Criminology and Criminal Justice: Policing Top Up Programme BA (Hons)

About the course

This distance learning course provides serving graduates of the Foundation Degree in Policing Studies and in Policing Studies, Criminology and Criminal Justice, with an opportunity to top-up to a full BA (Hons) degree part-time over two years.

All elements of the course will be studied flexibly online via the University Blackboard System, to allow you to combine study with your work commitments.

In addition to developing and consolidating transferable skills relating to research, management and police practice; the course aims to develop your application of professional skills in criminal and community justice.

Year one provides you with an appreciation of research and project management processes which will then be applied to a practice - based research project to be taken over two years and a business - focused project linked to ethics and diversity in practice.

The modules taken in this year will thus provide you with the academic and practical tools to undertake these projects and additionally learn more about diversity management in policing and the wider criminal justice arena.

Building on this experience Year two will continue to focus on the research project of your choice - which you will negotiate with your employer. Modules in Victimology and International Perspectives in this year will facilitate your consideration of the wider application of criminal justice and criminological theory.

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Key facts

DMU course code: L43541

Duration: Two years part-time

Institution code: D26

Entry and admission criteria

Applicants should be serving police officers who have graduated from a foundation degree in policing.

As the course is studied via distance learning it is important that prior to enrolment you have suitable internet access and computer available for the duration of the course.

You should additionally be in a position to undertake work based research.

You can apply for this course by direct application to DMU.

Teaching and assessment

In addition to independent study, which is key to success in distance learning teaching methods include lectures, which are delivered via the university Blackboard system, discussion board seminars and case study exercises. Some of the lectures are interactive to enable you to view the presentation online with an accompanying spoken narrative.

In order to successfully meet the requirements of study it will also be necessary for you to undertake research and external reading to support your learning and understanding. To help with this we have recommended a number of resources which you might use to enhance your learning experience. This includes the use of formative exercises which can be accessed online.

As independent learners you will be able to access teaching materials online at the time most convenient to you, although, we would expect that you would access and engage with study materials at least 6 hours per week and undertake at least 12 hours of independent research per week.

We have introduced a number of complementary methods to assess your learning for this programme. Formal assessment of module materials include: project proposals, literature reviews, research projects, reflective reports, management reports, mixed media projects and coursework assignments.

Course modules

NB: All students will be expected to undertake work-based learning and associated research projects. It is thus essential that prior to enrolment on this course that permission for this type of independent research has been obtained from your line manager.
Year one
Module one

• Professional Development and Project Preparation for Policing

Module two

• Research for Practice (Policing)

Module three

• Policing, Diversity, Ethics and Change

Year two
Module four

• International Perspectives

Module five

• Victimology

Graduate careers

Graduates find work in a number of fields such as policing, youth justice, community safety and crime prevention, victim support work, prison, probation, and drug and alcohol services.

We also offer postgraduate courses| you can progress directly onto following graduation.

Fees and funding

UK/EU Part Time £450 per 15 credits £3600 total fees

Scholarships

Learn more about our Undergraduate scholarships| and awards information.

Facilities

We have one of the largest groupings of practice-based criminologists in the country, all involved in research and teaching, helping students develop the knowledge and skills required to work within the criminal justice sector.

We also have strong links with agencies in the sector providing the chance for voluntary work to enhance your learning experience.