Master of Arts in Criminal and Transitional Justice
Philosophy of the Program
The Master of Arts in Criminal and Transitional Justice program is tailored to equip students with the advanced understanding of research and practice in criminal justice practices and transitional justice issues in Kenya, East Africa, Africa and globally and the responses thereof. It focuses on the student’s mastery of major theories of criminal and transitional justice, qualitative and quantitative research methods and policy analysis.
The MA in Criminal and Transitional Justice will equip students with the knowledge to understand the role transitional justice in post-conflict reconstruction efforts and examine the potential contribution that these interventions contribute to post-conflict peace building and reconciliation.
The program is in line with the African Union’s (AU) quest of developing policy measures and institutional mechanisms that societies adopt in order to overcome past violations, divisions and inequalities and to create conditions for both security and democratic and socio-economic transformation.
Program Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of the program, the students will be able to:
- Evaluate various transitional justice mechanisms and how they are implemented in the criminal justice system;
- Develop intellectual socio-legal arguments with respect to criminal and transitional justice;
- Apply different theories in the discipline to explain national and international mechanisms in criminal and transitional justice;
- Evaluate ethical dilemmas relating to criminal and transitional justice;
- Conduct research in the fields of criminal and transitional justice.
Mode of Delivery of the Program
A variety of delivery modes and methods that promote creativity and critical thinking in learning will be employed in the delivery of the program, including case studies, problem solving strategies, use of projects and lectures complimented with question and answer approach, as well as field trips.
Admission Requirements
The following are the requirements of the proposed MA in Criminal and Transitional program:
- A Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice, or relevant discipline such as Criminology, Law, Sociology, Psychology, International Relations, Political Science, Human Rights and other relevant area of study; and
- An Upper Second Class honors or a cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA) of 3.00 on a scale of 4.00; or
- A Lower Second Class honors or a cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA) of 2.50 on a scale of 4.00 with additional relevant training, evidence of research capability either through research, paper presentations or peer reviewed publications and relevant working experience; or
- A relevant Postgraduate Diploma.
Students seeking admission from non-English speaking countries shall provide evidence of English proficiency (i.e. Test of English as a Foreign Language).
Career Prospects
The program’s uniqueness lies in the fact that it enables students to delve deep in criminal and transitional justice issues as opposed to existing programs. It is therefore a game changer to those aspiring to join / already in careers in the criminal and transitional justice fields. Those working in INGOS, NGOs, cohesion and integration commissions, human rights organizations, embassies, government ministries, ombudsman, the criminal justice system among other fields can benefit from this course.
The first intake will be in Fall/September 2023.
