Overview

The Master of Social Science in Social Policy and Social Justice can be undertaken as a full-time programme over 12 months from the date of first registration for the programme or as a part-time programme over 24 months or over 36 months from the date of first registration for the programme.

Postgraduate Diploma in Social Policy and Social Justice

Candidates on the MSocSc (Social Policy and Social Justice) who pass at least 60 credits of taught modules may opt to exit the programme and be awarded a Postgraduate Diploma in Social Policy and Social Justice.

Postgraduate Certificate in Social Policy and Social Justice

Candidates on the MSocSc (Social Policy and Social Justice) who pass at least 30 credits of taught modules may opt to exit the programme and be awarded a Postgraduate Certificate in Social Policy and Social Justice.

Programme Requirements

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

Programme Requirements

Students may opt to undertake the course full-time over 1 academic year or part-time over 2 (24 months) years or 3 years (36 months).

Module List

Code	Title	Credits
Full-time, one year option
Students take 90 credits.
Part 1
Students take 60 credits as follows - all listed core modules (30 credits) and 30 credits of elective modules:
Core Modules
SS6809	Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Awareness	10
SS6811	Social Research: Methodology and Ethics	10
SS6812	Social Policy and Social Justice	10
Elective Modules 1
Students take modules to the value of 30 credits from the following:		30
SS6814	Disability, Mental Health and Social Justice (10)
SS6815	Sustainability, Climate Justice and Eco-Social Policies (10)
SS6816	Migration, mobilities and social policy (10)
SS6817	Childhood, Youth and Society (10)
SS6818	Culture, creativity, well-being and social justice (10)
Part 2
Students take 30 credits:
SS6813	Dissertation in Social Policy and Social Justice	30
Total Credits		90

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Modules will be offered subject to a minimum quota of students.

Module List

Code	Title	Credits
2 years part-time option
Students undertaking the course over 2 years complete modules as follows:
In Year 1, students take 50 credits as follows – two core modules (20 credits) and 30 credits of elective modules:
Core Modules
SS6809	Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Awareness	10
SS6812	Social Policy and Social Justice	10
Elective Modules
Students take modules to the value of 30 credits from the following:
SS6814	Disability, Mental Health and Social Justice	10
SS6815	Sustainability, Climate Justice and Eco-Social Policies	10
SS6816	Migration, mobilities and social policy	10
SS6817	Childhood, Youth and Society	10
SS6818	Culture, creativity, well-being and social justice	10
In Year 2, students take core modules to the value of 40 credits as follows
SS6811	Social Research: Methodology and Ethics	10
SS6813	Dissertation in Social Policy and Social Justice	30

Module List

Code	Title	Credits
3 years part-time option
Year 1 (3 years part-time)
In Year 1, students take 30 credits as follows – 20 credits core modules and 10 credits of elective modules
Students completing the course over 3 years complete modules as follows:
Core Modules
SS6809	Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Awareness	10
SS6812	Social Policy and Social Justice	10
Elective Modules
Students take one module to the value of 10 credits from the following:
SS6814	Disability, Mental Health and Social Justice	10
SS6815	Sustainability, Climate Justice and Eco-Social Policies	10
SS6816	Migration, mobilities and social policy	10
SS6817	Childhood, Youth and Society	10
SS6818	Culture, creativity, well-being and social justice	10
Year 2 (3 years part-time)
In Year 2, students take 30 credits as follows – 10 credits core modules and 20 credits elective modules
Core Modules
SS6811	Social Research: Methodology and Ethics	10
Elective Modules
Students take modules to the value of 20 credits from the following (excluding module taken previously):
SS6814	Disability, Mental Health and Social Justice	10
SS6815	Sustainability, Climate Justice and Eco-Social Policies	10
SS6816	Migration, mobilities and social policy	10
SS6817	Childhood, Youth and Society	10
SS6818	Culture, creativity, well-being and social justice	10
Year 3 (3 years part-time)
In Year 3, students take core modules to the value of 30 credits as follows
SS6813	Dissertation in Social Policy and Social Justice	30

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 MSocSc Social Policy and Social Justice (NFQ Level 9, Major Award)

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

• Demonstrate knowledge of key concepts and current debates in relation to social policy and social justice;
  
• Demonstrate knowledge of various theoretical and ideological perspectives on social policy and social justice and their influence on the history of social policy development and contemporary social policy-making;
  
• Evaluate social policies and assess their intended and unintended consequences for individuals and groups in terms of social justice, equity, and social inclusion;
  
• Demonstrate critical thinking and self-directed research skills in investigating and responding to complex social justice issues;
  
• Demonstrate advanced disciplinary understanding in several specialist fields of knowledge relevant to social policy and social justice;
  
• Use information technology to support high-level academic writing and research on social policy and social justice;
  
• Demonstrate knowledge of the social research process, including research planning and design, methodology, ethics, and data analysis;
  
• Undertake academic research exploring themes of social policy and social justice;
  
• Complete an extended research and writing project, showing appropriate research, writing and technical skills, demonstrated in a Masters-level dissertation;
  
• Communicate complex social policy and social justice research effectively to different audiences.