MA/Postgraduate Diploma (Life Course Studies)
(formerly MA/PDip [Family Support Studies])
College of Arts, Social Sciences, & Celtic Studies
Key facts
Entry requirements
Candidates must have three years work experience in a related
field. Academic qualification in a related area is also necessary
although two places are allocated each year to participants
who have the practical experience but may not have a
formal qualification.
Duration:
2 years, part-time
Next start date: September 2012
ECTS weighting: 90
Average intake: 20
Closing date:
Please refer to the offer rounds/closing date webpage.
Taught
Course overview
In recent times, there has been a shift towards a more pro-active stance in relation to overall wellbeing of populations across the life course. Issues in relation to rights, and efforts to develop, compensate for, enable and strengthen functioning across the life course. It includes an explicit recognition of the need to refocus interventions with the life course populations so that professionals and agencies become preventative rather than reactive, and holistic rather than compartmentalised.
The PDip / MA in Life Course Studies is a two-year part-time programme and students are required to attend college two days every second week with the agreement of their employers. Core modules include; Introducing the life course: theoretical perspectives, The life course: issues for practice and research. Social and policy perspectives on the life course, Support and protection across the life course, Inclusive community development, Contemporary practice issues and the life course, Legal perspectives on the Life course, Health, independence and wellbeing across the life course, Applied research thesis.
Course outline
This is a two-year part-time programme and students are required
to attend college two days every second week. There are seven
modules in total on the programme, some of these are core
modules and are taught in both years. Core modules include:
introducing the life course, theoretical perspectives; social and
policy perspectives on the life course; and contemporary practice
issues and the life course. The additional modules divided through
year one and two include: support and protection across the life
course; inclusive community development; legal perspectives on
the life course; health, independence and wellbeing across the life
course; life course issues for practice and research; and an applied
research thesis.
Assessment of candidates will be on a continuous basis, will vary from
course to course and involve a combination of essays, project work and
written assignments. Central to students' assessment will be their
'on site’ Family Work Placement and associated Practice/Research Project (Minor dissertation). In Year Two, students will submit a dissertation (20,000 words)
as part of this programme which will be based on their work environment, the
research requirements of their employer, and critical themes in Family Support
theory and practice.
Applications and selections
Applications are made online via The Postgraduate Applications Centre (PAC). Relevant PAC application code(s) above.
Who teaches this course?
Ms. Carmel Devaney, BA, MA, Course Director
Dr. John Canavan, Associate Director, Child and Family Research Centre,
Professor Pat Dolan, Director Child and Family Research Centre
Dr. Bernadine Brady, BA, MA, PhD
Dr. Brian McGrath, BA, MSc, PhD
Requirements and assessment
Assessment of candidates will be on a continuous basis, will vary
from module to module and involve a combination of essays,
project work, and written assignments. These will be completed
both on an individual and group basis. Central to students’
assessment will be their ‘on site’ placement and associated practice
and their year two research project (minor dissertation).
Find out more
Dr. Carmel Devaney,
Course Director, Child and Family Research Centre,
School of Political Science and Sociology,
NUI Galway.
T 353 91 495 733
