Many professionals in the law enforcement environment have said to us over the years that there seems to be a lack of decent, accredited academic pathways for development in such areas as intelligence analysis and strategic-level policy making. While there are options to undertake whole Policing degrees, and those in related fields such as Criminology, there do not seem to be many options to undertake shorter programmes and courses that fit around a busy job; or indeed to study in ways that are amenable to busy lives.
I increasingly saw there was a desire for amenable and flexible advanced study options, but little in the way of provision. That drove us to develop our distance-learning PG Cert programme. I have been delighted with the results, and have really enjoyed the positive feedback from the diverse range of professionals who have studied with us over the years, both in the UK and in a great variety of overseas environments.”
Professor Julian Richards, BUCSIS
In addition to traditional academic programmes in Security and Intelligence Studies at both BA and MA levels, the University of Buckingham’s Centre for Security and Intelligence Studies (BUCSIS) has been offering a range of UK-university accredited long and short programmes in relevant areas for a number of years. A huge range of policing professionals from many countries, from Cambodia to Mexico and many points between, have studied with us in recent years to great effect.
Our Postgraduate Certificate in Law Enforcement Security and Intelligence (by distance learning) is particularly suited to early and mid-career practitioners. Conducted over approximately six months, and starting in either September, January or April every year, the programme offers a chance to develop strategic law enforcement awareness and skills using a completely remote-learning mechanism.
The programme is split into two modules: Security Threats and Challenges in the Law Enforcement Environment; and Law Enforcement Intelligence Practice and Policy. In the first of these modules, students explore the contemporary threat picture from local to international levels, applying theoretical models to real case studies and challenges. In the second module, the question of how an in-depth knowledge of threat dynamics shape policy and practice – especially as regards intelligence analysis – is developed.
The programme is at postgraduate level and delivers a PG Cert qualification, representing 60 credits at Level 7. These can be built upon afterwards to continue on to a PG Diploma, or full Master’s degree, thus offering a building block towards a prestigious academic qualification. Entry to the programme is based either on previous academic qualifications, or relevant professional experience.
The director of BUCSIS, Professor Julian Richards, notes: “I have worked with police and law enforcement professionals for 30 years, in both professional and academic capacities. I increasingly saw there was a desire for amenable and flexible advanced study options, but little in the way of provision. That drove us to develop our distance-learning PG Cert programme. I have been delighted with the results, and have really enjoyed the positive feedback from the diverse range of professionals who have studied with us over the years, both in the UK and in a great variety of overseas environments.”
If you are interested in deepening your strategic awareness and skills in the policing environment and want to explore amenable and flexible ways for doing so, then take a look at Buckingham’s unique offerings in this space. For all enquiries, contact Professor Julian Richards ([email protected]) in the first instance; or take a look at our website.
