Bachelor of Arts Applied Social Care (Part Time)

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Course Overview

  • 4.5

  • 4.5

    Years

  • 7

    Level

Why take this course?

This programme is approved by CORU - (Health and Social Care Regulatory Body)

If you would like to work in a profession that provides care, protection, support, welfare and advocacy for vulnerable or dependent individuals or groups, social care will be of interest to you. Social care workers are committed to the planning and delivery of quality care and other support services in partnership with individuals and groups with identified needs. As well as protecting and advocating for individuals and groups, social care workers guide, challenge and support those entrusted to their care toward achieving their full potential.

What will I experience?

This programme offers a wide variety of learning opportunities. Students will acquire the knowledge and skills to work with children and/or adults who need support in a variety of settings. We aim to deliver best practice in our teaching to support students to become competent and confident social care workers. The three practice placements linked with this course (800 hours in total) are a central feature of the student’s experience during the four and a half year programme.

What opportunities might it lead to?

This programme leads to a qualification which allows graduates to work as a social care worker. It will equip students to find employment in a variety of areas such as residential care, disability services, mental health services, family support services and homelessness services.

Additional Information

Garda Vetting

Garda Vetting is a requirement of this programme and will comply with TUS`s Student Garda Vetting Policy and Procedure (https://www.ait.ie/contact/staff/quality/policies-procedures).
Students participating in the course must be vetted in accordance with the provisions of this policy. Students must complete the National Vetting form(s) in an absolutely honest and truthful manner. Students must disclose any (and all) knowledge of a criminal conviction(s) or pending prosecution(s) in Ireland or outside the jurisdiction. Students who have resided outside of the Republic of Ireland for a period of 6 months or more (from the age of 18 years) shall also be required to furnish a Police Clearance Certificate from their country or countries of residence.

It is important to note that participation in or completion of this programme may be affected by subsequent disclosure/discovery. During the Garda Vetting Process, issues that
may emerge which were not declared by the student on the initial vetting form, may result in immediate termination of participation on the programme. Offences that are disclosed through the process that are considered a serious risk to children and vulnerable persons, may also result in a student’s discontinuation from the programme. The outcomes of the vetting disclosure will be shared with the placement provider. Students cannot progress to placement unless the Garda Vetting Process is complete.

Fitness to Practice

A student on the BA in Applied Social Care must be fit to practice. The Athlone Institute of Technology Student Fitness to Practice Policy will apply to all students on this programme (https://www.ait.ie/contact/staff/quality/policies-procedures), with special reference to the Dept of Social Science, Social Care Addendum. Students will be required to sign off on this, acknowledging that they have read and understood this requirement.

Attendance

The BA in Applied Social Care has a mandatory attendance policy. In order to have a clear record of attendance, class attendance records are kept. Attendance during practice placements is monitored by the agency. Before progressing to the next stage of the programme, students have to work additional hours to compensate for any absences during work placements, in order to fulfil the attendance requirement. Absences must be supported by verifying documentation.

Contact Email: socsci.midlands@tus.ie

Course Details

Course Fees:
Year 1 €2350 Year 2 €2350 Year 3 €2350 Year 4 €2350 + Year 5 €1175
Course Duration:
4.5
Course Duration:
4.5 Years
Course Award:
Bachelor of Arts
Course NFQ Level:
Level 7
Department:
Dept of Social Science
Minimum Entry Requirements:

How do I apply?

Applicants for this part-time programme apply directly to our Admissions department (admissions@ait.ie) rather than via the CAO.

Do I have to be over 23 years old?

Yes. Unlike the Department’s level 7 social care programme for full-time students, applicants for this part-time programme must be mature (over 23 years old) at the point of applying.

Do I have to attend an interview?

Yes. All applicants are invited to attend a short interview. The interview covers the applicant’s commitment and motivation for enrolling on the programme, knowledge of the structure and content of the programme, any relevant knowledge or experience in care field.

Language Proficiency

Instruction is through the medium of English and applicants who do not have school Leaving Certificate English must provide evidence of equivalent competence by way of recognised proficiency tests in English (e.g. IELTS). Those for whom English is not their first language, but who have been resident in an English speaking country for a number of years and/or those who have completed a QQI Award, are exempt from taking a proficiency test in English.

The minimum requirement for entry to undergraduate programmes (Level 6, 7, 8) at TUS is IELTS 6.0 or equivalent internationally recognised English exam. IELTS 6.0 indicates that the learner or test taker:

  • has competent level to study academic programme.
  • has an effective command of the language
  • can use and understand fairly complex language, particularly in familiar situations.

Course Structure

Year 1

​Developing Academic Practice

Group Dynamics and Collaborative Practice

Contemporary Social Care Practice 1.1

An Introduction to Law

Contemporary Social Care Practice 1.2

Developmental Psychology

Interactional Approaches to Social Care

Year 2

Introduction to Sociology

Contemporary Social Care Practice 2

Disability: Models and Practice

Family and Human Rights Law

Counselling Skills

Interactional Approaches (Art, Drama or Recreation)

Year 3

Child Law

Placement Preparation 1

Applied Social Care Placement

Introduction to Research Methods for Social Care

Professional Liability

Disability: Promoting Inclusion

Placement Preparation 2

Year 4

Mental Health

Management Theory and Practice

Applied Social Care Placement

Interactional approaches to Social Care (Art, Drama or Recreation)

Atypical Child and Adolescent

Contemporary Social Care Practice


Year 5

Sociology and Social Policy Perspectives

Applied Social Care Placement

Careers & Opportunities

Career Prospects

This programme leads to a qualification which allows graduates to work as a social care worker. It will equip students to find employment in a variety of areas such as residential care, disability services, mental health services, family support services and homelessness services.

Work Placement

This programme leads to a qualification which allows graduates to work as a social care worker. It will equip students to find employment in a variety of areas such as residential care, disability services, mental health services, family support services and homelessness services.

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