Social Work – MA

Status: Applications for 24/25 are now closed
Campus: Moylish, Limerick City
years: 2
Fees: €7,000 per year for 2024-2025

Level 9
Course Type Postgraduate – Taught
Study Mode Full Time
Department Applied Social Sciences

Course Aim

Social work is a values-based profession that places primacy on the well-being of individuals, groups, families and communities, particularly those who experience multiple dimensions of vulnerability. Social workers aim to give voice to traditionally marginalised populations and never lose sight of the importance of fighting for social justice.

The aim of this programme is to prepare students to successfully engage in social work practice in an ever-increasing complex world. The programme will arm students with the knowledge, values and skills necessary to meaningfully assess and treat a variety of challenges via the conscious use of the best evidence from the literature to guide practice.

Contact Details

Email Us

Email: socialwork.midwest@tus.ie

Entry Requirements

Applications are encouraged from the following groups:

Applicants with a grade of 2.1 or above in an honours undergraduate degree in a relevant discipline. For example, Social Work, Community Development, Early Childhood Care and Education, Psychology, Social Policy, Social Science, Social Care, Sociology, Youth and Family Studies, Addiction Studies.
Applicants with a grade of less than 2.1 in an honours undergraduate degree in a relevant discipline with three or more years of relevant practice experience.
Applicants with an honours undergraduate degree in a non-relevant discipline and a postgraduate award in social sciences with a grade of 2.1 or above.

Applications are considered on an individual basis. Academic qualifications, work and life experience, motivation and overall potential to be successful on a Social Work programme are considered and evaluated from a written application and an interview. Demonstrating motivation, aptitude and interest in the course is key to a strong application.

Shortlisting of applications will take place. Assessment of applications is made by members of the Programme Board and shortlisted applicants will be required to attend for interview. The top scoring applicants will be offered places in the Programme. Applicants who scored outside the initial offer range will be placed on a waiting list and notified if a place becomes available.

Application Fee

€35 non-refundable fee will apply to all Social Work MA applications whether shortlisted for interview or not. A link to make payment will be provided to each applicant via email upon completion of the application form.

English Proficiency

All lectures, tutorials and practical work are delivered in English.
It is important that all students have the ability to read, write and communicate effectively in English at the postgraduate level.
Applicants whose national language is not English must submit certified evidence of their English language proficiency, with a score of 6.0 on the IELTS (International English Language Testing System) or equivalent.

Course Modules

Year 1 Semester 1

Social Work Practice & Theory
Preparation For Social Work Practice
Intro To Social Work And The Law
Applied Sociology & Social Policy For Social Work
Placement 1 And Seminar

Year 1 Semester 2

Placement 1 And Seminar
Human Behaviour Perspectives
Social Work And Wellbeing
Social Work Research Methods

Year 2 Semester 1

Child And Family Law
Interprofessional Practice For Social Work
Social Work With Families, Groups And Communities
Social Work Dissertation

Year 2 Semester 2

Placement 2 And Seminar

Progression Information

Further Study

Graduates may be eligible to pursue training and research leading to PhD qualifications.

Career Opportunities

Professionally Qualified Social Work, Tusla Child and Family Agency, HSE, Primary Care, Medical Social Work, Disability Social Work, Mental Health Social Work, NGO’s etc.

Further Information

Students will be required to complete 1,000 total placement hours over Year 1 (Semesters 1 & 2) and Year 2 (Semester 2).
There is an 80% attendance requirement in all modules, with Placement 1 & 2 requiring 100% attendance.
Under the National Vetting Bureau (Children and Vulnerable Persons) Acts 2012 to 2016, TUS is required to conduct Garda Vetting on all students who go on work placement where such activity brings them into contact with vulnerable adults or children. Students of this programme will be required to undergo Garda Vetting before placement. Work placement is a mandatory component of this programme. TUS reserves the right to inform Placement Providers of any convictions or pending cases. Students should note that a criminal conviction may affect their ability to undertake work placements, and by consequence their ability to progress.
Timetabling: Year 1 modules must be scheduled over 2 days maximum per week, with students in placement 2 to 3 days per week. Year 2 modules shall be scheduled over 2 days maximum per week in Semester 1, with students in placement 5 days per week in Semester 2. This plan for scheduling is based on feedback from Social Work programme directors/Heads of School in Ireland who have noted continual challenges with work-life-school balance for students.
This programme has been developed in alignment with the requirements of CORU, the organisation that regulates health and social care professions in Ireland. TUS will pursue recognition from CORU for the Master of Art in Social Work.