Criminal Justice

Accreditation: National University of Ireland
Place on NFQ: Level 9 (Major Award).
Award: Master of Arts.
Interim Award: Postgraduate Diploma in Public Management.

The MA – Criminal Justice is a two-year part-time programme that explores the key issues in the management of the criminal justice system. It seeks to raise the level of analysis within the Irish criminal justice system and to equip participants with the knowledge and skills necessary for effective management in this area.

On completing the first year of the programme, students receive the interim award of a Postgraduate Diploma in Public Management. The second year of the course is divided into two semesters. In the first of these, students study three key subjects in criminal justice. In the second, they write a dissertation on a specific criminal justice issue. Students who do not wish to take all three subjects in any particular semester may choose to study one or two on a phased basis.

Is this programme for you?
This degree will be of particular interest to those working in the administration of justice and related fields, to members of An Garda Síochána and to prison officers. The programme is delivered through a blend of distance education and intensive weekend seminars and workshops at the IPA. Students can, therefore, pursue this programme no matter where they live and can remain in full-time employment.

Year One

Postgraduate Diploma in Public Management
Interim Award
The first year of the MA programme is divided into two semesters and each semester is devoted to the study of three key subjects in public management.

Semester One
- Economics
- Managing Human Resources
- Finance

Semester Two
- Organisation and Strategy
- Research Methods
- Managing Service Delivery/ Managing in Europe

Year Two
Semester One
Crime and Society
This course examines how to understand the effect of crime on society and vice versa. It examines theories of criminal behaviour, environmental criminology, situational crime prevention, influences on crime, forms of crime, drug-related crimes, and changes in crime rates in Ireland.

The Management of Policing
This course provides a history and analysis of policing in Ireland and elsewhere. It considers, among other things, the current functions of An Garda Síochána, global changes in policing, the growth of non-governmental policing, the role of the community in policing itself, and the future of policing.

Criminal Sanctions and the State
The third module of this semester turns to the sanctions that the State applies for criminal behaviour. It explores sociological explanations for the development of modern punishment, the expansion of criminal sanctions in Ireland, contemporary developments in the Irish penal system, sentencing, incarceration, alternatives to custody, the challenge of restorative justice and contemporary theories of prison rehabilitation.

Semester Two
In the second semester of year two, students write a dissertation on a specific criminal justice management issue. Students must successfully complete the taught courses before moving to the dissertation phase.

Admission Requirements
Applicants must have a primary degree or equivalent qualification.

Go to www.ipa.ie.

Download the programme application form and complete it in full.

Email that form, along with all the items below, to postgrad@ipa.ie, with the subject heading: Application for: Name of Programme. The items below must be scanned and included as attachments in the email:

A passport-type photograph.
A scan of your degree or relevant qualification.
The semester fee OR a letter from your employer confirming that fees will be paid directly to the IPA.

Places on the programmes are limited and demand for places is likely to exceed the number available. Consequently, you are strongly advised to apply as early as possible.

Students are assessed by means of assignments, examinations and a minor dissertation.

Two academic years.

Delivery Method
In the first year of the programme, students attend seminars/webinars on three weekends in each semester. In the second year, they attend three seminars/webinars in the first semester and then, in the second, prepare, under expert supervision, a minor dissertation. They are supported in their studies by a range of resources, including bespoke course material and module textbooks.

The cost of the programme is €5,000 per annum (includes all matriculation and examination fees, all seminars, textbooks and course material), payable in two instalments.

Commences: September 2024

Progression
Students may enter the first year of the MA (Postgraduate Diploma) in September or January. Those who enter in September can, on successful completion of the academic year, proceed to the second year. Those who enter in January can finish within the calendar year and proceed to the second year the following September.