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You are here Courses > Postgraduate > Master in Social Work (MSW) > Course Structure & Content

Course Structure & Content

Academic Calendar and Duration of Course

The MSW is a two-year full-time programme  blending academic and practice placement components, which is undertaken over two academic years from early September to the following June each year. There is also an expectation that initial work on the Master's dissertation will be completed in the summer months between Year One and Year Two.

Prior Learning: To obtain the MSW/PGDSW award, all modules on the programme must be successfully completed. As all modules contribute to the attainment of the CORU Standards of Proficiency for Social Workers, recognition of prior learning is not permitted.

Academic modules include:

Year One

Introduction to Social Work

Introduction to Reflective Practice & Use of Self in Social Work

Social Work & Counselling Practice Approaches

Group work

Community Development

Human Development in Social Contexts

Supporting Children and Families-Approaches to Prevention and Intervention

Child and Family Law

Equality, Rights, Identities & Power in Social Work Practice

Preparation for Practice

Contemporary Discourses in Social Work

Social Policy for Social Work Practitioners

Introduction to Social Work Research and Evaluation

Year Two

Families and Children: Contemporary Perspectives in Alternative Care

Social Work and Gender based Domestic Violence

Criminology, Probation and Social Work

Applied Law

Social Work in Diverse Settings:

Mental Health

Addictions

Youth Mental Health

Health Related Social Work

Ageing

Disability

Systemic and Social Constructionist Approaches with Children and Families

Working in Human Service Organisations

Social Work Research

Special Seminar Series

For more information, see the current academic year course handbook

To see details on all our module offerings please click here

Practice Placements

Students will be required to successfully complete a professional placement of fourteen weeks duration, in each academic year.  Placements take place from January to April in both years one and two. Garda (Police) vetting and health screening is required prior to undertaking placement. Further placement details are available on the Practice Education Unit page.