Higher Cert in App Social Studies in Social Care

Higher Certificate in Arts in Applied Social Studies in Social Care

This course will provide you with a knowledge and skills foundation for different areas of professional social care work. You will develop a fuller understanding of your own behaviour and are expected to become more sensitive and successful in a work situation. On completion of this course, you will be capable of coping and interacting effectively with people and situations in a variety of work settings. Work placements (minimum total period of 10 weeks) form an essential part of the course and are undertaken in second year of this higher certificate programme.

Minimum Entry Requirements

Leaving Certificate

Grade D3 at ordinary level in five subjects in the Leaving Certificate examination. Two of these subjects must be Mathematics and a language (English or Irish).

Note: A pass in Alternative Leaving Certificate Mathematics or Foundation Level Mathematics will be accepted as meeting the minimum Mathematics requirements for entry to this course.

FETAC

Any FETAC level 5 qualification is acceptable. Applicants to this programme are required, however, to have one of the modules Social Studies (G20031) or Care Provision and Practice (D20003) or Intellectual Disability Studies (D20169) or Care of the Older Person (D20180) or Care of People with Mental Illness (D20179) included in their award.

Garda Vetting Procedure

All students on this programme will undertake Garda vetting procedures prior to commencing their work placement. Failure to disclose previous convictions will result in students being dismissed from the programme. Previous convictions, depending on their nature, could result in student dismissal from the programme.

Modules

Year 1 – Semester 1

Introduction to Sociology, Applied Social Studies, Learning to Learn, Introduction to Law.

plus one module from

Modern Irish Politics, French, Spanish ab initio.

Year 1 – Semester 2

Development Psychology, Applied Social Studies, Interactional Approaches to Social Care,

plus one module from

Modern Irish Politics, French, Spanish ab initio.

Year 2 – Semester 1

Emotional and Behavioural Problems in Childhood and Adolescence, Personal Development and Communications, Applied Social Studies, Family and Human Rights, Introduction to Health Promotion.

plus one module from

Politics of Welfare, French, Spanish ab initio.

Year 2 – Semester 2

Fundamentals of Social Policy, Applied Social Studies, Interactional Approaches to Social Care, Disability: Models and Practices

plus one module from

Public Policy Advoacy, French, Spanish ab initio.

 A placement of 10 weeks’ duration must be completed in an approved setting.

Progression

As a graduate of this programme, you are eligible to apply to join the Bachelor of Arts in Applied Social Studies in Social Care (Level 7) at the institute or related Level 7 programmes at other third-level institutions.

Professional Recognition

N/A

Career Opportunities

When you graduate you may seek employment in different areas of social care work, such as residential care, work with community groups, care of the older person, youth work, and care of people with special mental and physical needs.

Additional Information

Alternative Access Opportunity

Year 1 of this course is also available at Cavan Institute, Cathedral Road, Cavan. Applicants should contact Cavan for more details (tel. 049 433 2633/433 2805, email: admin@cavaninstitute.ie). Students who successfully complete the examinations at the end of year 1 at this centre are eligible to apply to join year 2 of the course in AIT.

This programme is also available on a part-time basis through the Department of Adult and Continuing Education (telephone 090 648 3050 or www.ait.ie).