FdA Criminal Justice

Foundation degree

In St Helens

£ 7,500 VAT inc.

Description

  • Type

    Foundation degree

  • Location

    St helens

  • Duration

    2 Years

  • Start date

    Different dates available

This foundation degree in Criminal Justice is perfect for those who are looking to pursue a career in the criminal justice system. The degree provides an ideal opportunity for those interested in the causes and consequences of crime. Various aspects of criminology, criminal law, and social policy will form the foundations of the degree with wider considerations towards victims of crime and mental health.

This degree offers a wide and varied syllabus with an emphasis on applying theory to practice, and provides a practical and vocational route to working in spheres such as policing, probation, prisons, youth justice or drugs and alcohol. The diverse and fascinating field of criminal justice is ideal for anyone who wants to get to the root of why people commit crime and how society deals with it.

Facilities

Location

Start date

St Helens (Merseyside)
St Helens College Water Street St Helens, WA10 1PP

Start date

Different dates availableEnrolment now open

About this course


Successful completion of this foundation degree in Criminal Justice will have developed your knowledge and understanding of the criminal justice system. This is as well as the
work associated with it, such as public service departments including the police, prison service, youth service, probation service and the courts. The role of politics, law and social policy
will have also played an influential element of the students learning experience. Analytical abilities and critical thinking skills will have been developed throughout the degree and
will complement wider transferable skills of research, IT, problem solving, teamwork, and communication.

For 2017 entry you must have a UCAS Tariff Score of 48.
All suitably qualified applicants will be invited to attend an interview. This is designed to be an informal meeting, providing you with the opportunity to see if the course is suitable for your needs. It will also offer the course team the opportunity to discuss and explore your career interests.

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Subjects

  • Psychology
  • Mental Health
  • IT Law
  • Criminology
  • Social Policy
  • English
  • Law
  • Criminal law
  • Crime
  • Social Justice
  • Criminal Justice
  • Victimology

Course programme

Year 1

The first year will look at victimology from a wide variety of perspectives, you will gain a basic understanding of the main criminological theories. As well as applying criminal law to these

theories, you will gain the ability to apply it in practise. You will also explore the political history of the UK and the role political and social justice plays in society.

Alongside this you will expand your professional and academic development.

Modules include:

  • Criminal Law
  • Victimology

Year 2

The second year develops your knowledge further, exploring the criminal justice system and criminal law in action from a police and Crown Prosecution Service level. Research will also be undertaken on the relationship between theories and empirical research. You will also look at psychology and its link to crime and criminal behaviour. Additionally, you will undertake a work placement or voluntary work to put the theory that you have learnt on the course into practice.

Modules include:

  • Inside the Criminal Justice System
  • Psycholo

The Learning Experience

The foundation degree develops the skills required to work in the criminal justice system by ensuring that you can apply theory to practice in risk assessments, pre-sentence reports, action plans and intervention strategies. Turning paper inspiration into practical reality will be a central element of the degree.

Additionally, students will be introduced to both legal and criminological research skills, focusing on criminal law and criminal justice processes. A number of modules covered are approved by The Solicitors Regulation Authority and attract exemption from students going on to follow a career in legal practice.

Year 1 (Level 4)

SO4810 Victimology (20 credits)

Victimology aims to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of victimology from a wide variety of perspectives. It will explore and consider the changing positions of victims against a wider social, historical, political and global backdrop, and develop an understanding of the role, function and effectiveness of victim support organisations.

SO4811 Professional and Academic Development (20 credits)

Professional and Academic Development introduces the practice of research in the areas of law, criminology and criminal justice. The module will expand upon and support ITC skills and develop academic writing skills, referencing and literature reviews.

SO4812 Criminal Law (20 credits)

Criminal Law aims to provide students with a comprehensive knowledge of the criminal law and develops their ability to understand and apply this in practice. It will consider, judicial interpretation, case law precedents and guide students on how to analyse criminal behaviour and classify this according to the due process of law. Additionally, it will consider legal defences and how criminal justice agencies operate in practice.

