The MSc in Forensic Science is the UK’s longest established forensic science degree course, celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2016/2017.
You’ll join a global network of Strathclyde forensic science graduates in highly respected positions all over the world.
In addition to preparing you for life as a forensic scientist, you’ll also graduate with a wide range of practical skills, problem solving and investigative thinking relevant to a wide range of careers.
Following a general introduction to forensic science in semester 1, you can choose to specialise in either forensic biology or forensic chemistry. As a forensic biologist you’ll study a range of topics including:
If you choose to specialise in forensic chemistry, you’ll develop expertise in:
The focal point of the course is our major crime scene exercise, in which you are expected to investigate your own mock outdoor crime scene, collect and analyse the evidence, and present this in Glasgow Sheriff Court in conjunction with students training in Strathclyde Law School.
In semester 3, MSc students undertake a three-month project, culminating in the production of a dissertation.
Students may be given the opportunity to complete their project in an operational forensic science provider either in the UK or overseas (subject to visa requirements). Alternatively, students may complete their project within the Centre for Forensic Science itself, under the supervision of our team of academics.
Examples of institutions that previous Strathclyde students have been placed in to undertake their project include:
The MSc in Forensic Science runs for 12 months, commencing in September.
Teaching takes place in the Centre for Forensic Science. It’s a modern purpose-built laboratory for practical forensic training, equipped with state-of-the-art instrumentation for analysis of a wide range of evidence types. This includes a microscopy suite, DNA profiling laboratory, analytical chemistry laboratory, blood pattern analysis room, and a suite for setting up mock crime scenes.
The Chartered Society of Forensic Sciences is a professional body with members in over 60 countries and is one of the oldest and largest forensic science associations in the world.
Our MSc in Forensic Science is accredited by the Chartered Society of Forensic Sciences, demonstrating our commitment to meeting their high educational standards for forensic science tuition.
Assessment consists of written coursework, practical work assessments, oral presentations and formal written examinations. Practical work is continually assessed and counts towards the award of the degree. The project is assessed through the completion of a dissertation.
The award of MSc is based upon 180 credits.
Most forensic scientists in Scotland are employed by the Scottish Police Authority.
In the rest of the UK, forensic scientists are employed by individual police forces, private forensic science providers such as LGC Forensics and Cellmark Forensic Services, or government bodies such as the Centre for Applied Science and Technology (CAST) and the Defence Science Technology Laboratory (DSTL).
Outside of the UK, forensic scientists may be employed by police forces, government bodies or private companies.
Forensic scientists can specialise in specific areas such as crime scene examination, DNA analysis, drug analysis, and fire investigation.
Most of the work is laboratory-based but experienced forensic scientists may have to attend crime scenes and give evidence in court.
Where are they now?
Many of our graduates are in work or further study.**
Job titles include:
Employers include:
*information is intended only as a guide.
**Based on the results of the National Destinations of Leavers from Higher Education Survey (2010/11 and 2011/12).
Criminology is fast becoming a vital discipline! A career in criminology explores the motives behind criminal behaviour and analyses the criminal justice system. A Master of Criminology at Bond prepares graduates for a career in the industry. Graduates are given the skills and training necessary to understand crime, justice, and forensic issues. Graduate sooner with Bond’s accelerated degrees!
The Master of Criminology program gives students skill development and training as well as scholarly appreciation of crime, justice and forensic issues. The program provides an understanding of a broad range of issues involving criminology theories, contemporary information on crime prevention, the theory and practice of punishment, criminal offenders, the police, courts and correctional institutions, including current crime and deviance issues. Students will be provided with both knowledge and research skills and techniques required for the analysis of criminological issues and an understanding of how to critically evaluate published research.
View the Master of Criminology Program Structure and Sequencing
The Master of Criminology comprises 12 subjects, as follows:
Core subjects (2)
Foundation subjects (6)
Dissertation/Elective option subjects (4)
Students must choose one (1) of the following suites of subjects:
Or
Teaching methodology
Bond University’s teaching methodology involves a combination of lectures, tutorials, seminars, examinations, projects, presentations, assignments, computer labs and industry projects.
Available research topics for dissertation / portfolio
The Faculty of Society & Design has highly skilled academic staff who can provide supervision to students in the following research areas:
Criminology is fast becoming a vital discipline! A career in criminology explores the motives behind criminal behaviour and analyses the criminal justice system. A Master of Criminology (Professional) at Bond prepares graduates for a career in the industry. Graduates are given the skills and training necessary to understand crime, justice, and forensic issues. Graduate sooner with Bond’s accelerated degree option!
