Bachelor of Social Sciences (Honours) - Youth and Community Work (CK114)

Program Description This undergraduate degree in Social Science (Youth & Community Work) for mature students combines an academic social science programme with a professionally accredited qualification in youth and community work. This professional qualification is recognised by employers in the Republic of Ireland, Northern Ireland and throughout the UK. This programme is suitable for you if you have developed a concern for social justice and are interested in working with people, particularly those who experience marginalisation and social exclusion. Your life experience will be an important contribution to the learning on this programme, which will prepare you to work as a professional with a sense of vocation in the challenging but rewarding field of youth and community work. It is hoped that on completion of this course, you will continue to offer your critical skills and knowledge, either on a paid or voluntary basis, to people, communities and critical social movements. Early 21st Century society in Ireland is in crisis. Communities continue to be polarised by inequalities in relation to social, economic and political life. Increasingly, a growing gap exists between those in poverty and those who remain the beneficiaries of some questionable policies and practices of our capitalist economy. In this context, skilled and knowledgeable community and youth workers have a key role to play as facilitators, leaders and participants in movements for social and economic justice. You will undertake a practice placement in each year of the programme in a wide range of agencies and settings across the youth, community and voluntary sector. These placements provide the opportunity to develop your knowledge and a wide range of skills, as well as building your reputation as a practitioner while still students on the programme. Placements can be facilitated locally, nationally and internationally. During placements students receive a high level of support, both from our placement supervisors in the School of Applied Social Studies and from the agency or organisation where they are on placement.