Master of Criminal Justice
- Course code: 4015
- 3 years part-time
- Off-campus (Gippsland)
The Master of Criminal Justice is designed to accommodate the needs of practitioners working in criminal justice and allied fields and those interested in learning more about criminal justice matters. The Masters program encompasses a sequence of 72 points (each unit is 12 points) of part-time study which is delivered through off-campus, flexible delivery incorporating on-line and print teaching and learning. The course presents the application of criminal justice in a mixture of regional, urban, national and international crime-related contexts and covers issues such as contemporary crime prevention, public and private policing, criminal behaviours and profiles, sentencing, punishment and alternative justice and corrections initiatives. A special feature of this Master of Criminal Justice will be opportunity for students to develop links with practitioners and, in some instances to utilise placements within the criminal justice and allied systems.
On completion of the Masters of Criminal Justice students should be able to demonstrate:
- an advanced understanding of the theory and practice of criminal justice;
- the ability to evaluate the role of research and theory in the advancement of knowledge within the field of criminal justice;
- a critical understanding of the role and functions of policing and security related issues;
- the capacity to formulate and research topics in criminal justice ;
- the capacity to draw conclusions, based on research-driven evidence, and to make policy and reform recommendations;
- knowledge, skills and attributes for self-motivated, independent investigation of criminal justice issues;
- knowledge and skills in the planning of criminal justice policy and its implementation and evaluation;
- problem-solving capabilities relating to crime and crime prevention;
- the ability to engage with other professionals working in the criminal justice system and allied professions;
- professional knowledge of ethical issues relating to criminal justice .
The course is intended for:
- graduates with a criminal justice major
- graduates with degrees other than a criminal justice major who are seeking a career in criminal justice related fields
- students seeking post-graduate qualifications in criminal justice in order to become more competitive in the government and non-government employment market
- Students seeking an opportunity to engage in advanced level criminal justice study
- people with degrees who are seeking a change of career.
Entry requirements:
Applicants should hold (a) a bachelors degree with at least a credit average in the final year, or (b) a bachelor's degree with a pass average in the final year plus demonstrable professional experience (2 years) at senior level in a relevant area. These applicants will need to provide a CV, a 1,000 word statement of aptitude and the names of two professional referees.
Course structure:
The course consists of 72 points of study. It is offered on a part-time basis.
Students normally complete 1 x 12 point unit per semester by off-campus mode. All units, except where indicated are worth 12 points. Students complete a maximum of 48 points at level 4 units and a minimum of 24 points at level 5.
Students complete 2 core units and 4 elective units.
Core units:
Students must complete:
- CRJ4001 Crime Prevention: A Global Perspective
- CRJ4002 Policing, Security and Risk Management
- And at least one level 4 elective unit from the following:
- CRJ4004 Criminal Behaviours
- AUS4025 Australia in Global Perspective
- HPL4503 International Relations
- HPL4521 Mechanisms for International Governance
- HSM4301 Program Planning and Evaluation in the Human Services
- HSM4302 Management and Leadership in Human Services
Level 5 elective units :
Students must complete a minimum of 24 points from the following:
- CRJ5004 Criminal Behaviours
- CRJ5005 Internship
- CRJ5006 Criminal Justice research project (9,000 words 12 points) and a 12 point elective unit from elective offerings
or
- CRJ5007 Criminal Justice thesis (18,000 words 24 points)
Students intending to take CRJ5007 Criminal Justice thesis (24 points) must achieve a distinction average in their previous 48 points.
To graduate with the masters, students must gain a credit (60% C) or above in core units and a minimum credit average overall.
Credit provision or Recognition of Prior Learning
(a) Applicants holding an Honours degree with a minimum 2B result in a tagged Criminal Justice, Criminology or Criminology and Criminal Justice honours program are eligible to apply for advanced standing of 36 points at level 4.
(b) Applicants holding an Honours degree with a minimum 2B result in a discipline other than Criminal Justice , Criminology or Criminology and Criminal Justice or a graduate diploma in a cognate discipline other than Criminal Justice , Criminology or Criminology and Criminal Justice with a credit average are eligible to apply for advanced standing to a maximum of 24 points at level 4.
(c) Applicants holding a 3 year Bachelor's degree with a credit average in the final year and relevant demonstrable professional experience (minimum of 5 years) at senior management level (eg. sergeant of police or above) in the criminal justice or related field (such as Education) will be eligible to apply for advanced standing to a maximum of 24 points at level 4. Such applicants will need to supply a CV, a 1000 word statement and the names of two professional referees.
Further information:
- Student Services Officer
- Postgraduate Coursework
- School of Humanities , Communications and Social Sciences
- Telephone: +61 3 9902 6339
- Fax: +61 3 9902 6359
- Email: humcass.info@arts.monash.edu.au