MA in Social Work (MSW) at National University of Ireland, Galway

About

Course Overview

This long-running MA in Social Work (MSW equips its graduates with the knowledge, skills and training required to gain employment as registered social workers. Through a proven blend of in-class and practice-based learning, participants gain in-depth understanding of social problems and their causes, as well as policy solutions. Students build the skills necessary to work with individuals, groups and communities, with an emphasis on the promotion of human rights and social justice. The programme benefits from two decades of partnerships with practice teachers and statutory and voluntary organizations, which employ social workers across services for individuals, families and communities.

This course will equip you with the skills and knowledge to be registered as a social worker by the CORU registration body.

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 (see http://www.iasw.ie/ and http://www.coru.ie/ for codes of ethics and practice.

The Deadline for applications for the Masters in Social Work at University of Galway is Jan 31^st2025. See here for details. Social Work (MA - University of Galway

Please contact socialwork@universityofgalway.ie for further information and support.

See also link regarding recently advertised Bursary opportunities from Tusla: MSWTusla - Child and Family Agency

Applications and Selections

The Deadline for applications for the Masters in Social Work at University of Galway is Jan 31^st2025. See here for details. Social Work (MA - University of Galway

Please contact socialwork@universityofgalway.ie for further information and support.

See also link regarding recently advertised Bursary opportunities from Tusla: MSWTusla - Child and Family Agency

Applications are made online via the University of Galway Postgraduate Applications System. Two letters of reference, one academic and one work-related, and a well written and convincing personal statement (600 words must also be submitted. You must also provide evidence of the equivalent of 3 months' (480 hours work experience on the relevant form provided within the online application system.

Interviews will take place end of February / early March 2025.

Who Teaches this Course

The Practice Learning Co-ordinator is Ms Eleanor Kelly.

Eleanor Kelly
Lecturer and Practice Learning Co-ordinator, MSW Programme
222 Aras Moyola
School of Political Science & Sociology
Telephone: +353 (091 495295

Email: eleanor.kelly@universityofgalway.ie

Bernadine Brady

Lecturer
1010 Institute for Lifecourse & Society
School of Political Science and Sociology
Telephone: +353 (091 495759

Email: bernadine.brady@universityofgalway.ie

Carmel Devaney
Lecturer
1009 Institute for Lifecourse & Society
School of Political Science & Sociology
Telephone: +353 (091 495733

Email: carmel.devaney@universityofgalway.ie

Jacqueline Murphy
Lecturer
304 Aras Moyola
School of Political Science & Sociology
Telephone: +353 (091 495787

Email: jacqueline.murphy@universityofgalway.ie

Brian McGrath

Lecturer
322 Aras Moyola
School of Political Science & Sociology
Telephone: +353 (091 493405

Email: brian.mcgrath@universityofgalway.ie

Changes under Key Facts section

College of Arts, Social Sciences, & Celtic Studies, School of Psychology, School of Political Science and Sociology

Other staff members of the School of Political Science & Sociology and the UNESCO Child and Family Research Centre staff are members of the programme board, module convenors and contributors. Many practice teachers and practitioners from a range of social work organisations also contribute to the programme through teaching, practice education, tutoring and/or practice assessment. Some members of the public (e.g., service users also contribute to teaching on the social work programme.

Prof Caroline Mc Gregor

B.S.S., CQSW, Ph.D., PGCHET

Director
Room 1001
Institute for Lifecourse and Society
UNESCO Child and Family Research Centre
School of Political Science and Sociology
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Dr. Paul Michael Garrett

BA, MA, PhD

Senior Lecturer
Dept. of Pol. Science & Soc.
Room 102C
Science & Technology Building
University of Galway
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Dr Declan Coogan

B.A.,Dip.,M.Sc.,MSW., Ph.D

Lecturer
T: ++353 91 495373
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MS MARGUERITA MC GOVERN

MA, C.Q.S.W

Emeritus Practice Learning Coordinator / Adjunct Lecturer
School of Political Science & Sociology
NUI Galway
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Requirements and Assessment

Students will be expected to pass all modules, including the practice component of the first year before progressing to the second year. Each module will be assessed through a variety of assessment methods including written assignments, individual and group presentations, podcasts, written examinations and minor dissertation. Students will require at least a 50% pass in each module. All Year 1 academic and fieldwork modules must be passed before progression to Level 2. No ’compensation’ between modules allowed.

Fieldwork

The Fieldwork component of the MSW is 50% of the entire period of the course. Students are placed in a variety of statutory, non-statutory and voluntary agencies. Geographically these agencies are along the Western seaboard, though there are also a number of placements in the Midlands and the East of the country. In Year 1 the placement runs for 14 weeks from early January to mid-April. In Year 2 the placement is also 14 weeks, from September to December. Each student is supervised by a professionally qualified social worker (the Practice Teacher and is visited on placement by a Personal Tutor to discuss the student’s learning progress in developing the skills required for professional practice. International placements have been available in Chicago, South Africa and the Philippines. These are, in general, self-funded.

Requirements

Entry Requirements

Level 8 undergraduate degree with a minimum Second Class Honours, Grade 2 (2.2) or BSc Social Science or other relevant qualifications deemed equivalent by the College of Arts, Social Sciences, and Celtic Studies. Prior relevant work experience is compulsory (this must equate to 3 months/480 hours).

All applicants to the MA in Social Work at the University of Galway are required to have completed three months (approx. 480 hours) of work experience relevant to the social work profession either in a voluntary or paid or a combination of both capacities prior to their application. Relevant supervised placement learning will normally count for up to a maximum of 120 hours (3 weeks). It is the candidate’s responsibility to demonstrate clearly in their application how they have met the required three months/480 hours experience and the relevant experience form in the application must be completed and submitted as part of the application. Candidates are expected to share all of their relevant experience in this form and must provide clear details of hours and dates for work completed. This includes any relevant involvement with any other courses that involved relevant placements citing the details of the agencies where placements were completed. Two letters of reference, one academic and one-work related, and a well written and convincing personal statement (600 words) must also be submitted. Review of applications for the MA in Social Work (MSW) takes place in February after the application deadline. Short-listed applicants will be called for interview late February early March.

Scholarships available
Find out about our Postgraduate Scholarships here.

Career

Graduates will be eligible to apply for registration with CORU as qualified social workers in a range of public, private and voluntary sector organisations. TUSLA, Health Service Executive, County Council, Community and Local Government and Department of Justice and Equality are examples of employers of social work in the public sector. The non-governmental sector includes services to children and adults such as, Ability West, Enable Ireland, Brothers of Charity Services, Galway Drugs Service, Jigsaw and COPE Galway. Graduates have also found employment internationally in the U.S.A., Canada, Scotland, England and Australia for example. With regard to further study, we encourage qualified social workers to consider post graduate study and or further professional training (e.g. PhD study or a recently established Higher Postgraduate Diploma in Practice Teaching, Supervision and Management).

Fee Information

Tuition Fee

EUR 20,040

Application Fee

EUR

MA in Social Work (MSW)

National University of Ireland, Galway

National University of Ireland, Galway

Key Facts

Start & Deadlines