Department of Criminology

Master's Degree   

Tracks   

Two tracks are available:   

Track A – includes research and thesis submission.   

Track B – not research-based (no thesis).   
  

Programs of study:   

Criminology program   

There are 2 tracks in this program Investigative Interviewing track and Neurocriminology track   

This program, aimed an imparting deep theoretical knowledge in the full breadth of the discipline of criminology, is offered in both a research-based track and a non-research track, with the option of specializing in Investigative Interviewing” or Neurocriminology.   

Investigative Interviewing track  

The criminal investigation is a central area of interest in criminology, and face-to-face interrogation is at the heart of it. Studies in the “Criminal Investigative Interviewing” track of the Criminology Program give students specific expertise in this special domain, and grant them in-depth theoretical and practical knowledge in eliciting and evaluating information, which are the two central components of interrogation.   

As part of the studies in this track, students are exposed to current evidence-based tools and techniques for collecting and assessing information in the interrogation of suspects, complainants, witnesses and victims and for detecting lies, for establishing veracity, and for applications of profiling. The program provides the theoretical framework of the knowledge domains that form the foundation for the components of interrogation, such as the study of personality, applied memory and decision-making processes. The program incorporated the body of knowledge collected in the scientific literature with the body of knowledge from accumulated experience on the ground, and thus provides students with a comprehensive perspective of the field. The program is suited for students wishing to conduct research as well as those who wish to work in face-to-face interrogations in the police or other security forces, and in the public or private sectors.   

Total credit requirement (not including colloquium) in Track A is 12 AC (annual-based credits) (24 SC – semester-based credits) and in Track B is 18 AC (36 SC).   

Classes are held on a single study day per week, over a period of two years.   

Neurocriminology track   

This program offers students exposure to cutting-edge knowledge in human behavioral science, examining criminal and antisocial behaviors from neurobiological and neurocognitive viewpoints.    

The program focuses on the following key topics:  Anatomical and functional substrates of the brain in adverse social behaviors such as violence, addiction, and crime; Neural networks underlying cognitive functions associated with prosocial and antisocial behaviors, including emotion processing, emotion regulation, attention, cognitive control, impulsivity, and empathy, among others; Molecular genetics and epigenetics in crime research; Imaging methods in brain research (e.g., EEG, ERP, MRI)  Brain plasticity and brain training techniques (e.g., neurofeedback, biofeedback, meditation, motor movements).   
   

Students are invited to participate in two tracks, with and without a thesis.    

The thesis track is suitable for candidates who wish to engage in interdisciplinary research, with biological, psychological, and criminological components, to better understand criminal and deviant behaviors. Thesis completion enables students to continue to doctoral research and develop academic careers.    

The non-thesis track provides comprehensive, in-depth, and unique knowledge about anti-social behaviors, intended for professionals who wish to apply academic insights to the clinical field of enforcement-therapeutic-rehabilitation.    

  

Total credit requirement (not including colloquium) in Track A is 12 AC (annual-based credits) (24 SC – semester-based credits) and in Track B is 18 AC (36 SC).   

Classes are held on a single study day per week, over a period of two years  
  

Clinical criminology program   

The aim of this program is to impart to students theoretical knowledge and practical experience on the different aspects of clinical diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation while focusing on the unique characteristics of different forensic populations in institutions and the community. The program is constructed as a tapestry incorporating criminological, psychological, psychiatric, and legal perspectives, which characterizes the general and specific professional activity of the clinical criminologist in the Ministry of Health and other institutions. In addition to laying the groundwork for required clinical skills, the program also provides research experience (focusing on thesis planning, execution, and summary), knowledge, and experience which serve as necessary components in the clinical field.   

There is Victimology track in Clinical criminology program     

Victimology track  

This victimology track provides specialized knowledge and skills in victimology and the provision of victim services. The students in the victimology track will be exposed to current evidence-based tools and techniques for clinical work with crime victims. The curriculum combines the body of knowledge accumulated in the scientific literature with the body of knowledge based on experience in the field, thus establishing a complete perspective.  

This program may be taken in Track A only.   

The total credit requirement is 31 AC (62 SC).   
    

Admission criteria   

  • For the criminology program   

  1. A bachelor's degree in criminology. Applicants may also be admitted with a bachelor's degree in social sciences, natural sciences, humanities or law, subject to completion of required courses as customized per their individual background.   

  1. A minimum undergraduate grade point average of 85 for the thesis-based track, and 80 for the non-research track.   

  1. Two letters of recommendation from academic researchers attesting to the applicant’s suitability to the program (the form may be downloaded from the department website).   

  1. A personal interview. Not all applicants will be called for an interview; such a decision is determined by the program’s admissions committee.   
        

