Child, Youth and Community (MA, PDip)

Course Overview

The MA in Child, Youth and Community, with an emphasis on programme planning and evaluation, is the first of its kind in Ireland. It was developed by the UNESCO Child and Family Research Centre at the School of Political Science and Sociology. This programme emerges from one of the School’s core disciplinary orientations, Applied Social Science, and its established strengths in child, youth and family research, programme planning and evaluation.

Professionals involved in the delivery of services to children, young people and communities are increasingly required by funders and central government to provide scientific, robust evidence, to measure the social impact of these interventions. This one year full-time/two-year part-time blended learning MA Programme will enable students to be proficient in programme planning, implementation, monitoring and research evaluation methodologies in the context of child, youth and community services. The programme will allow students space to critically engage with the discourses and debates on ‘evidence’ and explore, through their integrated assessments, new lines of research and the accommodation of both in the real world of practice. 

The objectives of the programme are to: 

• Equip students with the theoretical knowledge and practical skills in programme planning, implementation, monitoring and research evaluation;
• Develop students’ capacity to design and deliver human rights based and culturally sensitive programmes and services;
• Support students to critically explore new lines of research and the use of research evidence in practice;
• Enable students to develop their capacity as leaders in this field;
• Enhance students’ skills in communication and innovative thinking;
• Provide professional experience and networking opportunities for students.

Key Facts

Entry Requirements

Additional Requirements

Course Outline

Students will take 90 credits (ECTS) worth of modules—60 of these will be taught modules made up of both core and optional taught modules. Our approach to offering blended learning opportunities is that some modules will be delivered on campus, some will be online (with synchronous and asynchronous delivery) and others will offer a hybrid approach. Classes taught on campus and synchronous (live) online classes will be delivered mid-week.

In addition to the 60 ECTS of taught modules a further 30 credits will be awarded for the successful completion of a final research project, which can take the form of a traditional dissertation, community-based research project, an extended case study or portfolio.

The optional modules available will be drawn from existing options offered in the School of Political Science and Sociology and related disciplines.

Course content (subject to change) 

• Children, Youth and Families: Sociological Perspectives and Policy Issues (10 ECTS)
• Programme Planning and Evaluation (10 ECTS)
• Human Rights and Social Justice (10 ECTS)
• Community Development and Organising (5ECT)
• Research  Methods (5 ECTS)
• Research Workshop (10 ECTS)
• Option Module x 2 (10 ECTS) or Professional Experience (work placement module) (10 ECTS)
• Final Research project (30 ECTS)

Why Choose This Course?

Career Opportunities

Who’s Suited to This Course

Learning Outcomes

Work Placement

Study Abroad

Related Student Organisations

Course Fees

Fees: EU

Fees: Tuition

Fees: Student levy

Fees: Non EU

Find out More