Programme:

Criminalistics and Security (2025/2026)

Study Cycle:	Second Cycle (Postgraduate)
Faculty:	Law

Programme Code:	CS60
Academic year:	2023 / 2024
Title:	Master of Criminalistics and Security
ECTS:	60 (1 year) Accrediation
Decision:	Decision for starting of the program

The goal of the second-cycle (master) study program in Criminalistics and Security is to prepare students for a successful career in the police service and other state administration bodies. Through the courses offered in this program, students will have the opportunity to:
• Acquire advanced theoretical knowledge and develop professional skills to solve complex security challenges;
• Gain insights and understanding of the functioning of the judiciary system and law enforcement agencies;
• Obtain in-depth knowledge in forensic science.
The program provides a deep theoretical approach to courses combined with unique practical training in the Forensic Laboratory at the Law Faculty of the South East European University, where students gain practical experience in forensic analysis. In the laboratory, students actively participate in various practical activities in the field of forensic science, such as examining biological traces, rapid drug testing, simulating crime scene inspections, dactyloscopy, and applying other forensic techniques. Through these exercises, students develop advanced skills in forensic analysis and investigative activities, which are essential for their future employment and contribution to combating crime and maintaining justice. Additionally, the program prepares students for research work in the field of Criminalistics and Security sciences, opening a pathway to an academic career.

Graduates of the Master's program in Criminalistics and Security Studies are equipped with advanced knowledge and practical skills that open doors to a variety of career opportunities in both the public and private sectors. They can pursue careers in law enforcement agencies, security firms, intelligence agencies, and governmental organizations dealing with crime prevention and combat and national security. Additionally, opportunities exist in forensic science labs, private investigation services, legal consulting, risk management, and cybersecurity firms. Graduates may also find roles in international organizations focusing on criminal justice, human rights, and transnational crime. With expertise in criminal behavior analysis, crime scene investigation, and security management, they are well-prepared to tackle complex challenges in the evolving field of criminal justice and security.

Knowledge and understanding

- Has advanced theoretical knowledge and practical understanding of national security system and reproduces knowledge about goals and safety standards;
- Has knowledge and insights on specific measures and preventive and repressive actions of the security in the context of crisis management situations and priorities in the field of security;
- Possesses a detailed knowledge of understanding and acceptance of basic principles of professional ethics in the field of security;
- Has a specific understanding on technologies and methodologies of research in the field of security;

Applying knowledge and understanding

- Identifies and implements policies, procedures and safety rules in the field;
- Identifies and analyses the most complex issues in the field of security, taking part actively in all phases of the implementation of policies, procedures and decisions in the field of security and the establishment of safety standards in organizations and institutions in the field security;
- Interprets and discusses contemporary issues related to complex risks, challenges and threats to security;
- Formulates plans, reports and strategic documents in the field of crisis management situations and to use techniques and control mechanisms of safety standards;
- Applies knowledge gained through the research process of solving complex and practical issues of security;

Making judgement

- Makes decisions for solving the most complex cases through research to create practical policies, procedures and decisions in the security field;
- Evaluates and differentiates safety standards organizations and institutions in the security field;
- Has advanced critical thinking by applying the method of analysis and comparison;

Communication skills

- Utilizes proper terminology for complex and specific issues in the area of security system.
- Actively engages in scientific argumentation and debate.
- Utilizes the official languages of the University as well as more advanced computer skills in the research work.

Learning skills

- Develops a research work policy that is used in his/her profession.
- Creates a practice of lifelong learning and service through being involved in training persons that work in the state institutions of crime prevention.

