MSc Criminal Psychology and Criminal Justice

About this course

LJMU's Criminal Psychology and Criminal Justice master's is a new stand-alone qualification designed to enhance your career prospects in criminal justice agencies, the probation service, the police and third sector agencies.

The MSc in Criminal Psychology and Criminal Justice programme offers the opportunity for graduates, practitioners, and criminal justice professionals to critically engage with a broad range of issues that impact on the effectiveness and integrity of the workings of the criminal justice system.

Through exploring a series of theoretical and policy-orientated debates relevant to the delivery of contemporary crime control and management, and assessing their cultural, social and symbolic consequences, the course helps you to develop a comprehensive and critically aware understanding of the manufacture and delivery of criminal justice policy.

In addition, you will obtain an in-depth understanding of the psychology of a range of criminal behaviours, and how this knowledge can impact on law enforcement, management and treatment of individuals with lived experience of the criminal justice system, as well as wider decision making within the justice system.

This programme is designed or those with an interest in working criminal justice or have studied in the area and want to develop their knowledge at a higher level, and as such this is not an accredited psychology programme.

Why study this course with LJMU?

• Study criminal psychology in depth and understand how it influences criminal justice practice and wider societal perspectives
• Obtain an overview of criminal justice policy and process, and understand key contemporary issues in these areas
• Choose from a number of optional modules giving a critical insight into key areas of offending such as sex crimes and society, as well as criminal justice practice, which can include drugs, policing, rehabilitation and crimes of the powerful
• Undertake a research dissertation to generate knowledge in this area and further your own skills as a professional
• Ideal for undergraduates and those already working within criminal justice agencies.

Career paths

Further your career prospects

LJMU has an excellent employability record with 96% (HESA 2018) of our postgraduates in work or further study six months after graduation. Our applied learning techniques and strong industry connections ensure our students are fully prepared for the workplace on graduation and understand how to apply their knowledge in a real world context.

The master's in Criminal Psychology and Criminal Justice offers vocationally relevant knowledge and skills. It will be particularly relevant if you are currently working with or would like a career involving criminal justice agencies, the probation service, social science departments, the police or community-based correction/treatment and third sector agencies.

All candidates must be able to demonstrate an ability to benefit from and contribute to the programme. Given the general nature of assessment, candidates will normally match the entry criteria below: - a degree from a recognised University or equivalent awarding institution at upper second class honours level or above; or - a professional qualification recognised as equivalent to the above; or - an award which the University has agreed to accept as equivalent to a degree.