Doc Doctor of Policing and Criminal Justice | Part-time
- Entry year:
- 2026/27
- Start date:
- September
- Study mode:
- Part-time
- Course duration:
- 5 years
- Campus:
- Mount Pleasant
Why study this course with LJMU?
Our programme is designed for criminal justice professionals. It offers a collaborative, practice-focused doctoral experience for practitioners and leaders working across the domains of policing, rehabilitation, community safety and broader fields of social policy delivery.
About this course
By completing this doctorate, you will achieve formal recognition and accreditation of your professional development and a raised profile within your profession, and you will have the chance to contribute to academic debate, and influence policy and practice.
By joining the programme, you will become part of a vibrant learning community of academics and practitioners working collaboratively to advance evidence-informed practice in criminal justice.
The doctorate will enable you to:
- Develop as a reflective, ethically grounded, and professionally competent practitioner with a sophisticated understanding of criminal justice systems
- Build advanced skills in research design, implementation, evaluation, and dissemination
- Generate original, practice-based research with real-world impact
- Contribute to policy, professional practice, and academic debates at local, national, and international levels
- Strengthen your reflective practice through sustained engagement with peers and the wider research community
A defining feature of this programme is the development of a dynamic Community of Practice, bringing together professionals studying on the doctorate alongside colleagues from related programmes across the School of Law and Justice Studies and the wider interdisciplinary environment at LJMU.
You will engage in both formal and informal opportunities to exchange ideas, share experiences, and develop knowledge collaboratively. The School has a strong and supportive research culture, underpinned by two vibrant research centres - Liverpool Centre for Advanced Policing Studies and Centre for Crime, Criminalisation and Social Exclusion.
As part of the programme, you will be invited to participate in workshops, seminars, and events that explore contemporary debates, challenges, and innovations in policing and criminal justice. These activities will deepen your understanding of current policy and practice issues while strengthening your research approach.
Tailored with the needs of criminal justice practitioners in mind, you will:
- Develop and conduct original research rooted in your own professional context
- Engage in structured learning around research design, methodology, and critical reflection
- Gain formal recognition of your advanced professional expertise
- Enhance your influence, credibility, and impact within your field
Course modules
Discover the building blocks of your programme
The programme follows the LJMU Professional Doctorate Framework and is delivered across three stages:
Stage 1: Research Foundations
You will complete two 30-credit modules:
- Research Planning – develop your research question and strengthen your ability to synthesise and critically evaluate literature, supported by real-world examples of applied research
- Research Methodology – explore research design, data analysis, and evaluation methods, including approaches to evidencing impact
Stage 2: Investigative Research Project
You will undertake and complete your major research project, applying your learning to produce original, practice-based knowledge.
Stage 3: Critical Reflection on Research
You will critically reflect on your research journey, developing a structured reflective account of your professional and academic development.
Further guidance on modules
Modules are designated core or optional in accordance with professional body requirements, as applicable, and LJMU’s Academic Framework Regulations. Whilst you are required to study core modules, optional modules provide you with an element of choice. Their availability may vary and will be subject to meeting minimum student numbers.
Where changes to modules are necessary these will be communicated as appropriate.
Core modules
Research Planning
30 credits
30 credits
This module will allow students to outline the key research question(s) of their proposed doctoral research project by understanding how to identify gap in knowledge and/or practice and will give students the ability to systematically and rigorously search the research evidence base to gather and critically evaluate literature on their proposed project. Students will be given the opportunity to gain real-life insight into practitioner-academic research from experts in academia and practice. Student will also be able to start to plan their research project.
Investigative Research Project
240 credits
240 credits
This module will allow students to carry out their doctoral research project and will support them with this process, such as providing support in terms of the structure of the thesis, how to analyse and interpret the impact of their recommendations. Student will also be given guidance on how to prepare for their viva and will have the opportunity to practice this in an assessed 'mock' viva.
Critical Reflection on Research Project
60 credits
60 credits
The module will give students the opportunity to learn about reflective practice (e.g., positionality in research) and they will learn how to write a reflective journal (the assessed piece of work for this module). Students will get the opportunity to be supported with and get feedback on their critical reflection of learning.
Your Learning Experience
An insight into teaching on your course
An insight into teaching on your course
This programme is designed to balance structured, in-person learning with the flexibility required by working professionals.
