Introduction

Criminology as an academic discipline is relatively new in Pakistan. However, it is a popular and respected field of study in many universities of the world. It offers insight into the way criminal justice policies are framed and implemented. More specifically, criminological education focuses on the way criminal justice components operate and deliver justice. The field of criminology draws and incorporate knowledge and insight from many disciplines such as sociology, law, psychology, economic, biology, history, political science, and social work. However, it is distinct from these academic disciplines in the sense that it makes the best use of these disciplines to perform the very important function of the state and society i.e., prevention of crime, provision of justice, rehabilitation of offenders and protecting the community. Graduates of criminology make professional careers in police, judiciary, prosecution service, prison service, probation system, parole system, and juvenile justice etc. Keeping in view the importance of criminology as an academic discipline, the University of Peshawar has recently started the Department of Criminology at the campus. In addition, the provincial government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has also shown interest in the newly established department and has offered all kind of support. A proposal was submitted by the University of Peshawar for the upgradation of the Criminology department which was later on approved by the provincial government. In this proposal, the Department of Criminology will be renamed and upgraded into the Institute of Criminology and Forensic Sciences. The provincial government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has already allocated Rs. 200 million for the establishment of the proposed Institute in 2016-17 budget. The University of Peshawar has enrolled the first batch of M.A. Criminology students in the session 2016. This two years Master degree in Criminology is a milestone for the students, practitioners and researchers who are interested to make career in any aspect of criminal justice. This programme has been designed to offer students a blend of theoretical and practical knowledge required to understand the crime patterns, criminal behavior and the state apparatus of tackling crime. Students will be educated and trained in different specialized field of criminology through teaching, internships and by conducting research projects/ thesis on different criminological issues of Pakistan.

Career Opportunities

After the successful completion of master’s degree in criminology, students can make their professional careers in police force, prison department, criminal investigation officer, probation officer, parole officer, criminal intelligence analyst, professor, researcher, security officer, and can join civil society organizations working for the welfare of young offenders, women offenders and prisoners etc.

Department of Criminology

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