Law & the Administration of Justice

This is a four–year, part–time programme that combines subjects critical to contemporary public management in all sectors with those especially relevant to law and the administration of justice. In addition to learning about the economic, legal and HR issues that affect public administration broadly, students obtain specialised knowledge about such matters as EU law, criminology and penology and law enforcement. This highly–regarded qualification includes two interim awards – at Certificate and Diploma level.

The programme is delivered via a student-friendly blended learning model that sees student attend some in-person weekend seminars at the IPA and weeknight webinars in all modules. 

Bachelor of Arts (HONS) – Law and the Administration of Justice

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Key Facts

Delivery Method

The programme is delivered through a student-friendly blended learning model. Students attend three in-person weekend seminars at the IPA and attend eight weeknight webinars per module. They are supported in their studies with extensive course material and online resources.

Entry Requirements

Applicants require a Leaving Certificate with a minimum grade C in two higher level papers and grade D in four other subjects. The papers passed must include Irish, English and a third language. 

OR

Mature students (students over 21 on January 1 of the calendar year of entry) may enter a programme without the above qualifications. 

Duration

Four years of part–time study

Interim Awards

  • Year One: Certificate in Public Management
  • Year Two: Diploma in Public Management

Accreditation

NUI

Place on NFQ

Level 8 (Honours Bachelor Degree) what is this?

Commences

September 2024

Application Deadline

September 2024

Fees

The cost of the programme is €3,600 per annum (includes all matriculation and examination fees), payable in one or two instalments.

Employers and Fees

Where employers are paying fees, students, when enrolling, must provide a PO number and employer authorisation on the applicaiton form OR submit a letter from their employer confirming that fees will be paid directly. 

Students Paying their own Fees

Fees can be paid by:

  • Electronic transfer (contact the Undergraduate Office).
  • Debit/credit card (contact the Undergraduate Office).
  • Cheque (payable to the Institute of Public Administration).
  • Bank draft.

Note: Fees may increase slightly from year to year. Where this occurs, students will be charged the increased fee.

Progression

Students can progress to the MA (Criminal Justice) or other graduate programmes.

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The Programme

This is a four–year, part–time programme that combines subjects critical to contemporary public management in all sectors with those especially relevant to law and the administration of justice. In addition to learning about the economic, legal and HR issues that affect public administration broadly, students obtain specialised knowledge about such matters as EU law, criminology and penology and law enforcement. This highly–regarded qualification includes two interim awards – at Certificate and Diploma level.

The programme is delivered via a student-friendly blended learning model that sees student attend some in-person weekend seminars at the IPA and weeknight webinars in all modules. 

Is This Programme for you?

This programme appeals to public servants working in the broad administration of justice area, including those working in relevant areas of the civil service and state agencies. Members of An Garda Síochána and prison officers are also attracted to this qualification. 

Subjects

Year One: Certificate In Public Management

The first year is both a stand–alone qualification – Certificate in Public Management – and the first stage of the four–year degree programme.

Economics

This introductory–level course explains the main theories and principles of economics. No prior knowledge of economics is presumed. The course covers both micro and macro– economics and addresses such topics as the laws of supply and demand, how market prices are reached and competition.

Law 

Public servants must understand the fundamentals of the legal system. This course focuses on the fundamentals, explaining the Irish legal system and the main provisions of the Irish Constitution. Students explore, among other topics, the structure of the court system, practice and procedure in the courts and the rights that the Constitution affords citizens.

Politics, Government and Public Administration

This course is divided into two parts. The first is largely concerned with the institutions of government and the Irish political system. The second focuses on Ireland’s system of public and social administration, explaining how the civil service is organised and the management of social welfare services, healthcare, education and housing.

Principles of Management

This course provides a solid grounding in the key principles of modern management theory. It explains the origins of contemporary management science and details the most important elements of management, including leadership, HRM and change management.

Year Two: Diploma In Public Management

The second year is both a stand–alone qualification – Diploma in Public Management – and the second stage of the four–year degree programme. 

European Law

EU law plays a hugely significant role in public management in Ireland. This course explains the sources of EU law, the main legal instruments that the EU uses, the EU institutions that uphold the law, the fundamental freedoms that EU law protects and how EU law relates to Irish domestic law.

Social Policy

This course explores the history, organisation and management of Ireland’s social infrastructure. It considers such matters as expenditure trends in social services, EU social policy and the factors that influence domestic social policy.

Economics

This course builds on the fundamentals of economics explored in the Certificate year by exploring both micro and macroeconomics in greater depth. Students will learn about the economic rules and theories that relate to the operation of markets, the distribution of wealth, the allocation of resources, labour supply and inflation.

Organisation and Management

An organisation’s structure is a determining factor in its operation. This course explores current thinking on organisational structure and the role of management in the creation and maintenance of the most appropriate structure. Among the specific topics addressed are the different schools of organisation theory, the design of effective organisations and the significance of the internal culture and the external environment to an organisation’s work.

Year Three

Criminology and Penology

This course explores the facts about crime in Ireland and elsewhere in the first decades of the 21st century. It examines what the available statistics tell us about crime and discusses the various theories that have been advanced to explain criminal behaviour. It also addresses contemporary theory on penology.

Administrative Law

Administrative law is a public law subject that deals with the lawful exercise of power by government and state agencies. It seeks, in short, to establish the manner in which public bodies can affect the lives of citizens. Students will examine the laws regarding the civil service, the separation of powers, judicial review and legal compliance. 

Economics

This year’s course focuses on public sector economics, a field that is plainly critical to public servants at various grades. The topics addressed include economic growth, forecasting and planning, the finances of central and local government and the principles of taxation.

Financial Management

This course aims to provide students with a clear understanding of standard accounting techniques and the proper management of an organisation’s finances. Designed for those who do not possess a background in accounting, it addresses, among other things, double-entry book-keeping, how profits are measured and the regulations governing financial statements and disclosure.

Year Four

Law Enforcement and the Administration of Justice

This course examines how justice is administered in Ireland and related laws. It explores the general principles of criminal law, including the presumption of innocence. It also assesses the legislation that governs the actions of An Garda Síochána, the provisions of the Constitution relating to arrest and trial by law and efforts to balance the needs of society with civil liberties.

Employment Law

A very significant body of law regulates the employment relationship. This course explains and analyses that body of law, discussing such key topics as the employment contract, the legislation that protects employees, equality in the workplace, health and safety law and the law regulating the employment of non–nationals.

Strategic Management

Strategic Management is the study of how organisations meet their objectives and effectively respond to change. This course focuses on strategic management in the Irish public sector, but it covers concepts common to both public and private sector organisations.

Public Policy–Making

This course is concerned with policy-making and the response of the modern state to the challenges it faces in a globalised world. It explores issues around the management of the political economy of the modern state and public policy-making in the Irish state. Students will learn about, among other things, how states have responded to the emergence of a global economy, attempts to regulate the market and multi–level governance in Ireland. 

Assessment

Students submit assignments and sit examinations in each year

How To Apply
  1. Download this Application Form and complete it (if your fees are being paid by your employer, be sure to include all the relevant details on the form).
  2. That form MUST be accompanied by: (a) proof of ID (copy of passport, birth cert, or driving licence), (b) a passport photo, (c) the programme fee (see section on Fees).

Send the completed application form and the above items to undergrad@ipa.ie.

You may also apply by post.

Prospectus

Programme Delivery and Applications

IPA programmes are part time and generally delivered through a blended learning model.  To apply, see the How to Apply section on the relevant programme and download the application form below.

Undergraduate Application Form 2024

 

Enquiry Form

 

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