Program Overview

The Master of Arts in Contemporary Criminology is a one year full-time or two years part-time programme that provides learners with the theoretical background and practical skills to apply their criminological knowledge efficiently and productively to evaluate crime and criminal actors in a range of contexts and to develop preventative measures and interventions to crime. The programme covers a wide range of specialist topics that provides learners with the knowledge of theories and concepts relating to the contribution of those who study criminology to develop skills in order to create, implement and evaluate community criminological interventions and processes that can be applied in a variety of contemporary settings at individual, community and global levels.

Learners will explore criminal behaviour from individual, social and biological perspectives and through a detailed understanding of the discipline, both theoretically and methodologically, and will be enabled to assess appropriate interventions and design appropriate solutions for community safety and at higher level policy intervention both locally and nationally. Modules focus on the applied nature of professional and ethical issues and pertinent research methods, while others have a specific focus upon the application of theory to the ‘real world’ allowing learners to further develop and apply competencies and knowledge in the study of crime.

Learners who complete the full programme will therefore also develop and enhance their research capability through critical enquiry and detailed analytical problem solving. The programme contains an embedded exit award, the Postgraduate Diploma in Arts in Contemporary Criminology (60 ECTS, NFQ Level 9) which is available for those who cannot complete the research component of this programme for personal or professional reasons.