The long-established UCD Professional Master of Social Work is a 2 year full-time programme, approved by the Social Workers Registration Board at CORU www.coru.ie leading to a professional social work qualification. The programme emphasises reflective and anti-oppressive practice and equips students with the knowledge, values and skills to work as social workers in a range of settings.
With this qualification graduates will be eligible to apply for professional registration which is a requirement to practice social work in Ireland. This Masters is also recognised internationally. The programme is taught by research-active academics with broad teaching and practice experiences. Modules address topics such as social work counselling skills, social work theory and methods, human development and behaviour, justice and human rights, working with children, families and adults, research methods, as well as working with groups and communities. We have very strong practice partnership arrangements that enable us to deliver high quality placements for students.
Registered graduates can work in a range of practice settings including: medical social work, mental health social work, child welfare and protection and criminal justice social work.
Extensive fieldwork placements are an integral part of the programme and are sourced by our Practice Learning Team.
A range of teaching methodologies are used, including lectures, small group discussions, and experiential skills workshops.
Modules are taught by research active academics, experienced social work practitioners and people who use social work services.
A commitment to engagement with people who use social work services is a key feature of the programme. For example, we have a long-established partnership with the SAOL project, an integrated programme of education, rehabilitation, advocacy and childcare for women impacted by addiction, with women from the SAOL project contributing to the programme.
The programme has long-established links with social work agencies and with individual practitioners, ensuring relevance to current practice.
