Applied Social Studies (Social Care) at The

Applied Social Studies at the Institute of Technology, Sligo

BA degree [NQAI level 7] 3 years full-time or equivalent BA (Hons) Degree [level 8] BA +1 year Masters (by research) [level 9] BA (Hons) Degree + 2 years Awarding body IT Sligo has delegated authority within the National Qualifications framework to make its own awards up to and including PhD level.

Entry requirements BA degree (SG233) Minimum requirements 5 Leaving Certificate subjects at Grade D (ordinary level) or higher, including Irish or English. Mathematics is not required. Actual requirements in 2005 the final CAO ‘points’ level required was 335 A number of first-year places is reserved for students with relevant FETAC level 5 qualifications: these are filled on a competitive basis through the CAO. Students holding 50% or above in the Higher Certificate in Applied Social Studies will normally be admitted to year 3 of the course. Students with a relevant Higher National Diploma (HND) may be admitted to year 2 or 3 of the course, depending on performance at HND level.

BA (Hons) Degree (SG241) BA in Social Studies with 50% or above. A quota may apply if spaces are limited.

Masters (by research) BA (Hons) in Social Studies or cognate area with at least 2.2 honours

Accreditation of prior (experiential) learning [AP(E)L] Students may be admitted on the basis of prior accredited or experiential learning (other relevant courses and/or workplace experience). Please contact the Admissions Office (071) 9155203 for details.

Mature age applicants The Institute welcomes mature aged applicants (23+ years) to this course: they constitute about 15-20% of students admitted each year. Such applicants apply through the Central Applications Office [CAO] in the usual way and are called for an interview in early May. The interview assesses your knowledge of the course, commitment to and ability to undertake academic study, communication skills, career plans and previous education and experience. If you wish to apply as a mature-aged applicant you are encouraged to make contact with the Social Studies staff in advance to discuss the course.

Career opportunities Many people in our society need special care. Caring for people means recognising their needs for acceptance, care, comfort, control and a stimulating and safe environment – and acting to ensure these needs are met in an efficient and effective way. Social care practitioners are professionally involved - usually as part of a multi-disciplinary team that may also contain social workers, medical staff or educationalists - in caring for people in a range of settings: in residential and day care and in the community. The destinations of social care graduates have greatly expanded in recent years to embrace many organisations that work with young people, the socially marginalised, the elderly, the unemployed, the mentally and physically disabled, and in community and local development. Employers include the Health Service Executive, charitable organisations (eg Barnardos, Brothers of Charity) and community- based groups. Some students go on to other Institute of Technology or University courses in Ireland or abroad, or to nursing or the Gardaí. Graduates of the BA (Hons) may go on to undertake postgraduate qualifications in social work at Irish or other universities. While you are not guaranteed entry to any other course, an ITS Applied Social Studies qualification may provide you with advanced standing (credit) or entry to a range of courses. You need to contact individual institutions to find out their requirements. The Institute is developing its research profile and capacity, and suitably-qualified BA (Hons) graduates may wish to enrol for a postgraduate research degree. In addition all Applied Social Studies courses provide a broad-based education and personal development programme that is an excellent preparation for employment in a variety of fields. Social care graduates are responsible, self-aware, motivated and knowledgeable about their society and environment.

Course content Modules combine the study and development of specific caring skills with development of knowledge of the social context within which social care takes place: Professional studies  develops specific care skills and provides for professional self-development Communication &  develops computing, writing and speaking skills computing Creative activities  how to use art, drama and recreational activities in the care environment Health studies  how to manage your own health and encourage healthy lifestyles in others Ethics  develops your understanding of the ethical and moral basis of care practice Politics  the Irish and European political systems as they impact on the care field Sociology  a critical analysis of Irish and global society Social research  how to carry out and interpret social research Psychology  develops an understanding of individual behaviour and social interaction Legal studies  the law as it impacts on social care issues; family law Social administration  how the Irish welfare state operates and seeks to address key issues & policy

Year 3 of the BA allows you to specialise in a number of academic streams, including psychology, sociology or policy studies. You may also study economics or further develop your creative skills.

BA (Hons) The BA (Hons) course allows you to select from amongst specialised electives in the area of social care practice (eg disability studies, youth studies) as well as allowing you to further develop your chosen academic speciality in sociology, psychology or policy studies. In addition it features a research-based dissertation and modules that focus on management in the non-profit sector.

Part-time (ACCS) study It is possible to study the course part-time during the day, by selecting a number of subjects each year. If you are interested in taking either the BA or BA (Hons) course on a part-time basis, please contact the Head of Department in the first instance. The Institute also offers an evening course in this area: please contact the Life Long Learning department for further details: (071) 9137215

Placements In the second and third years of the BA, students are required to undertake relevant work placements in the second half of the year (Jan- May) each of 13 weeks duration. These placements help you to broaden your experience of the social care and to help you to develop particular skills and knowledge. All students are asked to sign up to a ‘Statement of Principles’ before going on placement. This is to help maintain the highest levels of ethical conduct and helps to protect the student, the Institute and the employing agency. They must also obtain a declaration in relation to Garda records (this is arranged by the Placement Coordinator) Placements are chosen in consultation with staff, bearing in mind the availability of suitable locations. Some placements may be available in other European countries or further afield (Alaska) and travel grants may be available to facilitate these. The placement is supervised by an experienced person, and the student must obtain a satisfactory report. Placements form a key element of the Social Studies education. After placement all students report back at a compulsory debriefing session at the Institute. You must therefore be prepared to return to the college for a period of up to a week in May after the completion of their placement. There is no placement in the Honours year.

How to apply All applications (including those as a non-standard applicant) to the BA course should be made through the CAO [course code SG233]. Application for the BA (Hons) and Masters courses, and for entry to second or third year of the BA course, should be made directly to the Registrar, Institute of Technology, Sligo by 1 April 2006. Appropriate forms are available from the Admissions Office. Qualifying exam Students that do not fulfil the minimum requirements for entry to the BA (Hons) course may be in a position to sit a qualifying examination in the relevant subjects. It is also possible to gain entry on the basis of a pass BA and a period of appropriate work experience in the social care field. For further information contact the Institute Registrar.

Interviews for non standard applicants Interviews take place in early May. About 10-20 places may be awarded, from about 50-60 applicants. Interviews assess suitability for study on the course in the following 7 areas: Educational background  appropriateness of previous study (eg studies in nursing, psychology, social sciences are valued higher than engineering or painting & decorating)  level of achievement (evidence of your progress, rather than raw marks) Career objectives  awareness of objectives of course (what is social studies about?)  knowledge of and commitment to your own career choice Personal qualities  communication skills (oral and written)  personality (ability to work as part of a team; to take responsibility for your own learning)  ability to succeed in choice (how well you ‘sell yourself’)

Staff The Social Studies course is served by an experienced and dedicated staff, reflecting high levels of attainment – both academically and in the social care field. Staff are increasingly involved in research, in working with the community and in provision of on-going training and development to those in the social care field. A number have published articles and textbooks in their areas of expertise. As a result the education in Applied Social Studies provided at the Institute of Technology, Sligo is informed by the most recent developments in the field and in the broader Irish society.

More information on Social Care in Ireland For more information on the field of Social Care, see the Irish Social Care Gateway website: www.itsligo.ie/gateway Further information is also available in the brochure What is social care? available on request from ITS, or in electronic format at the Gateway.

for more info contact: Department of Humanities Institute of Technology, Sligo (071) 9155340 [email protected] www.itsligo.ie/staff/pshare/social

ASS v.11 Nov 2005