Type:
Master
Speciality:
042101.14.7 - Jurisprudence
Specialisation:
042101.14.7 - Criminal Justice and Advocacy
Qualification awarded:
Master’s degree
Programme academic year:
2025/2026
Mode of study:
Full time
Language of study:
Հայերեն
1. Admission criteria/requirements
The admission procedure follows the regulations approved by decision No. 9/2 of the YSU Academic Council on May 26, 2022.
2. Programme Objectives
to provide the student with in-depth, systematic, and comprehensive knowledge of criminal law, criminal procedure, penal law, and judicial practice, developing professional abilities and skills of students to conduct independent studies and research in the specified areas,
.to prepare documents related to the field.
By becoming narrow specialists in criminal justice, the graduates can work in the judicial and prosecutor's systems, investigative bodies, and bar chambers.
.to prepare documents related to the field.
By becoming narrow specialists in criminal justice, the graduates can work in the judicial and prosecutor's systems, investigative bodies, and bar chambers.
3. Educational outcomes of the programme
Upon completion of the course, the student will be able to:
- Present the key issues of criminal law, criminal procedure, and penitentiary law
- Critically evaluate and analyze the institutions and principles of criminal justice
- Explain different methods of legal interpretation and present the related challenges
- Present the fundamental principles of professional legal ethics
- Compare criminal justice institutions in national and international legal systems
- Professional knowledge and understanding
- Ներկայացնել իրավական հետազոտման մեթոդների և փաստաթղթերի մշակման կանոնները և հիմնական սկզբունքները։
- Apply the legal foundations of criminal justice and judicial precedents
- Compare domestic and international criminal justice frameworks with the aim of improving the national legal system
- Analyze and assess the effectiveness of the instruments of criminal procedure and penitentiary legislation
- Draft procedural acts in compliance with the requirements of criminal procedural legislation
- Analyze the materials of criminal proceedings and identify procedural violations
- Develop and present defense positions and strategies based on criminal procedural norms and judicial practice
- Use electronic justice systems, as well as information and digital tools within the criminal justice system
- Apply criminological and procedural methods to substantiate or challenge the legality of evidentiary actions
- Independently manage complex professional or research processes
- Effectively organize time and the necessary resources to solve assigned tasks
- Critically approach the information provided, analyze it, and substantiate one’s position with appropriate arguments
- Comply with the norms of professional ethics
- Continue studies in national and international professional and academic programmes
4. Assessment methods
Courses without final assessment.
Within the framework of each course, the mandatory components for student evaluation are two mid-term exams, 7-9 points, which can be conducted in written or oral form. At least two of the other components are chosen by the teaching professor, they are mid-term exam: 0-8 points, individual work: 0-8 points, and participation: 0-3 points.
● Courses with a final assessment.
Within the framework of each course, the mandatory components for student evaluation are two mid-term exams: 6-8 points and a final exam: 7-9 points. At least one of the other components is chosen by the teaching professor, they are the mid-term check-up: 0 -6 points, individual work: 0-6 points, and participation: 0-3 points.
● Courses without mid-term exam assessment.
The mandatory component for student evaluation within each course is the final exam, 7-9 points. At least two of the other components are chosen by the teaching professor, they are the mid-term check-up: 0-8 points, individual work: 0-8 points, and participation: 0-3 points.
● General courses are evaluated through the final exam.
For the final certification students submit Master’s theses.
Within the framework of each course, the mandatory components for student evaluation are two mid-term exams, 7-9 points, which can be conducted in written or oral form. At least two of the other components are chosen by the teaching professor, they are mid-term exam: 0-8 points, individual work: 0-8 points, and participation: 0-3 points.
● Courses with a final assessment.
Within the framework of each course, the mandatory components for student evaluation are two mid-term exams: 6-8 points and a final exam: 7-9 points. At least one of the other components is chosen by the teaching professor, they are the mid-term check-up: 0 -6 points, individual work: 0-6 points, and participation: 0-3 points.
● Courses without mid-term exam assessment.
The mandatory component for student evaluation within each course is the final exam, 7-9 points. At least two of the other components are chosen by the teaching professor, they are the mid-term check-up: 0-8 points, individual work: 0-8 points, and participation: 0-3 points.
● General courses are evaluated through the final exam.
For the final certification students submit Master’s theses.
5. Graduates future career opportunities
Graduates can practice law, and work in courts, state administration bodies, law enforcement agencies, international organizations, scientific research centers, and public organizations. Graduates can work:
· in the judicial system (judge, assistant judge, experts, specialists in the judicial department),
· in the prosecutor's office (prosecutor, criminal prosecutor, specialist),
· in investigative bodies (investigator),
· in preliminary investigation bodies (investigator, criminalist),
· in penitentiary institutions,
· in law offices (lawyer's assistant, lawyer, legal adviser, etc.),
· in the human rights defender's office as employees,
· in the Ministry of Justice,
· in international organizations (program coordinator-lawyer, legal analyst, etc.),
· in educational and legal research institutes (lawyer-researcher, lawyer-analyst, etc.).
