What Students Say About the MA in Criminology in DIT
Brian Farrell, Student of the Year MA Criminology 2006-2007, gives his views on the MA Programme:
"I completed my primary law degree in 2001 and I was fortunate enough to have the opportunity to take criminology as a subject in my final year. I have to say I was hooked from the start. Everything about the area of Criminology interested me. At the time there was no taught Masters in Criminology in Ireland and so I put the idea on the back burner as starting a career became the number one priority for me.
Although in full-time employment as a Garda, I was keeping an eye out for such a Masters and so when Dublin Institute of Technology announced their available courses for 2006-2007, I was delighted to discover that a Masters in Criminology was included. I attended the DIT Open Day in DIT Aungier St and was impressed with what I heard in relation to this Masters, and so I applied for entry into the course. I undertook the course on a full-time basis and found that with the contact hours being six to seven a week I could attend most classes and do the rest of the work in my own time. It was a tough year but worth it.
I was hoping that the Masters course would be along the same lines as what I studied during my primary degree, but more in-depth and wide-ranging and I was not disappointed. Along with the mandatory subjects which every student undertakes there are subject choices which allow each student to pick the subjects which they believe will be of most benefit to them. This latter point was particularly relevant in my class as there were people from varied working backgrounds taking the course. I found the optional subjects which I chose to be extremely relevant to my own work and found that all the subjects undertaken gave me an increased understanding of criminology and the criminal justice system in Ireland."
Michelle Martin, MA graduate
"In 2008/2009 I completed my Masters in Criminology at Dublin Institute of Technology as a full-time student. The modules which I took were Criminological Theory, The Criminal Justice System, Research Methods, Penal Policy and Victimology.
In Criminological Theory I learnt the basic tenets of theories of crime and how they are applicable to criminal behavior in an Irish context. The Criminal Justice System gave me an insight into the strengths and weaknesses of various criminal justice institutions in Ireland. These classes were particularly useful as they were a mixture of a lecture-based approach but also some practical elements such as group work were carried out during class.
One particular aspect of Penal Policy I thoroughly enjoyed was undertaking my own research project in an area of Irish prison policy. I chose to investigate drug policy in Irish prisons. A Penal Policy Wiki was also set up. This was an innovative way to communicate ideas with other classmates. This was especially helpful in contacting students who undertook the course part-time and were unable to meet as regularly due to working constraints.
As part of the Masters, I went on tours of Mountjoy prison and The Four Courts. I particularly enjoyed visiting Mountjoy prison as it provided me with a valuable insight into the experiences and conditions for prisoners in Mountjoy.
Since completing my MA in Criminology, I was awarded the UCD Institute of Criminology scholarship. My research there investigated how the rapid social change associated with what has become known as the Celtic Tiger era in Ireland impacted upon organised crime. I previously undertook my dissertation on media coverage of gangland in Ireland at DIT. This contributed immensely in deciding which aspect of criminology I was most interested in carrying out further research.
I would strongly recommend the MA in Criminology at DIT for those with a genuine interest in learning more about crime and criminal justice particularly within an Irish context."