  • Clinical criminology program   

  1. A bachelor's degree in criminology. Applicants may also be admitted with a bachelor's degree in psychology, behavioral sciences, social work or special education only, subject to additional course completion requirements. This condition is in accordance with the Ministry of Health’s professional certification criteria (see – Israel Medical Professions Law - March 2010).   

  1. A minimum undergraduate grade point average of 85.   

  1. Two recommendations on specific department forms (the form may be downloaded from the department website).   

  1. Two letters of recommendation from clinical experience. if these are unavailable, then from the workplace.   

  1. Prior independent experience in the workplace in clinical, rehabilitation, supportive or similar environments is recommended. Recommendations should be submitted by certified supervisors who accompanies such experience.   

  1. Personal interviews. Not all applicants are called for an interview; such a decision is determined by the program’s admissions committee.      

  Background completion for the four programs   

Students without a criminology major must complete courses per the customized program designed for them.   

Background courses in criminology (research track) and clinical criminology  must be completed with a minimum average of 85 in order to proceed with the program.   

Background courses in criminology (non-research track) must be completed with a minimum average of 80 in order to proceed with the program.   

Assessment of suitability of students for therapeutic professions: 

1 .  Departmental committee - at the end of each year, the students in the clinical program will be evaluated by a departmental committee, which includes the Head of the department, the Head of the clinical program and their deputy. 

 2. The Department of Criminology has the right to terminate a student's studies in the clinical program due to incompatibility, even if the student has met the academic requirements of the program. 
 

Completion of the studies in the clinical program is conditional on several criteria: 

 1. Compliance with all study requirements, including compliance with the number of hours required for field experience. 

2. Full attendance in the clinical studies and clinical experience in the field. Absence of more than three sessions per semester will require re-registration for courses, even if the absence is for justified reasons (such as: illness/army reserve duty/pregnancy). 

3. Behavior appropriate to the profession, in accordance with the ethical rules of clinical criminologists. 

4. Appropriate behavior of the student towards others, the patients, and towards the multi-professional staff at the place of their training, and their contribution in the learning atmosphere.
 

Requirements common to Track A   

Final exam for the master’s degree   

The exam is based on the thesis and the  bibliography on which this was based.    
   
Thesis guidelines   

See School of Graduate Studies Rules and Regulations in the introductory chapter.   
    

Clinical criminology program   

Concluding exam for the master’s degree   

The clinical criminology program has a concluding exam for the master’s degree comprising an integrative summary of two clinical interviews based on all the material taught in the program.   

    

Research proposals are to be submitted by the end of the first year of study   
and no later than the end of the fall semester of the second year.   
    

Requirements common to both tracks (Track A and Track B) in all programs   

Jewish studies   

As per general requirements for the master's degree (see introductory chapter).   

Language proficiency   

English at the master’s degree level   
(details on placement tests, course levels and exemption eligibility criteria – see introductory chapter).   
    

Criteria for transitioning to the second year of study   

A minimum average grade of 80 for all first year courses.   

A recommendation by the practicum advisor (in the clinical criminology program).   

A positive evaluation of the student by instructors.   

Meeting ethical standards demanded of students and/or therapists.   

    

PhD   

Admission criteria   

Candidates with a minimum of 85 in their master’s degree thesis may apply for the Ph.D. program in criminology.   

 **Applicants to the Ph.D. program in the Department of Criminology should submit via email   
the following relevant supporting material:   

  1. CV   

  1. Transcripts (bachelor's and master’s degree)   

  1. A document describing the central idea of the research topic   

  1. A letter of consent by the advisor   

  1. Two letters of recommendation on the structured recommendation form. Letters of recommendation are to be sent by the referees directly to the department office (the form is available on the department website).   

  1. Any other material deemed relevant.   

 Upon receipt of the material the departmental committee will review the request; applicants who receive a positive response may apply to the School of Graduate Studies.   

The departmental graduate degree committee does not guarantee admission to all applicants even if they meet the minimum requirements.   

The final decision on admission of a student is under the authority of the School of Graduate Studies, as specified in the information handbook.      

Areas of specialization   

  1. Violence in the family   

  1. Moral judgment   

  1. Addiction   

  1. Juvenile delinquency   

  1. Personality and delinquency   

  1. Impulsivity and sensation seeking   

  1. Victimhood and victimology   

  1. Crime and social deviance   

  1. Violence in the family   

  1. Risk-taking behavior and sensation seeking   

  1. Psychosocial perspectives of prevention (risky behaviors, with an emphasis on addiction)   

  1. Prison, prisoners and prisoner rehabilitation   

  1. Punishment of criminals   

  1. Rehabilitation   

  1. Law and psychology   

  1. Exposing lies and deception   

  1. Interrogation in criminal investigations   

  1. Decision-making in criminal procedure   

    

For further details   

contact the department by phone at 03-5318221/8241 or via email   
or visit the Department of Criminology website   

    

  

 

 

Last Updated Date : 10/04/2024