The Diploma in Youth and Community Work offers you the opportunity to develop professional skills and gain an understanding of the theory that guides good practice. It is a two year part-time course that explores approaches to working with groups in a variety of settings to create a positive social environment. You will trace the development of social intervention from its historical beginnings to its current form. You will develop skills that support reflective practice and enable you to engage in research, strategic planning, group leadership and mediation. Lectures are interactive; they promote discussion and may include student presentations. During year 2 you will complete a 70 hour placement in a local agency monitored by the course placement officer.

Click on any module code for a detailed module description.

Modules are as follows:

Year 1 Modules:

• SS1802: Introduction to Youth and Community Work (5 credits)
  The module will examine the history and development of Youth and Community Work. Youth and Community Work will be explored and defined and the module will consider the value systems, theoretical approaches, interventions and their application to practical youth and community work settings. The structure of the youth service and the community sector will be examined in the context of broader Irish society.
• SS1805: Introduction to Research Methods in Youth and Community Work (10 credits)
  Research skills, design, methodology and presentation.
• SS1819: Principles and Practices of Youth and Community Work (10 credits)
  This module addresses the nature of youth and community work practice, the concept of working with people and approaches used in professional work settings. It examines the benefits and challenges of youth/community participation and explores some theoretical approaches to working with people.
• SS1822: Core Skills in Youth and Community Work (5 credits)
  Group facilitation skills, leadership, conflict resolution, listening and communciation skills. The communication process will be introduced in terms of non-verbal communication, effective listening, facilitation and leadership and communication in groups. Skills in working with youth and adult groups will also be included.

Year 2 Modules:

• SS2801: Practice Placement - Youth and Community Work (10 credits)
  This module affords students the opportunity to apply their learning to a practice context in the field of Youth and Community Work and exercise theoretical learning and skills development through praxis. Students will also engage in reflective learning through the supervision process.
• SS2802: Models of Youth and Community Work (5 credits)
  The models of community work are explored such as Community Organisation, Community Care, Community Development and Community Action. Volunteer monitoring, management and development is explored. Hurley & Tracey's Models of Youth work will be examined in addition to new developments in the Youth and Community Work Sector.
• SS2813: Social Analysis: Disadvantage and Social Exclusion (5 credits)
  Introduce the concepts of prejudice, discrimination, poverty and social exclusion; subjects of class, race, gender, ethnicity, sectarianism, sexuality, disability. Look at empowerment and the role of youth and community work in affecting social change.
• SS2814: Managing Youth and Community Youth Projects (10 credits)
  This module will provide students with the practical skills of running projects, strategic planning, identifying funding sources, working with official documents, managing records and writing reports. Students will also become familiar with management structures of various agencies.

English Language Requirement: All applicants whose first language is not English must have attained IELTS Level 6 or the equivalent TOEFL score.

Candidates who successfully complete First Year may opt not to proceed to Second Year and may exit the programme with a Certificate in Youth and Community Work.

Assessment is assignment based, there are no examinations. Assignments take a variety of forms including: reflective journals, essays, community profiles, research reports and placement reflection. Lecturers will cover assignment approaches. Two assignments are required per 10 credit module and one per five credit module. Assignments are handed in one week after a module ends. Assignment briefs and guidelines are available in the course handbook so information is available in advance.

All members of the lecturing team are experienced adult education lecturers chosen for their ability to facilitate the development of positive learning environments. They have extensive professional experience in the field and would normally hold a minimum of an MA degree. Their strong links to local youth and community agencies and development bodies, along with their participation in area training programmes, provides them with first hand knowledge of the skill set expectations of local youth and community work employers.

Currently closed for application