Umeå University is establishing Police Science as a new doctoral subject, becoming the first university in the Nordic region to offer doctoral studies in the field. The programme includes coursework and a doctoral dissertation, with a focus on developing your theoretical and methodological expertise as well as your ability to conduct practice-oriented research.
Research in Police Science
Police Science is the academic study of the public authority and powers granted to various actors with the aim of achieving order, safety, and security in society. The subject includes research related to both public and private actors, such as the police authority, customs service, economic crime authority, and companies in the security industry. The programme aims to educate independent and critical researchers with broad theoretical and methodological competence, a solid understanding of the interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary nature of the subject, and the ability to carry out and lead research projects.
Content and Structure
Doctoral education in Police Science concludes with either a doctoral degree or a licentiate degree. Education leading to a doctoral degree consists of four years of full-time study and includes 75 credits of coursework and a doctoral thesis worth 165 credits. The doctoral candidate presents their thesis work on at least three occasions: a planning seminar, a mid-term seminar, and a final seminar. Each doctoral candidate will have a principal supervisor and at least one assistant supervisor. All supervisors hold a doctoral degree, the principal supervisor has the qualifications of associate professor or professor, and has completed training in doctoral supervision.
Become a Doctoral Candidate at the Unit of Police Work
The primary target group for the doctoral programme is students with academic credits in Police Science or Police Work. To meet the specific entry requirements for doctoral education in Police Science, applicants must have at least 90 credits in Police Science or Police Work, or hold a master’s degree in Police Science or Police Work.
