BA (Hons.) in Social Care

The BA (Hons.) in Social Care is a three year honours degree programme (Level 8) which qualifies graduates to work as social care workers. It is located in DIT Mountjoy Square, Dublin 1.

Admission criteria

Admission to Year one is via the CAO. The admission criteria are six Leaving Certificate subjects, with a minimum of two honours. Also, applicants must have a minimum of OD3 in mathematics and OD3 in English or Irish. Fetac level 5 applicants must have a minimum of five distinctions. More detail for Fetac level 5 applicants can be found [here].

The CAO entry points in September 2011 were 400 points.

A number of places are reserved for mature and non-standard applicants, disability and access applicants and international applicants. Non-standard applicants and mature applicants should show evidence of voluntary or paid experience in the social care sector. Cognisance will be taken of former academic attainment.

Advanced entry (to Years 2 and 3)

A small number of vacancies may arise each year for advanced entry to Year 2 or Year 3 [more details]

Programme description

This programme is designed to provide a comprehensive grounding in theoretical and practical modules, to qualify graduates as professional social care workers. Specifically,

The 'Programme document' details all module content, assessments, learning outcomes and indicative reading lists [available here]

Practice placement and Garda vetting

Each year has a practice placement component (30 days in Year 1; 60 days in Year 2; 60 days in Year 3). Social care students may be placed in a wide variety of statutory and voluntary agencies. Examples are: residential centres for children and youth, special schools, high support care, special care units, community development projects, day care and residential services for people with intellectual disabilities, community care work with children and families and family support projects.

Garda clearance will be required from students. Applicants must fully and honestly complete the Garda vetting form. Failure to disclose a criminal conviction automatically renders what may appear to be a very minor offence, unrelated to children or minors, to be a serious breach of DIT regulations. The Department of Social Sciences policy on Garda vetting can be found on our Student Resources page.

Contact us

Ms. Ann McWilliams, Programme Chair, BA (Hons.) in Social Care, Department of Social Sciences, DIT 40-45 Mountjoy Square, Dublin 1.
Tel.: 01-4024257
e: ann.mcwilliams@dit.ie

A graduate's perspective

My name is Vicky Sheerin and I graduated from the BA (Hons.) in Social Care in 2009. The College Careers Service informed me of interviews for a Non-Profit Organization called Devereux. It has Residential Centres located in a number of locations across America. I was selected from the interview process and was chosen for the Residential Campus in Rutland, Massachusetts (Near Boston). The company that recruits in Ireland is called Inspire Learning. I made the move in October 2009. Devereux is a large self contained Campus with four separate Programmes, including Trauma based Care for Boys and Girls, a Substance abuse Unit, and a Specialised PDD (Pervasive Developmental Disorder) Programme. The Campus provides Residential Care, on-Campus Clinical Staff, Case Managers, and a Nursing Department. It also has facilities for Adventure Based Counselling and a Behavioural School on the same site.

When I first came here I was in a position called a Floating Direct Care Professional (similar to a Social Care Worker in the Residential Setting). This position entailed working across campus in all settings and across all the different models. I then choose to move permanently to the PDD programme where I worked with young men between the ages of 15 -22 on the Autism spectrum. I quickly became a Shift Supervisor. Three months ago I was promoted to a Case Manager.The job description includes many that a Key worker would partake only with more clients. My role also includes working a lot with the families and teaching them the skills to use with their children. I also work a lot on ABA and the development of Behaviour Plans. I will commence my course to become a Behaviour Analyst shortly which is being offered through the Centre.

I have also decided to get my Master of Social Work and start in September.It is not Social Work like at home but more like a therapist role. When I receive my Masters I will be able to practice under Supervision as a Clinician and in a further two years I will be licensed. There really is a huge amount of opportunity over here. This is just one route, you can also very quickly move into Residential Unit Management and Service Delivery areas.

