Bachelor of Arts (Honours) Applied Social Studies in Professional Social Care Practice CW068

This course prepares graduates to work in social care providing support and assistance to vulnerable people in the community and in residential services. For example, social care workers gain employment working with groups such as children and young people at risk and/or who have been neglected and abused, people with disabilities and older people.

Course Structure

The course engages a range of teaching strategies include a 12-week placement in a social care agency in both 2nd and 3rd year (400 hours each year). As these placements involve working with vulnerable people, offers for the course may be withdrawn if applicants do not successfully complete the Garda vetting process.

Is this course for you?

If you are interested in working with people, civil and social rights, addressing inequalities, and enjoy seeing others reach their full potential, then social care may be the profession for you.

Special Features:

A variety of teaching, learning and assessment methodologies are used, such as discussions, group projects, placements, facilitations, poster displays, problem-based learning and case studies.

Practice placements (400 hours per placement) in Years 2 and 3 allow for the development of skills associated with professional client relationships.

Research projects are used to develop student's knowledge of the cross-functional nature of social care services.

Graduates are employed in a wide range of agencies providing social care services to clients with a variety of social care needs, including the HSE and the TUSLA Child and Family Agency.

Exit award Higher Certificate in Applied Social Studies in Professional Social Care (NFQ Level 6) after Year 2 and Bachelor of Arts in Applied Social Studies in Professional Social Care (NFQ Level 7) after Year 3.

Leaving Certificate

2H5 & 4O6/H7

Subjects required

English or Irish O6/H7

Garda vetting required

Students must provide evidence of having reached the required standard in the English Language in reading, writing and communication. A minimum IELTS score of 5.5 to 6 or equivalent completion of studies. Some programmes may require a higher standard e.g. computing. A certified statement of proficiency in English must be provided as a prerequisite to registration as a student of the Institute.

What will I be able to do when I finish the course?

Graduates are able to take up front-line positions in a diverse range of social care services and will act as a base for project coordination, supervision and management. These include: residential services (adolescent, vulnerable older people); community development; family support; community child-care and community disability services.

• When completing the application form the student/agent should indicate the applicant's chosen course of study at the Institute of Technology Carlow by indicating the appropriate code and full course title.
• Non-First Year applications should also complete the application form, specifying the required year of entry and return to the above address accompanied by all certified transcripts.
• The International Department of the Institute will handle all application requirements and correspondence with the Central Application Office (CAO) of Ireland on behalf of the student. The Central Application Office handles all first year entry to all recognised State Universities in Ireland.
• Students who have satisfied the initial entrance requirements will be issued with a conditional letter of acceptance on the payment of their full first year fee. In the event of the applicant being refused an entry Visa for study purposes, the Institute will refund the fees paid in full on presentation of the official letter of refusal from the Department of Justice.
• Applicants should be aware that the Institute of Technology Carlow, as with all recognised Universities in Ireland, only intakes once per year. The academic year begins in September of each year. Therefore when submitting an application please take into account the time required by the student to obtain a Visa and also to reach the necessary standard of English.