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This course is approved by CORU. This means that graduates can apply to CORU for registration as social care workers once register opens in November 2023

What is the BA in Applied Social Care?

The BA in Applied Social Care (previously known as the BA in Applied Social Studies in Social Care) is a three year (level 7) course of study. The course is designed to facilitate students who wish to pursue a specific area of interest and prepares students for professional careers in Social Care Work.

The overall aim is to develop reflective and ethically-aware practitioners with the capacity to build professional relationships, in partnership with vulnerable individuals and groups who experience marginalisation, disadvantage or special needs.

The course involves the study of related disciplines of Sociology, Social Policy, Psychology, Law, Applied Social Care, Personal and Professional Development and Supervised Professional Practice.

Entry will only be permitted at year one and applications in relation to RPL, advanced entry and module exemption applications for any year will not be accepted and reviewed for these programmes. 

Applicants who seek entry into the BA (Hons) in Applied Social Studies in Social Care will be permitted once they have completed the Bachelor of Arts  in Applied Social Care, Waterford Campus or equivalent programme. 

Special Feature of the BA in Applied Social Care Course

All students must successfully complete a supervised work-based placement in an SETU approved social care placement.  Placement occurs in Semester 3 and 6, and consists in total of 800 hours of supervised social care practice (400 hours per placement). Placements are spread across the South East region and beyond. There is no certainty that your allocated placement will be close to your home.

Students undertaking the BA in Applied Social Care must meet the requirements of the School of Humanities Student Fitness to Practise Policy and School of Humanities Student Garda Vetting Policy.

Entry will only be permitted at year one and applications in relation to RPL, advanced entry and module exemption applications for any year will not be accepted and reviewed for these programmes.

Student mobility and transfer opportunities across SETU campuses are not permitted for Social Care programmes.

Applicants who seek entry into the BA (Hons) in Applied Social Studies in Social Care will be permitted once they have completed the Bachelor of Arts in Applied Social Care, Waterford Campus or equivalent programme. 

Year 1

Semester 1 Semester 2
Key Academic Skills for Social Care Introduction to Social Policy
Applied Social Care 1 Applied Social Care 2
Disability Vulnerable Youth in Contemporary Ireland
Introduction to Sociology Social Care Law 1
Lifespan Developmental Psychology Psychological Disorder and Mental Health
PPD with Creative and Cultural Practices 1 PPD with Creative and Cultural Practices 2

Year 2

Semester 3 Semester 4
Practice Placement 1 Applied Social Care 4
Practice Placement Portfolio 1 Sociology of Ireland
Applied Social Care 3 Social Care Law 2
Health and Well-being
Inequalities and Disadvantage in Irish Social Policy
Continued Personal and Professional Development

Year 3

Semester 5 Semester 6
Sociology for Social Care Work Practice Placement 2
Social Psychology Practice Placement Portfolio 2
Social Care Law 3 Applied Social Care 5
Research Skills for Social Care
Citizenship and Rights in Irish Social Policy
Applied Personal and Professional Development

Leaving Cert: Minimum entry requirements for BA in Applied Social Care

5 subjects: O6/H7
English or Irish: O6/H7

Advanced and Equivalent Entry for BA in Applied Social Care:

For previous SETU students, who wish to apply to complete their studies on either SE919 Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in Social Care Practice or SE927 Bachelor of Arts in Applied Social Care, please contact [email protected]

Due to professional validation requirements, this programme is not suitable for advanced entry, exemptions or recognition of prior learning

There is no health requirement for admission to this programme. However, some Placement Agencies may require students to be immunised against specific infectious diseases. 

Other Requirements:

Students undertaking the BA in Applied Social Care must meet the requirements of the School of Humanities Student Fitness to Practise Policy and School of Humanities Student Garda Vetting Policy.

Students who complete this level 7 degree programme can choose either to graduate after three years or progress on to a related level 8 degree.

Information on how to progress is on our advanced entry page.

Graduates of the BA in Applied Social Care may take up employment in the public, private or community based care sectors. Social Care Workers may work with:

  • Children and adolescents in residential care
  • People with physical, intellectual and or sensory disabilities
  • People or families experiencing homelessness
  • People with alcohol/drug dependency
  • Families in the community
  • Older people
  • Ethnic Minority groups

Follow on Study

SE919 - Social Care Practice

Graduates of BA in Applied Social Care may take up employment in the state sector and in community-based organisations. Social care workers may work with:

  • Children and adolescents in residential care

  • People with learning or physical disabilities

  • People who are homeless

  • People with alcohol/drug dependency

  • Families in the community

  • Older people

  • Recent immigrants to Ireland

Completion of a level 8 programme will also enable students to undertake taught Masters programmes or Masters degrees by research at SETU or other third-level colleges.

Contact

Course Leader

Ms Victoria McDonagh

Assistant Lecturer in Social Care Practice -

Email: [email protected]

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