I just want to share my so far successful story and say 'Thank you' to social care at DIT; all of my Supervisors have been incredibly impressed with my approach to this field of work and the quality of my training. I always respond that it was DIT that provided me with the positive attitude and approach as well as the knowledge. There is no Bachelor Course in the US that compares with the DIT BA (Hons.) in Social Care and they are amazed at the quality of the Course. It provides a good balance and also a high standard of practice placement which is not found in many other courses!

Thank You to the entire staff team in Mountjoy Square for helping me achieve all of this! I really feel passionate about this field and pushing people beyond their expectations with opportunity for growth and development, all of which I learnt at DIT.

A student's perspective

Hi, my name is Lisa and I am a first year student studying on the BA (Hons.) in Social Care. I have been asked to say a few words on what I thought this course was going to be like and how it actually was. This will hopefully give any new students planning on coming to the college next year an idea of what college life is like and what it is like to study Social Care.

When I got accepted into DIT Mountjoy Square for Social Care, I was so excited as it was my first choice and was located very near my home. I didn't know what to expect going to the college but I knew I'd try whatever was thrown my way. I was quite nervous on the first day for registration as I didn't know anybody. We were all quickly reassured that everyone that was there was in the same boat. There were over 40 in the class; mostly girls and a large amount of them were from the country. For them it was a much bigger deal because they had to move to Dublin and adjust to independent living.

We were given our time-table which was fortunately very kind and had quite a contrast. On Mondays we had Psychology class. On Tuesdays, we had Sociology, Health and Well-Being and Drama. On Wednesdays, for the first few weeks we had an introduction to placement work and then it became the day we carried out our placement. Thursdays, we had Professional Principles of Social Care and on Fridays we had Art and Learning Disabilities. For most of us this was a whole new experience as we had never studied any of these subjects before which was quite daunting. However we quickly got over that and into the work routine. We were informed on all the activities, clubs and sport clubs that were available in the college and encouraged to join them as it was a great way to meet new people. I joined basketball and badminton where I met new people who were in the same position as me as a first year.

The lecturers for every class are all very friendly and very approachable if you need help with some work or if you just want a chat. In the lectures the students become part of the class where everyone's point of view is taken on board and discussed openly. At first it was very easy to see we were still nervous voicing our opinions which was normal. Now after a year everyone wants to be heard!

The one thing I will say which most people don't realise is that the year flies. It is a full year with plenty of work. We had an essay due for most classes and a presentation for some as well. We usually had about a month or more to prepare the essays, therefore giving us enough time to research the particular topics. The results are all included in your final summer grade. Most essays had 20% attached which is great going into the summer exam. We had to do an art journal which I found great fun. This was a book which showed all the work we had done throughout the year but it was decorated in our own style. We also had to do a drama journal showing the different strategies we used in class.

The one part of the course I was most looking forward to was the placement work. We had to complete 25 days placement to pass the course. I was placed in a work-shop for adults with learning disabilities. It was an experience I can't explain in words as it was a very touching experience. During placement we were able to use what we had learned in our lectures in particular confidentiality. We had two block weeks in placement, one at the start and one after Christmas. During these times we got to know the service users very well.

After Christmas we started a new lecture called Social Policy. At the end of the year, where I am now, its amazing to see how much has been done in such a short space of time. The summer exams are all that is left for us to do. We have five exams to complete and pass to continue into second year. Overall the course is demanding and attendance is very important as it counts for part of your marks in some classes.

Another part of college that most people will want to know about is RAG week. During this week there are many different events which take place. The students union organises these events. On each day and night there are different activities and nights out. We had a joint night out with Bolton Street College. On one of the days there was the RAG trip which took about 22 bus loads of students to different nightclubs over Ireland. A very enjoyable day had by all.

I am very pleased I chose this course as I feel it will lead me towards what I want to do in the future. The college is very accommodating to all the students and there are many other services available to the students. I hope I have given you an insight as to what this course and college is like. My first year has been very enjoyable and inspiring and I hope you will all have the same experience as I had. I wish you all the best in your choice of course.