Professional Doctorate in Policing, Security and Criminal Justice ProfDoc

LJMU's Prof. Doc. in Policing, Security and Criminal Justice enables practitioners and early career academics to reach the highest level of academic attainment.

• An ideal programme of further study for serving or recently retired practitioners
• Write a thesis on an original topic of your choosing, making a contribution to knowledge and professional practice
• Select supervisory experience from scholars right across the university, ensuring first class support and fulfilment 
• Reflect on how practice and academia can combine and develop new insight and knowledge
• Learn from experienced professionals, practitioners and academics ​

The Professional Doctorate in Policing, Security and Criminal Justice will appeal to a wide variety of professionals who want to share their professional practice and expertise with fellow students. The doctorate will enable you to contribute to the development of your discipline (be that Policing Studies, Security Studies, Criminology or Criminal Justice) and professional practice in your area. 

You will join a cohort of students with similar motivations and a range of research interests and will contribute your original research and knowledge to this fast-moving field. This collaborative approach will create a collegiate environment, making the pursuit of your doctorate and the production of your thesis a far from solitary experience.

As security and policing challenges evolve, experienced practitioners much be in touch with the latest research in their area of expertise and feel confident in challenging those who set themselves up as experts in these areas. This qualification will empower you to reach the required level of knowledge and expertise.

On graduation, you will be able to disseminate the results of your research with a view to contributing to the debate or influencing policy and practice. The course aims to enhance the development of reflective practice through discussion and networking with others who may be working in different sectors of criminal justice, security and the policing sector.

At the end of your course you will feel confident enough to make an original contribution to the status of police studies, security studies and criminology as a discipline, through the advancement of your knowledge and professional practice.

Course modules

Your programme is made up of a number of core modules which are part of the course framework. Some programmes also have optional modules that can be selected to enhance your learning in certain areas and many feature a dissertation, extended report or research project to demonstrate your advanced learning.

Core Modules

• Planning and Research in Policing, Security and Criminal Justice (30 credits)
• Thesis in Policing, Security and Criminal Justice (270 credits)
• Reflection in Policing, Security and Criminal Justice (60 credits)

Study hours

You will be expected to have regular supervisory meetings, along with skills and research workshops throughout the course of the doctorate. Your timetable will be agreed with your supervisors and Director of Studies.

Teaching methods

The programme will enable you to develop advanced skills and competencies in designing, conducing, evaluating and presenting research relevant to a range of related areas.

To ensure you receive the best possible exposure to expertise, the Centre for Advanced Policing Studies holds regular masterclasses with practitioners from a wide spectrum of policing and security fields. As a doctoral candidate, you will be expected to attend masterclasses and participate/organise peer led learning events.

Assessment

To cater for the wide-ranging content of our courses and the varied learning preferences of our students, we offer a range of assessment methods on each programme. Assessment techniques vary from module to module to reflect relevant assessment approaches and the key learning points of each topic.

In the first unit you will be assessed on your ability to meet a range of agreed learning outcomes, demonstrated through the development of a series of assignments, including a presentation and essay. 

This first unit will assess your capacity for professional development, review of knowledge and skills relating to the use of advanced research techniques.

Before proceeding to stage two, the work submitted for this module will be assessed and the credit awarded in accordance with the Academic Framework.

Assessment of the 30 credit Planning Module will include a short report. This will seek to justify the rationale for the project activities planned within the Doctoral Phase, indicating how each project is to be undertaken, describing the significant milestones to be achieved and including the completed learning agreement/research proposal for the whole Doctoral Phase.

The Investigative project and reflective module are assessed by viva voce examination of the thesis. The reflective module is there to ensure that students become effective research practitioners. They are able to reflect on their practice and therefore are able to see how academic work improves their professional learning and the practice of their organisations.

The investigative project module and reflective module will be approved as suitable for submission for viva voce examination by the supervisory team.

Employability

LJMU has an excellent employability record with 96% (HESA 2017) 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.

It is anticipated that most, if not all students, will be currently employed within Law Enforcement or Criminal Justice Agencies. Successful completion of the programme will have a transformative impact on your professional practice. What's more, your employer will be involved in the project planning process and the implementation of project outcomes within your organisation, and will be able to collaborate with leading academics.

Through this programme you will achieve formal recognition and accreditation of your professional development and a raised a professional profile both within and perhaps beyond, your organisation.

Your activities will also enhance your personal and professional capabilities for the future.