Social Work (MA)

MA in Social Work (MSW)

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Course Overview
Key Facts
Course Outline
Why Choose This Course?
Course Fees
Find Out More

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 (0)91 495295

Email: eleanor.kelly@universityofgalway.ie

Bernadine Brady

Lecturer
1010 Institute for Lifecourse & Society
School of Political Science and Sociology
Telephone: +353 (0)91 495759

Email: bernadine.brady@universityofgalway.ie

Carmel Devaney
Lecturer
1009 Institute for Lifecourse & Society
School of Political Science & Sociology
Telephone: +353 (0)91 495733

Email: carmel.devaney@universityofgalway.ie

Jacqueline Murphy
Lecturer
304 Aras Moyola
School of Political Science & Sociology
Telephone: +353 (0)91 495787

Email: jacqueline.murphy@universityofgalway.ie

Brian McGrath

Lecturer
322 Aras Moyola
School of Political Science & Sociology
Telephone: +353 (0)91 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
View Profile

Dr. Paul Michael Garrett

BA, MA, PhD

Senior Lecturer
Dept. of Pol. Science & Soc.
Room 102C
Science & Technology Building
University of Galway
View Profile

Dr Declan Coogan

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

Lecturer
T: ++353 91 495373
View Profile

MS MARGUERITA MC GOVERN

MA, C.Q.S.W

Emeritus Practice Learning Coordinator / Adjunct Lecturer
School of Political Science & Sociology
NUI Galway
View Profile

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.

Key Facts

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.

Additional Requirements

Garda Vetting/Police Clearance is necessary and required for students participating in this programme.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

RPL is not formally available for the MSW programme due to the accredited nature of the course and the requirements that must be met. These learning requirements are met through an integrated programme throughout two years which all students must complete. This is in line with university RPL policy. Please note that, while we do not have a formal RPL system, prior learning is recognised in other ways. For example, the admissions processes recognises prior learning from practice experience and in the teaching processes encourages students to bring their own learning to the programme and build on this throughout.

Duration

2 years, full-time

Next start date

September 2025

A Level Grades ()

Average intake

QQI/FET FETAC Entry Routes

Closing Date

31 January 2025

NFQ level

Mode of study

ECTS weighting

120

Award

CAO

Course code

MA-SOCW

Course Outline

Programme aims and objectives

The aim of the MSW Programme is to aid in the development and formation of students wishing to gain accreditation as professional social workers. This is achieved by

Preparing students to undertake an ethnically based practice integrating both theory and research, policy, skills and reflection.
Putting in place the foundations of generic learning applicable to all fields and methods of practice.
Sustaining the focus on human rights and social justice within social work practice. Students will learn professional autonomy and accountability; develop interpersonal and professional relationships; practice effective communication; build towards personal and professional development; assess and be able to deliver a quality service; develop knowledge, understanding and skills in a creative environment. Underpinning all of these domains is the basic principle of respecting and advocating for the rights of the service user.

Through the course, student participants are encouraged to:

develop an appropriate skills base within practice placement settings
lay an emphasis on the need for social workers to make use of social theory and research evidence
facilitate the development of critical and reflective thinking and practice

Students are expected to show evidence of a commitment to promoting social justice and human rights throughout their studies and practice.

Programme Content (Subject to Change)

Year 1

• Social Work Practice

• Theory and Social Work I

• Methods of Social Work

• Support and Protection across the Lifecourse

• Social Policy

• Mental Health and Applied Law

• Placement I

• Research Methods

Year 2

• Social Work, Law and Human Rights

• Contemporary Social Issues

• Social Work, Supervision, Management & Administration in a Culturally Diverse Setting

• Theory and Social Work II

• Criminal Justice System, Probation & Social Work

• Research Dissertation
• Placement II

Curriculum Information

Curriculum information relates to the current academic year (in most cases).
Course and module offerings and details may be subject to change.

Glossary of Terms

Credits: You must earn a defined number of credits (aka ECTS) to complete each year of your course. You do this by taking all of its required modules as well as the correct number of optional modules to obtain that year's total number of credits.
Module: An examinable portion of a subject or course, for which you attend lectures and/or tutorials and carry out assignments. E.g. Algebra and Calculus could be modules within the subject Mathematics. Each module has a unique module code eg. MA140.
Subject: Some courses allow you to choose subjects, where related modules are grouped together. Subjects have their own required number of credits, so you must take all that subject's required modules and may also need to obtain the remainder of the subject's total credits by choosing from its available optional modules.
Optional: A module you may choose to study.
Required: A module that you must study if you choose this course (or subject).
Required Core Subject: A subject you must study because it's integral to that course.
Semester: Most courses have 2 semesters (aka terms) per year, so a three-year course will have six semesters in total. For clarity, this page will refer to the first semester of year 2 as 'Semester 3'.

