Overview

Alternative pathway for students not proceeding to Third Arts (Early Years and Childhood Studies) 

The BA (Hons) (Childhood Theory and Policy) is an alternative degree pathway for students who do not satisfy the pass standard for the placement module (SS2032) in Year 2 of the BA (Early Years and Childhood Studies) programme over the Summer and Autumn Supplemental Examinations. Such students may opt instead to register for the BA (Hons) (Childhood Theory and Policy). This degree pathway leads to an academic and not a practice degree.

Students will make up the remaining 25 credits, to a total of 60 credits, by taking the following modules: SS2004, SS2007, SS2021, SS2026 and SS2033 in the following academic year. On successful completion of Second Arts (Childhood Theory and Policy), students then progress to Third Arts (Childhood Theory and Policy).

Note: Exemptions in relevant modules passed as part of Second Arts (Early Years and Childhood Studies) will be carried over to Second Arts (Childhood Theory and Policy).

BA (Childhood Theory and Policy) – alternative pathway for students not completing Third Arts (Early Years and Childhood Studies) (from 2024/25 onwards)

The BA (Hons) (Childhood Theory and Policy) is an alternative degree pathway for students who do not satisfy the pass standard for the placement module (ED3015) in Year 3 of the BA (Early Years and Childhood Studies) programme over the Summer and Autumn Supplemental Examinations. Such students may opt instead to register for the BA (Hons) (Childhood Theory and Policy). This degree pathway leads to an academic and not a practice degree.

Students will make up the remaining 20 credits, to a total of 60 credits, by completing ED3014 (20 credits). On successful completion of Third Arts (Childhood Theory and Policy), students will qualify for a BA (Hons) (Childhood Theory and Policy).

Note: Exemptions in relevant modules passed as part of Third Arts (Early Years and Childhood Studies) will be carried over to Third Arts (Childhood Theory and Policy).

Fourth Arts (Childhood Theory and Policy) – alternative pathway for students not completing Fourth Arts (Early Years and Childhood Studies) (from 2024/25 onwards).

The BA (Hons) (Childhood Theory and Policy) is an alternative degree pathway for students who do not satisfy the pass standard for the placement modules, students will not undertake the Placement element of [AP4502 Placement Year 4] in Year 4 of the BA[Early Years and Childhood Studies] Programme. Such students may opt instead to register for the BA (Hons) [ Childhood Theory and Policy]. Students will undertake an alternative assignment/ assessment in AP 4502.

Programme Requirements

For information about modules, module choice, options and credit weightings, please go to Programme Requirements. 

Programme Requirements

Alternative pathway for students not proceeding to Third Arts (Early Years and Childhood Studies) 

