Master in Probation Services

University of Malta

Master degree

12 months

Application deadlines: June 30

Processing time: 30 days

Application fee: €23

Full-time

Intakes: October

On completion of the MA in Probation Services students will have: An understanding of the probation process and its core objectives, An ability to relate criminological analysis to current debates and policy issues in corrections and penal policy, An ability to present and critically analyze data of various kinds clearly and concisely, An ability to apply analytical tools to identify social needs for probation and parole offenders in the context of reconviction risk assessments, so as to ensure they are meeting the requirements of their sentence or conditional release, An understanding of the techniques and application of criminal justice decision-making across criminal justice, particularly in corrections, An appreciation and evaluation of the organizations in the criminal justice system and their management strategies, An ability to present ideas, arguments and data effectively, including pre-sentence information for the courts, A capacity for time management, An ability to synthesize and operationalise a critical review of literature, appropriate methodology and the presentation and analysis of data for the purposes of the dissertation, An ability to carry out information search, retrieval and analysis, Capacity for independent study, self-organization, and self-appraisal, An ability to work with others.

This program can be done

On campus

Exams:

TOEFL iBT
IELTS

The Course shall be open to applicants who are proficient in the Maltese Language and are in possession of: (a) a Bachelor degree with at least Second Class Honours from this University in an area of study deemed relevant by the Board or (b) a Bachelor degree obtained with at least Category II from this University in an area of study deemed relevant by the Board or (c) a Bachelor degree from another university recognized by Senate comparable to the qualifications indicated in paragraphs (a) and (b) above. The admission of applicants under the above paragraphs shall be made conditional on the result of an interview conducted by an interviewing board appointed for the purpose. Please see the full list of requirements on the website.

The main aim of the MA in Probation Services is to prepare students to work within the criminal justice system as probation officers. Besides providing students with required knowledge (with emphasis on probation and parole legislation, risk management, report writing and work ethics) the course attempts to strengthen students’ communication, leadership and team-building skills. Students are also instructed on how to manage work-related stress. Probation / parole officers are court officials. They seek to rehabilitate sentenced offenders by enforcing the conditions of court orders, conduct offender risk assessments and advise the courts, managing and enforcing community orders as well as working with offenders during and after sentence. Thus probation / parole officers collaborate and work with various officers within as well as outside the criminal justice system (such as drug rehabilitation centres and employment training centres). Students aiming to work as probation officers need not be afraid to work with people having a criminal background. Moreover, the profession requires probation officers to be able to cope with stress, work on their own initiative, be capable of handling emergencies, and be able to respect confidentiality and ensure integrity in their work.