The Higher Diploma in Social Policy (Online) is directed at graduates without a background in the social policy, who are seeking a conversion course to gain access to an array of professional courses for which social policy is a requirement.

The programme is delivered online and can be taken over the course of one year (full-time) or two years (part-time). The Higher Diploma in Social Policy (Online) is designed to be flexible, to attend to students' employment and care responsibilities.

For the December 2020 intake the Higher Diploma will run for one calendar year (starting December 2020 and finishing in December 2021).

The programme involves a series of modules designed around short lectures. The short lectures are approximately 8 to 12 minutes in length and will engage students with theory, practice, and research, at the heart of social policy. Core readings and rich media resources will complement the short lecture series. All academic work conducted on the programme is desk-based involving analysis of literature, society, policy, and reports.

The Higher Diploma in Social Policy (Online) is open to graduates who do not already possess a BSocSc (Hons) Degree. This is a conversion course and is open to graduates of any discipline who may be interested in pursuing further study in the fields of social policy or social work. The minimum entry requirement is an Ordinary Bachelor's degree (Level 7) or equivalent.

September 2020 intake:

Students take 60 credits. To avoid workload imbalance, students can take up to and no more than 35 credits in either semester.

Part I

Core Modules:
SS5101 Social Policy and Social Theory (online) (10 credits)
SS5102 Contemporary Social Policy Analysis (online) (10 credits)
SS5106 Housing and Homelessness (online) (5 credits)
SS5108 Poverty and Social Exclusion (online) (5 credits)

plus

Elective Modules (Students choose 15 credits from the following):
SS5105 Social Professions and Social Practice IV (online) (5 credits)
SS5107 Education and Welfare (online) (5 credits)
SS5109 The Politics of Racism (online) (5 credits)
SS5110 Social Policy and Social Work (online) (5 credits)

Part II

Core Module:
SS5104 Social Research Report (online) (15 credits)

December 2020 intake:

Students take 60 credits. To avoid workload imbalance, students can take up to and no more than 35 credits in either semester.

Part I

Core Modules:
SS5101J Social Policy and Social Theory (online) (10 credits)
SS5102J Contemporary Social Policy Analysis (online) (10 credits)
SS5106J Housing and Homelessness (online) (5 credits)
SS5108J Poverty and Social Exclusion (online) (5 credits)

plus

Elective Modules (Students choose 15 credits from the following):
SS5105J Social Professions and Social Practice IV (online) (5 credits)
SS5107 Education and Welfare (online) (5 credits)
SS5109 The Politics of Racism (online) (5 credits)
SS5110 Social Policy and Social Work (online) (5 credits)

Part II

Core Module:
SS5104J Social Research Report (online) (15 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 2020/2021 Book and for each module in the Book of Modules, 2020/2021.

Programme Learning Outcomes for Higher Diploma in Social Policy (Online) (NFQ Level 8, Major Award)
On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to:

• Exhibit skills required in writing a graduate research report;
• Demonstrate a knowledge of key concepts, frameworks and theories in social policy;
• Demonstrate the capacity to pursue comparative research in applied social studies;
• Recognise the relation of social policy to the various disciplines in the social sciences;
• Apply social policy concepts and theory to understand and evaluate changes in the contemporary welfare state;
• Exhibit digital skills, knowledge, and literacies.