MA in Ethics (Corporate Responsibility)

Course details

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). The pathway is designed to provide participants with the conceptual knowledge and practical skills that are needed to design and manage within organisations the ethical, social and governance aspects of business decision-making and operation. Participants will learn how to apply business ethics concepts and frameworks to the responsible management of organisations.

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 interdisciplinary, 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.

Who is this MA for?

The programme is part of a professional development framework for ACOI members and for Individuals within the wider business community who wish to develop their leadership skills for Business Ethics & Corporate Responsibility roles within organisations.The pathway has been designed to appeal to Individuals carrying out roles in or related to:

• Ethics & Compliance
• Corporate Responsibility/Citizenship
• Stakeholder Relations
• Organisational or Board Governance or Risk Management
• Social Accounting/Reporting
• Socially Responsible Investment
• Ethics, Audit, Risk or Compliance Committees
• Regulatory and public sector bodies

Programme Modules

The programme is of a modular design. Programme participants will be required to complete six 10-credits taught modules and then complete a minor research thesis (30 credits).

Core Taught Modules

All programme participants must complete the following modules:

• Introduction to Ethics
• Business Ethics
• Ethics in Finance
• Corporate Governance and Stakeholder Accountability
• Implementing an Effective Ethics Programme

Option Taught Modules

Programme participants also complete one other taught module selected from the suite of modules on offer in the general MA in Ethics. The selection of option modules will depend on the timetable. For full list of module descriptors/learning outcomes for the modules offered on the general MA in Ethics, please check back soon.

Research Thesis

Programme participants must also complete a minor research thesis (15,000 words) under the direction of a supervisor or supervisors appointed by the Programme Board. To prepare for this in year 1, participants complete a series of seminars on academic writing skills and research methodologies. These seminars are held on two Saturdays. Participants may complete a theoretical thesis or engage in research that is directly linked to a project or initiative related to their professional work.

Scheduling

The MA in Ethics is a two-year, part-time, programme. Lectures take place in the MDI campus on Clonliffe Road. The programme commences in September 2014. Classes take place on Tuesday evenings and on 2 Saturdays in the first year.

Topics Include

• Code of Ethics Design and Implementation
• Corporate Governance and Stakeholder Accountability
• Ethical Decision-Making
• Ethical Leadership
• Ethical, Social and Governance (ESG) Risks
• Ethical Theories & Frameworks
• Ethical Training Programmes
• Ethics in a Global Context
• Ethics in Finance
• Ethics Management Systems
• Internal Ethical Auditing
• Regulatory Environment
• Corporate Social Responsibility

Exit Awards Available

The MA in Ethics (Corporate Responsibility) is awarded by Dublin City University [Level 9 of the National Framework of Qualifications]. Participants who do not wish to complete an entire MA may exit the programme with a Graduate Diploma in Ethics (Corporate Responsibility) after successfully completing 60 credits of taught modules or with a Graduate Certificate in Ethics after successfully completing 30 credits of taught modules. Upon successful completion of the programme, graduates will be invited to become Fellows of the Association. This is open to those who undertake to meet on-going Continuing Progression Development requirements. A Fellow may use after his or her name, the initials FCOI.

Entry Requirements

Applications to the pathway are invited from Individuals who meet the usual academic criteria for entry to Masters programmes. More specifically, applicants must normally hold a relevant honours primary degree in a business or legal discipline at NFQ Level 8 with at least 3 years management experience in a Compliance, Governance or related role. Applicants who do not hold a primary 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. Applicants who are not currently a member of the ACOI will become Associate members as part of enrolment.