Face-to-Face (maximum of up to 25% online courses)
Mode(s) of Study
Full-Time / Part-Time
Master of Science
Duration1 year
No. of Credits30
Master of Science
Duration2 years
No. of Credits30
Master of Science
Duration3 years
No. of Credits30
Mission
The mission of the Master of Science in Financial Crime program is to develop strategic, interdisciplinary, and ethical leaders capable of confronting the evolving challenges of financial crime. Through rigorous academic instruction, applied research, and real-world case analysis, the program prepares graduates to contribute to national and global efforts in financial crime prevention, regulation, investigation, and compliance.
This program is a crucial KPI of the National AML/CFT Strategy 2024/2027 that has been approved by UAE Cabinet on 2 September 2024 following ratification by the Higher Committee Overseeing National Strategy on AML/CFT (chaired by His Highness Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan)1 and is aligned with Rabdan Academy’s offerings in the Safety, Security, Defence, Emergency Preparedness and Crisis Management (SSDEC) sectors. The program reinforces the UAE’s vision for resilient, knowledge-based security leadership in both public and private sectors.
Description
The mission of the Master of Science in Financial Crime program is to develop strategic, interdisciplinary, and ethical leaders capable of confronting the evolving challenges of financial crime.
Educational Objectives
Demonstrate leadership in financial crime prevention, investigation, compliance, and regulation across public, private, and international institutions.
Integrate knowledge from law, finance, technology, and criminology to assess and solve complex financial crime issues.
Uphold the highest standards of ethics, integrity, and regulatory compliance in all professional activities related to financial crime.
Pursue advanced research or professional development opportunities, contributing to innovation and thought leadership in the evolving field of financial crime.
Support the strategic objectives of national and international security frameworks by mitigating risks associated with terrorism financing, proliferation, and illicit financial flows.
Learning Outcomes
The Program Learning Outcomes (PLOs) support the educational objectives, per the table, and are mapped to level 7 of the QFE Strand Descriptors. The PLOs for this proposed program are listed below. On successful completion of this program, the graduate will:
Critical Thinking and Analysis: Demonstrate advanced theoretical and practical knowledge to resolve complex financial crime issues.
Investigative Proficiency: Conduct financial crime investigations through advanced data analytics skills in fraud detection and reporting.
Compliance and Regulatory Expertise: Evaluate regulatory and compliance frameworks, such as the FATF 40 recommendations, to mitigate risks in financial crime effectively.
Strategic Countermeasures: Develop strategies for countering terrorism financing and proliferation finance based on evidence and case analysis
Virtual Assets and Emerging Threats: Evaluate and propose solutions for challenges related to DNFBPs, virtual assets and other emerging risks in financial crime.
Research and Innovation: Design and conduct original research that contributes to the academic and practical knowledge of financial crime prevention and management.
Thesis Option
Number of Credits per Component
Component
Course Count
Credit Total
% of Total
Core
7
21
70%
Thesis
2
9
30%
Totals
9
30
100%
Non Thesis Option
Number of Credits per Component
Component
Course Count
Credit Total
% of Total
Core
8
24
80%
Elective
2
6
20%
Totals
10
30
100%
Online Courses
Program Courses that are approved for Optional Online Delivery
Course Code
Course Title