Module List

Code	Title	Credits
Year 1 - Early Years and Childhood Studies
Students take 60 credits as follows:
Core Modules
AP1022	Social Psychology	5
AP1023	Lifespan Development	5
AP1123	Introduction to Biological and Cognitive Perspectives on Psychology	5
AP1504	Research Methods for Evidence-Informed Professionals in Early Years	5
ED1010	Historical Developments in the Irish Education Sector	5
ED1012	Early Years and Childhood Studies: Pedagogical Principles and Practices	5
ED1015	Early Years and Childhood Play and Pedagogy	5
ED1016	Infant, Toddler and Childhood Health, Development and Safety	5
MU1012	Creative Practice in Music in Early Years Childcare Settings	5
SS1019	Children's Social and Cultural Worlds	5
SS1020	Social Policy and Society	10
Year 2 - Childhood Theory and Policy
Students take 60 credits as follows:
AP2507	Early Years and Childhood Health and Wellbeing Project	10
DR2029	Drama Practice in Early Years and Childhood Settings	5
ED2004	The Curriculum in Special Needs Education	5
ED2007	Physical Activity and Childhood Holistic Development	5
OT2011	Play Provision for Inclusion in Early Childhood	5
SS2401	Child Care Policy: Contemporary Issues	5
SS2004	Personal Lives and Family Policy	5
SS2007	Penal Policy and Practice	5
SS2021	Critical Perspectives on Irish Health Policy	5
SS2026	Special Education and Disability: Principles, Policies and Practices	5
SS2033	Critical Social Policy and Environmental Crisis	5
Year 3 - Childhood Theory and Policy
Students take 60 credits as follows:
Core Modules
AP3502	Psychology of Childhood and Adolescence	10
AP3504	Child and Family Health Psychology	5
ED3012	Educational Leadership in the Early Years Setting	5
ED3013	Early Years and Childhood Education: Policy, Planning and Practice	5
ED3014	Comprehensive Education Research Project	20
SS3052	Qualitative Research Methods with Children	5
SS3053	Diversity and Gender in Childhood	10
Year 4 - Childhood Theory and Policy
Students take 60 credits as follows – all listed core modules (40 credits) and 20 credits of elective modules:
Core Modules
AP4501	Applied Quantitative Research Methods	5
AP4502	Applied Developmental Psychology: Infants, Toddlers & Children	10
AP4503	Special Educational Needs: Aetiology, Assessment and Intervention	5
ED4001	Contemporary Developments in Early Years and Childhood Education	5
ED4002	Science, Technology and Sustainability in Early Education	5
SS4002	Working with Children and Families	5
SS4003	Group Dynamics and Teamwork	5
Elective Modules
Students take 20 credits from the following: 1		20
AP4504	Early Years Research Report (20)
ED4003	Early Years Research Report (20)
SS4004	Early Years Research Report (20)
Total Credits		240

BA (Hons) (Childhood Theory and Policy) – alternative pathway for students not completing Third Arts (Early Years and Childhood Studies) 

Module List

Code	Title	Credits
Year 1 - Early Years and Childhood Studies
Students take 60 credits as follows:
Core Modules
AP1022	Social Psychology	5
AP1023	Lifespan Development	5
AP1123	Introduction to Biological and Cognitive Perspectives on Psychology	5
AP1504	Research Methods for Evidence-Informed Professionals in Early Years	5
ED1010	Historical Developments in the Irish Education Sector	5
ED1012	Early Years and Childhood Studies: Pedagogical Principles and Practices	5
ED1015	Early Years and Childhood Play and Pedagogy	5
ED1016	Infant, Toddler and Childhood Health, Development and Safety	5
MU1012	Creative Practice in Music in Early Years Childcare Settings	5
SS1019	Children's Social and Cultural Worlds	5
SS1020	Social Policy and Society	10
Year 2 - Early Years and Childhood Studies
Students take 60 credits as follows:
Core Modules
AP2507	Early Years and Childhood Health and Wellbeing Project	10
DR2029	Drama Practice in Early Years and Childhood Settings	5
ED2004	The Curriculum in Special Needs Education	5
ED2007	Physical Activity and Childhood Holistic Development	5
SS2032	Practice Preparation and Placement	25
SS2401	Child Care Policy: Contemporary Issues	5
OT2011	Play Provision for Inclusion in Early Childhood	5
Year 3 - Childhood Theory and Policy
Students take 60 credits as follows:
Core Modules
AP3502	Psychology of Childhood and Adolescence	10
AP3504	Child and Family Health Psychology	5
ED3012	Educational Leadership in the Early Years Setting	5
ED3013	Early Years and Childhood Education: Policy, Planning and Practice	5
ED3014	Comprehensive Education Research Project	20
SS3052	Qualitative Research Methods with Children	5
SS3053	Diversity and Gender in Childhood	10
Year 4 - Childhood Theory and Policy
Students take 60 credits as follows – all listed core modules (40 credits) and 20 credits of elective modules:
Core Modules
AP4501	Applied Quantitative Research Methods	5
AP4502	Applied Developmental Psychology: Infants, Toddlers & Children	10
AP4503	Special Educational Needs: Aetiology, Assessment and Intervention	5
ED4001	Contemporary Developments in Early Years and Childhood Education	5
ED4002	Science, Technology and Sustainability in Early Education	5
SS4002	Working with Children and Families	5
SS4003	Group Dynamics and Teamwork	5
Elective Modules		20
AP4504	Early Years Research Report (20)
ED4003	Early Years Research Report (20)
SS4004	Early Years Research Report (20)
Total Credits		240

