Program Overview

Master of Arts in Criminology

Overview

Criminology is an exciting inter-disciplinary subject that draws on sociology, psychology, and law to focus on issues such as the causes of crime, the meaning of crime, and societal reactions to crime. The MA in Criminology in TU Dublin provides students with a strong theoretical grounding in, and understanding of, contemporary criminological issues as well as advanced training in research skills.

Course Details

• TU Code: TU321
• NFQ Level: Level 9
• Award Type: Major
• Award: Master of Arts
• ECTS Credits: 90
• Duration: 2 years
• Course Type: Postgraduate
• Mode of Study: Part Time
• Method of Delivery: On-Campus
• Commencement Date: September 2025
• Location: Grangegorman
• Fees: €3,400 Per Year, €6,800 Total Fee

Entry Requirements

Students must normally hold a second-class honours degree, higher division (2.2) or higher in the area of social science, law, sociology, psychology, or cognate discipline. Please be sure to include transcripts of your final degree award at the time of application. If this is not readily available, please include transcripts of your academic career to date.

Applicants who do not meet the minimum academic requirements but who have significant relevant professional or vocational experience will also be considered. In addition to the online application form, this latter category of applicants should include two written references with their application and also may be asked to present for an interview.

Career Opportunities

The course provides an excellent grounding for those seeking to pursue a career in research and/or policy making or for those seeking to pursue higher qualifications (such as MPhil or PhD degrees). The programme is also targeted at those working in, or aspiring to work in, the criminal justice field including lawyers, Gardaí, course officers, social workers, social care workers, psychologists, youth workers, and related professionals.

Course Content

Students will be required to complete four core modules, two optional modules, and a dissertation.

Core Modules

• Criminological Theory
• Criminal Justice System
• Criminal Psychology
• Research Methods
• Dissertation

Optional Modules

Students complete two of six optional modules:

• Criminal Law
• Desistance: The Route out of Crime
• Policing and Governance of Security
• Prisons and Imprisonment
• Studies in Victimology and Crime Prevention
• Youth Offending and Youth Justice Perspectives
• Law and Technology

Module Listing

Year One

• Semester 1:
  • Criminal Justice System [Mandatory]
  • Criminological Theory [Mandatory]
  • Research Methods in Criminology [Mandatory]
  • Criminal Law [Elective]
  • Law and Technology [Elective]
• Semester 2:
  • Dissertation [Mandatory]
  • Criminal Psychology [Mandatory]
  • Youth Offending and Youth Justice Perspectives [Elective]
  • Criminal Law [Elective]
  • Desistance: The Route Out of Crime [Elective]
  • Studies in Victimology and Crime Prevention [Elective]
  • Policing and the Governance of Security [Elective]
  • Deviance, Punishment and Social Control in Modern Ireland [Elective]
  • Law and Technology [Elective]
  • Prisons and Imprisonment [Elective]
  • Masculinities, Care and Equality [Elective]

Year Two

• Semester 1:
  • Research Methods in Criminology [Mandatory]
• Semester 2:
  • Dissertation [Mandatory]

Schedule

Full-time students attend lectures two late afternoons/evenings per week, and part-time students attend on one late afternoon/evening per week (may require attendance on a second evening depending on the optional module selected in semester two, year 1). Please note lectures for both full-time and part-time students commence at 4 pm. Students are required to complete substantial reading and written assignments outside of timetabled class hours. It is strongly recommended therefore that those in full-time employment complete the programme on a part-time basis.