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Bachelor of Arts in Applied Social Studies - Professional Social Care CW017

What is the Course about?

This is a full-time three year Level 7 degree course that has an exit point at level 6. The course provides an academic qualification for those interested in a career in social or community care services. The course provides graduates with the opportunity to develop the knowledge and skills to enable them to make a professional contribution to communities, groups societies and organisations in the region, nationally and internationally. Because this programme requires placement that will bring students into contact with children or vulnerable adults and in which they will assume positions of trust, it is necessary to ensure the protection of the public, and justify public trust and confidence. Therefore IT Carlow is committed to ensuring that only suitable candidates are allowed to undertake these programmes. IT Carlow uses the Garda Central Vetting Unit (GCVU) vetting service to assess the suitability of all applicants and in some cases, may also require applicants to provide an enhanced disclosure student of an affidavit. Therefore, offers on this programme are conditional and could subsequently be withdrawn if applicants do not meet the Garda Vetting requirements.

What will I be able to do when I finish the course?

Social care practitioners may work, for example, with children and adolescents in residential care; people with learning or physical disabilities; people who are homeless; families in the community; or older people.

What follow-on study opportunities are available?

Graduates of this course will be eligible to progress to year four of the BA (Honours) in Applied Social Studies.

What subjects will I study?

Year 1	Year 2	Year 3
Mandatory Subjects: Psychology 1 Social Studies 1 Creative Skills Communications and Research Introduction to Social Care Health, Wellness & Nutrition Supervised Professional Practice 1	Mandatory Subjects: Psychology 2 Social Studies 2 First Aid & Health and Safety Legal Studies 1 Principles & Practice of Community Care Supervised Professional Practice 2	Mandatory Subjects: Psychology 3 Social Research Studies Legal Studies 2 Residential Care & Family Services Creative Skills in Social Care Management for Social Care Supervised Professional Practice 3

What are the minimum entry requirements?

Leaving Certificate: Five subjects at Ordinary Level D3 or better. Subjects required: English or Irish at Ordinary Level D or better, however there is no mathematics requirement.

Mature applicants will be interviewed and assessed on an individual basis for entry to the course.

Special Features:

The programme was designed with cooperation from the HSE and from voluntary agencies. There was an emphasis placed on developing the professionalism of the students through interaction with clients. To achieve this there is a mandatory professional placement for a twelve week period in years 2 and 3. Research projects are used to develop students' knowledge of the cross-functional nature of the social and community care environment.