B.Sc Criminology and Security Studies

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Overview

Criminology and Security Studies programme investigates the bases of social order by drawing on and integrating theories and methods for explaining human behaviours in several disciplines like sociology, anthropology, psychology, political science, economics, philosophy, geography, psychology, genetics, biology and biochemistry. Though Criminology and Security Studies embodies multidisciplinary pedagogy and paradigms that draw on theories and research on explanations of bio-physiological, physical and environmental influences on human behaviour, its dominant models are grounded in the social sciences especially sociology.

The key focus of the criminology component of the programme is to analyse, understand and explain the sources, functions and consequences of law; the determinants of construction and perpetration of crime; reactions to violation of law by society and the state, and reactions to the victims of crime. The security studies component of the programme investigates the construction, dimensions, objects and determinants of safety at various levels of corporate existence of human beings, from the family to the global community. Criminology and Security Studies seeks to advance knowledge on the factors that enhance or undermine the freedom of individuals, communities, and nations. It they also seeks to understand the factors that engender fear and want while promoting holistic development, social orderliness and public safety. The discipline focuses on understanding and explaining the normative foundation of society and its graduates are equipped to identify, advocate and implement policies and programmes that promote, secure and safe society

Philosophy

The philosophy underlying the B.Sc. Criminology and Security Studies programme is to produce graduates equipped with appropriate knowledge to contribute to the development and security of Nigeria, Africa and the global community. The programme emphasises problem-solving theory, research and practice towards problem solving. Graduates from the programme will acquire globally competitive knowledge of theories and research methods in the field and will be able to apply them to design efficient strategies for the prevention, mitigation and control of crime and insecurity as well as promote security at community, society and national levels. The course structure and content have been designed to meet the following needs: understanding of theoretical and research approaches; acquaintance with ontemporary challenges of crime and insecurity within the country and globally; and the acquisition of competencies to pursue advanced studies and careers or secure employment in the fields or to engage in entrepreneurial endeavours.

Objectives

The objectives of the degree programme in Criminology and Security Studies are to:

  1. equip students with the knowledge of theoretical and methodological approaches in Criminology and Security Studies to enable them understand the sources, functions and consequences of law and the causes and consequences of crime and insecurity;
  2. train the students to analyse, design and implement policies and programmes for the prevention and control of crime and insecurity;
  3. prepare students for advanced study and career in academic and research institutions;
  4. acquaint students with comparative knowledge of global manifestations, prevention and control of crime and insecurity;
  5. apprise students with the understanding of systems and agencies for the prevention and control of crime and insecurity within Nigeria and in different contexts and countries;
  6. equip students with competences and tools required for career in criminal justice, law enforcement and security; and
  7. produce graduates that can apply their knowledge to engagements in research, consultancies, security services and other entrepreneurial initiatives.

 

Employable Skills
21st Century Skills
Unique Features
Admission Requirements
Graduation Requirements
  1. Specialist career in government’s law enforcement, security and criminal justice agencies.
  2. Employment in corporate security agencies and departments.
  3. Establish and operate security services like consultancy, guard and security companies, marketing of security products.
  4. Establish and operate not for profit organisations for advocacy of advancement of security, criminal justice and human rights in society.
  5. Establish and operate commercial research, consultancy and vocational training services in the field of security.
  6. Graduate training for teaching and research in tertiary institutions.

Among the 21st Century skills for the programme are:

  1. analytical skills required for trans-disciplinary theoretical investigation, understanding and explaining of the factors that enhance or prevent social disorganisation, deviance, crime and insecurity;
  2. research skills and application of learned skills to conduct and evaluate research on sources of crime, insecurity and solutions to them in societies;
  3. innovation skills to contribute to the design and implementation of public, corporate and community security programmes;
  4. creativity and ability to establish and manage enterprises that provide security services, consultancy and marketing of security-related products;
  5.  team work and ability to manage security departments, policies, programmes and
  6. regimen in public and private organisations, and 6. global perspectives and challenges of crime, insecurity and transnational mechanisms for their prevention and control.

  1. sound problem-solving theoretical and research knowledge;
  2. trans-disciplinary orientation;
  3. knowledge and skills in problem-solving;
  4. capacity for entrepreneurial initiatives;
  5. exposure to global dynamics of threats, manifestations, prevention and control of insecurity; including increasing role of private security companies and community driven initiatives; and
  6. critical engagement of global academic and policy discourse on the structure, planning, management, equipping, oversight and performance within the security sector.

The entry requirements shall be at least credit level passes in five subjects including english language, mathematics, biology, chemistry, and physics at the senior secondary certificate (SSC) or its equivalent. In addition, an acceptable pass in the unified tertiary matriculation examination (UTME) is required for admission into 100-level.

Direct entry

Candidates with at least two A level passes GCE/IJMB/ JUPEB in two relevant subjects (biology, botany, chemistry, geography, mathematics and physics) may be admitted into 200-level, provided they satisfy the ‘O’ Level requirement.

To be eligible for the award of a bachelor’s degree in microbiology, a student must pass a minimum 120 units for those admitted through UTME and 90 units for direct entry.

Course Structure

100 Level
200 Level
300 Level
400 Level
Course Code Course Title Units Status LH PH
GST 111 Communication Skills in English 2 C 15 45
GST 112 Nigerian Peoples and Culture 2 C 30  
CSS 101 Introduction to Criminology and Security Studies 3 C 45  
SOC 101 Introduction to Sociology 3 C 45  
CSS 102 Introduction to Criminal Justice System 3 C 45  
CSS 103 Deviant Behaviours and Social Control 3 C 45  
CSS 104 Social Sciences and Human Behaviours 3 C 45  
  Total 19      
Course Code Course Title Units Status LH PH
GST 212 Philosophy, Logic and Human Existence 2 C 30  
ENT 211 Entrepreneurship and Innovation 2 C 30  
CSS 201 Nigerian Law Enforcement and Security System 2 C 30  
CSS 203 Comparative Police and Policing Systems 2 C 30  
CSS 204 Applied Statistics in Criminology and Security Studies 2 C 30  
CSS 206 Conflict Resolution and Peace- building 3 C 45  
CSS 202 Nigerian Criminal Procedure and Evidence 2 C 30  
SSC 202 Introduction to Computer and its Application 3 C 45  
CSS 205 Human Rights and Criminal Justice Systems 2 C 30  
CSS 207 Prisons and Correction Services 2 C 30  
  Total 22      
Course Code Course Title Units Status LH PH
GST 312 Peace and Conflict Resolution 2 C 30  
ENT 312 Venture Creation 2 C 15 45
SSC 301 Innovation in the Social Sciences 2 C 30  
SSC 302 Research Method I 2 C 30  
CSS 301 Theories of Crime, Criminal Behaviour and Punishment 3 C 45  
CSS 303 Research Methods in Criminology and Security Studies 3 C 45  
CSS 305 Forensic Science 2 C 30  
CSS 302 Theoretical Perspectives on Security 2 C 30  
CSS 304 Intelligence and Investigation Management 3 C 45  
CSS 306 Internship or Organizational Visit  2 C 30  
  Total 23      
Course Code Course Title Units Status LH PH
SSC 401 Research Method II 2 C 30  
CSS 401 Research Project 4 C   180
CSS 403 Contemporary Development in Criminology and Security Studies 3 C 45  
CSS 406 Comparative National Security Policy and Strategy 2 C 30  
CSS 402 Democracy and Governance of Security Sector 3 C 45  
CSS 404 Humanitarian Emergency and Disaster Management 3 C 45  
CSS 405 National and Transnational Organised Crimes 3 C 45  
  Total 20