Modules 1 and 2: Taught delivery
Teaching for the first two modules is delivered primarily through face-to-face lectures and seminars on the LJMU campus, supported by online learning and regular supervision. Key features include:
- Two intensive 5-day teaching blocks per module, delivered across the academic year:
- Module 1: October and January
- Module 2: June and October
- Teaching takes place Monday to Friday, 10:00am–5:00pm during these blocks
- Asynchronous online materials available throughout the year
- Monthly supervision meetings to support your progress
Where needed, some elements may be delivered in a hybrid format to support those balancing professional and personal commitments.
This blended approach is designed to provide flexibility while also maintaining valuable opportunities for in-person collaboration, which is central to building a strong community of practice among students and staff.
Modules 3 and 4: Research and reflection
In the later stages of the programme, you will focus on your independent research project and critical reflection, supported by regular supervision.
You will also have continuous access to LJMU’s Virtual Learning Environment (Canvas), which provides:
- Module information and resources
- Online learning materials
- Reading lists and research support
- Communication and collaboration tools
How learning is monitored on your programme
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.
Assessments are clearly important, and we recognise that success is necessary for you to progress through the stages of your degree to your eventual graduation. We also recognise that students have different strengths, so we include a diverse range of assessment methods. Assessments will include a scoping review, learning agreement, data analysis portfolio, research proposal, final thesis submission (viva voce by external and internal examiners), mock viva, and critical reflection. Please be sure you are not alone in your doctorate, and we will support you in any way we can to make sure you succeed in your assignments. All assessments are graded on a pass/fail basis in line with the Professional Doctorate Framework.
Course tutors
The Doctor of Policing and Criminal Justice is lead by both Professor Julia Buxton and Professor Matthew Millings.
Professor Julia Buxton is a specialist on illegal drugs and illicit markets, with previous experience of SSR (security sector reform) and DDR (demobilisation, disarmament and reintegration of ex combatants) in countries emerging from violent conflict, and gender sensitive security, development and conflict analysis. Her research has been funded with grants from the Open Society Foundation and British Academy. Julia has examined / supervised / is supervising doctoral research in areas that include obstacles in women’s access to treatment services (UK); migrant women in sex work (Colombia); fractured consensus in international drug control (Malaysia); and normalizing regulated cannabis markets (Canada).
Professor Matthew Millings’ research focuses on multi-agency collaboration, organisational reform, and the role of evidence in shaping criminal justice policy and practice. He has, most recently, been the Principal Investigator on the ESRC-funded Rehabilitating Probation Project, exploring the reunification of probation services in England and Wales. He has led and contributed to national and international research – funded by, amongst others, the British Academy, European Council and the College of Policing - on probation reform, violence reduction, and community justice innovation.
Postgraduate research opportunities
At LJMU, you can take the next step in your academic journey with a PhD or MPhil, available on a full-time or part-time basis. International students also have the option to study remotely.
- PhD duration: Up to 4 years full-time, or up to 7 years part-time
- Funding options: Choose between funded projects (with supervisors already in place) or self-funded study
Our Doctoral Academy is here to support you every step of the way—from your first enquiry through to successful completion—working closely with Schools, Faculties, and Professional Services.
For more details on postgraduate research and full details on how to apply, visit the Doctoral Academy website.
Career paths
Further your career prospects
LJMU has an excellent employability record with 97% of our postgraduates in work or further study fifteen months after graduation (Graduate Outcomes Survey, 2025). 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.
The Professional Doctorate in Policing and Criminal Justice will enable you to contribute to research in new and applied areas; we shall also be engaging in an exchange of knowledge and practice.
You will benefit from formal recognition and accreditation of your professional development, and a raised profile within your profession and as a result of the outcomes of successful project work.
The activities carried out on the programme can also be expected to enhance your personal and professional capabilities for the future. It is anticipated that most if not all candidates will be currently employed within Law Enforcement or Criminal Justice Agencies and therefore candidates may be in a position to have a transformative impact on professional practice. An overarching component of this doctoral programme is the establishment of a Community of Practice across those studying on the programme and those within related programmes within the School of Law and Justice studies.
