Master of Science in Criminological Sciences

The research domain of criminology includes deviant behaviour and criminality. As an autonomous discipline it not only analyses crime but also goes in search of the most suited public response to deviant behaviour. Specialization is achieved in the Master’s programme mainly by means of the Master's dissertation topic and a number of electives.

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Master's Programme

1 year 60 credits

Faculty of Law and Criminology

Dutch

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1 General Courses 24

Course	MT1	Semester	Language	Instructor	Crdt
Crime Prevention	1	sem 1	nl	Lieven Pauwels	4

Penology	1	sem 1	nl	Freya Vander Laenen	4

Criminal Policy	1	sem 2	nl	Tom Vander Beken	4

Internship	1	year	nl	Antoinette Verhage	12

2 Elective Courses 18

Subscribe to 18 credit units from no less than 1 and no more than 2 from the following list. Subject to approval by the faculty.

2.1 Elective Courses Criminological Sciences

Subscribe to no less than 10 and no more than 18 credit units from the following list, with no less than 10 credit units with reference a.

edu: These courses appear in the educational master's programme. Students who have followed these three courses successfully, can after obtaining the Bachelor's degree, enter directly into the educational Master's programme.

Course	Ref	Semester	Language	Instructor	Crdt
Selected Issues: Cybercrime, Technology and Surveillance	a	sem 2	en	Eva Lievens	5

Selected Issue: Offender reintegration	a	sem 2	en	Ciska Wittouck	5

Selected Issues: Drug Policy	a	sem 2	en	Charlotte Colman	5

Selected Issues: European and International Migration Law and Policy	a	sem 2	en	Ellen Desmet	5

Selected Issues: Financial and Economic Crime	a	sem 2	en	Jelle Janssens	5

Selected Issues: Organised Crime	a	sem 2	en	Jelle Janssens	5

Selected Issues: Critical Criminology and the Criminal Justice System I	a	sem 2	en	Olga Petintseva	5

Selected Issues: Critical Criminology and the Criminal Justice System II	a	sem 2	en	Olga Petintseva	5

Selected Issues: Sexual Offending, Prostitution and Human Trafficking	a	sem 2	en	Gert Vermeulen	5

Selected Issue: Spatiotemporal criminology	a	sem 2	en	Christophe Vandeviver	5

Study of Specific Criminal Offences		sem 2	nl	Wendy De Bondt	5

Chemical Criminalistics		sem 2	nl	Christophe Stove	4

Forensic Psychology		sem 2	nl	Lize Verbeke	4

Forensic Medicine		sem 2	nl	Geert Van Parys	4

Historical Criminology		sem 2	nl	Marc Cools	4

International Criminal Law				Gert Vermeulen	4

Medical Criminalistics		sem 2	nl	Geert Van Parys	4

Private Security and Police Studies		sem 2	nl	Marc Cools	4

Public Police Studies		sem 2	nl	Antoinette Verhage	4

Children's Rights		sem 2	nl	Wendy De Bondt	4

Powerful Learning Environments	edu	sem 1	nl	Bram De Wever	6

Introduction to Teaching Methodology: Social Sciences	edu	year	nl	Tony Valcke	6

Reference Internship: Social Sciences	edu	year	nl	Tony Valcke	3

2.2 Elective courses UGent / study programmes in Criminological Sciences offered by other universities

Subscribe to no more than 8 credit units from another master's programme . Subject to approval by the faculty.

Students can take these elective courses from one of the following master's programmes of Ghent University: economic sciences, political sciences, public administration, psychology, philosophy, sociology, history, communication sciences, law, pedagogical sciences, from a Master in Criminological Sciences from an university of the Flemish community or from the Ghent University Elective Course List.

3 Master's Dissertation 18

Course	Ref	MT1	Semester	Language	Instructor	Crdt
Master's Dissertation		1	year	nl	Tom Decorte	18

Learning outcomes

Competence field 1: Competences in one/more scientific discipline(s)

Independently applying knowledge about agents, policy processes and decision-making processes within the criminological field when addressing crime and deviance phenomena (and societal responses to these phenomena).
Independently applying knowledge of the European and international institutional and policy development context of criminology and criminal justice when addressing crime and deviance phenomena (and societal responses to these phenomena).
Applying in-depth knowledge of specific crime and deviance phenomena (and societal responses to these phenomena) in the scientific research.
Addressing crime and deviance phenomena multi-dimensionally and cross-culturally.
Addressing crime and deviance phenomena in a multi-disciplinary, comprehensive and integrated way.
Having knowledge on current discussions and issues regarding crime and deviance phenomena (and societal responses to these phenomena).

Competence field 2: Scientific competences

Critically analyzing crime and deviance phenomena (and societal responses to these phenomena) through research and the application of theory.
Writing a relevant and coherent research project.
Independently selecting appropriate research techniques, executing the analysis and critically interpreting its results.

Competence field 3: Intellectual competences

Articulating a scientifically reasoned opinion about crime and deviance phenomena (and societal responses to these phenomena).
Thinking in an innovative and scientific manner that is oriented towards policy, policy preparation and policy support.
Independently, systematically and critically examining one’s own thinking and modifying it, when necessary.
Demonstrating an active attitude about the current affairs in the field, permanent development of knowledge and life-long learning.
Interpreting a situation, criminological issue or problem from multiple (cultural) perspectives and different (international) models.

Competence field 4: Competences in cooperation and communication

Writing a clear report/paper on the results of (one’s own) scientific research and/or personal viewpoint.
Orally presenting one’s personal viewpoint and/or (one’s own) research results, adapted to the target audience.
Being open to and participate in the academic and professional debate within the criminological domain.

Competence field 5: Societal competences

Having insight into the societal role and responsibility of a criminologist, and into the related ethical, cultural and legal issues.
Critically reflecting on current policies in criminological relevant domains.
Respecting the integrity and deontological values of the profession and integrating them in one’s personal scientific/professional work.
Respecting cultural differences and integrating diversity, pluralism and tolerance in one’s personal scientific/professional work.
Having insight into intercultural and international debates on criminological issues.

Competence field 6: Profession-specific competences

Acting in accordance with the interests, values and norms of the criminological working field.
Contributing to a joint result in a team or project, even if this is not immediately in one’s personal interest (collaboration).
Recognizing and responding adequately to the wishes and needs of the various stakeholders (customer focus).
Developing professional relationships, coalitions, and using them to obtain information and cooperation (networks).
Innovating to create products, services, processes and structures that meet future challenges (innovation).
Placing facts in a broad context and using scientific research to develop a future-oriented policy (vision).

Extra Information Academic Calendar

Work Placements and Clinics during Summer Recess Prior to Start of Academic Year

Internships can be organized in the summer break, resit examination period and week of feedback prior to the start of the academic year for students who will include the internship course in that academic year in their curriculum, provided that these students are enrolled in the previous academic year.