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.
Academic modules include:
Year One
Year TwoIntroduction 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
Contemporary Social Policy
Introduction to Social Work Research and Evaluation
Families and Children: Practice in a Child Welfare Context
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
Professional Development
Working in Human Service Organisations
Social Work in a Global Context
Social Work Research
For more information, see the current academic year course handbook
Practice Placements
Students will be required to successfully complete a professional placement of fourteen weeks duration, in each academic year. Placements take place from February to May in both years one and two. Garda (Police) vetting is required prior to undertaking placement. Further placement details are available on the Fieldwork Education Unit page.