London Metropolitan University’s Professional Doctorate in Crime, Policy and Security is an opportunity for experienced staff from the criminal justice sector to study part time to get a doctorate.
The programme equips students to think critically about their practice and the sector, with a view to developing creative solutions to pressing issues. This could include considering how to build better relationships between the police and the local community, how to address unjust exercises of power or disproportionality within the criminal justice system, or even simply how to engage more effectively with those needing support.
The course helps students develop their knowledge around current issues in the field, and to explore key theories and leadership practices so they can make informed connections to their area of interest. Students are encouraged to look at issues from a wider perspective, taking into consideration research and practices from the global south and north.
The course is delivered online (with optional face to face components) to fit around a professional work schedule. There is an initial two year taught phase, equivalent to a masters. This is then followed by a two year supervised research phase, where students produce a 50,000 word thesis, informed by their own empirical research and based on an issue pertinent to their work.
Our teaching team have expertise within these fields and will be able to support you in your areas of interest. They’ve led and contributed to various government reports, national and local authority evaluations and have good academic publishing track records.
The department has strong links with the Met Police, the Probation Service, the Youth Justice Board, plus various embassies and high commissions.
Our current students include:
- World Bank Staff
- Officers from the Met, Kent and City of London Police
- Social Workers
- Probation Officers
- Law enforcement officers from Canada and Australia
- Close Protection Security Experts
The entry requirements are:
- a master’s degree and three years of experience within a managerial role within the specific sector you’re looking to research; or
- a 2:1 bachelor’s degree and five years’ experience at a senior level within the sector you’ll be researching.
All applicants will be interviewed before being accepted and be expected to present a research plan at the application stage.
For applicants who already have a masters, credits from relevant modules you already studied as part of the masters can be accredited to this course.
For more information, please contact Dr James Alexander on j.alexander@londonmet.ac.uk.