The course has commenced but we are still accepting late applications. Please contact us if you wish to apply.

Application information

The closing date for applications for this course was 5 October 2022. We are happy to announce that the deadline has been extended. Late applications are accepted but confirmation of course registration may take a number of days as the deadline has passed. Thank you for bearing with us. 

To apply please follow the instructions below.

Solicitors and Trainees

To pay online click on the 'Register Now' button. For all other methods of payment including, draft, cheque and EFT please see our methods of payment .

Other Professionals

We welcome applications for this course from suitably qualified professionals. Your application must be approved before you can formally register on the course. To apply please email the following documents to diplomateam@lawsociety.ie :

1. A completed application form (see below)
2. Your Curriculum Vitae
3. A short cover letter setting out your relevant experience

Please note, for non-members this course is subject to a supplemental fee of €100 bringing the total course fee to €1,750. No fees are required prior to approval.

Download

• Application form (word - for PC use)
• Application form (pdf - for handwritten use)
• Timetable
• Faculty booklet

If you are interested in applying for a future offering of the course please register for our Interested List . 

Further information on this course including course structure, module scheme, faculty and workshop dates are set out below. Clicking on the links will bring you directly to that section or simply scroll through to read all the content. 

• Programme structure
• Modules
• Workshops
• Assessments
• Who should attend?
• Faculty
• CPD

Programme objectives

On successful completion of this course, participants will be able to:

• Understand the interdisciplinary study of criminology and its relation to crime, harm, criminal behaviour and criminal justice.
• Learn how forensic psychology explains human and legal interaction, conflict, criminalisation and victimisation.
• Examine the key issues associated with a range of crimes –serious crimes, juvenile crime, white-collar crime, cybercrime and the criminal justice system
• Focus on the role of international policing agencies in the investigation of a crime.
• Analyse sentencing options with a focus on retribution, rehabilitation and restoration.

Programme structure and approach to learning

Criminology is the scientific study of crime, criminals, and the criminal justice system. Criminology deals with many of the major social issues of modern times, that is crime, punishment, and crime prevention. ‘Forensic’ is the crossroads where the science meets law. Forensic Criminology is therefore the scientific study of crime and criminals for the purpose of addressing investigative and legal questions. ‘Criminal justice’ studies have often been described as the study of the delivery of justice to those who have been accused of committing crimes. 

This certificate provides a comprehensive coverage of the key aspects of the discipline of criminology, which is the study of crime, criminal behaviours and the criminal justice system.  This new certificate offers an examination of the fundamental characteristics of a range of crimes to include serious crime, juvenile crime, white-collar crime, cybercrime, organised crime, terrorism, and the role of transnational policing agencies. There is also a focus sentencing and retribution, rehabilitation and restoration. Forensic psychology and its nexus with the criminal justice system also feature.

Modules

The programme is based on the following module scheme and covers key themes as listed below:

Module 1: Introduction to Forensic Criminology

• The scientific study of crime, criminals, and the criminal justice system,
• Aggression and Violence,
• Prison sociology & psychology,
• Social, environmental & family correlates of crime,
• The criminal justice system and sentencing,
• Victimology.

Module 2: Personality Disorders and Crime

• Personality disorders and crime,
• Personality profiles.

Module 3: Aggression and Violence

• Childhood violence,
• Stalking and stalking behaviors/domestic abuse,
• Terrorism.

Module 4: Introduction to the Criminal Justice System

• An Garda Síochána and international police agencies,
• The Role of the forensic pathologist within the Criminal Justice System.

Module 5: Juvenile Crime

• Social correlates of childhood crime,
• Familial and environmental causes of childhood crime,
• The juvenile court process,
• The importance of early intervention, preventative work, family support. 

Module 6:  White Collar and Cybercrime

• Overview of white collar crime,
• Criminal justice treatment of blue and white collar crime,
• Cybercrime,
• Digital evidence gathering.

Module 7:  Penology, Prisons and Prisoners

• Sentencing principles and policies,
• Understanding the penal policy,
• Prison sociology and psychology,
• The Irish prison system.

Module 8:  Victimology, Victims and Victimisation 

• What is victimology?,
• The Irish criminal justice system and victims,
• Victim support.

Module 9:  Sentencing: Retribution, Rehabilitation, Restoration 

• Principles of sentencing,
• What is retribution?,
• Overview of rehabilitation,
• Introduction to restorative justice.

Workshops

Workshops are an integral part of the course and aim to be hands on and consolidate what is dealt with in the lectures. This course will be webcast online; however, onsite attendance for workshops is strongly advised to maximise the learning experience.

Workshops take place on occasional Saturdays:

Assessments

2,500-word written assignment (80%) and continuous assessment (20%).

Who should attend?

This course is suitable for solicitors, barristers and trainees across all practice disciplines, however, it will also appeal to the following:

• Members of An Garda Síochána,
• The Probation Service,
• Irish Prison Service,
• Those working in the area of Criminal Justice,
• Professionals working in other connected sectors.

We welcome applications from individuals who are not legal professionals, with an interest in criminology. Please explain your interest and set out any relevant experience in a cover letter and a brief CV. Such applications are subject to a supplemental fee of €100 bringing the total course fee to €1,750. No fees are required prior to approval.

Faculty

The teaching faculty for this certificate comprises a fantastic array of experts in the area of forensic criminology and criminal justice. 

CPD

We have designed our courses to enable you to satisfy as much of your CPD requirement as possible. Time spent attending lectures and workshops in person or completing these via e-learning as part of your course can be claimed towards your annual CPD requirement. The number of hours of CPD that you may claim in relation to your diploma/certificate course will depend on the way in which you access each of the individual sessions. Please note that the limit for e-learning has been removed for the 2022 CPD cycle. For further information, visit the CPD scheme and download the CPD booklet. 

The Diploma Centre team will host our annual CPD conference in November 2022. This complimentary event is a dedicated management and professional development skills and regulatory matters session. We will post an invitation on your Diploma Hub page later in the year. 

Contact

Patricia Harvey, Barrister, Course Leader: P.Harvey@LawSociety.ie .

*Every effort has been made to ensure the information contained in these pages is accurate and up to date. However timetables and course content are subject to change and date and time changes may occur due to factors beyond our control.

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