The Master of Criminology (Professional) program provides students with skill development and training as well as scholarly appreciation of crime, justice and forensic issues. The program provides an understanding of a broad range of issues involving criminology theories, contemporary information on crime prevention, the theory and practice of punishment, criminal offenders, the police, courts and correctional institutions, including current crime and deviance issues. Students will be provided with both knowledge and research skills and techniques required for the analysis of criminological issues and an understanding of how to critically evaluate published research. At the end of the degree, candidates will have a professional portfolio detailing their research and practical expertise in their chosen vocational area. The program duration is 4 semesters and 20 weeks (92 weeks).
View the Master of Criminology (Professional) Program Structure and Sequencing
Master of Criminology (Professional) comprises 13 subjects, as follows:
Core subjects (2)
Must be completed in first two semesters of enrolment.
Foundation subjects (6)
Dissertation/Portfolio (2)
Electives (2)
Professional
* Please note that the Professional Portfolio sibject can only be commenced once all coursework subjects have been completed.
Teaching methodology
Bond University’s teaching methodology involves a combination of lectures, tutorials, seminars, examinations, projects, presentations, assignments, computer labs and industry projects.
This MSc Criminology and Criminal Psychology online masters degree is designed to equip graduates with a thorough understanding of cutting-edge and important topics within criminology and criminal psychology.
Our MSc Criminology and Criminal Psychology Masters degree offers an advanced qualification that is designed to equip graduates with a thorough understanding of cutting-edge and important topics within criminology and criminal psychology.
Studying for a Criminology and Criminal Psychology Masters qualification gives you the opportunity to expand your subject knowledge and build on the skills you have gained during your undergraduate studies. The benefits extend beyond improving your earning potential.
If you have not previously studied for a Bachelors degree in criminology, criminal justice or related subjects, our MSc Criminology and Criminal Psychology course will provide grounding for a range of specialist careers including hundreds of different roles within the Police Service (from analytical Police Staff roles to serving Police Officers), working with offenders from support workers to probation and prison staff, working within victim services and roles within a variety of law enforcement agencies from the Security Services to the National Crime Agency.
This course is not accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS).
The MSc Criminology and Criminal Psychology degree is made up of the following modules and, upon completion, is equal to a total of 180 credits at Level 7.
Level 7 modules:
Optional modules**
* These modules are core and must be passed in order to achieve the award.
** In addition to the core modules, students will take one optional module.
Introduction
Studying online gives you the freedom to study when and where it suits you – at home, during your lunch hour or anywhere else you have internet access.
All of our online courses have an indicative study duration which is a guide to how long your course will take to complete. The actual duration may be longer or shorter depending on your speed of study, study options chosen and module availability. It’s possible to complete your studies faster than the indicative course duration by doubling up on modules at certain times; however, minimum study durations do apply.
All of our courses have regular start dates throughout the year. Our academic year is organised into modules, typically with a one- or two-week break between modules and a structured three-week break for the Christmas period. Students will receive a course timetable during the application process.
Teaching methods and style
As we are a 100% online university, we utilise a Virtual Learning Environment instead of a traditional campus. The system tracks and manages the learning process in real-time and provides you with immediate access to your learning materials.
This learning platform allows both students and tutors to actively take part in real-time conversations and you can listen to, and view, live lectures and seminars over the internet. All courses are delivered in English only.
You are supported throughout your course by a dedicated Student Adviser and have the opportunity to regularly interact with fellow students and your tutor. To ensure you receive the support you need from your tutor, we cap our class sizes at 20 students.
Assessment
We adopt an assignment-based approach to assessment instead of exams. Assessment for the MSc Criminology and Criminal Psychology will be based on a combination of written coursework and work on a dissertation or individual project.
At the end of your studies, you will submit a 60-credit thesis.
You will be able to see your current provisional marks from the start of the programme, allowing you to evaluate the success of your current study methods and clearly identify areas to improve. We believe that this transparency gives you the information you need to make the most of your Masters course. We achieve this by:
· showing your marks clearly in your gradebook, which can be viewed whenever you log onto the learning platform;
· the rapid turnaround of work assessed to ensure that your gradebook is always up to date;
· assessing your work throughout the module rather than waiting for end of year exams;
· ensuring you have regular contact with your Student Adviser; and
· the simplicity and transparency in the design of our assessment criteria.
