Programme Information:
Regulatory developments in Conduct Risk and the need to appropriately articulate your organisation’s risk appetite and tolerance under a risk based supervisory regime have many common ingredients, one of which is instilling ethical considerations in the risk and compliance framework. Those seeking a leadership or senior management position in compliance in Ethics should consider pursuing this programme. The MA in Ethics (Corporate Responsibility) is a specialist pathway within the MA in Ethics offered jointly by Dublin City University and Mater Dei Institute of Education in partnership with the Association of Compliance Officers in Ireland (ACOI), designed to emphasize ethical awareness, critical reasoning skills, and core principles of ethical behaviour in order to provide students with the tools to address and resolve complex, critical and at times, conflicting interests and opportunities. Students will assess the role of ethics in relationship to corporate social responsibility, managerial decision-making, executive leadership, and corporate governance through diverse perspectives.
The programme is offered on a part-time basis over two years. It leads to the award by Dublin City University of the MA in Ethics (Corporate Responsibility). The Corporate Responsibility pathway has been developed as a response to the ongoing demand for knowledge, skills and competence in business ethics and corporate responsibility. Lectures are driven by a creative and active integration between theory and practice, which is facilitated by collaborative group learning, discussions, debate and analysis of various case scenarios.
The programme is structured in a flexible manner which enables students to exit the MA at different stages and receive an award. Those who successfully complete 60 of the 90 credits of the taught modules of the MA are awarded a Graduate Diploma in Ethics (Corporate Responsibility) upon exit. A Graduate Certificate in Ethics is awarded after successfully completing 30 credits of taught modules. Students of the Certificate and Diploma can resume their studies to complete the MA when it suits them.
Design of the programme is influenced by its interdisciplinary nature, drawing on the expertise of lecturers from MDI, the DCU Institute of Ethics, DCU Business School, the DCU Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences and practitioners in the field of Business Ethics in Financial Services.
Participants who do not wish to complete an entire MA may exit the programme with Holders of the MA in Ethics (Corporate Responsibility) are invited to apply to become Fellows of the Compliance Association in Ireland (FCOI). Continued use of the FCOI designation is subject to meeting annual CPD requirements.
Entry Requirements
Admission is open to individuals with a relevant undergraduate degree in a business or legal discipline at Level 8 NFQ with at least 3 years management experience in a Compliance, Governance or related role.
Those who do not hold a degree, but have exceptional middle and senior management experience in a control, advisory, consulting or governance function (compliance, audit, ethics or risk) are eligible to apply and will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
The other category of applicant is those that hold a degree in a non-cognate discipline but can demonstrate to the Admissions Committee through an interview that their participation would benefit them and the programme. Applicants of this nature are considered on an exceptional case-by-case basis.
Testimonial
“Throughout my professional life the issue of ethics has always interested me. Being aware of ethical dimensions in addition to financial and other considerations can result in a better decision, though I always feel that the ethic has to be right. I am a second year student on the MA in Ethics/Corporate Responsibility. The programme has exceeded my expectations because the approach adopted is one of co-constructed learning. The lecturers present principles and concepts in an engaging and interactive manner. Students are all professionals that relate the material to their own professional practices. The use of guest speakers provides insights into real-life situations — but then, ethics is about real-life!. And anyway, as a customer, consumer and person, I am most definitely interested in the ethics side.’– Ed McDonald, formerly Chief Executive of the Association of Advertisers in Ireland (AAI) and Chief Executive of The Marketing Institute of Ireland (MII).” – Ed McDonald, Chief Executive of the Association of Advertisers in Ireland (AAI).
Further Information
T: (01) 779 0200