Semester 1

[MCCR2040] [6 ECTS] Criminalistics
The main goal of this course is for students to learn the basics of Criminalistics as an independent science and acquire advanced knowledge about the science of crime detection and proving. The study of this course focuses on the fundamental principles of Criminalistics, its methods, and its main branches, such as Criminalistic Techniques, Tactics, and Methodology. Through this course, students will be trained to identify and analyze problems related to this science. Students will gain knowledge related to Traceology, Dactyloscopy, Ballistics, and Forensic Recording Techniques. Additionally, they will acquire both theoretical and practical knowledge regarding investigative tactical activities, operational activities, and the methodology for detecting different forms of criminality.
[MCSS2030] [6 ECTS] Police Law
Through this course, students will acquire knowledge about the organization of the police, police powers, the rights and obligations arising from the employment relationship of police officers in the Ministry of Interior, in accordance with the positive national and international legal framework. The goals of the course program are that students will: • Acquire basic knowledge about police law, sources of police law, legal framework, police powers, and the internal organization of the police in the Republic of North Macedonia; • Have detailed knowledge of police law in the Republic of North Macedonia as well as comparative knowledge of police law in other countries; • Develop critical thinking skills; • Be able to conduct analysis and research on specific concepts and events relevant to police law; • Be capable of presenting research results, working in teams, and engaging in debates; • Be able to apply theory to practical cases in real life.
[CM253] [6 ECTS] Applied Criminal Law
By studying the subject of Applied Criminal Law, the student will become familiar with criminal institutes and norms, as well as the principles upon which criminal law is based. Criminal law, as a branch of positive law, represents a system of norms by which certain human behaviors are declared as criminal offenses, penalties and other sanctions are prescribed by the state for these offenses, and the conditions and methods for their application are determined.
[MCCR3020] [6 ECTS] Organized Crime
The goal of this course is for students to acquire scientific and in-depth knowledge about organized crime as a legal-criminal science. The course of studying organized crime as a new scientific discipline is the emergence and development of organized crime itself. The areas of study of organized crime include the emergence, forms, causes, and consequences of organized crime, as well as societal and state regulations as means of combating organized crime. Through this course, students will become familiar with the significance, subject, and methodology of the science of organized crime. They will distinguish between different theories on organized crime and its causes, as well as the criminal form and typology. They will also learn about the criminological aspects of organized crime, as well as the etiology or causes of organized crime.
[6 ECTS] Elective Course
- [MCCR1040] Criminology
  The goal of this course is to study the phenomenology and etiology of crime. Within this course, the forms of the emergence of crime, its dynamics, structure, as well as the causes influencing its appearance will be studied. External, micro-group, and internal risk factors of crime will be examined
- [MCCR2010] Penology
  The goal of this course is to introduce students to penology as the science of executing criminal sanctions. A particular challenge in dealing with crime is its prevention and control policies. This course will especially focus on the types of criminal sanctions and the methods of their execution, the organization of prisons and other institutions for the rehabilitation of prisoners, and the methods for their reintegration into society.
- [CM159] Juvenile Delinquency
  The goal of this course is for students to gain knowledge in criminal law regarding children by studying it as a legal-criminal discipline and as a positive branch of law within the legal-criminal system of the country. Through the study of the national positive legislation that regulates the legal-criminal treatment of minors and the international legislation, students will gain knowledge regarding: • The categorization of children according to the Law on Justice for Children; • The rights of children and the principles of criminal justice for children; • Administrative and criminal sanctions for children; • Criminal procedure regarding children; • Prevention of juvenile delinquency; • The phenomenology and etiology of this phenomenon, as well as a comparative study of juvenile justice; • Study of international legislation regulating juvenile justice.
- [EMMS3030] Computer Crime
  In this course, students will gain advanced knowledge about computer crime, as well as awareness of the latest forms of criminal acts committed through computers and internet networks, as well as modern methods for preventing such crimes that are increasingly developing in today's digital societies. Criminal acts such as computer fraud, software forgery, and other forms of internet abuse for criminal purposes will be studied. The course will analyze domestic legislation, which has recently been reformed, and students will also gain insights into global standards and trends in this field.
- [EM513] Economic Crime
  The goal of this course is to introduce students to economic crime from both a criminological and criminal law perspective. Acquiring this knowledge will help students gain a solid overview of this type of crime, its impact on economic and political stability, the well-being of society, the factors influencing this type of crime, the forms of its occurrence, the methods of its execution, the characteristics of the perpetrators, as well as methods for preventing and combating this type of crime, etc. With this knowledge, students after graduation, are potential candidates for employment in institutions that directly or indirectly fight against this type of crime, will be much better equipped to face and address it when performing daily tasks in the field of economic-financial crime.

Semester 2

[MCCR1120] [6 ECTS] Research Methodology
Students will be trained to: • Apply the main legal and other research methods. To critically and creatively gather research material that is relevant and selectively cited by authors in their responses. • Understand the scope of the research process and the approach to different scientific research methods, and be able to critique them. • Study the relationship between legal theory and research practice through an advanced approach. • Apply the skills and knowledge they have acquired through their theses. • Avoid plagiarism. • Have advanced knowledge of research methods in legal sciences as well as citation standards.
[CM296] [24 ECTS] Master Thesis
After passing the exams, the student can begin the procedure of presenting, writing and public defending the master's thesis. The student chooses the mentor, who gives him/her instructions for preparation of the application of master theses. The application must be approved by the Teaching and Scientific Council of the Faculty. After the final version of the Master's thesis is prepared, the Teaching and Scientific Council of the Faculty establishes a three-member commission, which prepares a report, which either accepts or rejects the Master's thesis. The positive report is approved by the Teaching and Scientific Council of the Faculty and the date of the public defense is set.