Year 1 (60 Credits)

RequiredSP6144: Support and Protection across the Lifecourse - 10 Credits - Semester 1
RequiredSP6118: Mental Health and Applied Law - 5 Credits - Semester 1
RequiredSP718: Theory & Social Work I - 5 Credits - Semester 1
RequiredSP611: Social Policy - 5 Credits - Semester 1
RequiredSP601: Social Work Practice - 5 Credits - Semester 1
RequiredSP603: Methods of Social Work - 5 Credits - Semester 1
RequiredSP604: Research Methods - 5 Credits - Semester 1
RequiredSP608: Field Work I - 20 Credits - Semester 2

Year 2 (60 Credits)

Why Choose This Course?

Career Opportunities

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).

Who’s Suited to This Course

Learning Outcomes

Transferable Skills Employers Value

Work Placement

Study Abroad

Related Student Organisations

Course Fees

Fees: EU

€8,750 p.a. (€8,890 including levy) 2025/26

Fees: Tuition

€8,500 p.a. 2025/26

Fees: Student levy

€140 p.a. 2025/26

Fees: Non EU

€19,500 p.a. (€19,640 including levy) 2025/26

For 25/26 entrants, where the course duration is greater than 1 year, there is an inflationary increase approved of 3.4% per annum for continuing years fees.

Postgraduate students in receipt of a SUSI grant – please note an F4 grant is where SUSI will pay €4,000 towards your tuition (2025/26). You will be liable for the remainder of the total fee. A P1 grant is where SUSI will pay tuition up to a maximum of €6,270. SUSI will not cover the student levy of €140.

Note to non-EU students: learn about the 24-month Stayback Visa here.

Find out More

Academic curriculum queries:
Social Work Admissions
T: +353 91 492 290
E: socialwork@universityofgalway.ie

What Our Students Say

Clodagh Feaheny | MA in Social Work (MSW) Graduate

I was part of the graduating class of 2021 and received my social work education throughout the pandemic and the beginning of Covid-19. The staff and college facilitated this difficult time amazingly and there was never a scarcity of support and communication throughout those daunting and difficult times. The masters in social work offered me a great theoretical base upon which my practice now rests as well as a developed practical insight and understanding to contemporary social work practice across numerous fields and services nationally. The small class sizes in Galway allowed for more intimate learning and professional development of everyone on the course and time for each person to get to know their teachers and staff and build amicable relationships together. My learning from University of Galway has stood to me in my practice and I feel the university and course as a whole are extremely highly regarded in the world of social work and social care practice and carry a great reputation.

Michelle Perrill | MA IN SOCIAL WORK (MSW) GRADUATE

I was extremely fortunate to receive a place on the MA in Social Work in University of Galway from 2015-2017. This masters programme covers a vast amount of both theory and practice modules, including two social work practice placements, helping to interlink knowledge and theory to social work practice. During this programme we had interesting conversations sharing both personal and professional examples with each other at times. I feel privileged to have benefited from the learning on this programme and I still reflect on the learning in my career today. I found this course provided me with a strong knowledge base of social work theory, while ensuring I maintained the importance of human rights and social justice throughout my practice with clients. Since studying this course, I have been employed as a social worker in child protection services, progressing to a social work team leader, and most recently accepting a principal social work post in disability services. This course has been the very foundation for my career progression in social work. It is a highly diverse course opening employment options in many sectors and I would highly recommend it.

Patrick Rice | MA IN SOCIAL WORK (MSW) GRADUATE

Completing my Masters of Social Work at the University of Galway has been an immensely positive transformative experience. From the time I started the course I felt a sense of belonging and purpose that continued to grow throughout my time there. I found there to be a great group of faculty members present that are not only experts in their field but also deeply committed to nurturing the next generation of social workers. Their passion for the subject matter, social justice and advocacy is contagious, and it inspired me to push myself beyond my limits and strive for excellence in my work. The curriculum is thoughtfully designed to provide a comprehensive understanding of social work theory, research, and practice. From engaging lectures to hands-on placements, every aspect of the program is geared towards preparing students to become well rounded, skilled, and effective social workers in the community. As I reflect on my journey at the University of Galway, I feel immensely grateful for the opportunities it has afforded me and the growth it has facilitated. Armed with the knowledge, skills, and confidence gained from my time here, I am ready to embark on a fulfilling career.

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