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Master of Security and Crime Science

Masters Degree MSCS
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Learn how to manage real-world crime issues and develop analytical and creative methods to improve security in an ever-changing society.

Please note:

There will be no new enrolments into Master of Security and Crime Science until further notice.

Alternatively, PGDip in Security and Crime Science and PGCert in Security and Crime Science are available.

This qualification is not currently available for new enrolments

180 points, 1.5 years

Hamilton

Trimester A (March) and Trimester B (July)

Why study the Master of Security and Crime Science?

Want to make a real difference to society? With the Master of Security and Crime Science, you will develop the skills required to become a leader in the security, intelligence and crime-prevention areas in the public and private sectors.

You will combine skills from different disciplines such as Statistics, Computer Science, Geographic Information Systems, Population Studies, Psychology and Management. You'll develop analytical and creative methods to tackle real-world crime, and improve security in an ever-changing society.

This degree will provide a pathway to a career in policy development, crime or accident detection and analysis in both the public and private sectors. The skills you gain from the degree will enable you to promote and enhance security and community safety.

Learn from the experts

The Master of Security and Crime Science is the first of its kind in New Zealand and the Asia Pacific region, led by the New Zealand Institute for Security and Crime Science (NZISCS).  The Institute is the primary research partner for the New Zealand Police, and a partner at the Evidence Based Policing Centre in Wellington. Papers and research topics will be delivered by world-leading researchers in psychology, statistics, artificial intelligence including machine learning, cyber security, political science, economics, management, law, education, Māori and indigenous development, and demographic research.

Develop real-world solutions

This degree requires students to investigate and tackle real security and crime problems in collaboration with public and private partners. Previous collaborations with the New Zealand Police have included investigating drug abuse intervention, developing software to help police monitor offenders on bail, inventing new methods to research burglary offences, researching sex abuse attitudes amongst school age children, and optimising traffic patrolling.

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Career Opportunities

  • Policy development for social agencies
  • Intelligence analyst (eg for MPI, National or International Police forces)
  • Traffic accident analyst
  • Security enhancement engineer
  • Social investment expert
  • Senior policy advisor
  • Crime data scientist
  • Analyst specialising in emerging, organised or cyber crime
  • Counter-terrorism analyst
This qualification is not currently available for new enrolments

180 points, 1.5 years

Hamilton

Trimester A (March) and Trimester B (July)

Degree information

Entry Requirements Fees and scholarships

Paper details

Unless a student is approved to take CRSCI594, the compulsory papers for the MSCS degree are CRSCI501, CRSCI502, IRSST505, MAORI518, PSYCH544 and the 60 point dissertation CRSCI592.

Students enrolled in a 180 point Master of Security and Crime Science will take the compulsory papers and another 45 points of papers from those prescribed in the Security and Crime Science entry in the University of Waikato Subject Regulations.

Depending on your previous study, students who have an honours degree or a postgraduate diploma may be given a waiver on 15 points of the compulsory taught papers required for the Master of Security and Crime Science.

Contact us

International Enquiries

Monday to Friday 8:30am - 5pm

New Zealand Institute for Security and Crime Science (NZISCS)