MASTER OF SOCIAL SCIENCE (SOCIAL WORK)

The Master of Social Science (Social Work) (MSocSc Social Work) is a full time two year programme for suitable graduates who want to pursue a career in social work. The programme combines rigorous academic education with supervised field work practice towards the aim of developing competent, ethical and reflective social work practitioners who are committed to the promotion of human rights and social justice in social work.

Learning Outcomes

Graduates of this programme will be able to:

• Demonstrate the necessary knowledge, skills and values to practise independently as professional social workers;
• Engage in ethically informed social work practice, upholding principles of social justice, human rights and anti-oppressive practice;
• Critically evaluate  the political, social, economic and technological issues encountered by social workers in their work and be competent to deliver creative responses to these issues;
• Demonstrate an integrated understanding and proficiency in the core domains specified by the Social Work Registration Board, namely: professional autonomy and accountability, interpersonal and professional relationships, effective communication, personal and professional development, provision of quality services, knowledge, understanding and skills.

Why Study Social Work at Maynooth University?

The Department of Applied Social Studies (DAPPSS) at Maynooth University is the longest established provider of professional education and training in youth work and community work in the Republic of Ireland. Since 1981, building on a mission “to contribute to human rights, social justice and equality nationally and internationally”, it has earned an unrivalled reputation for teaching, research and public contributions in these areas (which, like social work, require external professional accreditation), as well as in the academic discipline of social policy.

The introduction of social work complements the Department’s existing suite of programmes in the social professions.

The MSocSc Social Work programme shares a focus on social justice and human rights with other programmes in the Department of Applied Social Studies (the MSocSc Community and Youth Work and the MSocSc Rights and Social Policy) and like them will include classroom and field visit opportunities to learn about and meet practitioners at the forefront of human rights activity both in Ireland and internationally. For example, in the current academic year, postgraduate students registered on courses in the DAPPSS have had the opportunity to visit national and international justice and rights institutions, including the United Nations in Geneva.

All modules on the MSocSc Social Work are led by experienced academics and social work practitioners with a focus on small group teaching and experiential learning.

Fieldwork placements will take place in each of the two academic years and there will be a range of placements available both in Ireland and internationally. The programme team will work with each individual student to identify with them the most appropriate placements available in each of the two years.   

CORU Programme Approval

Social work qualifications in the Republic of Ireland are approved by the Health and Social Care Professionals Council, CORU http://www.coru.ie/

Graduation from an approved programme is one of the entry criteria for application to join the Social Workers Register.

The Master of Social Science (Social Work) programme from Maynooth University was granted programme approval in 2021 as one of the qualifications recognised for entry to the Social Workers Register. In order to become approved the programme must demonstrate that it meets the Social Workers Registration Board's Criteria for Education and Training Programmes and the Standards of Proficiency for the profession.