MA IN SOCIAL WORK

Overview

Programme Description

The MA in Social Work (MSW) is a Postgraduate qualification and professional training in social work. The programme is fully accredited by CORU, the Health and Social Care Professionals Council. It is provided within the School of Political Science and Sociology and benefits from being directly associated with the UNESCO Child and Family research centre (which is part of the Institute for Life Course Studies). Student’s will have access to a wide range of research and knowledge expertise from staff within the School and the Centre.

The MA in Social Work enables graduates to work as generalist social workers in a variety of statutory and non-governmental social work settings. It is designed to empower students with basic theoretical and research knowledge, analytical skills, practice skills and values, striving towards a work model which is both grounded in theory and creativity. The course develops, implements and evaluates various strategies of intervention in relation to individuals, families and groups through university based learning and supervised placements. It prepares students to manage the legal, ethical, organizational and inter-personal dimensions of practice. With a commitment of human rights and social justice as the conrnerstone of the programme, students are expected at all times to follow their CORU Code of Practice, the NUI Galway Code of conduct and other relevant ethical guidance.

Programme Aims and Objectives

The aim of the MSW Programme is to aid in the development and formation of students wishing to gain accreditation as professional social workers. This is achieved by

1. Preparing students to undertake an ethically based practice integrating both theory and research, policy, skills and reflection.
    
2. Putting in place the foundations of generic learning applicable to all fields and methods of practice.
    
3. Sustaining the focus on human rights and social justice within social work practice. Students will learn professional autonomy and accountability; develop interpersonal and professional relationships; practice effective communication; build towards personal and professional development; assess and be able to deliver a quality service; develop knowledge, understanding and skills in a creative environment. Underpinning all of these domains is the basic principle of respecting and advocating for the rights of the service user.

Through the course, student participants are encouraged to: develop an appropriate skills base within practice placement settings; lay an emphasis on the need for social workers to make use of social theory and research evidence; facilitate the development of critical and reflective thinking and practice. Students are expected to show evidence of a commitment to promoting social justice and human rights throughout their studies and practice.

Career Opportunities

Graduates will be eligible to apply for registration with CORU as qualified social workers in a range of public, private and voluntary sector organisations. Department of Children and Youth Affairs, Department Environment, Community and Local Government and Department of Justice and Equality are examples of social work in the public sector. The nongovernmental sector includes specialist services to children and adults such as, Ability West, Enable Ireland, Brothers of Charity Services, Galway Drugs Service, Jigsaw, Cope. Graduates have also found employment Internationally in the U.S.A., Canada, Scotland, England and Australia. With regard to further study, we encourage qualified social workers to consider post graduate study and or further professional training (e.g. PhD study or a recently established Higher Postgraduate Diploma in Practice Teaching, Supervision and Management: http://www.nuigalway.ie/courses/taught-postgraduate-courses/social-work-practice-management.html.

Fees

Programme Fee for Academic Year 2012-13

E.U. students: €6,015
Non-E.U. students: €13,250

Please note: fees are correct at the time of online publication, but are subject to change. Non E.U fees must be paid in full prior to registration.

International Students

This MSW programme can offer International students a new cultural opportunity to explore knowledge, skills and values for professional social work practice. Listen to what one of our International students has to say about the Programme by clicking here.

For More Information

For more information about enrolling in this course, please visit the Postgraduate Admissions Office: www.pac.ie/nuigalway.

PAC code: GYA65

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