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. 

Programme Requirements

Programme Learning Outcomes

Programme Learning Outcomes for Postgraduate Diploma in Social Work Studies (NFQ Level 9, Major Award)

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

• Apply knowledge of social systems and human behaviour to promote social change, problem solving in human relationships and the empowerment of people to enhance their well-being;
• Apply knowledge of social policy to critically examine and respond to the impact of social and political contexts on service users and social work;
• Reflectively evaluate and implement the values and ethics of the profession of social work as embodied in the Irish Association of Social Workers, CORU and International Federation of Social Workers codes;
• Promote principles of social justice, human rights and anti-oppressive practice as intrinsic elements of social work practice;
• Demonstrate core social work practice proficiencies in the areas of: professional autonomy and accountability; communication, collaborative practice and teamworking; safety and quality; professional development; professional knowledge and skills;
• Demonstrate knowledge of theory, legislation, policy, official inquiry reports and international conventions, and apply this to assessment and intervention planning in social work practice;
• Illustrate a reflective approach to learning that is self-directed, strengths-based and reflective;
• Engage in a process of self-awareness, self-monitoring and continuous professional development;
• Develop as 'research minded' practitioners who will continue to update their knowledge and engage in systematic evaluation of their practice;
• Respond reflectively and reflexively as social workers in a variety of social work settings, including multi-disciplinary contexts;
• Complete a practice project that demonstrates their use of professional knowledge, values and skills in social work practice related situations.