Overview

NFQ Level 8, Major Award

The Higher Diploma in Social Policy is a full-time conversion programme running for 9 months from the date of first registration for the programme, providing a foundation in Social Policy for graduates who do not hold a Social Science degree. The programme may also be taken on a part-time basis over two years.

Programme Requirements

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

Programme Requirements

Module List

Code	Title	Credits
Part I
Students take 45 credits as follows - all listed core modules (30 credits) and 15 credits of elective modules:
Core Modules
SS3005	Housing and Homelessness	5
SS3008	Poverty and Social Exclusion	5
SS3049	Politics and Social Policy IV	5
SS3050	Politics and Social Policy V	5
SS5317	Social Policy and Social Theory	10
Elective Modules
Students take modules to the value of 15 credits from the following: 1		15
AP1023	Lifespan Development (5)
SS3006	Education and Welfare (5)
SS3009	Communities, Activism and Development (5)
SS3010	Social Science and Social Work (5)
SS3011	Youth Policy and Practice (5)
SS3015	The Politics of Racism (Online) (5)
SS3016	Social Perspectives in Mental Health (5)
SS3021	Sexuality and Society (5)
SS3033	Issues in Planning and Sustainable Development (5)
SS3045	Critical Perspectives on Age and Ageing (5)
SS3051	Critical Perspectives on Disability (5)
SS3118	Community Conflict Transformation and Peace Building (5)
Part II
Students take 15 credits as follows:
Core Module
SS5400	Research Report	15
Total Credits		60

¹

Subject to timetable availability.

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 Higher Diploma in Social Policy (NFQ Level 8, Major Award)

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

• Exhibit skills required in writing a graduate research report;
  
• Demonstrate a knowledge of key concepts, frameworks and theories in social policy;
  
• Demonstrate the capacity to pursue comparative research in applied social studies;
  
• Recognise the relation of social policy to the various disciplines in the social sciences;
  
• Apply social policy concepts and theory to understand and evaluate changes in the contemporary welfare state.