POSTGRADUATE DIPLOMA IN COMPARATIVE CRIMINOLOGY AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE

Program Overview

This postgraduate program in Criminology equips students with critical analytical and research skills to delve into contemporary crime-related debates. Through a diverse range of modules, students explore topics such as surveillance, policing, and youth crime, gaining a comparative and international perspective. Graduates are well-prepared for careers in criminal justice, government, NGOs, and academia, with opportunities for internships and professional development.

Program Outline

Degree Overview This postgraduate program focuses on equipping students with the skills and knowledge necessary to delve deeply into contemporary debates that surround crime, people who commit it, and the complex criminal justice system. Students grapple with real-world challenges regarding topics such as surveillance, policing, youth crime, and other important areas. Graduates of this program gain extensive critical analytical and research capabilities, allowing them to pursue their chosen criminal justice endeavors in a highly informed and capable manner.

Outline

Modules:

Students delve deeply into various key topics through a set of diverse modular options. The required modules, "Research Methods in Criminology" and "Comparative Criminology" each occupy ten credits during the first year of the program. Additionally, throughout this initial year of study, students select an additional ten credits worth of optional modules. Following that, the second year features a selection of thirty additional credits from optional modules, allowing students to shape their unique study path. To cater to individual career aspirations, optional module opportunities address themes including: youth justice, criminal justice in various contexts, white-collar crime, restorative justice, criminal law, cybercrime, terrorism, global crime, criminological theory, research methods, victimology, and comparative criminal justice, amongst others. The specific roster of offered modules undergoes updates annually to reflect evolving trends and address student interest. Furthermore, some modules may feature prerequisites requiring successful completion of other modules.

Assessment As part of this program's assessment practices, students employ multifaceted methodologies throughout their studies. The program incorporates, but is not limited to, the following key forms of assessment:

• Essays serve as the primary instrument to analyze and showcase critical understanding of vital theoretical debates, policies, and other complex concepts tied to crime and criminal justice.
• Presentations allow students to effectively communicate their expertise to peers and faculty, honing presentation delivery skills essential in professional work environments.
• Examinations provide structured settings to test one's grasp of subject matter and theoretical frameworks learned throughout the curriculum.
• Additionally, depending on their selections, some modules may utilize coursework assignments or alternative assessment methods to evaluate student learning outcomes.

Teaching Instruction takes place across engaging lectures delivered in small student groupings, promoting intimate learning environments conducive to deep discussions and effective information exchange. Beyond traditional lectures, the program utilizes practical exercises such as simulations to mirror real-world scenarios often faced within the realm of criminal justice, enhancing the immersive engagement with this field of study. Furthering practical application, workshops provide in-depth hands-on settings facilitating the honing of vital analytical and critical thinking skills crucial for success in this field.

Careers Graduates of this program enter the professional world highly equipped to successfully pursue various career pathways within the justice landscape and beyond. This postgraduate qualification positions them for roles spanning across government entities, NGOs, the private sector, research institutions, community settings, legal fields, academia, and areas surrounding crime prevention and analysis. Examples of potential career paths include positions within such entities as An Garda Síochána, various departments within the national legal and governmental structure, private security institutions, restorative justice services, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), advocacy groups, analytical research facilities, media organizations, international security-focused entities, and academic pursuits including doctoral research work and various teaching roles.

Other

• Duration: Students pursuing the program will complete their coursework over a two-year period, undertaking one year as a full-time student or two years of part-time enrollment.
• Professional Development: This program features valuable internship opportunities in partnership with a network of associated NGOs, allowing students to gain crucial professional experience and make vital industry connections within the criminal justice sector.
• Location: Students engage in their studies on the campus of Maynooth University, nestled in a peaceful environment located a reasonable commute from Dublin's center.
• Student life is enhanced through involvement with academic societies tied to criminology and law, alongside the rich offerings of student clubs catering to a broad array of interests found outside the classroom.
its schedule operates on a two-year cycle from 2023.