BA (Hons) (Childhood Theory and Policy) – alternative pathway for students not completing Fourth Arts (Early Years and Childhood Studies) 

Module List

Code	Title	Credits
Year 1 - Early Years and Childhood Studies
Students take 60 credits as follows:
Core Modules
AP1022	Social Psychology	5
AP1023	Lifespan Development	5
AP1123	Introduction to Biological and Cognitive Perspectives on Psychology	5
AP1504	Research Methods for Evidence-Informed Professionals in Early Years	5
ED1010	Historical Developments in the Irish Education Sector	5
ED1012	Early Years and Childhood Studies: Pedagogical Principles and Practices	5
ED1015	Early Years and Childhood Play and Pedagogy	5
ED1016	Infant, Toddler and Childhood Health, Development and Safety	5
MU1012	Creative Practice in Music in Early Years Childcare Settings	5
SS1019	Children's Social and Cultural Worlds	5
SS1020	Social Policy and Society	10
Year 2 - Early Years and Childhood Studies
Students take 60 credits as follows:
Core Modules
AP2507	Early Years and Childhood Health and Wellbeing Project	10
DR2029	Drama Practice in Early Years and Childhood Settings	5
ED2004	The Curriculum in Special Needs Education	5
ED2007	Physical Activity and Childhood Holistic Development	5
SS2032	Practice Preparation and Placement	25
SS2401	Child Care Policy: Contemporary Issues	5
OT2011	Play Provision for Inclusion in Early Childhood	5
Year 3 - Early Years and Childhood Studies
Students take 60 credits as follows:
Core Modules
AP3502	Psychology of Childhood and Adolescence	10
AP3504	Child and Family Health Psychology	5
ED3012	Educational Leadership in the Early Years Setting	5
ED3013	Early Years and Childhood Education: Policy, Planning and Practice	5
ED3015	Placement Year 3	20
SS3052	Qualitative Research Methods with Children	5
SS3053	Diversity and Gender in Childhood	10
Year 4- Childhood Theory and Policy
Students take 60 credits as follows – all listed core modules (40 credits) and 20 credits of elective modules:
Core Modules
AP4501	Applied Quantitative Research Methods	5
AP4502	Applied Developmental Psychology: Infants, Toddlers & Children	10
AP4503	Special Educational Needs: Aetiology, Assessment and Intervention	5
ED4001	Contemporary Developments in Early Years and Childhood Education	5
ED4002	Science, Technology and Sustainability in Early Education	5
SS4002	Working with Children and Families	5
SS4003	Group Dynamics and Teamwork	5
Elective Modules		20
AP4504	Early Years Research Report (20)
ED4003	Early Years Research Report (20)
SS4004	Early Years Research Report (20)
Total Credits		240

¹

• Students will undertake an Early Years Research Report (20 credits) with either the School of Education, Applied Psychology or Applied Social Studies. Students will be allocated for supervision in equal numbers across the three Schools in consultation with staff members.

   

Examinations

Full details and regulations governing Examinations for each programme will be contained in the Marks and Standards Book and for each module in the Book of Modules.

Programme Learning Outcomes

Programme Learning Outcomes for BA (Childhood Theory and Policy) (NFQ Level 8, Major Award)

On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to:

• Demonstrate an understanding of research methods and skills;
  
• Develop and integrate skills commensurate with planning and implementing a research report;
  
• Critically display knowledge of ethical issues that may arise in in child-centred research and practice;
  
• Critically appraise childhood theory and research in psychology, social studies and education;
  
• Demonstrate an understanding of pedagogy and of differing curricular perspectives in the early years;
  
• Develop knowledge of developmental aspects of children from a holistic perspective – regarding health, care and well-being of young children;
  
• Apply theories from Applied Social Studies, Applied Psychology and Education, to critically examine Early Years and Childhood policies nationally and internationally.