The Postgraduate Diploma in Youth Work is available on a full-time basis only. The programme is delivered over one academic year from the date of first registration for the programme. Students take modules to the value of 60 credits. Most classes are held on Tuesday and Wednesday evenings from 5.30-7.30pm, though this may vary at specific times of the year. Students are also required to attend a 5-day induction session in the week preceding Semester 1 and two intensive week-long workshops (End of Semester 1; End of Semester 2).

Students are required to complete two practice placements in separate locations including:
a. A short practice placement of 100 hours (Placement I).
b. An intensive, block practice placement, which is a minimum of 10 weeks in duration, comprising 30 hours per week (Placement II).

Placements are selected by the student in consultation with the Fieldwork Placement Coordinator to assure the suitability of the agency. It is the responsibility of the student to source a suitable placement and to negotiate the placement terms with the placement agency. Where a student is unable to secure his/her own placement, the Placement Co-Ordinator will assist in sourcing a suitable placement, however, the final responsibility for securing a placement rests with the student. All placements are subject to approval of the Fieldwork Placement Coordinator. Placements outside of Cork City are acceptable.

Students take 60 credits of core modules as follows:

SS6020 Principles and Practice of Youth Work (10 credits) Semester 1 (Sept - Dec 2020)
SS6022 Youth, Ethics and Welfare (5 credits) Semester 1 (Sept - Dec 2020)
SS6023 Project Planning, Management and Leadership Skills (5 credits) Semester 2 (Jan - Apr 2021)
SS6030 Practice Placement I (5 credits) Semester 1 (Sept - Dec 2020)
SS6031 Practice Placement II (20 credits) Semester 2 (Jan - Apr 2021)
SS6036 Youth Work: Working with Individuals and Groups (10 credits) Semester 1 (Sept - Dec 2020)
SS6037 Youth Work: Informal and Non-Formal Learning (5 credits) Semester 1 (Sept - Dec 2020)

Successful completion of the programme awards a Postgraduate Diploma in Youth Work, which is recognised by the North/South Education and Training Standards Committee for Youth Work (NSETS). Students will be sent a letter of accreditation by NSETS on successful completion of the programme.

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 2021/2022 Book and for each module in the Book of Modules, 2021/2022.

Postgraduate Certificate in Youth Work*
Upon satisfactory completion of 30 credits, to include modules, SS6020, SS6022, SS6036, and SS6037, students may opt to exit the programme and be awarded a Postgraduate Certificate in Youth Work. A student who subsequently applies to continue to Postgraduate Diploma must do so within 5 years of successful completion of the Certificate Examination.
*The postgraduate certificate is not professionally accredited.

Candidates must pass/progress within 2 academic years of the date of first registration for the programme.

Programme Learning Outcomes for Postgraduate Diploma in Youth Work (NFQ Level 9, Major Award)
On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to:

• Apply an advanced and systematic knowledge of the principles of working in youth work, which is at the forefront of professional practice.
• Facilitate young people’s personal, social and educational development through individual and group work and through engagement with local and regional communities.
• Demonstrate a critical awareness of the historical development of youth work in community settings and current theory and scholarship in the field of youth policy and practice.
• Engage effectively in professional practice in the youth work sector, in an ethical and inclusive manner, which safeguards the health and welfare of young people, promotes equity and values diversity.
• Exercise practical leadership and strategic planning skills in devising creative responses to meeting the needs of young people and communities.
• Utilise the skills necessary for employment and demonstrate an ability to self-reflect on one’s professional development, including the exercise of initiative and self-direction and the design, planning and management of short- and long-term projects.
• Contribute to professional development and training within organisations and communities.

Programme Learning Outcomes for Postgraduate Certificate in Youth Work (NFQ Level 9, Minor Award)*
On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to:

• Facilitate young people’s personal, social and educational development through individual and group work and through engagement with local and regional communities.
• Demonstrate a critical awareness of the historical development of youth work in community settings and current theory and scholarship in the field of youth policy and practice.
• Engage effectively in practice in the youth work sector, in an ethical and inclusive manner which safeguards the health and welfare of young people, promotes equity and values diversity.
• Exercise practical leadership and planning skills in devising creative responses to meeting the needs of young people and communities.
• Communicate information about youth work practice and youth research with specialist and non-specialist audiences.
• Apply appropriate principles and ethical standards in working with children and young people, which is informed by a child- or youth-centred approach.

*The postgraduate certificate is not professionally accredited.