Public Management

The MA – Criminal Justice is a two-year, part-time programme that combines study of subjects central to public management broadly, such as economics and human resource management, with subjects specific to the management of the Irish 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, under supervision, on a specific criminal justice issue. Year two will normally only commence in autumn of each year. 

Master of Arts – Criminal Justice

Enquire Now

Key Facts

Delivery Method

In the first year of the programme, students attend seminars/webinars on three weekends in each term. In the second, they attend weekend seminars at the IPA in their chosen modules and prepare a minor dissertation. In both years, they are supported in their studies by a range of resources, including bespoke course material and module textbooks.

The programme can be taken from anywhere in the country. The academic year runs from September through to April. 

Entry Requirements

Applicants must have a primary degree or equivalent qualification. A copy of the qualification should be included along with the application form. 

Duration

Two academic years.

Interim Awards

Postgraduate Diploma in Public Management.

Accreditation

NUI

Place on NFQ

Level 9 (Masters Degree) what is this?

Commences

September 2024

Application Deadline

September 2024

Fees

The cost of the programme is €5,700 per annum (includes all matriculation and examination fees, all seminars, textbooks and course material), payable in two instalments. 

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

Expand all

The Programme

The MA – Criminal Justice is a two-year, part-time programme that combines study of subjects central to public management broadly, such as economics and human resource management, with subjects specific to the management of the Irish 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, under supervision, on a specific criminal justice issue. Year two will normally only commence in autumn of each year. 

Is This Programme for you?

This degree will be of particular interest to those working in the administration of justice, to members of An Garda Síochána, to prison officers, and to those working in related areas in the administration of justice. In order to meet the needs of students in full-time employment, it is delivered through blended learning.  Students can take this part-time programme no matter where they live

Subjects

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 modules before moving to the dissertation phase.

Assessment

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

How To Apply

To apply, please:

  1. Download this Application Form and complete it (if your fees are being paid by your employer, be sure to include the relevant details on the form).
  2. Obtain a copy of your degree or other relevant qualification.
  3. Send the completed application form and copy of your prior qualification to postgrad@ipa.ie.

You may also apply by post.

If you are paying the programme fee yourself, you can do so by cheque, bank draft or by debit/credit card (contact the Postgraduate Office for further details).

Prospectus

Programme Delivery and Application Form

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

Application Form

 

Enquiry Form

 

Required fields

 

 

Mailing List

Subscribe to our mailing list to receive regular emails about IPA courses, events, publications and news updates. You can unsubscribe at any time. For further information on how we use your data, please see our Privacy Statement.

Email