The exchanging of ideas and knowledge will be encouraged and facilitated by both the formal requirements of the programme (e.g., within the 8400DPCJ Research Planning and 8401DPCJ Research Methodology modules in seminars) and in more informal forums (e.g., you will be encouraged to 'network' with each other outside of sessions). This process will enable networks to build and to transfer knowledge between practitioners.
Tuition fees and funding
- Part-time per year:
- £4,100
Fees
The fees quoted above cover registration, tuition, supervision, assessment and examinations as well as library membership and student IT support with access to printed, multimedia and digital resources including programme-appropriate software and on campus wifi.
Financial Support
There are many ways to fund postgraduate study for home and international students. From loans to International Scholarships and subject-specific funding, you’ll find all of the information you need on our specialist postgraduate funding pages. The University offers a range of financial support for students. You'll find all the information you need on our specialist financial support pages including details of the Student Support Fund and other activities to support with the cost of living.
Additional Costs
In addition to fees, students should also keep in mind the cost of:
- Accommodation
- Travel costs and field trips unless paid for by LJMU
- Stationery, IT equipment, professional body membership and graduation gown hire
- Part-time per year:
- £9,500
International Scholarships and payment plans
Liverpool John Moores University is committed to supporting international students by providing a range of scholarships and flexible payment plans to help students manage their tuition fees.
Scholarships
LJMU provides a variety of postgraduate scholarships to support international students. Scholarships are available to self-funded students who have accepted their offer and met all the conditions outlined in their offer letter. Students must also demonstrate that they can cover living costs, travel, and other expenses associated to studying at the university. Postgraduate scholarships include tuition fee reductions and are often offered in partnership with external funding organisations such as the British Council and Chevening.
All self-funded international students are eligible for an automatic scholarship worth up to £4,000. For more details and to view our full list of scholarships, visit the international scholarship webpages.
Deposit
All students must pay a £5,000 deposit before they can receive their CAS letter.
For more information view our deposit page.
Tuition Fee Payment Plan
After paying their £5,000 deposit, students have the option to pay their fees in full or in three equal instalments minus any internal scholarships and discounts. There are two payment options available for international students. You can either pay your tuition fees in full before enrolment or opt for a payment plan. With the payment plan, you can pay your fees in three instalments after making your £5,000 deposit. The first instalment is due before enrolment.
All payments should be made through Flywire. Full details can be found in the How to Pay Guide.
Entry requirements
You will need:
Qualification requirements
Postgraduate degree (required for research programmes)
Applicants possessing an appropriate and relevant Masters degree (normally an MSc) may enter the programme at Doctoral level. Examples of appropriate Masters degree include: MSc Policing and Criminal Investigation, MSc Criminal Psychology and Criminal Justice, MA Criminal Justice, MSc Forensic and Investigative Psychology.
Students are also expected to demonstrate a significant career of service within Policing, and/or Criminal Justice professions.
Additional requirements
-
Interview required
The candidates will be expected to be interviewed to assess their suitability for the programme.
Please Note: All international qualifications are subject to a qualification equivalency check.
How to apply
Securing your place at LJMU
To apply for this programme, you are required to complete an LJMU online application form. You will need to provide details of previous qualifications and a personal statement outlining why you wish to study this programme.
Postgraduate degree (required for research programmes):
Applicants possessing an appropriate and relevant Masters degree (normally an MSc) may enter the programme at Doctoral level. Examples of appropriate Masters degree include: MSc Policing and Criminal Investigation, MSc Criminal Psychology and Criminal Justice, MA Criminal Justice, MSc Forensic and Investigative Psychology.
Students are also expected to demonstrate a significant career of service within Policing, and/or Criminal Justice professions.
Your university life
From accommodation and academic support to clubs and societies. Find out what LJMU has to offer.
Related Links
Talk to our students
Connect with a current LJMU student for advice and guidance on university life, courses and more.
See what our students are saying
At LJMU we want you to know you’re making the right choice by studying with us. You can see what our students are saying about their experience with us through their reviews on the following websites:
News and views
Browse through the latest news and stories from the university
The University reserves the right to withdraw or make alterations to a course and facilities if necessary; this may be because such changes are deemed to be beneficial to students, are minor in nature and unlikely to impact negatively upon students or become necessary due to circumstances beyond the control of the University. Where this does happen, the University operates a policy of consultation, advice and support to all enrolled students affected by the proposed change to their course or module.