Details of a new degree in Community and Family Studies, to be delivered through distance learning, have been announced by NUI Galway's Community Education Centre. The four-year part-time degree will commence in late September with a closing date for applications on September 15th.

This degree is designed to enable participants to further develop and enhance their understanding, knowledge and skills relevant to Family and Community work practice and policy in Ireland or abroad. Areas of study will include community development, family support, adolescence, childcare, health, political and general socio-economics.

To accommodate the work and family commitments of adult learners, the course will be delivered through distance learning, which is a combination of workshops, assignments and learning materials. Students will attend around six workshops per year. The workshops will be held at a number of geographic locations throughout Ireland: Galway, Clare/Limerick, Leitrim and Offaly.

Deirdre Hardiman, Community Education Officer, NUI Galway, commented, "Following on from the existing success of the Diploma in Community Development Practice, the degree will serve NUI Galway's strategy of supporting the social, economic, educational and cultural needs of Irish Society. The new course has already generated huge interest among development agencies, community activists, social workers and volunteers around the country".

The Batchelor of Arts course will be run by NUI Galway's Community Education Centre. Students are awarded an NUI Diploma in Arts: Community and Family Studies upon successful completion of the first two years of the programme and a Bachelor of Arts Community and Family Studies on completion of the four-year cycle.

Application forms are available from and should be returned to the Programme Administrator, Community Education Centre, Hygeia Office Block, Nuns Island, NUI, Galway, Tel: 091 495472. Application forms may also be downloaded from: http://www.nuigalway.ie/communityeducation

Deadline for Application: Friday, September 15th 2006