This programme is primarily aimed at people who wish to pursue a career in Social Work but who do not have the required Social Policy major component at undergraduate level to meet the CORU accreditation requirements for a 2 year Masters programme in Social Work like the UCD MSocSc Social Work. It would also be very applicable for people wishing to pursue a career in Social Policy formation who do not have a formal undergraduate background in Social Policy.
Graduate Programmes
The School of Social Policy, Social Work and Social Justice offers a number of excellent postgraduate programmes, both taught and research based. These programmes include: the well-recognised, CORU approved, Professional Masters in Social Work, the MA in Gender Studies, the MSc in Equality Studies (the only programme of its kind in Europe); Postgraduate Diploma programmes based on all of these Masters programmes; research Masters and structured PhDs. The School also contributes significantly to the College of Social Sciences and Law’s innovative MSc Public Policy programme. Please see below for more information on these postgraduate programmes:
The Graduate Diploma in Equality Studies was designed for those who wish to develop an interdisciplinary understanding of Global Justice Issues and explore strategies for change. The course emphasies the relationship of theory to practice with a view to bringing about positive social change. You will learn about and develop your own ideas on a wide range of equality, human rights and global justice issues. The learning environment is student centred and participatory with students from a wide range of backgrounds with diverse experience and interests including community activists, development practitioners, educators, healthcare professionals, civil servants and journalists.
The MSc in Equality Studies is an interdisciplinary programme that explores a broad range of cutting-edge equality issues. Advancing equality is of major concern in contemporary societies given patterns such the increase in the concentration of wealth, the entrenchment of racism and the continued exposure of gender-based violence. Students on our programme develop a robust understanding of the causes of inequality and explore strategies for advancing equality. Drawing on knowledge from various academic fields including law, geography, history, and numerous social sciences, students address topics such as human rights, political economy, gender justice, ableism, racism, and climate justice. The learning environment is student centred and participatory. We have welcomed students from across the globe with a wide range of experience and interests including activists, development practitioners, educators, healthcare professionals, public and civil servants and journalists.
Over the past thirty years, Gender Studies at UCD has become one of the most established programmes of its kind in Ireland with a strong international reputation for feminist, queer, sexualities and masculinities scholarship, teaching and engagement in public policy and activism. Our programmes include a well-recognised PhD programme, and a Masters and Graduate Diploma in Gender Studies from one of the top 1% universities in the world. Visit us HERE
Apply HERE
Over the past thirty years, Gender Studies at UCD has become one of the most established programmes of its kind in Ireland with a strong international reputation for feminist, queer, sexualities and masculinities scholarship, teaching and engagement in public policy and activism. Our programmes include a well-recognised PhD programme, and a Masters and Graduate Diploma in Gender Studies from one of the top 1% universities in the world. Visit us HERE
Apply HERE.
The School of Social Policy, Social Work and Social Justice now runs the interdisciplinary, career focussed, highly regarded Masters in Public Policy programme formerly run by the College of Social Sciences and Law.
The MSocSc Welfare and Justice is designed for practicing social workers and Policy professionals interested in refining their analytical and management skills through post-qualifying studies, and anyone who wishes to pursue research careers in policy making and analysis in the fields of social policy and social justice. The programme focusses on a range of topics of relevance to policy makers and practitioners. In recent years, the work environment for social work practitioners is becoming globalized. In addition social justice and equality issues are an increasingly prominent concern in social sciences research. The programme provides a range of learning opportunities across a wide range of topics including: housing, health and social care, drugs and alcohol in the community, theory and practice in social work, gender equality, environment, migration, family and social protection.
See what a past student says about the programme here.
Apply here. Click on the "Apply to UCD" button and search for "Welfare and Justice"
The long-established UCD Professional Master of Social Work programme is a two year, full time, graduate course providing professional education in social work. The course has an integrated academic and social work practice curriculum that meets the standards set by CORU (the Irish Social Workers’ Registration Board) and is widely recognized internationally. Students undertake modules covering a range of social work theories, methods and skills. There is an emphasis on the integration of theory and practice throughout the curriculum, but in particular during the two fourteen-week placements that students undertake in a range of social work practice settings, including child and family services, mental health social work, medical social work and probation. Graduates of the programme are highly sought-after both in Ireland and internationally.
(opens in a new window)Find out more and apply
Applicants to the Professional Master of Social Work Programme can download the work experience form here: Social Work Work Experience Form
The school offers structured PhD study opportunities across its three constituent disciplines.
This programme provides an interdisciplinary graduate learning and research environment for doctoral studies in the field of public policy. Pooling the resources of the UCD College of Social Sciences & Law and the College of Business, the programme provides doctoral training with considerable flexibility and breadth of interest.
The PhD programme in Public Policy is a research degree that is normally undertaken full-time over 3-4 years (with a part-time option over a longer period).
Problematic substance use continues to be a major social issue within society, with increases in consumption and use of drugs, increases in drug related deaths and increases in dependency on existing and emerging substances. International and national drug policy is also heavily contested, with pressure to develop harm reduction based policy rather than the more punitive and abstinence based approach. This course will explore current and emerging issues in relation to women and substance use, within the Irish and international context.
This course is delivered online, so it is very well suited to professionals as part of continuing professional development. Find out more and apply (opens in a new window)here.