This Certificate/Diploma in Leadership in the Community is designed to meet the educational and professional skills  needs of those who are tasked with the responsibility of providing effective leadership within our communities. Itintroduces the student to the concepts and processes of community developments which compliment and develop effective leadership skills that reflect current best practice and are appropriate to working in and with the community and voluntary sector. 

The Diploma programme is delivered on a part-time basis over a two year period.  The programme is modularised with attendant continuous assessment comprising of project work, presentations, reflections, practical assignments, essays and community based practice placement.  There are no examinations on this programme.

Students will complete 30 credits per year of the programme as follows:

Year 1 Modules:

• AD1044: Group Work Skills (10 credits)
  Theoretical approaches to group work.
  Group facilitation skills.
  Conflict resolution.
  Communication skills.
• AD1046: History and Theory of Community Development (5 credits)
  Models of Community Development.
  Sociological perspectives of community.
  Examinatino of the actors and dynamics within the politics of Community Development.
  Principles and practices of Community Work.
• AD1047: Principles and Practice of Community Work (5 credits)
  Principles and practices of Community work.
  The role of the Community worker.
  Agency profile.
• AD1048: Social Analysis of Community (10 credits)
  Contemporary Irish Social policy.
  Mechanisms of social inclusion.

Year 2 Modules:

• AD2020: Practice Placement (10 credits)
  Theoretical learning.
  Reflective practice.
  Placement.
• AD2021: Leadership and Management in Community Development Work (10 credits)
  Models of leadership: Theory and practice.
  Styles of leadership and management.
  Exploration of skill sets in relation to both.
  Organisation and group culture.
  Project management.
  Project planning and funding applications.
• AD2022: Research Skills in Leadership in the Community (10 credits)
  Research design.
  Research ethics.
  Methodology.
  Data collection and analysis.
  Presentation skills.

Candidates who successfully complete First Year may opt not to proceed to Second Year and may exit the programme with a Certificate in Leadership in the Community.  Students who complete the first year and decide to opt out of the Second Year, mid cycle, may also exit with a  Certificate of Leadership in the Community.

The programme is modularised with attendant continuous assessment comprising of project work, presentations, reflections, practical assignments, essays and community based practice placement.  There are no examinations on this programme.