Applied Criminal Justice and Criminology, MA

Course Overview

Crime, its causes, and how we should deal with it, are never far from the headlines, and expertise in these areas is increasingly valued by employers in government and other sectors.

Studying our MA in Applied Criminal Justice and Criminology will equip you with the analytical, critical, methodological and ethical competencies that you’ll need to engage meaningfully with some of the most pressing global challenges facing society today.

This programme is built around three core pillars: criminological theory, criminal justice policy and practice, and rigorous research skills development. These pillars shape the content and delivery of the curriculum, ensuring that you can develop a deep, critical and applied understanding of crime and justice in contemporary society.

Through this framework, the programme offers you an inclusive, engaging and research-led learning experience. You will be encouraged to understand key concepts within criminology, critically interrogating ideas, and assessing their capacity to explain criminal and deviant behaviour, while drawing on emerging knowledge from within the field.

The applied nature of this programme allows the course material and assessment to directly refer to the criminal justice system, and how it works as an institution, encouraging you to apply your subject knowledge directly to the existing reality of the criminal justice system in England and Wales. This is encouraged through the study of various key elements that form the criminal justice system, as well as practical assessments that are directly focused on impacting public policy and practice in this area.

By bringing together this in-depth knowledge of crime and the criminal justice system, with the applied and practical nature of the programme, you will be enabled to develop the skills and knowledge you’ll need to enter a range of interesting and engaging careers.

Why Applied Criminal Justice and Criminology at Swansea?

As a postgraduate student within the Department of Criminology, Sociology and Social Policy at Swansea University, you will become part of a thriving academic environment that is committed to excellence in teaching and research, offering you an exceptional student experience.

You will be based on our Singleton Campus, set in beautiful parkland overlooking Swansea Bay, where you can benefit from having access to:

• The latest research and teaching that is focused on international developments in criminology and criminal justice
• Study that focuses on the impact of social, political and economic factors on crime and criminal justice policy
• Industry experts, with a wealth of academic and practical experience
• Small lecture groups that provide you with the chance to voice your opinion and share ideas in an open environment
• Guest speakers that include senior criminal justice practitioners, managers and policy makers

A welcoming community, that is supported by the student-led Criminology Society, which hosts a range of social events

Your Applied Criminal Justice and Criminology experience

The MA Applied Criminal Justice and Criminology programme at Swansea University is delivered through a dynamic blend of innovative, practice-led and research-led teaching methods. These approaches are designed to align with the programme’s philosophy of critical inquiry, social justice and applied practice, ensuring you can develop the analytical, ethical and professional skills needed to thrive in the field.

With all core course content being delivered on a single day of the week, you will be able to spend a full day immersed in your studies, alongside your peers, fostering close relationships and collaboration. Regular ‘lunch and learn’ sessions and seminars also support this community ethos, while providing you with a variety of topics that support your continued learning, and the development of your academic and interpersonal skills.

The structure of the programme reflects a progressive learning journey:

• In Teaching Block 1, the compulsory modules introduce you to the philosophical underpinnings, critical approaches and practical mindset that are all essential for understanding and researching criminal justice and criminology
• Teaching Block 2 extends these foundations through exposure to real-world case studies and research design, preparing you for your dissertation
• Optional modules allow you to tailor your learning to suit your disciplinary interests and career goals, with topics including areas such as radicalisation and terrorism, drug policy, online extremism, gender-based harms and prisons. The programme benefits from having the ability to draw specialised modules from across multiple disciplines, providing you with a wide range of options
• The degree culminates in your dissertation, which integrates theory and practice. You will be required to execute an independent piece of empirical research under close academic supervision, which functions as the final stage of the programme, where you can fully showcase your achievements, knowledge and skills

The course also offers opportunities for you to engage with cutting-edge scholarship, research and policy developments, and you will be encouraged to link your research project with current debates and methodologies, to ensure you are critically informed on pressing issues.

The teaching staff on this programme are active researchers in criminology, sociology and social policy, meaning the content delivered also reflects the latest academic and professional insights. Further to this, you will have the opportunity to participate in symposia, public engagement events and collaborative research with local agencies, providing you with essential experience, and giving you opportunities to build a wide professional network.

Applied Criminal Justice and Criminology employment opportunities

Employability skills are embedded throughout the curriculum, making sure that you are ready to enter the workplace as an informed professional.

Throughout the programme, you will have opportunities to develop a range of professional and ethical competencies through modules that address specific social issues, helping you to become a socially responsible and globally competent graduate.

The programme will equip you with advanced analytical, research and policy skills that are highly valued in roles addressing crime, justice and social policy.

Graduates of the MA Applied Criminal Justice and Criminology programme at Swansea University are well-positioned to pursue a wide range of careers across the public, private and third sectors.

Likely graduate destinations include:

• Public Sector:
• Criminal justice agencies (e.g. police, probation, prison service)
• Government departments (e.g. Home Office, Ministry of Justice)
• Local authorities and community safety partnerships
• Policy and research roles in civil service
• Further and higher education delivery
  
  
• Private Sector:
• Security and risk consultancy firms
• Legal services and compliance departments
• Corporate social responsibility and ethics teams
  
  
• Third Sector:
• Charities and NGOs focused on justice, rehabilitation and human rights
• Advocacy and support organisations for victims, offenders and vulnerable groups
  
  
• Academic and Research Careers:
• Doctoral study and academic research
• Research assistantships in universities or think tanks
• Policy analysis roles in national and international institutions