Doctor of Philosophy in Criminal Justice

Purpose

The purpose of this qualification is to enable the student to produce a doctoral research thesis which meets international standards of scholarly and professional writing under supervision in the discipline of Criminal Justice.

Rationale

The qualification is designed to accommodate students who obtain the Master of Arts or Master of Technology Degrees in Criminology, Police Science, Forensic Science and Technology, Corrections Management, and Security Management and who wish to further their studies.

The qualification will educate and train researchers who can contribute to the development of knowledge at an advanced level by completing a single advanced research project in one of the indicated fields of Criminal Justice.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

Admission may be granted through RPL to learners who do not meet the minimum entry requirements.

All admissions through RPL must be in accordance with the principles laid down in the University of South Africa RPL Policy.

This qualification can be achieved wholly or in part through Recognition of Prior Learning.

The University of South Africa RPL office can supply full details of processes relating to the assessment and accreditation of learning from prior experiences. Evidence can be presented in a variety of forms, including international or previous local qualifications, reports, testimonials mentioning functions performed, work records, portfolios, videos of practice and performance records.

All such evidence should be judged according to the general principle of assessment described in the notes to assessors.

Entry Requirements

A Master's Degree in the field of Criminal Justice, Level 9 or a related field.

The Doctor of Philosophy in Criminal Justice consists of two compulsory modules at National Qualifications Framework (NQF) Level 10 totalling 360 Credits.

Modules

• Research Proposal, 0 Credits.
• Research Project and Thesis, 360 Credits.

1. Prepare a thesis in line with the chapter outline as set out in the approved Research Proposal.
2. Demonstrate comprehensive, expert and systematic knowledge of the specialist knowledge in the chosen area (field) of research.
3. Demonstrate comprehensive and thorough understanding of the most advanced research methodologies, techniques and technologies (including information retrieval and data processing skills) applicable in the broad field of the chosen research, and more particularly in relation to the research focus.
4. Apply knowledge, theory and research methods creatively to complex practical, theoretical and/or epistemological problems and engage in substantial, independent research and advanced scholarship resulting in the (re)interpretation and expansion of knowledge via scientific research.
5. Participate in scholarly debates at the cutting edge of research in the field of specialisation and communicate research undertaken to specialist and non-specialist audiences.

Assessment criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1

• Develop each publication or chapter in line with acceptable scientific norms applicable to the Department of Environmental Sciences, in terms of logic, rationale, academic writing style, referencing techniques and the presentation of Tables and Figures.

Assessment criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2

• Critical evaluation of different theoretical frameworks underpinning field of research and justify selection of preferred framework is done.
• Critical evaluation of literature in the broad field of his/her research, and more particularly in relation to his/her research focus is performed.

Assessment criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3

• Critical evaluation of the different and most advanced research methodologies, techniques and technologies relevant in the broad field of research, and detailed and logical motivation and justification for the chosen research location is carried out.

Assessment criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4

• Chapters of relevant work that form a thesis encompassing current theoretical and methodological practices, and solid empirical scholarship in keeping with international norms and standards are presented.

Assessment criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5

• Independent preparation of manuscripts/papers for presentation at workshops, and submission of manuscripts to scholarly journals for purposes of publication is carried out.

Reviewers' critique on manuscripts and published research in scholarly journals are defended/ contested/debated.

Integrated Assessment

All assessments are conducted in line with the principles of assessment as defined in the University of South Africa Assessment Policy.

Submitted proposals are assessed and approved by the supervisor and Departmental Research and Higher Degrees Committee to be ratified by the College Research and Higher Degrees Committee.

After consultation with the co-supervisor (where applicable), the supervisor gives the learner permission to submit his/her thesis.

Assessment will include input from three external examiners of which at least one should be from a county other than South Africa. External examiners must be recognised experts in their fields and must not be attached to or affiliated with University of South Africa. All examiners are recommended by the Department Chairperson and/or Departmental Research and Higher Degrees Committee and their names are forwarded for appointment by the College Management Committee.

The completed report of the panel of examiners is regarded as the examiners' final recommendation. The result of the doctoral thesis is based on a judicious appraisal of the examiners' reports.

After the result of the learner's thesis has been approved the non-examining chairperson makes the examiners' report available to the Chairperson of the Department, the supervisor, the co-supervisor, the candidate and the other examiners if requested.

In addition, learners must demonstrate the ability to engage in the field of Criminal Justice in an integrative way, dealing with mathematical challenges strategically and effectively. It is recommended for this ability to be demonstrated by the publication of at least one article based on the research, in a scientific peer reviewed journal.