Graduate Program

Program Description

PROGRAM OVERVIEW

The Professional Master's Program in Criminology and Criminal Justice (MCCJ), offered by the Department of Criminology, University of Dhaka, aims to foster a close engagement between professionals and the field of Criminology. The program seeks to help strengthen the understanding of crime; including its emergence, evolution, and changing patterns; its global and local nature; prevention and responses from social structures and institutions.

The program is the first of its kind in the context of Bangladesh that brings together law enforcement officials, socio-legal professionals, civil society members, researchers, and those with a keen interest and engagement with crime, criminal justice structures, and institutions; assisting them in the building of diverse and in-depth knowledge of criminality.

Students enrolled in the program include senior officials from various law enforcement and security agencies, including the Bangladesh Police, Counter Terrorism and Transnational Crime (CTTC) Unit, Special Branch (SB), Criminal Investigation Department (CID), Bangladesh Jail, and other relevant branches. The program also attracts members of the Bangladesh Army, Bangladesh Navy, Bangladesh Airforce, Directorate General of Forces Intelligence (DGFI); National Security Intelligence (NSI), Anti Corruption Commission (ACC). In addition, its students include professionals from national and international human rights organizations, legal practitioners, crime journalists, academics, crime focused researchers and fresh graduates. With an emphasis both on theory and practice, the program supports students in their pursuit of careers in institutions that work closely with criminality, its detection, prevention, and response.

Regulated by guidelines put forward by the Academic Council, University of Dhaka in 2022, the Department of Criminology has revised and updated the program syllabus and curricula. Since its inception, the program has been playing a significant role in building knowledge on criminality and establishing Criminology as an academic discipline nationwide through courses that impart critical understandings of crime and criminality within society.

WHO CAN APPLY

Admission to the Professional Masters in Criminology and Criminal Justice (MCCJ) is open to individuals, both Bangladeshi and foreign nationals, who have at least a four-year Bachelor's degree with honors and with/without Master's degree from any discipline; or candidates having a three-year Bachelor's degree with honors and one-year Master's degree from any discipline. Candidates having a third division/class in any public examination are not eligible to apply. Candidates must have a minimum GPA/CGPA 2.50 (or equivalent) in their Bachelor's degrees.

HOW TO APPLY

To apply for admission to the Professional Master’s in Criminology and Criminal Justice (MCCJ) Program, eligible candidates must complete the online application process. Applicants are advised to carefully read the instructions before submitting the application form. Please ensure that all required information and documents are submitted correctly.

Eligible applicants can complete the online application process by clicking the “Apply Now” button and following the provided instructions.

Applicants can apply online by following the step-by-step application guidelines provided below-

ADMISSION PROCEDURES

An admission test will be conducted to measure the competency of the applicants in the Professional Masters in Criminology and Criminal Justice (MCCJ) program. The test consists of two consecutive stages: a written test (70 marks) and a viva-voce (30 marks). Only the shortlisted applicants will be called for a viva-voce.

ADMISSION TEST STRUCTURE AND MARK DISTRIBUTION:

The written test is a 60-minute examination consisting of 70 total marks, with no negative marking. The question structure is divided into four sections:

• Part I - Analytical Ability (Quantitative Aptitude): 10 multiple-choice questions (1 marks each) totalling 10 marks.

• Part II - English Language: 15 multiple-choice questions (1 mark each) totalling 15 marks.

• Part III - Current Affairs: 15 multiple-choice questions (1 mark each) totalling 15 marks.

• Part IV - Analytical Ability (Qualitative Aptitude): 5 descriptive, open-ended questions (6 marks each) totalling 30 marks.

COURSE STRUCTURE

The Professional Master’s Program in Criminology and Criminal Justice (MCCJ) is structured over two semesters, with each semester spanning six months. The semester-wise course structure is presented below-

Semester	No. of Courses	Total Marks	Earned Credits
1st	5	500	20
2nd	4	400	16
	1 Comprehensive (Written & Oral)	100 (50-50)
Total	10	1000	40

COURSE DESIGN

First Semester

• Introduction to Criminology

• Introduction to Policing*

• Contemporary Issues in Terrorism*

• Gender, Crime, and Criminal Justice*

• Comparative Criminal Justice System*

• Penology and Correction*

• Juvenile Delinquency, Violence and Justice*

• Genocide and Crimes against Humanity*

• Criminal Laws of Bangladesh*

• Crime Prevention and Security Management*

• State, Law and Society*

*Students will have to take five courses in the first semester

2nd Semester

• Research Methodology

• Criminal Procedure and Evidence*

• Victimology*

• Cyber Crime and Security*

• Organized Crime and Corruption*

• Forensic Science*

• Space, Ecology and Environmental Criminology*

• Comprehensive and Viva Voce

*Students will take one compulsory, three of the elective courses, and Comprehensive with Viva Voce.

TUITION FEE:

1st Semester- BDT 1,50,000/- (Payable at the time of admission).

2nd Semester- BDT 80,000/- (Payable before the commencement of the semester).

CLASS TIME:

Classes will be held on Fridays and Saturdays only, around 3:00 PM - 7:00 PM.