Social Work (MA)

The MA in Social Work (MSW) programme is located within the School of Political Science and Sociology. It is an innovative programme, one of the newest programmes in the country, committed in particular to the promotion of human rights and social justice. In high demand from its inception in 2004, the MA in Social Work programme provides accredited professional education and training in social work.

The programme is currently accredited by the statutory regulatory agency, CORU, the Health and Social Care Professionals’ Council.

One of the strengths of the Master of Arts in Social Work Programme (MSW) at NUI Galway is the small size of class membership, which facilitates supportive relationships between students and staff members. The programme is delivered as part of the provision of the School of Political Science and Sociology, also home to the UNESCO Child and Family Research Centre.

Throughout the teaching, the connection between academic learning and practice application is central. We benefit from excellent partnerships with practice teachers and statutory and voluntary organizations which employ social workers across individual, family and community services. We are continually striving to develop and foster these relationships. Where possible, opportunities for international placements are also offered. The Social Work Programme is well placed to provide high-quality theoretically informed research and up-to-date practice applied professional education. We have a dedicated Social Work Staff Group that works alongside School colleagues to provide students with a broad range of teaching and learning experiences and access to knowledge and expertise from local, national and international perspectives.

We offer joint teaching and learning opportunities with other disciplines within the School (e.g. Social Policy & Community Development) and are connected to the Child and Family Research Centre and a range of research clusters, which are partnered with the Life Course Institute. This means that staff throughout the School play a key role in relation to teaching and supervising research dissertations by students. The Programme also benefits from inter-disciplinary training with colleagues in other schools (e.g., School of Health Sciences), professionals in practice and service users and carers.

The maximum annual intake of Social Work students is 25. A dedicated teaching room, with extensive computer facilities, is available to students. The programme adheres to the definition of social work provided by the International Federation of Social Workers and expects Social Work students to adhere to both professional and university codes of conduct.

Subjects in this course are:-

• Required SP6118: Mental Health and Applied Law - 5 Credits - Semester 1
• Required SP718: Theory & Social Work I - 5 Credits - Semester 1
• Required SP611: Social Policy - 5 Credits - Semester 1
• Required SP601: Social Work Practice - 5 Credits - Semester 1
• Required SP603: Methods of Social Work - 5 Credits - Semester 1
• Required SP604: Research Methods - 5 Credits - Semester 1
• Required SP606: Children, Families & Vulnerable Adults - 10 Credits - Semester 1
• Required SP608: Field Work I - 20 Credits - Semester 2Required SP610: Field Work II - 20 Credits - Semester 3
• Required SP607: Social Work, Law & Human Rights - 5 Credits - Semester 3
• Required SP719: Theory & Social Work II - 5 Credits - Semester 4
• Required SP609: Contemporary Social Issues - 5 Credits - Semester 4
• Required SP612: Research Dissertation - 15 Credits - Semester 4
• Required SP614: Social Work, Supervision & Management in a Multi-cultural Context - 5 Credits - Semester 4
• Required SP722: Criminal Justice System, Probation & Social Work - 5 Credits - Semester 4