MA in Ethics (Corporate Responsibility)
DC689

MA in Ethics (Corporate Responsibility)

Course Details

Course Code:
DC689
Course Type:
Postgraduate
NFQ Level:
9 - Please see www.qqi.ie for further information
Delivery Modes
Part-Time
Duration
2 Years (Part-Time)
Phone:
+353 (0) 1
700 7055

The MA in Ethics (Corporate Responsibility) programme equips participants with a solid foundation in theoretical and applied ethics. It also develops the necessary skills to appraise soundly and confidently confront a vast range of important topical ethical challenges.

Overview

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The MA in Ethics (Corporate Responsibility) is a specialist pathway within the MA in Ethics run by the DCU School of Theology, Philosophy, and Music and the Institute of Ethics. No philosophy or ethics background is required to apply for this course. 

You’ll obtain the knowledge and skills needed to design and manage the ethical, social and governance aspects of business decision-making and operation. You’ll also learn how to apply business ethics concepts and frameworks to the responsible management of organisations.

This interdisciplinary course draws on the expertise of lecturers from the School of Theology, Philosophy, and Music, Institute of Ethics, DCU Business School and practitioners in the field of Business Ethics. The MA in Ethics (Corporate Responsibility) is part of a professional development framework for the Compliance Institute.

After graduation you can join our MA in Ethics Alumni and be part of a network of expertise and support in the field of ethics.

DCU People

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Emma Horgan
Alumni

I chose the MA in Ethics (Corporate Responsibility) to increase my knowledge and confidence and to grow as a person.


Read more about Emma Horgan
Profile picture of Alan Kearns
Alan Kearns
Staff

My name is Alan Kearns and I’m one of the lecturers in ethics at DCU.


Read more about Alan Kearns

Careers & Further Options

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Careers

The programme is part of a professional development framework for Compliance Institute 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
  • Undergraduate and postgraduate students and staff

Entry Requirements

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• Applicants will normally have an honours primary degree or equivalent (H2.2) but appropriate combinations of professional qualifications and experience may be accepted as equivalent to an honours degree, in accordance with the relevant regulations of the University. Interviews may be held.

• Applicants with appropriate combinations of professional qualifications and experience may also be considered. This includes discipline-specific knowledge and know-how; transferable skills; basic research competency; personal effectiveness.

• Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) applicants are required to submit a cover letter along with their application under the Transcripts section of the portal, affirming their intent to apply for RPL. For more information on RPL see here

• International candidates who are non-native speakers of English must satisfy the University of their competency in the English language. More information about DCU's English language requirements can be found here.

Programme Structure

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The MA in Ethics (Corporate Responsibility) specifically expands on the theoretical perspective of business ethics as well as its practical management tools.

Upon successful completion of the course of study for this award, a graduate will be able to:

Demonstrate an understanding of a broad range of ethical theories and principles that are at the forefront of general and applied ethics.

Demonstrate a systematic understanding of a broad range of business ethics concepts and theories including corporate responsibility, corporate governance and stakeholder accountability.

Apply a range of business ethics theories and practical tools to address ethics issues in business organisations.

You’ll undertake the course part-time over two years, completing six taught modules:

Introduction to Ethics: This module provides a comprehensive introduction to ethics to enable course participants to further explore key contemporary ethical issues. The module explores how ethical theories influence ethical decision-making and provide frameworks for ethical reasoning and analysis.

Readings in Ethics: The purpose of this module is to introduce students to a selection of classic texts in the field of ethics thereby providing a more in-depth examination of the texts that are at the source of the major ethical theories.

Human Rights & Social Justice: This module will explore human rights in the context of global and social justice. It will offer a historical outline of the tradition of thinking about justice and the development of natural and human rights within this tradition.

Business Ethics: This module is designed to provide course participants with the necessary conceptual tools to analyse ethical dilemmas in the world of business at the beginning of the twenty-first century. It will train and enhance students' skills in applying ethical theories to a wide range of business ethics topics.

Finance and Corporate Governance: This module addresses ethical challenges in finance, including financial markets and financial management in corporations. This module reviews corporate governance structures and discusses both the legal and ethical duties of board members. It examines key requirements for effective corporate governance and the issues that may hinder this.

Implementing an Effective Ethics Culture: This module provides a self-reflective and systematic approach to the design and implementation of an effective ethics corporate culture, underpinned by appropriate codes, procedures, training and review.

Lectures take place on Tuesday evenings.

You’ll also complete a minor thesis (15,000 words) from within the perspective of the discipline of ethics.

Fees and Funding

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Fees

EU Status Fee
N/A
Non EU Fee.
N/A
EU Status Fee Part-time
€4,300 Per Annum
Non EU Fee Part time
€8,300 Per Annum

How To Apply

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To apply for this programme:

 

All Applicants must apply through DCU's Student Application Portal which is available here. Here's a quick step by step guide if you need help with your application.

Please submit:

  • Academic Transcripts for each and every year of study with English translation, if applicable.

 


Please note if you are a non EU student and require a study visa, you are not eligible to apply for part-time programmes as study visas are only granted for full-time programmes.

Application Deadlines

Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until the programme is full or until the following dates:

  • Closing date for non EU applicants is 1st July 2025
  • Closing date for EU applicants is 30th August 2025

Note applicants who require a study visa for the purposes of studying at DCU, are advised to apply as early as possible.

All entry requirements should be met before the commencement of the programme.

Application Queries

For EU applicant queries, please visit https://www.dcu.ie/registry/eu-postgraduate-taught-admissions or email postgraduateadmissions@dcu.ie


For non EU applicant queries, please visit https://www.dcu.ie/registry/international-admissions-undergraduate-and-postgraduate or email internationaladmissions@dcu.ie

Commencement of Programme

The programme commences in September 2025

Life On Campus

Life on Campus
DCU Campus Glasnevin

DCU Glasnevin Campus

FAQs

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