International Policing: Peace Support Operations Postgraduate Certificate

www.ioe.stir.ac.uk

This innovative programme is the product of a collaborative initiative drawing on the resources of the University of Stirling, the Scottish Police College, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and the Ministry of Defence. It draws on the University’s extensive involvement in internet-based learning and academic disciplines such as Management, Politics, Psychology, Human Sciences and Education.

Programme Objectives

This programme is based on a collaborative learning model, which relies on participants being able to communicate with both tutors and peers. The core modules will enable students: to understand the context of international conflict and cooperation; to relate the pre-programme training to the demands of the post-conflict situations; to assess the interplay of social, ethnic and religious forces in the local communities in post-conflict scenarios; to develop interpersonal skills for working with others in culturally, socially and economically different contexts.

Entrance Requirements

The normal admission requirement is at least eight years of relevant UK experience, acceptance on an overseas mission approved by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and completion of pre-deployment training. Admission to postgraduate study without a first degree will be accepted in view of the professional standing of candidates.

English Language Requirements

If English is not your first language, you must provide evidence of your proficiency such as a minimum IELTS score of 6 (minimum 5 in each skill) or TOEFL 550/213/79-80 (Paper/Computer/Internet).

Funding

Currently the Foreign and Commonwealth Office makes a contribution to student fees.

Modes of Study

The programme is delivered by distance learning via the internet and email. Minimum duration is 15 months.

Programme Start Date

There is normally one point of entry during the year: January.

Programme Director

Dr Richard Dockrell

The Stirling Institute of Education

Structure and Content

The programme provides a part-time, distance-learning route to a Postgraduate Certificate in International Policing. Additionally, it is designed to provide access to study for a Postgraduate Diploma or Master’s programme. While the programme draws on pre-deployment training and experience gained during deployment on peace support operations, it addresses issues of general relevance to policing duties.

The Certificate comprises four modules, two core and two optional:

• International Conflict and Cooperation: Addresses the changing situation of international and local dynamics of conflict, offering expert analysis on the parties operating in the post-conflict context, their socio-economic conditions, political demands and institutional networking.
• Community Portraits: This module will help you to reflect and compare your prior expectations of the community setting in which you are placed with your experience in situ. The communities explored will include either those consisting of professional colleagues or the local community. The module will make use of collaborative learning techniques with the aim of forming a learning community.

Optional Modules:

• Managing Health and Wellbeing: Examines the relationship between biological, psychological and social factors in promoting health and wellbeing. By drawing on physiological and psychological evidence to develop understanding of how mind and body interact, you will be able to manage your own and other people’s health and wellbeing in relation to the stressful circumstances which can be experienced in international policing. The module also aims to highlight potential sources of stress for self and others and to enhance practical stress management skills by identifying individual and external resources which can be used to reduce and/or cope with stress.
• Leading and Leadership in a Policing Context: This module will complement existing elements of the programme by reflecting on the developing responsibilities of police acting in a managerial role when deployed in a potentially unstable context. The module recognises and examines the current debates taking place around the relevance/importance of leadership in policing generally and in the policing of an unstable situation specifically.
• Managing People in Dynamic Policing Context: The aim of the module is to develop the skills and the underlying knowledge required to enable managers in the Police Service to manage their people more effectively in the context of the ever-changing environment of policing. Students who complete the module should be able to understand the main concepts and ideas in the management of people, understand how organisational and contextual factors place limitations on management action and to have developed the management skills required to solve problems in the management of people.

Delivery and Assessment

Two modules will be delivered each semester, each over an eight-week period. There will be flexibility for the student to vary the pace of study and to extend the period of study. A core module will be followed by an optional module. Those wishing to take an alternative optional module will undertake the module when it is sequenced for delivery. Not all students will follow the sequence identified above. The precise sequence will be determined by the student’s intake point.

Assessment will be based on coursework. Grading and assessment will be in accordance with the University of Stirling’s regulations and procedures monitored by an external examiner appointed by the University of Stirling in consultation with the Scottish Police College. Each module will include the equivalent of an assignment of up to 4,000 words.

Timetable

Contact the Department for information on your timetable and reading lists.

Career Opportunities

The Postgraduate Certificate draws upon the experience of UK police officers and staff taking part in overseas peace support missions and provides candidates with an accredited continuing professional development opportunity. The Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) and ACPOS (Scotland) both acknowledge the contribution that the programme offers to the professional development of police officers and police support staff from the United Kingdom who have volunteered for such important duties overseas.

Research Opportunities

PhdD/MPhil by Research
The programme will develop specific and generic skills to allow you to develop a career in a broad range of public sector, private and voluntary organisations, including Higher Education.
Doctor of Education (EdD)
The EdD is aimed at professionals working in educational training and public sector settings who wish to pursue high-level research in some aspect of their professional practice.

The EdD has a more professional and vocational orientation than the PhD and is designed for staff in education and health authorities, schools, colleges, universities and related areas, who wish to develop their understanding of what research can offer practitioners and policy-makers in their decision making, the policy implications of research, and how to conduct research in their own professional domain.

Research is organised into three clusters, led by professors, and draws together staff from across the Institute.

The three clusters are:

• Contexts of Learning (Professor Biesta)
• Inclusion and Social Capital (Professors Allan and Field)
• Communication, Learning and Interaction (Professors Plowman and Edwards)

For information on our current research projects and activity, visit: www.ioe.stir.ac.uk/research

Research Proposal

Research proposals should be around 2,000 words and include the following: executive summary, importance of the proposed research, prior relevant research and literature review, research questions and methodology, any limitations or particular requirements for the research.

• PhD/MPhil by Research: Guidelines fFor guidelines on writing a proposal, visit: www.ioe.stir.ac.uk/research/students.php
• EdD: A 2,000-word statement is required, indicating previous professional experience and general focus of the research.

RAE Rating

The UK-wide Research Assessment Exercise (RAE) confirmed the quality of the work being done by our researchers. 85% of the University of Stirling’s research has been judged to be internationally excellent and internationally recognised, with the top 10% of that judged to be world class.

View the full outcomes of Stirling’s RAE performance

Use the online enquiry service to find out more or to request a prospectus.

If you are ready to apply you can fill out an online application form now.