Students participating in George Mason University's Hooligans and Homicide study abroad program are being offered a unique educational opportunity. Permission has been obtained for participation in police ride-a-longs within four different agencies in the United Kingdom and Ireland. The ride-a-longs permit the student to witness first-hand day-to-day law enforcement operation in a foreign country.
Examples of community relations, extremist group interaction, terrorism prevention and criminal investigations will be afforded to the student in the learning experience that opens up a comparison and contrasting view of police work in two different countries.
Program Highlights
- Witness day-to-day police operations in major cities in the United Kingdom and Ireland.
- Take part in training exercises used to enhance law enforcement operations.
- Participate in intelligence and terrorism briefings that improve police response to increased extremist threats.
- Educational tours including the National Justice Museum and the Glasgow/Edinburgh Police Museum.
Eligibility
Undergraduate students only. Minimum 2.25 GPA.
Prerequisite coursework:
CRIM 401: Policing in America and/or CRIM 312: Intelligence Analysis Techniques OR instructor permission.
Credits
Students will choose one 6-credit course or two 3-credit courses during the application process.
Course Options
- CRIM 485: Study Abroad (3 or 6 credits)
- CRIM 490: Special Topics (3 or 6 credits)
Program Dates
May 30, 2021 - June 26, 2021
Itinerary
| Day 1 - Arrive independently in Edinburgh, Scotland |
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| Day 2 - Morning presentation at the St. Leonard's Street Station | afternoon walking tour of Royal Mile and Edinburgh Castle |
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| Day 3 - Morning visits at Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service | afternoon: students conduct research |
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| Day 4 - Presentation at University of Edinburgh, Napier Campus |
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| Day 5 - Travel from Edinburgh to Dumfries, Scotland | brief meeting with Police Scotland at memorial site | afternoon: students conduct research |
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| Day 6 - Presentation of Lockerbie Air Disaster and tour of Lockerbie | afternoon: students conduct research |
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| Day 7 - morning Tour of Dumfries prison | afternoon attendance at Scottish Rally (tentative) |
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| Day 8 - Travel from, Dumfries to Belfast, Northern Ireland |
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| Day 9 - Presentation at PSNI Headquarters | afternoon walking tour of Belfast led by Laurence Mckeown. |
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| Day 10 - Lecture by university staff at University of Ulster |
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| Day 11 - Travel from Dumfries to Dublin, Ireland |
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| Day 12 - Presentation and tour of Ballymun Garda Station |
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| Day 13 - Tour of criminal courts building including a question and answer time with sitting judges | afternoon travel from Dublin to Liverpool, England |
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| Day 14 to 15 - Free day in Liverpool |
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| Day 16 to 19 - Visits with Merseyside Police |
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| Day 20 - Travel from Liverpool to Lincolnshire, England, by way of Nottingham, England | Tour of National Justice Museum |
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| Day 21 - Free day in Lincolnshire |
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| Day 22 to 25 - Visits with Lincolnshire Police |
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| Day 26 - Travel from Lincolnshire to London, England |
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| Day 27 - Walking tour of London and Jack the Ripper tour |
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| Day 28 - Depart to the US |
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* Dates and itinerary subject to change. The Global Education Office reserves the right to make changes to a program in light of currency fluctuations, changing security and safety conditions, and/or any other unforeseen circumstances.
Program Cost
Summer 2021: Coming Soon!
The Program Cost for study abroad courses is assessed separately from Mason tuition and fees. This means separate charges will be put on your student account for this course, including a study abroad tuition charge and a study abroad program fee charge which together equals the published Program Cost for this course.
Included: Tuition for 6 credits, accommodations, entrance fees/tours/guides as described in itinerary, some breakfasts, some group meals, in-country transportation, international emergency medical insurance.
Not included: Airfare*, passport and visa fees, some meals, some transportation, personal spending, required textbooks and/or course materials.
*Note: This program does not include a group flight. Information regarding arrival times and location will be sent out to all participants after the application deadline. Do not purchase airfare until you receive the "Green Light for Flights" notice from the Global Education Office via email. The notice will include information on the arrival/departure airports, flight times, and where to meet the group. Students who fail to follow the guidelines GEO sends out will be responsible for applicable costs of changing their flights.
When the time comes to purchase airfare, GEO will be recommending the purchase of Flight Interruption and Cancellation Insurance. The “Green Light for Flights” email will provide additional information about this insurance.
Program Payments
Students on MasonGEO programs must pay the advertised program cost in order to participate. This cost will be made in three payments (Deposit + First Payment + Final Payment). Students using financial aid can provide additional paperwork in lieu of deposit and final balance payments.
Application Deposit: A non-refundable program deposit $200 must be received by the application deadline. This fee is paid online through the MasonAbroad application system and is included in the program fee.
First Payment: A non-refundable payment of $1000 must be received by March 20, 2021. This fee is paid online through the MasonAbroad application system and is included in the program fee. Students who are using financial aid may have this payment deadline extended. See "Financial Aid" information below.
In the event that a student’s financial aid or VA Benefits is estimated to cover the entire costs of the study abroad program, the entire charge will be posted to their student account, since that is where the aid will be applied. In this case students do not pay their first payment through MasonAbroad. However students must submit their “Intent to Use Financial Aid” form by the first deposit deadline.
Final Payment: The final balance payment is due by April 10, 2021. This is the difference of your Program Cost minus the $1200 you've already paid (Deposit + First Payment). Students who are using financial aid may have this payment deadline extended. See "Financial Aid" information below.
Financial Aid and VA Benefits: Students who intend to use financial aid or VA benefits to fund their program fees (partially or in full) must have the "Intent to Use Financial Aid" or "Intent to Use VA Benefits Form" completed and on file with the Global Education Office by the First Payment deadline. The "Intent to Use Financial Aid" form is available in the MasonAbroad application system once you have started your application for this program. If you are using VA Benefits please contact your program officer to request the "Intent to Use VA Benefits Form."
* Students must be enrolled at least half-time for federal loans and the majority of grant funds. Please refer to the Financial Aid Website for a definition of half-time for undergraduate and graduate students: https://www2.gmu.edu/admissions-aid/financial-aid/eligibility.
Withdrawal and Refund Policy: All participants are bound by the Mason GEO Withdrawal and Refund Policy.
Payment Instructions
For more information on payments, financial aid, and information for non-Mason students:
Payments
Scholarships
GEO offers a number of need- and merit-based scholarships. All Mason students are welcome to apply:
Scholarships
Application Deadline:
March 10, 2021
Application requirements:*
Program Deposit: $200 for all applicants.
Course Selection Questionnaire: You will choose the course(s) you would like to be receive credit for on this program. Check the "Academics" tab to see what courses are offered on this program. If you need help selecting your course, check with your academic advisor.
Passport Status Questionnaire: You do not need a passport to complete this questionnaire or the application. However, if you do not have a valid passport, you should begin applying for one now. The Global Education Office offers Passport Grants to help.
Signature Documents: Read and electronically "sign" the documents regarding the acknowledgement of risk, the pre-departure orientation, and your financial responsibility.
Intent to Use Financial Aid Form: For Mason students only. If you use financial aid, this form must be completed by your financial aid counselor and submitted by the 1st payment deadline.
Additional requirements for non-Mason applicants:
Official transcript: To be mailed or emailed to the Global Education Office at George Mason University.
Non-degree Contract Course/Admission Form: Please complete the form and upload it into the questionnaire.
* Additional application requirements may apply to individual programs. Once you open your application, you will see all application requirements.
Application instructions: