Ewart Hodge - Professional Doctorate in Criminology and Criminal Justice
Since starting the Professional Doctorate in Criminology and Criminal Justice (DCrim) at Keele, my academic skills have gone from strength to strength. My critical thinking, writing, and presentation skills have developed beyond my expectations during the taught part of the course. Not only has developing these skills has really boosted my confidence levels, especially when discussing my research with academic tutors and fellow students, but I have been able to apply them in my own professional practice.
A very important aspect to consider when studying with this course is to strike a balance between your academic and professional commitments. I am very fortunate to have an employer who has allowed me the time off to attend the taught part of the course, as well as the occasional day for study leave. I find that professional commitments are prone to change, so it's important that students are organised and know how to keep to deadlines for their academic work - so studying little and often is a good strategy to hand in work on time.
I don’t think that my academic work would have progressed as much as it has if it weren’t for the excellent tutors and helpful support staff at Keele. My tutors have really helped me expand the perspective of my research in new and novel ways, which I believe has really given my research and future thesis an edge in both academia, as well as applicability in my own professional practice.
I wholeheartedly recommend studying at Keele.