BA (Hons) Applied Criminal Justice Studies

UCAS Code: M211

What is the course about?

The Applied Criminal Justice Studies course covers a range of areas, including criminology and criminal justice, forensic science, psychology, law and social policy. The applied nature of the degree provides you with theoretical knowledge and the ability to understand how this relates to the practice of criminal justice policy in contemporary society. A key feature of this degree is the Year 2 work placement which provides the opportunity for students to link theoretical understanding with practice situations.

What will I study?

Year 1	Introduction to Crime and Criminal Justice Introduction to Psychology Introduction to Forensic and Crime Scene Investigation State and Society Introduction to Sociology Learning Strategies
Year 2	Psychological Profiling Crime and Law Research and Evaluation Work Placement (33 days) Options (one module to choose) either: Crime and Media or Modern Social and Cultural Trends
Year 3	Dissertation Forensics Contemporary Criminal Justice Options (one module to choose) either: Nature, Culture and Evolution or Social Psychology of Intergroup Relations

*Please note these modules may be subject to change*

Year 1

The first year introduces the major social science disciplines relevant to the subject (social policy, public policy, sociology and psychology) and more vocationally-relevant disciplines from the criminal justice field (criminology and forensic science). You will also undertake a study skills module Learning Strategies which will assist you as you undertake university level study.

Year 2

In the second year you will explore subjects in more depth with, in some cases, greater focus on specific criminal justice areas. This applies especially to law and psychology where the focus is on criminal law and psychological profiling. A module on Research and Evaluation will develop your skills in both interpreting and conducting relevant research. You will also be able to choose an optional module from subjects relevant to your course. The second year also has a compulsory placement in a context relevant to the criminal justice field (for example ACJS students have completed placements within HM Prison Service, the police, Bradford Youth Offending Team).

Year 3

In your final year you will spend approximately half your time writing a research dissertation on a subject of your choice within the broad field covered in the course.This will allow you to conduct in-depth study that is largely self-directed, but with the help and guidance of an individual dissertation tutor. Recent dissertation topics include The Prison System, Terrorism, Youth Crime, Miscarriages of Justice. Alongside the dissertation you will also undertake a range of modules from within the criminal justice field. These will allow you to follow up in a more specialised way your already-developing understanding in the fields of law, criminal justice policy and forensic science. You will also have the opportunity to choose another optional module in related subject areas.