LLM Criminology & Criminal Justice
Graduate Taught (level 9 nfq, credits 90)
Crime and punishment are issues of central importance to society and by bringing academic rigour to their examination the Institute contributes to the achievement of national priorities. The work of Ireland's only Institute of Criminology, which brings together researchers from across UCD, has been the focus of debates in parliament, legislative and policy initiatives and numerous reports in the media. Members of the Institute have engaged in major research in this area spanning the full range of criminology and criminal justice from work on coercive confinement, prison violence to the dynamics of desistance.
• To understand and think critically about the intersections between law, politics and social policy that come to the fore in the study of Criminology and Criminal Justice;
• To apply their knowledge and understanding of Criminology and Criminal Justice to real and hypothetical factual situations;
• To conduct independent research and write coherent, well-structured papers.
CIEL
The Comparative International and European Law (CIEL) programme is an exchange programme for registered full-time LLM students. The programme includes joint thesis supervision with academic colleagues at both the home and host institution. Upon successful completion students are awarded the CIEL certificate in addition to their LLM award.
Maastricht University (Courses through English: English as first language or an overall score of score 6.5 in IELTS)
Universität Mannheim (Courses through German: German as first language, Leaving Certificate B2 or equivalent)
Universitat Pompeu Fabra (Courses through English: English as first language or an overall score of score 6.5 in IELTS)
Université Toulouse 1 Capitole (Courses through French: French as first language, Leaving Certificate B2 or equivalent)
University of Antwerp (Courses through English: English as first language or an overall score of score 6.5 in IELTS)
University of Zagreb (Courses through English: English as first language or an overall score of score 6.5 in IELTS)
Students admitted to LLM programmes holding a 2:1 in their undergraduate Law degree and relevant language results are eligible to apply in late September/Early October when they have begun their programme. Spaces are allocated on a competitive basis. Open to September start students only.
LLM Exchange to the University of Melbourne
Sutherland School of Law will offer one full-time registered LLM, September start, student the opportunity to spend Semester Two of their full-time LLM programme in the University of Melbourne. This is open only to students admitted to an LLM programme holding a high 2:1 in their undergraduate Law degree. Allocation will be based on academic performance to date and interview. Application to this will open in October.
Additional Notes for Applicants:
Please note that the Part Time programme has the same timetable as the full time programme but is held over 2 years rather than 1 year.
There will be dissertation seminars in weeks 1-4 on Tuesdays and Wednesdays 11-1pm (Jan-May term)
Who should apply?
Full Time option suitable for:
Domestic(EEA) applicants: Yes
International (Non EEA) applicants currently residing outside of the EEA Region. Yes
Part Time option suitable for:
Domestic(EEA) applicants: Yes
International (Non EEA) applicants currently residing outside of the EEA Region. No
Vision and Values Statement
This programme is for students, who already hold an undergraduate law degree or have practised law for a significant period who wish to deepen their understanding of the criminal justice system. It provides career-relevant knowledge, insight and skills to those working or aspiring to work in sectors such as policing, youth justice, prisons, probation and related voluntary organisations, as well as a good platform for doctoral studies and a possible academic career.
The programme nurtures learners who strive to understand and think critically about the intersections between law, politics and social policy, to apply this knowledge and understanding to real-life situations, and to conduct independent research and scholarly publication.
We strive for a learning environment that encourages students to work individually or as part of a team, so they can develop their own and others' leadership, teamwork and communication skills, as well as skills of quantitative and qualitative analysis of the social phenomena associated with crime.
To these ends, the programme makes intensive use of teaching, learning and assessment approaches such as small group teaching, in-class presentations (individual and group) and academic writing. A 30 credit dissertation on a topic devised by the student is an integral part of the programme.
Programme Outcomes:
-demonstrate a detailed awareness of current controversies in criminology and criminal justice and knowledge of areas where the discipline is currently enjoying theoretical elaboration.
-appreciate the strengths and limitations of key research methodologies.
-use knowledge of debates within the discipline and different methodological approaches to interpret empirical research findings and to critique research designs.
-integrate source material from a variety of disciplinary areas to reach reasoned decisions about the relative status of competing claims to knowledge.
-unpack complex theoretical arguments and to render intelligible to a non-specialist audience, key disciplinary insights.
-have the intellectual toolkit required to research and write a major dissertation.