We also have a policy of ensuring that work submitted by students is authentic. As well as the fact that all work is frequently assessed, we use a well established electronic monitoring system to check for plagiarism.
On successful completion of your MSc Criminology and Criminal Psychology degree, you will be invited to attend a graduation ceremony at the University of Essex, Colchester Campus.
We are dedicated to improving employability amongst our graduates. Our online courses give you the opportunity to improve your career prospects and earning potential with a mix of key skills that are directly transferable to the workplace.
A postgraduate qualification is a major achievement and greatly valued by employers. Recent surveys show that higher degree graduates are more likely to obtain jobs at professional or managerial level and less likely to be unemployed. For some jobs, a postgraduate qualification may be essential, for others it offers a competitive edge.
As companies seek out graduates with the most advanced skills to respond to the latest changes in crime and criminology, a Masters degree in Criminology and Criminal Psychology could give you the competitive edge you need to advance to these upper level positions.
Project and program management skills are necessary for graduates to access more strategic positions in their field of interest. A combined degree of Master of Criminology/Master of Project Management allows students interested in crime prevention, justice, and forensic issues to acquire expertise in planning, implement, and management of projects and programs.
The Master of Criminology/ Master of Project Management program is delivered in intensive mode. Intensive mode delivery is a compact and time efficient way to complete a postgraduate qualification with minimal impact on professional and personal lifestyles. Participants will receive 40 hours of combined lectures, discussion groups, case studies and workshops during contact hours. International students are required to be on campus every week.
The combined Masters degree in Criminology and Project Management enables students interested in a career in crime prevention, justice and forensic issues to acquire expertise in the planning, implementation and management of projects and programs. The addition of project and program management skills enables graduates to access more strategic positions in their organisation and to be responsible for overseeing new initiatives involving the management of scope, time, cost and risk. Students graduate with a Master of Criminology and a Master of Project Management upon completion.This combined degree is internationally recognised by the Project Management Institute (PMI).
View the Master of Criminology/ Master of Project Management - Program Structure and Sequencing
You must complete all of the following subjects:
In addition, you must choose one (1) of the following suites of subjects for your dissertation/portfolio:
or
The Graduate Certificate in Criminology provides an understanding of a broad range of criminological theories and practical applications. This program will prepare students to undertake professional or skilled work, or as a pathway to more advanced areas of study. Students will be prepared to understand, evaluate and conduct research at a high level, understand knowledge acquisition and critical thinking, and will be exposed to theoretical concepts within criminology as well as performing evaluations of criminal behaviours through case studies.
The Graduate Certificate in Criminology is intended to equip students with an understanding of criminology and criminal behaviour by providing theoretical foundation with students then applying this to a range of case studies including stalking and homicide. Graduates of this program could find opportunities in the areas of research, intelligence analysis, policy analysis, service delivery, consulting, and other related fields. Students may find employment in state and federal agencies, research organisations, community service agencies, and other branches of the criminal justice system. This program will also provide students with the ability to transition into other advanced areas of study.
View the Graduate Certificate in Criminology - Program Structure and Sequence
The Graduate Certificate in Criminology comprises of four (4) subjects, as follows:
Core subjects (2)
Foundation subjects (2)
Choose two (2) subjects from the list below:
Bond University’s teaching methodology involves a combination of lectures, tutorials, seminars, examinations, projects, presentations, assignments, computer labs and industry projects.
The MSc Criminology and Criminal Psychology programme provides students with the conceptual knowledge and skills to open up diverse career paths. Core courses will enable you to develop an understanding of the concepts, theories, methods and principles central to criminology and the skills to apply these in the forensic and legal area. Optional courses build on this core grounding and enable you to develop an empirical insight in an area of your choice, culminating in a research project.
This approach provides you with knowledge of the changing nature of psychology, law and criminology, and professional applications. It will also develop your ability to relate theory to practice in a way that provides more informed solutions to problems, and opportunities in the workplace. There is a valuable research grounding and a broad coverage of criminological, forensic and psychological approaches to crime and criminality.
PLEASE NOTE: This degree programme does not provide British Psychological Society (BPS) recognition or accreditation. This is because the programme is a criminology programme with a strand of specialist criminal/ investigative/forensic psychology and is not a postgraduate psychology degree programme. The MSc Criminology & Criminal Psychology programme meets the British Criminology Society benchmarks for postgraduate taught courses.
Year 1
Students are required to study the following compulsory courses.
