Overview

The MSocSc (Voluntary and Community Sector Management) is a part-time programme running for 24 months from the date of first registration for the programme. It is run on a cyclical basis every two years.

Students attend the University one day per week. Some of the modules may be delivered in blocks of five days and/or over long weekends.

Postgraduate Diploma in Voluntary and Community Sector Management (NFQ Level 9, Major Award)

Students who pass taught modules to the value of at least 40 credits in Year 1 and at least 20 credits in Year 2 to a total value of 60 credits may opt to exit the programme and be conferred with a Postgraduate Diploma in Voluntary and Community Sector Management.

Programme Requirements

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

Programme Requirements

Module List

Code	Title	Credits
Students take 90 credits.
Part I - Year 1
Students take 40 credits as follows:
Core Modules
GV6112	The Third Sector and the State	5
SS6600	Principles, Values and Practice in the Voluntary and Community Sector	5
SS6606	Social Policy in the Voluntary and Community Sector	5
SS6607	Financial Oversight and Management in the Voluntary and Community Sector	5
FE6602	Social Enterprises and Local Development	5
SS6608	Quality Systems and Risk Management in the Voluntary and Community Sector	5
FE6712	Leadership and Change Management in Co-operative and Social Enterprises	10
Part II - Year 2
Students take 50 credits as follows:
Core Modules
FE6601	Co-operatives and the Third Sector	5
IS6012	Application of IT to the Third Sector	5
MG6100	Leadership, Organisational Development and Change for the Third Sector	5
LW6103	Legal Aspects of State Regulation	5
SS6602	Applied Social Research in the Voluntary and Community Sector	5
SS6605	Dissertation in Voluntary and Community Sector Management	25
Total Credits		90

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 in Voluntary and Community Sector Management (NFQ Level 9, Major Award)

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

• Apply knowledge, skills and values to take a leadership and/or managerial role in an organisation in the community and voluntary sector;
  
• Describe, critically assess, integrate and apply leadership structures and decision-making processes related to community, voluntary, co-operative, and social enterprise organisations;
  
• Identify and critically assess the interaction between societal structures, policies, practices and values in Third Sector management;
  
• Integrate and apply law, rights mechanisms and good governance practices to work in the Third Sector;
  
• Critically assess social research relating to the Third Sector, and apply theory and practice in social research to Third Sector management and planning;
  
• Demonstrate an ability to manage and conduct research on the Third Sector;
  
• Integrate and apply theories and practices that promote democratic processes within Third Sector management;
  
• Integrate and apply business skills, accounting skills and information technology to exert effective control over the management of resources and practice in the Third Sector.