Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice Course content
Key information
The BA (Criminal Justice) is a four-year, inter-disciplinary degree programme. In each semester, you will study a combination of modules from Law, Sociology, Politics and Public Administration. An exposure to each of these disciplines ensures that you will develop a comprehensive understanding of the criminal justice system and how it reacts to and regulates the society within which it operates. To further enhance your learning during the programme, you will study some Psychology modules which will aid in understanding human behaviour and the motivations of those who commit crime along with the behaviours of other actors in the criminal justice system such as police, judges and juries. Modules in Management will also give you core skills which are essential for future administrative roles within the criminal justice sector.
A key learning experience within the programme is the eight-month co-operative work placement which you will undertake at the end of Year 2. Co-op will give you a unique and invaluable opportunity to gain practical experience working in social impact and community work placements. Through these placements, you will put your learning to practical use and build networks with potential future employers. It is also possible to spend some of this work placement period abroad.
Semester 1
| Module code | Module title |
|---|---|
| LA4001 | Legal System and Method |
| LA4211 | Criminal Law 1 |
| SO4001 | Intro to Sociology I |
| PA4001 | Introduction to Public Administration I |
| PO4051 | Introduction to Politics and International Relations I |
Semester 2
| Module code | Module title |
|---|---|
| Students should contact their Course Director to confirm which modules are available as optional choices in a given academic year. | |
| LA4032 | Criminal Procedure |
| LA4222 | Criminal Law 2 |
| SO4032 | Intro to Sociology II |
| PA4022 | Introduction to Public Administration II |
| PO4052 | Introduction to Politics and International Relations II |
Semester 3
| Module code | Module title |
|---|---|
| LA4430 | Constitutional Law 1 |
| LA4068 | Crime and Criminal Justice |
| SO4073 | Classic Sociological Theory |
| PA4023 | Leadership for the 21st Century |
| PO4013 | Government and Politics of Ireland |
Semester 4
| Module code | Module title |
|---|---|
| LA4440 | Constitutional Law 2 |
| LA4042 | Administrative Law |
| SO4036 | Contemporary Sociological Theory |
| PM4022 | Principles of Organisational Behaviour |
| PO4015 | Government and Politics of the EU |
Semester 5
Co-operative Work Placement
Semester 6
| Module code | Module title |
|---|---|
| LA4040 | Law of Evidence |
| LA4058 | Human Rights Law |
| SO4078 | Inequality and Social Exclusion |
| SO4006 | Sociology of Crime, Deviance and Social Control |
| PA4047 | Comparative Public Policy |
Semester 7
| Module code | Module title |
|---|---|
| LA4021 | Child Law |
| LA4017 | Advanced Lawyering 1 (Alternative Dispute Resolution) |
| MG4045 | Change Management |
| PS4031 | Psychology and Everyday Life |
| LA4033 | Law of the European Union 1 |
Semester 8
| Module code | Module title |
|---|---|
| LA4002 | Jurisprudence |
| LA4109 | Law and Criminology |
| PS4032 | Psychology and Social Issues |
| LA4044 | Law of the European Union 2 |
| And choose one module from the list below: | |
| PO4088 | Introduction to Terrorism and Violent Political Extremism |
| PO4048 | Issues in World Politics |
| PO4108 | Multiculturalism & Political Theory |
| PO4128 | Comparative Politics of Non-Democracy |
| PO4118 | Ireland and the EU |
| PA4008 | Public Policy and the Environment |
How many places are offered each year on this course?
The number of places offered on the BA(Criminal Justice) varies from year to year.
How is the BA(Criminal Justice) degree programme structured?
The programme is completed over four years and comprises seven semesters of on-campus study, together with a six- to eight-month work placement, which includes the autumn semester of Year 3.
The programme is largely structured, meaning that students follow a prescribed curriculum throughout most of their studies. Except for Semester 2 in Year 4, there are no elective modules (i.e. modules you choose). Each semester, students take a predetermined set of modules drawn primarily from the disciplines of Law, Sociology, Politics, and Public Administration. The programme also incorporates modules from Psychology and Management, providing students with a broad interdisciplinary understanding of crime, justice, and public policy.
Do I gain any experience in the workplace?
At the end of year 2 (June to January), students on the BA(Criminal Justice) will complete an eight-month period of Cooperative Education (i.e. work placement) which provides the students with an opportunity to apply the knowledge that has already been acquired. Normally this will take the form of a work placement which is relevant to the programme such as within the Courts Service, local authorities, law firms or community and non-governmental organisations. Each year, there will also be some opportunities to spend this time abroad. This will depend on the opportunities which are available in any given year.
Can I become a barrister or solicitor when I am finished my BA (Criminal Justice) degree?
The body responsible for training solicitors. the Law Society of Ireland, does not require applicants to have a law degree to pursue a career as a solicitor. However, every student in the country must sit entrance exams to gain entry to the Law Society of Ireland. Thus, if you wish to become a solicitor, you may apply to the Law Society and complete the relevant entrance examinations with a BA(Criminal Justice) degree.
The body responsible for training barristers, the Honourable Society of Kings Inns, requires applicants to hold an approved law degree. The BA (Criminal Justice) is not an approved law degree for this purpose, and students who wish to pursue a career as a barrister must complete an approved law degree before applying to King's Inns.*
However, note that graduates of the BA (Criminal Justice) who wish to enter the legal profession may progress to the LLB (Graduate Entry) programme, an approved law degree, offered by the School of Law. A significant advantage for BA (Criminal Justice) graduates is that they can complete the LLB in one year rather than the standard two years. This provides a fast-track route to obtaining a qualifying law degree, whether for solicitor training or to meet the academic requirements for entry to King's Inns.
Further details on the LLB(Graduate Entry) programme are available on the Graduate and Professional Studies website.
*NOTE: Further information on becoming a barrister is available from Kings Inn website and on becoming a solicitor is available on the Law Society website
Does this course have a QQI entry route?
Yes, please see the relevant information on admissions.
