About the Higher Diploma in Social Policy
Aimed at graduates who do not hold a Bachelor of Social Science degree or a background in the Social Sciences, the Higher Diploma in Social Policy is a one-year full-time course providing a foundation in the study of the welfare state and the social services.
The Higher Diploma programme is an intellectual challenge and experience in its own right as well as being a prerequisite for students who intend to pursue further postgraduate study such as the Masters in Social Work (MSW). The programme also substantially prepares students for entry into other postgraduate courses in the areas of social policy, youth and community work, social services administration and childcare.
As a student on the H. Dip. in Social Policy you will be sharing modules with the B.Soc.Sc Year III as well as attending the core modules of the Higher Diploma course.
Higher Diploma in Social Policy Modules
Students are required to take all the core modules and to choose three of the optional modules.
SA317. Social Policy & Social Theory and SS 5400 Research Project
This module is a programme of seminars that examines the normative and explanatory basis of the discipline of social policy. This course provides a sociological analysis of the challenges and opportunities facing contemporary societies for example the crisis of work, concepts of social inclusion and their failure, anomie, all in the context of European integration. Didactically, the seminar programme is undertaken around SS5400, a common social research project (within which distinctive individual contributions can be identified). The project includes research on basic theoretical questions of society building, questions of social professions around social inclusion, methods of evaluation and different forms of presentation.
Core Modules:
SS3003. Social Policy Analysis
SS3004. Politics and Social Politics
SS3005. Housing and Homelessness
SS3006. Education and Opportunity
SS3008. Poverty, Unemployment and Welfare
SS3024. Politics of Health & Medicine
Optional Modules (subject to availability):
SS3009. Community Development
SS3011. Youth Policy and Practice
SS3010. Social Science and Social Work
SS3013. Disability and Equality Issues
SS3015 Race and Social Action
SS3021 Sexuality and Society
SS3033 Social Policy and Social Intervention.
Additional Modules:
Students may be required to take appropriate courses in Psychology, Economics and Sociology by arrangement with the Department concerned.
Entry Requirements
There is a two-stage selection process. First, the Course Director carries out a paper assessment of the appplication forms submitted to the Postgraduate Admissions Office (in response to newspaper advertisements). Second, all applicants who are formally eligible – i.e. who have an undergraduate degree without substantial social policy – are called for interview. Each eligible applicant is interviewed by two staff members, at least one of whom teaches on the social policy programme. Interviewees are graded according to five selection criteria: academic performance; relevant work or life experience; background understanding of social policy; motivation; and communication. Data for grading students on these criteria are drawn from the interview itself, as well as from academic transcripts, personal statements contained in the application form and from the two references provided about the applicant. For more information, contact Mr. Joe Finnerty, Course Director, 021-4903537 or at j.finnerty@ucc.ie.