FIN500
Financial Crime
FIN505
Financial Crime Investigations
FIN510
Financial Compliance and Regulatory Frameworks
FIN515
Proliferation Finance and Sanctions
FIN520
Terrorism Financing
FIN525
Emerging Threats, Virtual Assets and Financial Crime
FIN530
Ethics and Governance in Financial Crime Prevention
SEC590
Research Project
Research Courses
Course Code
Course Title
Credits
SEC580
Research Methods
3
SEC595
Thesis
3
Total
6
Elective Courses
Course Code
Course Title
Credits
FIN535
White Collar Crime and Corporate Fraud
3
FIN540
Cybercrime and Digital Fraud
3
FIN545
Financial Crime Risk Management and Compliance Strategy
3
MIA560
Global Terrorism
3
PAS530
Criminal Intelligence
3
PAS535
Transnational Organised Crime
3
Total
18
Study Plan:Ideal Accelerated Full-Time Study - Thesis
Code
Name
Credits
PreReq
FIN500
Financial Crime
3
FIN505
Financial Crime Investigations
3
FIN510
Financial Compliance and Regulatory Frameworks
3
FIN515
Proliferation Finance and Sanctions
3
Code
Name
Credits
PreReq
FIN520
Terrorism Financing
3
FIN525
Emerging Threats, Virtual Assets and Financial Crime
3
FIN530
Ethics and Governance in Financial Crime Prevention
3
Code
Name
Credits
PreReq
SEC580
Research Methods
3
MIA500
Code
Name
Credits
PreReq
SEC595
Thesis
3
SEC580
Study Plan:Ideal Accelerated Full-Time Study – Non-Thesis
Code
Name
Credits
PreReq
FIN500
Financial Crime
3
FIN505
Financial Crime Investigations
3
FIN510
Financial Compliance and Regulatory Frameworks
3
FIN515
Proliferation Finance and Sanctions
3
Code
Name
Credits
PreReq
FIN520
Terrorism Financing
3
FIN525
Emerging Threats, Virtual Assets and Financial Crime
3
FIN530
Ethics and Governance in Financial Crime Prevention
3
Code
Name
Credits
PreReq
SEC590
Research Project
3
Elective
Elective
3
Study Plan:Ideal Full-Time Study - Thesis
Code
Name
Credits
PreReq
FIN500
Financial Crime
3
FIN505
Financial Crime Investigations
3
FIN510
Financial Compliance and Regulatory Frameworks
3
Code
Name
Credits
PreReq
FIN515
Proliferation Finance and Sanctions
3
FIN520
Terrorism Financing
3
SEC580
Research Methods
3
MIA500
Code
Name
Credits
PreReq
FIN530
Ethics and Governance in Financial Crime Prevention
3
FIN525
Emerging Threats, Virtual Assets and Financial Crime
3
Code
Name
Credits
PreReq
SEC595
Thesis
3
SEC580
Study Plan:Ideal Full-Time Study – Non-Thesis
Code
Name
Credits
PreReq
FIN500
Financial Crime
3
FIN505
Financial Crime Investigations
3
FIN510
Financial Compliance and Regulatory Frameworks
3
Code
Name
Credits
PreReq
FIN515
Proliferation Finance and Sanctions
3
FIN520
Terrorism Financing
3
FIN525
Emerging Threats, Virtual Assets and Financial Crime
3
Code
Name
Credits
PreReq
FIN530
Ethics and Governance in Financial Crime Prevention
3
SEC590
Research Project
3
Elective
Elective
3
Code
Name
Credits
PreReq
Elective
Elective
3
Study Plan:Ideal Part-Time Study – Thesis
Code
Name
Credits
PreReq
FIN500
Financial Crime
3
FIN505
Financial Crime Investigations
3
Code
Name
Credits
PreReq
FIN510
Financial Compliance and Regulatory Frameworks
3
FIN515
Proliferation Finance and Sanctions
3
Code
Name
Credits
PreReq
FIN520
Terrorism Financing
3
SEC580
Research Methods
3
MIA500
Code
Name
Credits
PreReq
FIN530
Ethics and Governance in Financial Crime Prevention
3
FIN525
Emerging Threats, Virtual Assets and Financial Crime
3
Code
Name
Credits
PreReq
SEC595
Thesis
3
SEC580
Study Plan:Ideal Part-Time Study – Non-Thesis
Code
Name
Credits
PreReq
FIN500
Financial Crime
3
FIN505
Financial Crime Investigations
3
Code
Name
Credits
PreReq
FIN510
Financial Compliance and Regulatory Frameworks
3
FIN515
Proliferation Finance and Sanctions
3
Code
Name
Credits
PreReq
FIN520
Terrorism Financing
3
FIN525
Emerging Threats, Virtual Assets and Financial Crime
3
Code
Name
Credits
PreReq
FIN530
Ethics and Governance in Financial Crime Prevention