Students are required to choose 30 credits from this list of options.
Year 1
Students are required to study the following compulsory courses.
Year 2
Students are required to study the following compulsory courses.
Students are required to choose 30 credits from this list of options.
Teaching is through a combination of small group seminars, lectures, workshops and one-to-one supervision. Assessment is via coursework, examination(s), class presentation and a dissertation project.
This programme encompasses criminological, legal, forensic and psychological approaches. It will appeal to those with a broad interest in criminology and criminal psychological issues, including those whose future employment is likely to involve public, private and/or non-governmental criminological or criminal justice work, or applied criminal/legal/forensic psychological work in the UK or internationally.
It is relevant to careers in local government, European and international institutions, and national and international non-governmental organisations. It will also appeal to those wishing to prepare for a research degree in humanities and social sciences.
To ensure we deliver the best learning experience for our students, the structure and delivery of courses may change to reflect knowledge and industry standards.
If you would like more information on this programme, please contact us at [email protected]
Criminology at Kingston is embedded within a vibrant and multi-disciplinary department. The programmes will provide you with an in-depth understanding of the complex nature of crime, harm and victimisation, together with an appreciation of the role of the criminal justice system in relation to crime control, protection and the delivery of justice. Our courses develop your capacity for critical thinking whilst simultaneously providing you with the tools to undertake rigorous, high quality research. Through a theoretical and applied lens, you will gain a broad base of knowledge and develop a range of transferable skills sought after by employers in the field. Kingston University is well-located, offering opportunities to see, at first hand, the criminal justice system in operation in the extensive London network of courts, custodial institutions and community-based crime-reduction programmes.
You will engage critically with the theoretical ideas that govern the study of criminology and apply them to better understand a range of substantive issues in the study of crime, harm, victimisation and justice. You will study contemporary criminal justice policy, practice and politics in local, national and global contexts, developing a critical appreciation of the dynamics between criminological theory and criminal justice policymaking. Criminology is multi-disciplinary; by studying these courses you can also explore modules in the fields of Forensic Psychology, Politics, Sociology and Human Rights. Criminologists draw upon a range of social science theoretical frameworks and social research techniques in order to question and explore criminological phenomena. During the course of your study, you will develop methodological knowledge and skills in order to prepare for your own criminological enquiry.
By taking this course you will study the following module Forensic Psychology module plus modules from Criminology:
Investigative and Legal Processes in Forensic Psychology
This module covers a range of theoretical and applied topics regarding investigative and judicial processes. For example, psychological principles may be applied to investigative approaches to interviewing, detecting deception, bearing false witness, offender profiling, case linkage, eyewitness memory, jury behaviour and decision-making, examining the state of mind and assessment, and expert psychological testimony (ethics, code of practice, report writing and practice). By taking this approach the student develops a critical understanding of pertinent stages in the investigative process where psychology may be used to improve interviewing strategies, as in the employment of the cognitive interview to assist in the improvement of witnesses' memory recall. This course then develops upon the investigative knowledge base provided by encouraging students to identify areas within the courtroom process where psychological techniques could be utilised. Thus, students are taken on an analytical and evaluative journey of the key criminal justice processes of the investigation and presentation of evidence in cases.
For information on the Criminology side of the course, please view the Criminology page: http://www.kingston.ac.uk/postgraduate-course/criminology-ma/
This online Postgraduate Diploma in Criminology and Criminal Psychology is an advanced qualification that is designed to equip graduates with a thorough understanding of cutting-edge and important topics within criminology and criminal psychology.
Our Postgraduate Diploma in Criminology and Criminal Psychology offers an advanced qualification that is designed to equip graduates with a thorough understanding of cutting-edge and important topics within criminology and criminal psychology.
Upon completion of your Postgraduate Diploma, we offer the opportunity for you to progress on to study for a full Masters (awarded after 180 credits).
This course is not accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS).
The Postgraduate Diploma in Criminology and Criminal Psychology is made up of the following modules and, upon completion, is equal to a total of 120 credits at Level 7.
Level 7 modules:
Optional modules**
* These modules are core and must be passed in order to achieve the award.
** In addition to the core modules, students will take one optional module.
Introduction
Studying online gives you the freedom to study when and where it suits you – at home, during your lunch hour or anywhere else you have internet access.
All of our online courses have an indicative study duration which is a guide to how long your course will take to complete. The actual duration may be longer or shorter depending on your speed of study, study options chosen and module availability. It’s possible to complete your studies faster than the indicative course duration by doubling up on modules at certain times; however, minimum study durations do apply.
All of our courses have regular start dates throughout the year. Our academic year is organised into modules, typically with a one- or two-week break between modules and a structured three-week break for the Christmas period. Students will receive a course timetable during the application process.
Teaching methods and style
As we are a 100% online university, we utilise a Virtual Learning Environment instead of a traditional campus. The system tracks and manages the learning process in real-time and provides you with immediate access to your learning materials.
This learning platform allows both students and tutors to actively take part in real-time conversations and you can listen to, and view, live lectures and seminars over the internet. All courses are delivered in English only.
You are supported throughout your course by a dedicated Student Adviser and have the opportunity to regularly interact with fellow students and your tutor. To ensure you receive the support you need from your tutor, we cap our class sizes at 20 students.
Assessment
We adopt an assignment-based approach to assessment instead of exams. Assessment for the Postgraduate Diploma in Criminology and Criminal Psychology will be based on a combination of written coursework.
You will always be aware of your current provisional grade right from the start of the programme, allowing you to evaluate the success of your current study methods and clearly identify areas to improve. We believe that this transparency gives you the information you need to make the most of your course. We achieve this by:
· showing your marks clearly in your gradebook, which can be viewed whenever you log onto the learning platform;
· the rapid turnaround of work assessed to ensure that your gradebook is always up to date;
· assessing your work throughout the module rather than waiting for end of year exams;
· ensuring you have regular contact with your Student Adviser; and
· the simplicity and transparency in the design of our assessment criteria.
We also have a policy of ensuring that work submitted by students is authentic. As well as the fact that all work is frequently assessed, we use a well established electronic monitoring system to check for plagiarism.
We are dedicated to improving employability amongst our graduates. Our online courses give you the opportunity to improve your career prospects and earning potential with a mix of key skills that are directly transferable to the workplace.
A postgraduate qualification is a major achievement and greatly valued by employers. Recent surveys show that higher degree graduates are more likely to obtain jobs at professional or managerial level and less likely to be unemployed. For some jobs, a postgraduate qualification may be essential, for others it offers a competitive edge.
As companies seek out graduates with the most advanced skills, a Postgraduate Diploma in Criminology and Criminal Psychology could give you the competitive edge you need to advance to these upper level positions.
Career opportunities for graduates exist within a variety of occupations across both public and private sectors.
The Master of Science in Forensic Psychology is a 36-credit online program that provides students with insight into the intersection of psychology and legal issues. Students gain an understanding of what forensic psychologists do and will learn how to apply this training in a variety of professional contexts.
This degree program will provide students with the professional training necessary to function at an optimal level in a variety of forensic settings where psychology is used including: courts, law enforcement, criminal justice, national security offices, prisons, social services agencies, child welfare agencies, and treatment facilities.
Many students in our program have specialized in law, mental health or other health services and want to work in the forensic area. Others are interested in furthering their careers and assuming more senior level positions. Some of our students use this degree to make them more competitive when applying for a doctoral program.
The online format and non-clinical curriculum make the program an excellent option for working professionals needing to integrate graduate study with job responsibilities. The program also targets those living in rural or frontier areas in and outside the United States, those with limited or no access to this type of graduate level educational program, and individuals working non-traditional shift schedules, such as those in law enforcement, corrections, national security, and the military.
Important Note
There is no licensure or certification in Florida or most states for Forensic Psychology at this time. It is considered a subspecialty of other clinical mental health or legal programs
The Master of Science in Forensic Psychology degree program requires a total of 36 semester hours of graduate course work. The program consists of a core of 24 credits and students are required to complete one of two possible 9-credit specialization tracks, and a 3-credit capstone course. Students can choose to complete either a thesis or a field experience for their capstone's content, although if students are looking to continue their studies it is recommended they chose the research option.
Core Courses (3 credits each)
Specialisation Tracks
Students will choose one of the following two specialisation tracks:
TRACK 1: FORENSIC PSYCHOLOGY IN THE LEGAL SYSTEM (9 Credits - Choose 3 courses from below)
TRACK 2: FORSENSIC PSYCHOLOGY FOR MENTAL HEALTH WORKERS, FIRST RESPONDERS AND DISASTER TEAMS (9 Credits - choose 3 courses from below)
Study for your specialist masters degree at a University ranked 13th in the UK for Law.
Architecture, Humanities and Computing. Apply now to join the top university in London for student satisfaction!
