Bachelor of Arts in Professional Social Care Practice CW717

Social care professionals provide vital support, advocacy and care to some of the most vulnerable and marginalised groups in society including people with disabilities, children and families at risk, asylum seekers, people with addiction, mental health issues and the elderly. This course provides graduates with the skills and expertise to work in the social care professional and work across this diverse sector, in fields such as residential care, disability and community based services.

Course Structure

IT Carlow's strong links to practice facilitates students in professional practice placements throughout the course, further developing their professional skills and knowledge for future employment in areas of social care, social policy and social justice.

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.

Is this course for you?

If you are interested in advocacy, human rights, social justice and want to understand more about the factors influencing human behaviour and therapeutic interventions with at risk groups and communities, then Professional Social Care Practice might be the course for you!

Special Features:

Supervised professional practice placements (taking place in Year 2 and Year 3) are an essential part of this course.

Students are encouraged to take part in national and international competitions such as the SPARK Social Enterprise Awards and Social Care Ireland Awards for high academic achievement.

A wide variety of external speakers from the sector deliver guest lectures on an annual basis.

Students take part in an annual Social Care Careers Seminar hosted by IT Carlow and sector talks relating to social care practice.

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 Arts in Applied Social Studies (NFQ Level 6) after Year 2.

Leaving Certificate:

5O6/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?

The course provides graduates with the skills and expertise to work in the social care profession and work across this diverse sector, in fields such as:

Residential care

Disability

Community-based 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.