The MA in Criminology is a full-time programme running for 12 months from the date of first registration for the programme.

Applicants must have obtained a minimum of a Second Class Honours Grade I (or equivalent) degree in sociology, law, politics, psychology, history, applied social studies, or another subject relevant to the study of crime. Candidates who hold a primary degree with a Second Class Honours Grade II will also be considered subject to a written expression of interest and/or interview acceptable to the department selection committee. In exceptional circumstances, substantial professional experience in a relevant and related field of criminal justice may be accepted as compensating for the absence of an undergraduate degree to the required standard.

Students take 90 credits as follows:

Part I
LW6599 Crime and Justice in Ireland (15 credits)
SC6601 Sociology of Crime and Deviance (15 credits)
SS6111 Crime Prevention and Society: Policies, Governance and Interventions (15 credits)

Plus 15 credits from the following:
LW6601 Juvenile Justice (15 credits)
LW6602 Penology (15 credits)
LW6604 Terrorism, Dissonance and Criminal Justice (15 credits)
SC6001 Economy and Society Summer School (5 credits)
SC6002 Economy and Society Summer School - 2 (10 credits)
SC6602 Rethinking Borders: Global Challenges to Social Justice (15 credits)
SC6603 Social Pathology and Civic Health (15 credits)
SC6607 Victimology (15 credits)
SS6308 Mental Health and Disability (15 credits)
SS6311 Conflict Transformation and Peace Building (15 credits)

Part II
SC6606 Dissertation on Criminology (30 credits)

Module Semester Information may be found here. Module Descriptions may be found here.

Examinations
Full details and regulations governing Examinations for each programme will be contained in the Marks and Standards 2016 Book and for each module in the Book of Modules 2015/2016.

Postgraduate Diploma in Criminology
Candidates who pass at least 60 credits of taught modules may elect to exit the programme and be awarded a Postgraduate Diploma in Criminology.

Programme Learning Outcomes for MA in Criminology (NFQ Level 9, Major Award)
On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to:

• Understand the field of criminology, its historical development, its current scope and its related methodologies;
• Identify the major theories of crime, define their key concepts and ideas and understand their relevance to the study of Irish society;
• Critique aspects of the use of the issues of crime and deviance in contemporary society and the issues posed by the manner of their representation in the media and to evaluate current issues and debates in these areas;
• Understand the principles and practices of punishment in its many facets, the issues and problems raised by their current applications and the alternatives that have been proposed;
• Understand the principles and practices of social research and be able to apply them in research in criminology.

Programme Learning Outcomes for the Postgraduate Diploma in Criminology (NFQ Level 9, Major Award)
On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to:

• Understand the historical development of the field of criminology;
• Appreciate the nature of its key studies and main methodologies;
• Identify the major theories of crime, define key concepts and understand their relevance to the study of Irish society;
• Make a critical analysis of important issues of crime and deviance in the contemporary world and of their representation in the media;
• Understand the principles and practices of punishment, restorative justice and alternatives to prison.