Postgraduate Diploma in Social Work Studies

Overview

The Postgraduate Diploma in Social Work Studies is a professional training programme running for 21 months over two academic years from the date of first registration for the programme.

Students take 60 credits in each year of the programme (a total of 120 credits). The programme is divided into six thematically-based combinations.

Transfer to MSW (Year Two)

The pass standard for modules on the Postgraduate Diploma is 40%. Students who achieve an aggregate of 50% in the First Year of the Postgraduate Diploma in Social Work Studies and pass the Fieldwork Placements element of SS6112 may be permitted to transfer to the Second Year of the MSW programme.

Exit Award from the MSW (NFQ Level 9, Major Award)

Candidates on the MSW who fail to achieve an aggregate of 50%, but who have not fallen below 40% in any module in Year 1, and who have passed the Fieldwork Placement element (SS6112 ), will progress to the Second Year of the Postgraduate Diploma in Social Work Studies.

Candidates who fail to achieve an aggregate of at least 50% across all taught modules in Years 1 and 2, but who have not fallen below 40% in any module, and who have passed the Fieldwork Placement element (SS6112 ), may also be awarded the Postgraduate Diploma in Social Work Studies.

Year 1 Exit Award (non-professional): Postgraduate Certificate in Applied Social Studies (NFQ Level 9, Major Award)

Candidates in Year 1 who fail the Fieldwork placement element (SS6112) but pass at least 30 credits in Year 1 may opt to exit and be conferred with a Postgraduate Certificate in Applied Social Studies. Candidates who opt to exit and graduate with Postgraduate Certificate in Applied Social Studies will not be eligible to apply to register with the Social Work Registration Board (CORU).

Exit Award (non-professional): Postgraduate Diploma in Applied Social Studies (NFQ Level 9, Major Award)

Candidates who have passed at least 60 credits of modules taught across the PDSWS programme may opt to exit and be conferred with a Postgraduate Diploma in Applied Social Studies. Candidates who opt to exit and graduate with Postgraduate Diploma in Applied Social Studies will not be eligible to apply to register with the Social Work Registration Board (CORU).

Programme Requirements

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