Graduates of the program can continue their studies in the Postgraduate studies of YSU Faculty of Law.
· in the judicial system (judge, assistant judge, experts, specialists in the judicial department),
· in the prosecutor's office (prosecutor, criminal prosecutor, specialist),
· in investigative bodies (investigator),
· in preliminary investigation bodies (investigator, criminalist),
· in penitentiary institutions,
· in law offices (lawyer's assistant, lawyer, legal adviser, etc.),
· in the human rights defender's office as employees,
· in the Ministry of Justice,
· in international organizations (program coordinator-lawyer, legal analyst, etc.),
· in educational and legal research institutes (lawyer-researcher, lawyer-analyst, etc.).
Graduates of the program can continue their studies in the Postgraduate studies of YSU Faculty of Law.
6. Resources and forms to support learning
The following auxiliary resources are used in the learning process:
· A computer hall equipped with computers and software,
· electronic resources.
· A computer hall equipped with computers and software,
· electronic resources.
7. Educational standards or programme benchmarks used for programme development
RA National Framework of Qualifications, March 31, 2011, N 332-Ն
· Requirements and guidelines for the Master's program in Criminal Law and Procedure at Stanford, Kent, Nottingham, and Sussex universities.
· Requirements and guidelines for the Master's program in Criminal Law and Procedure at Stanford, Kent, Nottingham, and Sussex universities.
8. Requirements for the academic staff
Teaching/Pedagogical
· skill in making a coursework plan,
Knowledge of interactive teaching methods, and ability to use active learning techniques.
Research
· ability to work with various scientific sources, as well as to use Internet information resources,
· knowledge of research methods, skill in their application,
· ability to lead a research group.
Communication
· ability to communicate orally with the audience,
· ability to present research results in writing,
. knowledge of a foreign language
ICT application
· basic computer skills (fluent command of MS Office package: Word, Excel, Power-Point, Moodle),
Other abilities
· ability to estimate the necessary resources and implement projects effectively,
· Ability to plan and manage time resources.
1. Professional Abilities
· ability to master criminal justice legislation,
· ability to interpret provisions of criminal law or criminal procedure theory,
· ability to identify the content and essence of international documents related to the field,
· Ability to interpret the case law of the RA Constitutional Court, the RA Court of Cassation, and the European Court,
· ability to identify gaps, weaknesses, and strengths in legislation and practice.
2. General requirements
Academic degree
· a degree in law, or, in some cases, a Master's degree in a given specialty at a foreign university,
· availability of at least 3 scientific and/or methodological publications in the last 5 years,
· at least 3 participations in conferences and/or workshops in the last 5 years.
Pedagogical experience
· at least 3 years of experience in teaching and/or training (trainings) of professional courses,
· participation in local or international trainings and/or professional qualification improvement courses during the last 5 years,
Practical experience
· at least 5 years of work experience in the law enforcement, legal, or judicial system: investigator, prosecutor, lawyer, judge, legal advisor.
Other requirements
· teaching portfolio: availability of online materials for at least 50% of taught subjects,
· the average grades obtained by the results of the student survey: at least 4.0 (for teaching professors).
· skill in making a coursework plan,
Knowledge of interactive teaching methods, and ability to use active learning techniques.
Research
· ability to work with various scientific sources, as well as to use Internet information resources,
· knowledge of research methods, skill in their application,
· ability to lead a research group.
Communication
· ability to communicate orally with the audience,
· ability to present research results in writing,
. knowledge of a foreign language
ICT application
· basic computer skills (fluent command of MS Office package: Word, Excel, Power-Point, Moodle),
Other abilities
· ability to estimate the necessary resources and implement projects effectively,
· Ability to plan and manage time resources.
1. Professional Abilities
· ability to master criminal justice legislation,
· ability to interpret provisions of criminal law or criminal procedure theory,
· ability to identify the content and essence of international documents related to the field,
· Ability to interpret the case law of the RA Constitutional Court, the RA Court of Cassation, and the European Court,
· ability to identify gaps, weaknesses, and strengths in legislation and practice.
2. General requirements
Academic degree
· a degree in law, or, in some cases, a Master's degree in a given specialty at a foreign university,
· availability of at least 3 scientific and/or methodological publications in the last 5 years,
· at least 3 participations in conferences and/or workshops in the last 5 years.
Pedagogical experience
· at least 3 years of experience in teaching and/or training (trainings) of professional courses,
· participation in local or international trainings and/or professional qualification improvement courses during the last 5 years,
Practical experience
· at least 5 years of work experience in the law enforcement, legal, or judicial system: investigator, prosecutor, lawyer, judge, legal advisor.
Other requirements
· teaching portfolio: availability of online materials for at least 50% of taught subjects,
· the average grades obtained by the results of the student survey: at least 4.0 (for teaching professors).
9. Additional information about the programme
The program specification provides a brief description of the main characteristics of the program and the learning outcomes expected to be achieved if a student takes full advantage of the learning opportunities provided by the program.
