to enhance the value of both university and work by focussing on relevant areas of knowledge and developing these through a reflective review of learning in their normal everyday work setting. Specific aims and rationale will be incorporated into a negotiated learning agreement. Students are expected to organise their own learning to reflect the nature of their work-based situation, its constraints, the goals to be achieved and their personal work and learning style. This will involve reading, negotiating, research and relevant practical activities.

  Work Based Learning (60 Credits) - Optional

  To permit students to maximise academic value from their everyday employment by allowing them to make explicit links between university and workplace activities, particularly relating theory to practice. The module will enable the student to enahnce the value of both university and work by focussing on relevant areas of knowledge and developing these through a reflective review of learning. Specific aims and rationale will be incorporated into a negotiated learning agreement. Students are expected to organise their own learning to reflect the nature of their work-based situation, its constraints, the goals to be achieved and their personla work and learning style. This will involve reading, negotiating, research and relevant practical activities.

  Work Experience Internship (30 Credits) - Optional

  To provide students with an opportunity to work in an organisation which offers an alternative or new experience relevant to their professional career aspirations for a period of 24 days. To develop and apply relevant skills and concepts from the academic programme to this different practica workplace experience. To gain experience in a new area of work, demonstrate a professional approach in the workplace and make a tangible contribution to the work of an organisation. To demonstrate an ability to reflect critically on personal development, to identify personal strengths and weaknesses in the workplace and to develop a personal action plan for addressing weaknesses.

  Work Experience Internship (60 Credits) - Optional

  To provide the stduents with an opportunity to work in an organisation which offers an alternative or new experience relevant to their professional career aspirations for a period of 48 days. To develop and apply relevant skills and concepts from the academic programme to this different practical workplace experience. To gain experience in a new area of work, demonstrate a professional approach to the workplace and make a tangible contribution to the work of an organsiation. To demonstrate an ability to reflect critically on personal developemnt, to identify personal strengths and weaknesses in the workplace and to develop a personal action plan for addressing weaknesses.

Download the course specification

Entry & applying

Please apply directly to Middlesex University
Code L5M9

We welcome applications from graduates with a good honours degree, or equivalent qualification, in an appropriate subject. We also consider candidates with other relevant qualifications and individuals with a minimum of three years' work experience. Those without formal qualifications need to demonstrate relevant work experience and the ability to study at postgraduate level.

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 Youth Justice, Community Safety and Applied Criminology for the academic year 2012/13 is as follows:

UK/EU Students

Full-time students: £6,000
Part-time students: £50 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

The programme is designed for those who want to expand their knowledge and understanding of crime and criminal justice practice at national and international levels. We have an excellent employment record, with many graduates working in youth offending, probation services and research after graduating.