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.

Admission is confined to a limited number of students holding a BSocSc (Hons) Degree with an overall result of at least a 3H or its equivalent, such as (but not limited to) the BA in Early Years and Childhood Studies, BA Hons in Applied Social Studies in Social Care, or graduates with a conversion course, i.e. the Higher Diploma in Social Policy (or its equivalent).

There is a selection process based on the following combined elements: academic performance and research capacity; certified social work related experience and initiative; knowledge of social work; and motivation, commitment and suitability.

Garda Vetting
Students, or applicants in receipt of an offer, on this programme will be subject to Garda Vetting as relevant. Students will be prohibited from engaging in a relevant work placement unless the vetting process has been cleared. Click here to view UCC's Student Garda Vetting Policy.

Fitness to Practise
Commencing with the 2013/2014 intake of first year students (including repeats), this programme will be subject to the University's Fitness to Practise Policy - full details may be found here.

Attendance
The Postgraduate Diploma in Social Work Studies is a professional training programme accredited by the Health and Social Care Professionals Council (CORU). As a professional training programme, social work students are required to attend every class of each module (including fieldwork placements) unless unavoidably prevented from doing so. If a student’s attendance falls below 80% in any module, he/she may be required to repeat that module before being allowed to proceed with his/her training.

Leave of Absence
Students intending to take leave of absence of a year or more must make application to the College of Arts, Celtic Studies and Social Sciences Office not later than March of the preceding academic year.

International Fieldwork Opportunities
A limited number of placement opportunities outside of Ireland are available each year. The School of Applied Social Studies has links with placement agencies in the U.S., India, South Africa and some European countries.

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

Students take 120 credits as follows:

Year 1
Students take 60 credits as follows:
Social Work, Counselling and Development Issues
SS6101 Social Work Theory 1: Theory and Practice (10 credits)
SS6102 Human Growth and Development (5 credits)
SS6108 Child and Family Welfare I (5 credits)

Social Work Practice and Fieldwork Placement I
SS6112 Practice Skills and Fieldwork Placement 1 (20 credits)

Social Science, Law and Social Work Settings
LW6005 Social Work and the Law (Child Law) (5 credits)
SS6105 Social Policy and Social Exclusion (5 credits)
SS6106 Applied Social Research (5 credits)
SS6107 Social Work Settings 1 (5 credits)

Module Semester Information may be found here. Module descriptions may be found here.

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.

Year 2
Students take 60 credits as follows:
Social Work, User Groups and Law
LW6003 Social Work and the Law (The Rights of Vulnerable Persons) (5 credits)
SS6200 Social Work Theory II: Theory and Practice (5 credits)
SS6201 Child and Family Welfare II (5 credits)
SS6202 Social Work Settings II (5 credits)

Social Work Practice, Counselling Skills and Fieldwork Placement II
SS6207 Practice Skills and Fieldwork Placement II (20 credits)

Long Essay and Practice Presentation
SS6205 Practice Project (20 credits)

Module Semester Information may be found here. Module Descriptions may be found here.

Examinations
Full details and regulations governing Examinations for each programme will be contained in the Marks and Standards 2019/2020 Book and for each module in the Book of Modules, 2019/2020.

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, interpersonal and professional relationships, effective communication, personal and professional development, provision of quality services, knowledge, understanding and skills;
• Demonstrate knowledge of theory, legislation, policy, official inquiry reports and international conventions, 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.