Master's Degree

M.A. Programs

There are currently 2 MA programs. Each program aims to specialize and educate in its own field focusing on the interplay between theory and application 

Criminology Program

 Criminal Investigative Interviewing Track:

This program offers the opportunity of a specific specialization in investigative interviewing. The studies provide in-depth theoretical and applied knowledge regarding information elicitation and information evaluation, the two main components of investigative interviewing. As part of it, students are exposed to up-to-date, evidence-based tools and techniques for collecting and assessing information in the interview of suspects, complainants, witnesses and victims, as well as for detecting deception and profiling applications. The studies also provide the theoretical basis of the areas of knowledge that underlie the components of the interview, such as personality, applied memory, and decision-making processes. The program is suitable for both applicants who wish to conduct research in the field and those who actually engage in frontal interviewing in the police and other security bodies, as well as in the public and private sectors.

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.  

Clinical Criminology Program

Clinical Criminology is a discipline which is recognized by the Ministry of Health. It has expanded out from the confines of the clinics of the prison services to become part of various health and rehabilitation institutions. The main characteristic of Clinical Criminology is to be found in the inter-relations between the mental health, the legal, the penal and social rehabilitation systems. Clinical criminology focuses on diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation for offenders, victims and people who suffer from mental and personality disorders or who have risky behaviors.

The studies combine criminological, psychological and psychiatric perspectives by training the student in subjects such as: clinical examination and diagnosis, risk assessments, psychopathology, approaches  to treatment, and forensic aspects. The studies include field work in hospitals, in clinics, and in various other treatment and rehabilitation institutions.

Victimology Track:

Victimology (the study of victims of crime) is a field of criminology in which interest has been growing during the past few decades across the globe. Studies in "Victimology" as a major in the clinical criminology program, provide students with a comprehensive and in-depth knowledge which combines theory, research, practice, and experience in the field. The victimology track will enable both academic studies of the field, as well as applying scientific knowledge through providing services to victims of crimes such as murder (of relatives), rape, spousal violence and abuse, abuse of the elderly, and child abuse. In addition, this track offers students exposure to cutting-edge knowledge in human behavioral science, to develop knowledge of crisis response and to learn about crime and its effects on victims in the criminal justice system.

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 training will enable the provision of an adapted and effective therapeutic response to victims of violence of any kind (physical, sexual violence, inside and outside the family, political violence - terrorism) while also referring to the treatment of victims throughout the criminal process. Thus, the students will conduct a special practicum in options such as victim crisis units, victim advocacy centers, and women's shelters.

In this way, the training will also contribute to a sensitive, respectful, and benevolent Israeli society