New online masters to train next generation of social justice leaders

22 Feb 2024

• Online flexible programme offers students the opportunity to develop specialist expertise in social policy and social justice.
• Graduates work in diverse areas including international NGOs, local government and human rights organisations.
• Find out more about the Masters and meet Faculty on a webinar on 2 March.

A new postgraduate programme at University College Cork (UCC) aims to equip students to become experts in social policy analysis, social research, and social justice leadership.

The Masters is designed to support students to work in collaboration with others to imagine and realise a more socially just and inclusive future.

The MSocSc Social Policy and Social Justice students will also develop specialist expertise in key areas including sustainability and eco-social justice; disability and mental health; migration and mobilities; childhood and youth; and creativity and well-being.

Delivered by world-leading experts in social policy

The programme is delivered online, enabling students to study in a way that best suits their schedules, over a period of one to three years. The virtual learning environment will support students transitioning to online learning, supporting all levels of technical ability.

The programme will be delivered by leading experts in the field of social policy whose internationally recognised research informs the course content, alongside contributions from community-based practitioners and service users that enliven understandings of the development and impact of social policies.

Dr Eileen Hogan, Course Director and lecturer in UCC School of Applied Social Studies, said: “Studying social policy and social justice opens up exciting, meaningful, and impactful career pathways. Our graduates work in diverse contexts that are relevant to advancing social justice, including local government, and non-profit sectors, policy organisations, research institutions, human rights organisations, NGOs, and advocacy groups.”

“We recognise that postgraduate study can seem beyond reach for many people who have busy lives and significant work and care responsibilities. Our course is designed to give all students the flexibility they need to study and work at a pace that best suits them. We know that no two students are the same, and we provide a lot of support to ensure that our students flourish.”

Fully flexible professional development

Modules will include short lectures, assigned readings, activities, small group sessions, and online discussions. Continuous assessment portfolios enable our students to showcase diverse skills in articulating social policy and social justice-oriented analyses in a variety of forms.

“Our Masters programme will give students the opportunity to interact with UCC’s world-class faculty, who are experts in social policy and social justice-oriented research and to build a professional network with practitioners who are similarly motivated and passionate about improving people’s lives. In the current climate, it can be challenging to remain positive, but we are excited to work with students who are determined, hopeful and courageous about changing our social world for the better,” Dr Eileen Hogan said.

Meet the Faculty 

Registrations are now open for an online webinar on Saturday, 2 March at 9.30am. Interested students will be able to find out more about the postgraduate progamme, meet the Course Director and Faculty and ask any questions. Register online

Applications are now open, and early application is encouraged. View more information on the programme on the course page.