Program Overview

MA in Childhood Studies

Overview

This Master's Degree is an ICHAS (Irish College of Humanities and Applied Sciences) programme. ICHAS are responsible for its delivery & all academic matters pertaining to it.

This programme addresses the needs of practitioners and graduates who wish to develop their knowledge and professional competence in areas focusing on professionally supporting childhood development.

Why Study a Master's in Childhood Studies?

This course should be of particular relevance to existing Level 8 graduates of programmes in areas such as Early Learning & Care, Primary & Post Primary Education, Nursing, Social care, Psychology, Sociology, Social science, Youth work and Community studies and related disciplines.

This programme has been designed to accommodate the needs of both new and recent graduates as well as those students currently holding positions in the children and young people’s workforce, including those wishing to advance their careers or indeed change careers.

Programme Features

• This programme is congruent with the objective of providing accessible and flexible programmes to adult learners and has been designed with particular emphasis on the use of blended learning technologies to support traditional classroom learning.
• This programme supports learners to develop personally & professionally to enable them to achieve a Master's Degree in Childhood Studies.
• Develop learner's knowledge, skills & competence to an appropriate level of ‘Higher Order Practice’.
• Modules within the programme are designed to build personal capacity, collaborative problem-solving skills, and an understanding of the systems and context within which individuals may be best supported.
• The programme provides a progression opportunity to complete a range of Programmes at Level 10 nationally and internationally.

Intake Dates

• Dublin - Full-Time - September 2025
• Limerick - Part-Time - September 2025
• Dublin - Part-Time - September 2025
• Limerick - Full-Time - September 2025
• Dublin - Full-Time - February 2026
• Limerick - Full-Time - September 2026
• Limerick - Part-Time - September 2026
• Dublin - Part-Time - September 2026

Course Details

• This is an ICHAS course promoted by Griffith College.
• Full-time classes: delivered at ICHAS, Walton House, Lonsdale Road, National Technology Park, Castletroy, Co. Limerick.
• Part-time classes: Griffith College Dublin, South Circular Road, Dublin 8.

Work Placement

• Students will undertake a minimum of 150 hours of work placement in approved settings with the support of 15 hours of supervision arranged by the college (10 of which would be mentoring of small group tutoring with 5 hours of direct 1 to 1 placement supervision).
• This work-based learning represents an opportunity for students to have real exposure to working creatively with children and adolescents to develop transferable and adaptable professional skills, including the professional disposition to work confidently and independently in different settings.
• Examples of acceptable placement settings could include educational settings such as pre/schools, creches, primary schools, and secondary schools as well as broader structural contexts such as Childcare committees, Early Childhood Ireland, Bernados, Childhood, National Childhood Network or youth Provision, Family resource centres and social care.

Module Information

Module Outline

• Critical Perspectives on Child & Youth Development (Mandatory, 10 ECTS)
• Research Methodologies & Design (Mandatory, 10 ECTS)
• Curricular & Pedological Approaches in Early Learning & Care (Mandatory, 10 ECTS)
• Governance & Professional Leadership in Child and Adolescent Practice (Mandatory, 10 ECTS)
• Contemporary Discourses in Early Learning and Care (Mandatory, 10 ECTS)
• Practicum (Mandatory, 10 ECTS)
• Dissertation (Mandatory, 30 ECTS)

Timetables

Full-time:

• The full-time programme is normally scheduled over 3 consecutive days per week over 2 Semesters, from 9.30 am to 4.30 pm.

Part-time:

• The part-time programme would normally require attendance, either in class or online, on 1 evening per week from 6 pm-9 pm and approximately eight Saturdays from 9.30 am-4.30 pm in the academic year.

How to Apply

Entry Requirements:

• The knowledge, skills, and competence required to successfully participate in and complete this Level 9 programme will normally require applicants to have successfully achieved a Level 2:2 award in a relevant Level 8 Honours Degree in areas such as Early Learning & Care, Primary & Post Primary Education, Nursing, Social Care, Psychology, Sociology, Social Science, Youth Work & Community Studies, and related Social Science disciplines.
• Those who have completed other relevant educational programmes or have relevant professional experience etc., where Recognised Prior Learning (RPL) and Acquired Prior Learning (APL) can be applied to the programme by submission of programme content, qualification, and assignments equivalent to an appropriate Level 8 award at an Honours 2:2 standard, can also be considered.

English Language:

• For non-native speakers of English, an IELTS score of 6.5 (or equivalent) is required.

Fees

Tuition Fees

• Irish/EU citizens, living in Ireland:
  • Part-time: €4200.00 (includes Bursary of €3,000)
  • Full-time: €4000.00 (includes Bursary of €3,000)
• Irish/EU citizens, living abroad:
  • Full-time: Please refer to the Irish/EU Living Abroad Fees section.
• International:
  • Full-time: Please refer to our Non-EU Tuition Fees section.

Flexible Payment Options

• Students wishing to avail of an instalment plan should contact the college.
• An Academic Administration Fee of €250.00 and a 2% Learner Protection Charge is applicable each academic year in addition to the fees quoted.

Progression

Careers

• Project Worker
• Family Support Projects
• Youth Workers
• Afterschool Assistant
• Childcare Development Officer
• Youth Advocate