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.