Andreas Schwinkendorf is a second-year student of Criminology and Police Science. He is pursuing the Master of Arts degree.
What made you choose this degree programme?
I was looking forward to the interdisciplinary character of the degree programme, as advertised in its profile. Moreover, I have been interested in the subject matters covered in it.
In which respect have or haven’t your expectations been fulfilled?
In terms of the degree programme's interdisciplinary character, my expectations have been more than met. Moreover, the subject matters covered have helped me understand many interconnections and to learn how to think in a more reflected and critical manner. The blended learning system is perfectly suited for a degree programme that is conducted whilst working full time. Thanks to its audio-visual character, it truly stands out among other distance-learning degrees. I can't really say that my expectations have not been met in some regard – at least not in any relevant regard.
Which aspect of your degree programme do you enjoy most?
The daily challenge of approaching current topics from a scientific point of view. Learning to think outside the box and being able to join the debate on “controversial” subjects in a well-founded and measured manner.
What has been your biggest challenge to date?
The occasionally tight schedule posed a great challenge indeed. With the right time management, however - which you will by the way learn all over again in the course of the degree programme - that challenge became manageable.
What would you like to become after completing your degree?
Seeing as the reason I enrolled in this degree programme was, first and foremost, my wish to broaden my horizons, I cannot really provide an answer to this question. I am very open with regard to a future career. I do believe, though, that the degree will open some doors that would have otherwise remained closed.
Which advice would you like to give to students who consider enrolling in this degree programme?
You should be aware from the outset that the workload is indeed very high and that you will be conducting the degree programme whilst simultaneously working full-time. You should definitely commit yourself to the recommended two hours revision per day. People who aren't sure that they'll be able to cope with this dual workload over the period of two years should not embark on it.
Sina Wolf is a second-year student of Criminology and Police Science. She is pursuing the Master of Arts degree.
What made you choose this degree programme?
In order to broaden and strengthen the criminology expertise I'd acquired in the course of my first degree programme (Law) and in order to make good use of my maternity leave by acquiring additional qualifications in my profession. These additional qualifications will, I hope, improve my chances in the labour market.
In which respect have or haven’t your expectations been fulfilled?
Flexible time management was a good thing about the web-based distance-learning degree, allowing me to reconcile the degree programme with other duties. The tutors were very understanding and available at all times and provided competent and friendly answers per email, all of which was positively registered. The residential sessions were very interesting and diversified, and they gave us ample opportunity to interact with each other and with the teaching staff. Everybody was invited to contribute their practical experience in a creative manner, which resulted in very interesting lectures. Written exams and oral presentations were manageable and the grades were fair. In my case, however, the recommended study time of 15 hours often wasn't sufficient and I kept exceeding it. This might depend of your demands on yourself, though. I think that, in order to do the degree programme properly, you need more time. The required syllabus was sometimes quite overwhelming.
Which aspect of your degree programme do you enjoy most?
The residential sessions were always a great experience. Also, being able to listen to and to pause lectures whenever you wanted to at all times day and night seemed almost extravagant when compared to the overcrowded lecture halls.
What has been your biggest challenge to date?
The sociology texts drove me to the verge of madness. As did international police science (laughs).
What would you like to become after completing your degree?
I would like to get a job in the fields of penal law, penal systems, criminal justice or in academia.
Which advice would you like to give to students who consider enrolling in this degree programme?
To me, the most important aspect about this degree programme was forging friendships and working in teams. Thus, we were able to exchange opinions any time, split up texts, if required, and exchange summaries that were very helpful in furthering our understanding of the interconnections and of the big picture. The social scientists among us were able to explain and elaborate certain questions to the policemen much better, and vice versa. By working in such teams, we could always rely on mutual support, boost our own motivation - and also have a lot of fun. With diligence, stamina, interest and commitment, the degree programme is well manageable and it definitely provides valuable insights.
Simon Kirsch is a second-year student of Criminology and Police Science. He is pursuing the Master of Arts degree.
What made you choose this degree programme?
In order to better understand criminality, its origins and processes.
In which respect have or haven’t your expectations been fulfilled?
My expectations have been fully met, my interest in the subject matter has even increased. In terms of contents, the degree programme provides very application-oriented training – as should be expected, considering the subject matter.
Which aspect of your degree programme do you enjoy most?
Its practical relevance as well as the collaboration with a well organised and structured management body. Also, the student group has provided highly valuable insights relevant for the individual expertise and development thanks to the participants' diverse professional backgrounds and experiences.
What has been your biggest challenge to date?
Reconciling job and studies. In this respect, the official study plan is a great help, but you still should have your own time management worked out.
What would you like to become after completing your degree?
This degree does not offer a direct career path, but the acquired skills and knowledge can be applied in many different fields. As far as I'm concerned, I want the degree to help me in the performance of my duties. Later, it is supposed to provide the foundation for further specialisation (e.g. in white-collar crime).
Which advice would you like to give to students who consider enrolling in this degree programme?
Anybody who is interested in an application-oriented qualification and likes the idea of studying together with like-minded people from various professional backgrounds will find this degree programme suitable. However, everyone must be aware that a distance-learning course/a degree conducted whilst working full-time requires high levels of discipline and self-motivation.
Stefanie Keller studied Criminology and Police Science whilst working full time and completed her Master of Arts degree.
What made you choose this degree programme?
Because I've always found police work interesting (at school, I completed my internship with the police), and because, in my job as a special education teacher at a special-needs school in Baden-Württemberg, I encounter deviant and delinquent behaviour again and again and have to deal with police youth workers a lot. Therefore, I would like to learn more about deviant behaviour, juvenile delinquency, its causes, and the way juvenile court procedures are conducted etc.
In which respect have or haven’t your expectations been fulfilled?
My expectations regarding the interaction with my fellow students from other professional backgrounds and the discussion of issues from many different perspectives have been met. After a while, I began to understand why the police force works the way it does and why certain problems may occur in other professions. Personally, I was a bit disappointed that not much attention was paid to the issue of juvenile delinquency as well as juveniles in general.
Which aspect of your degree programme do you enjoy most?
The residential sessions were the most fun, as they gave us the opportunity to converse – on studies-related and private matters – with our fellow students. Also, some lecturers provided very interesting modules.
What has been your biggest challenge to date?
Reconciling the workload required in the degree programme with my job and private life.
What would you like to become after completing your degree?
I definitely want to remain in my job as special education teacher and to utilise my newly acquired knowledge in my work at school; I would also like to additionally provide block seminars dealing with the issues of juvenile delinquency, juvenile criminal law und violence prevention at a teacher training college.
Which advice would you like to give to students who consider enrolling in this degree programme?
If possible, cut back in your full-time job, in order to gain one whole week day that you can dedicate to studying - in addition to several hours during the weekend. Thus, you will have more time for your private life on weekends. It is crucial to maintain a high level of discipline right from the start and, whenever possible, to prepare for seminars in advance so that you'll be able to take things easier in your degree programme whenever your full-time job becomes more stressful.
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