Applied Social Studies in Social Care – BA

CAO Points: 237
Campus: Athlone
years: 3

Course Code US782
Level 7
Course Type Undergraduate – CAO
Study Mode Full Time
Department Social Science

Course Overview

This programme is approved by CORU – (Health and Social Care Regulatory Body)

If you would like to work in a profession that that works in partnership with and advocates and cares for individuals or groups who require support, social care will be of interest to you. Social care workers are committed to the planning and delivery of quality care and other support services in partnership with individuals and groups with identified needs. As well as protecting and advocating for individuals and groups, social care workers guide, challenge and support those entrusted to their care toward achieving their full potential.

The regulatory body, CORU, has approved this course, which offers a wide variety of learning opportunities. Students will acquire the knowledge and skills to support society’s most vulnerable children, young people or adults who for a variety of reasons may require support and assistance. We aim to deliver best practice in our teaching to support students to become competent, confident and professional social care workers. Two practice placements (800 hours) are a central feature of the student’s experience during the three-year course. Practice placement is central to learning because it gives social care students an opportunity to gain real-life experience in their chosen field of study. Students will be supported throughout the placement process and will be allocated placements to meet required CORU proficiencies and the requirements of the course.

Additional Information

Garda Vetting

Garda Vetting is a requirement of this programme and will comply with TUS Midland`s Student Garda Vetting Policy and Procedure.

Students participating in the course must be vetted in accordance with the provisions of this policy. Students must complete the National Vetting form(s) in an absolutely honest and truthful manner. Students must disclose any (and all) knowledge of a criminal conviction(s) or pending prosecution(s) in Ireland or outside the jurisdiction. Students who have resided outside of the Republic of Ireland for a period of 6 months or more (from the age of 18 years) shall also be required to furnish a Police Clearance Certificate from their country or countries of residence.

It is important to note that participation in or completion of this programme may be affected by subsequent disclosure/discovery. During the Garda Vetting Process, issues that may emerge which were not declared by the student on the initial vetting form, may result in immediate termination of participation on the programme. Offences that are disclosed through the process that are considered a serious risk to children and vulnerable persons, may also result in a student’s discontinuation from the programme.

The outcomes of the vetting disclosure will be shared with the placement provider. Students cannot progress to placement unless the Garda Vetting Process is complete.

Fitness to Practice

A student on the BA in Applied Social Studies in Social Care must be fit to practice. The Technological University of the Shannon Midlands Midwest Student Fitness to Practice Policy will apply to all students on this programme, with special reference to the Dept of Social Sciences, Social Care Addendum. Students will be required to sign off on this, acknowledging that they have read and understood this requirement.

Attendance

The BA in Applied Social Studies in Social Care has a mandatory attendance policy. In order to have a clear record of attendance, class attendance records are kept. Attendance during practice placements is monitored by the agency. Before progressing to the next stage of the programme, students have to work additional hours to compensate for any absences during work placements, in order to fulfill the attendance requirement. Absences must be supported by verifying documentation.

Contact Details

Dr. Noelin Fox

Email: Noelin.Fox@tus.ie

What are the entry requirements?

Leaving Certificate

Grade 06 at ordinary level in five subjects in the Leaving Certificate examination. Two of these subjects must be Maths and a language (English or Irish). Note: An FL2 in Foundation Level Mathematics will be accepted as meeting the minimum Mathematics requirements for entry to this course.

QQI

Up to 20 places are reserved for QQI students. Any QQI Level 5 qualification is acceptable. Applicants, however, must hold one of the following modules: Social Studies (5N1370) or Care Provision and Practice (5N2705) or Intellectual Disability Studies (5N1652) or Care of the Older Person (5N2706) or Understanding Mental Health (5N3772) or Special Needs Assisting (5N1786).

Mature Applicants

Mature applicants are not required to meet minimum entry requirements. However, an interview may form part of the selection process.

Language Proficiency

Instruction is through the medium of English and applicants who do not have school Leaving Certificate English must provide evidence of equivalent competence by way of recognised proficiency tests in English (e.g. IELTS). Those for whom English is not their first language, but who have been resident in an English speaking country for a number of years and/or those who have completed a QQI Award, are exempt from taking a proficiency test in English.

The minimum requirement for entry to undergraduate programmes (Level 6, 7, 8) at TUS is IELTS 6.0 or equivalent internationally recognised English exam. IELTS 6.0 indicates that the learner or test taker:

has competent level to study academic programme.
has an effective command of the language
can use and understand fairly complex language, particularly in familiar situations.

International Applicants

International applicants should apply directly to the International Office at TUS, allowing plenty of time for completing the visa process. Applications for September start should be made by 1st June at the latest to ensure visas are processed in time. You should familiarise yourself with visa processing times for your country of origin to ensure you make a timely application. Find out more here.

Course Modules

Year 1

Developing Academic Practice and Autonomy
Group Dynamics and Collaborative Practice
Contemporary Social Care Practice 1.1
Introduction to Sociology
An Introduction to Law
Atypical Child and Adolescent Development
Developmental Psychology
Contemporary Social Care Practice 1.2
Disability: Models and Practice
Interactional Approaches to Social Care 1.2
Family and Human Rights Law

Year 2

Contemporary Social Care Practice 2
Child Law
Mental Health
Placement Preparation 1
Management Theory and Practice
Interactional Approaches to Social Care Art
Drama or Recreation 2.1
Counselling Skills
Disability: Promoting Inclusion
Professional Liability, Placement 1

Year 3

Contemporary Social Care Practice 3
Introduction to Research Methods for Social Care
Interactional Approaches to Social Care Art, Drama or Recreation 3.1
Sociology and Social Policy Perspectives
Placement Preparation 2
Applied Social Care Placement 2

What can you do after this programme?

Career Opportunities

This programme leads to a qualification which allows graduates to work as a social care worker. It will equip students to find employment in a variety of areas such as residential care, disability services, mental health services, family support services and homelessness services.

Further Study

Graduates from this programme are eligible to apply to progress to TUS Midland’s one-year add-on in Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Applied Social Studies in Social Care (level 8) programme, or a related level 8 programme at another third-level institution. Having acquired a level 8 degree, many of our graduates choose to pursue further study at Master’s level in TUS by enrolling on the one-year full-time MA in Child & Youth Studies.

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