Do you aspire to build a career in law or as a forensic consultant in business or in government? And would you like to be better prepared for this, with additional knowledge about crime and how evidence is obtained? If so, the master’s programme in Forensics, Criminology and Law (FCL) can help you get there.
You will dive into the world of forensic psychology, accounting and medicine, and will continuously analyse these disciplines in relation to the law. You will develop an understanding of why forensics increasingly plays a decisive role in solving crimes and in getting the perpretrators convicted. You will also learn to identify the limits of how forensic techniques and insights can be applied.
Thanks to the programme's multidisciplinary approach to crime and criminal justice, in addition to the usual legal professions, you can also look for work in law enforcement agencies, psychiatric services or policy functions within the Ministry of Justice.
Forensic research is becoming increasingly important in criminal investigations and the collection of evidence. Lawyers, public prosecutors and judges experience that in their everyday work. The master’s programme in Forensics, Criminology and Law gives you insights into the different disciplines involved in the field of forensic research. You will also take a look at the part the criminal justice system plays within society. You'll take a number of compulsory courses, and you can choose from a wide range of elective courses and internship opportunities.
The big picture of criminal justice
In this multidisciplinary programme, you’ll explore the big picture of the criminal justice system. You will study subjects of different forensic disciplines, namely psychology, psychopathology, accounting and medicine, covering topics such as:
Collaboration
These topics often overlap with those of other programmes taught at Maastricht University, which is why you will be working closely with students and professors from other faculties. This allows you to profit the most from our existing knowledge base and to use it in your own programme.
You will learn through lectures and tutorial groups. The lectures will provide you with insights into the content of the programme, insights gained through scholarship as well as professional practise. The tutorial groups allow you to dig deeper into the matter at hand, using Problem-Based Learning (PBL). In small tutorial groups of 10 to 12 students, you'll seek solutions to ‘problems’ taken from real-world situations or real legal cases. Instructors act as facilitators, giving help as it’s needed. This allows you to build independence and develop problem-solving skills that you’ll need in the field.