SO4813 English Legal System (20 credits)

English Legal System explores the political history of parliament from its early conception to its rise in gaining sovereignty from the UK Monarchs. It will explore the issue of legal precedents and examine the place of equity in English Law. The process of Judicial Interpretation, Separation of Powers, Judicial Review and the role Europe plays in political and social contexts will be explored, reviewed and discussed. The module will also consider the forces that have shaped and are shaping the English legal system by considering, analysing and reviewing legal practice and procedure.

SO4814 Introduction to Criminology (20 Credits)

Introduction to Criminology develops student understanding of the main criminological theories and their link to the causes and explanations of crime. The module will consider the nature versus nurture arguments, considering a range of perspectives in an aim to explain criminality. The social and political responses to crime will be explored, along with how the criminal justice agencies operate within their given specialist roles.

SO4815 Political and Social Justice (20 credits)

Political and Social Justice module introduces students to the historical and contemporary role that politics plays in society. It will consider issues such as slavery, UK migration, racism, social class and sexual discrimination. It will examine how politics and social policy plays its part in maintaining or changing society's perceptions in these areas. The Human Rights Act will be critically reviewed in relation to the balance between the individual's rights and national security. Criminal justice and its relationship to discrimination and prejudice and the aim to achieve Social Justice will also be reviewed, analysed, discussed and researched by students in preparation for their assessments.

Year 2 (Level 5)

SO5810 Inside the Criminal Justice System (20 credits)

Inside the Criminal Justice System aims to provide students with an insight to key concepts in the study of the Criminal Justice System and examine major debates and controversies about its main institutions and processes. It will provide critical insight into the working practices of criminal justice agencies and examine major debates relating to criminal justice institutions and processes. It will review and evaluate the relationship between all criminal justice agencies as well as compare and contrast the issue of privatisation and public service management.

SO5811 Criminal Law in Action (20 credits)

Criminal Law in Action requires students to consider the law from a Police and Crown Prosecution Service perspective and explain how and why a case may stand or fall within the Criminal Justice System. You will be required to critically review aspects of culpability relating to the Actus Reus and Mens Rea of a crime. Additionally, legal defences and case law precedents will be investigated, explained and critically reviewed in relation to the practical application of the Criminal Law.

SO5812 Researching Crime and Justice (20 credits)

Researching Crime and Justice explores the relationship between theories and empirical research. It aims to provide you with a comprehensive understanding of the research process linked to criminal justice practice. It will consider the practical issues relating to carrying out investigations and focus on contemporary research across a wide range of Criminological and Criminal Justice areas. The module aims to enable you to develop a range of research and academic writing skills.

SO5813 Psychology, Mental Health and Crime (20 Credits)

Psychology, Mental Health and Crime explores the theoretical approaches of psychology linked to crime, criminal behaviour and mental health to include definitions, diagnosis and classification through the use of DSM (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders) and ICD (International Classification of Diseases) criteria. It will examine the powers contained within Mental Health legislation and the links between mental health, crime and criminal behaviour. Diminished responsibility, pleas of insanity and treatment of offenders will also be a major consideration. Multi-agency response will also be considered along with influential reports and subsequent recommendations. Reflections of the Mental Health Act and its implications relating to Human Rights and Criminal Justice will also be included within the module.

SO5814 Work-Based Learning (40 credits)

Work-Based Learning focusses on enabling students to put theory into practice in the workplace. Students will undertake a work placement or other relevant voluntary/paid work. The module will be project-based with a learning agreement identifying student learning outcomes and development needs which will be agreed by all three parties involved (the student, the College and the employer/organisation). All prior learning will be integrated within this module and will combine to provide the student with knowledge and experience that will assist them in the process of obtaining full-time employment in a related field. Students should have a mentor in the workplace who will offer them guidance and support. Students will receive up to three visits from the work-based learning tutor who will also be available to them if they are experiencing any problems with their placement or require any assistance from college.

Additional information

Assessment is employed throughout the two years of the degree through both formative and summative assessments including presentations, case studies, essay plans, question and answer sessions, debates and literature reviews. You will also be assessed through essays, exams, reflective logs and reports.

FdA Criminal Justice

£ 7,500 VAT inc.