Teaching
The programme is a part-time course that takes place over two years starting in the spring. There are normally three residential teaching blocks (each lasting two weeks) in each year, concentrated in March/April, July, and September.
The 2022 residential teaching block dates are as follows:
Block A: 28.3.2022 – 8.4.2022
Block B: 11.7.2022 – 22.7.2022
Block C: 5.9.2022 – 16.9.2022
Most of the teaching is concentrated in the first year of the course, when 30 days of lectures are spread over three residential blocks, for approximately 150 lecture hours and six hours of tutorial supervisions per student. The second year is devoted to the design and completion of an 18,000-word thesis contributing original research to the existing knowledge about policing.
In the first year lectures, teaching covers four key modules: Evidence-Based Policing, Leadership and Management, Applied Criminological Theory, and Research Methods. The modules cover a range of topics and use a range of delivery styles including seminars, lectures, symposia, practical exercises and project work. Reading lists are provided for each session, giving required and suggested further reading.
The evidence-based policing component integrates the other three modules within a framework of evidence-based targeting of priorities, testing of cost-effectiveness, and tracking of implementation of policy guidance to operating police officers. The course is closely aligned with the global intellectual movement of policing towards the growth of a complex body of knowledge for use in supporting equal protection under rule of law by improving public safety and reducing injustice (see www.sebp.police.uk ).
Students are allocated a personal supervisor with whom they discuss all aspects of the course (essay choice, thesis topic, time management, sources of information, academic development and support) on a one-to-one basis. Independent study time is incorporated into the teaching blocks in Cambridge and their statutory time off the job in their workplace routine.
Students have access to college library facilities as well as the Radzinowicz (Institute of Criminology), Squire (Faculty of Law), the Cambridge Judge Business School and University libraries. In the second year, supervision usually passes to another member of staff who offers specialist research experience for the thesis topic selected. In some cases a separate subject-specific thesis advisor may also be allocated to work alongside the supervisor.
Student support materials are also available via a virtual learning environment (VLE).
One to one supervision:
One or two hours per week (during the residential blocks in both years), other as required via telephone, Skype or other. Tripartite meetings will take place on a quarterly basis to monitor the apprentice's progression throughout the programme.
Tripartite Meetings are periodic workplace visits by the Academic Mentor which will allow opportunity for review and feedback on all aspects of the apprenticeship, and for the mentor to see the apprentice in their work environment. These “tripartite” meetings will normally include the Line Manager, (Employer Mentor optional) as well as the apprentice and the Supervisor.
Such tripartite meetings will normally take place 3 or 4 times per calendar year, and will be arranged by the Course Administrator or staff to take place at a time and date agreed between the employer, the apprentice, and the Academic Mentor. At least one meeting will preferably take place in person, though some can be conducted remotely, by Skype for example, if necessary.
A month-to-month individual learner record will be submitted to a piece of software called APTEM and this allows both the Supervisor and Employer Mentor to monitor the apprentice's progression.
Seminars and Lectures:
First year: 47 hours per term
Small group teaching:
Two hours per term
Practicals: As required – optional research methods surgeries and workshops for attendance depending on research methods being used
Literature reviews:
The dissertation requires a literature review
Posters:
Students may make one oral presentation in term five and a compulsory assessed oral presentation in term six. A professional conversation and presentation of a completed portfolio will be required at End Point Assessment, with the chosen end point assessment organisation once the Gateway Review has been achieved.
End-Point Assessment should only start once the employer is satisfied that the gateway requirements have been met and that the apprentice is consistently working at or above the level set out in the standard. Employers may wish to take advice from the apprentice’s HEI/training provider.
Gateway requirements:
- Notification of successful completion and award of the Master of Studies in Applied Criminology and Police Management.
- Achievement of English and mathematics level 2 (C or above).
- Completion of a work-based project: In the last 6 months of the on-programme period, the apprentice must undertake a work-based project, which will bring together elements of their learning from different parts of the programme and show their accumulated knowledge and understanding of management and its application in their organisation. This may or may not build upon the work done for the master’s degree thesis project.
Feedback
Detailed written feedback is given following all six written assignments. This is followed by discussion with supervisors. Verbal feedback is given following a discussion on thesis topic in terms four and five and on oral presentation in term six.
Assessment
- Thesis/Dissertation of 18,000 words maximum (including footnotes or endnotes, but excluding appendices and bibliographical references)
- Four essays of 3,000 words maximum each
- A research proposal of 4,000 words maximum
- A Viva Voce presentation on the dissertation in progress
Other assessment
- Gateway Review The employer acknowledging the completion of the course milestones prior to the EPA taking place.
- The End Point Assessment (EPA) will be carried out by an independent registered End Point Assessment Organisation (EPAO) that will assess the apprentices knowledge, skills and behaviours against the Senior Leader's Degree Apprenticeship standard.
- EPA Portfolio Assessment: Project showcase, based on work-based project; including report, presentation and questioning
- EPA Professional Conversation: Professional Discussion, based on review of portfolio of evidence
