Program Overview

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Child, Family & Community Studies

Overview

This programme will be of interest to graduates of early education, social care, psychology, sociology, community studies and related disciplines, as well as professionals in the broad social services delivery area (example, social work, youth work, teaching, community work, early education, family support work).

Programme Aims

The overall aim of the Masters is to examine how human capacity can be enhanced across the lifespan in the socio-educational sector. It will provide participants with a critical understanding of concepts and approaches to enabling individuals and groups to realise their potential as human persons and participative communities. The course aims to educate students to high levels of contemporary theoretical awareness in fields central to social services provision and to create an atmosphere of rigorous academic enquiry and writing.

Programme Details

Programme Code

TU391

NFQ Level

Level 9

Award Type

Major

Award

Master of Arts

ECTS Credits

90

Duration

2 Years

Course Type

Postgraduate

Mode of Study

Part Time

Method of Delivery

On-Campus

Commencement Date

September 2025

Location

Grangegorman

Fees

€3,700 Per Year
€7,400 Total Fee

Entry Requirements

Applicants must normally hold a second class honours bachelor degree, higher division (2.1) or higher in the area of social care, early education, social sciences, psychology, sociology, youth and community studies or cognate discipline.

If English is not your first language you will need to provide evidence of your English language proficiency as detailed on our website. Applicants whose first language is not English must have an IELTS score minimum of 6.5 overall, with nothing less than 6 in each component.

Applicants who do not meet the minimum academic requirements, but who have significant professional or vocational experience in child, family and community services shall also be considered. In addition to an application form, this latter category of applicants may also be asked to present for interview. The Programme Committee will work to ensure a balance of recent graduates and professionals among the student intake.

Career Opportunities

Many participants on the MA in Child, Family and Community Studies already have practice experience and use the MA to develop their careers in different directions or to move in to management roles. Graduates have gone on to work in a variety of sectors including development and policy work in social care, early childhood education and the voluntary care sector. It is not necessary to have prior professional experience, however, to find the programme beneficial for career development.

Course Content

Core Modules

• Perspective on Child, Family and Community
• Equality, diversity and intercultural practice
• Transitions across the Lifespan
• Introduction to Management Issues in Child, Family and Community Services
• Research Methods and Dissertation

Optional Modules

• Interventions in child and adolescent mental health
• Contemporary issues in the early years
• Youth Offending and Youth Justice Perspectives
• Risk, Vulnerability and the protection of children and vulnerable adults
• Perspectives on Ageing
• Intergenerational Practice and Learning
• Masculinities, Care and Equality
• Social entrepreneurship

*subject to numbers and staffing

Module Listing

Year One

• Semester 1
  • Management Issues in Child, Family and Community Work [Mandatory]
  • Perspectives on Child, Family and Community [Mandatory]
  • Research Methods and Dissertation [Mandatory]
  • Transitions Across the Lifespan [Mandatory]
• Semester 2
  • Equality, diversity and intercultural practice [Mandatory]
  • Research Methods and Dissertation [Mandatory]
  • Contemporary issues in the early years [Elective]
  • Deviance, Punishment and Social Control in Modern Ireland [Elective]
  • European Study Trip [Elective]
  • Interventions in Child and Adolescent Mental Health [Elective]
  • Masculinities, Care and Equality [Elective]
  • Risk, Protection and Resilience of Children and Vulnerable Adults [Elective]
  • Social Entrepreneurship [Elective]
  • Youth Offending and Youth Justice Perspectives [Elective]

Year Two

• Semester 1
  • Transitions Across the Lifespan [Mandatory]
  • Research Methods and Dissertation [Mandatory]
• Semester 2
  • Research Methods and Dissertation [Mandatory]
  • Contemporary issues in the early years [Elective]
  • Youth Offending and Youth Justice Perspectives [Elective]
  • Masculinities, Care and Equality [Elective]
  • European Study Trip [Elective]

Schedule

Part-time students attend college one day per week for four semesters (the first year is usually scheduled on Tuesday evenings, with the second year on Thursday evenings) and submit their dissertation the following semester.

Students who do not wish to pursue the programme to Master level may opt to be awarded the Postgraduate Diploma in Child, Family and Community Studies after the completion of 60 credits of coursework.