Adolescent Studies

M.A. in Adolescent Studies
We are delighted to offer you this Master’s programme in Adolescent Studies which is primarily designed for graduates in health, human and social sciences related programmes including such disciplines as social care, social work, nursing, psychology, counselling, psychotherapy, and programmes in cognate areas who wish to study at postgraduate level on either a full-time (over 1 Year) or part-time basis (over 2 Years) who seek to gain specialist knowledge of childhood and youth with a view to expanding their knowledge and understanding of children and young people under the age of 18.

This programme addresses the needs of practitioners and graduates who wish to develop their knowledge and professional competence in areas focusing on professionally supporting adolescent development.

With particular relevance to those with existing Level 8 qualifications in areas such as Early Learning & Care; Primary & Post Primary Education, nursing, social care, psychology, sociology, social science, youth work and community studies and related disciplines.

This programme has been designed to accommodate the needs of both new and recent graduates, as well as supporting those currently working children and young people’s wishing to advance or change career paths.

Applicants should be driven by a desire to be professional leaders and agents for change in supporting adolescents to realise their potential.

Structure of Course
On acceptance of their place on the course, learners would be required to attend an induction day. This covers all aspects of the programme content, delivery, assessment, and requirements. Induction provides the learner with an opportunity to become familiar with the environment, peers, and faculty members.

Learners can complete this course on a full-time basis over 1 year and a part-time basis over 2 years. Attendance would normally require attendance in person (either in class or on Zoom) on 1 evening per week (6pm to 9pm) and Saturdays (9.30 am to 4.30 pm) in the academic year from September to July.

The timetable has been structured to optimise the utilisation of online learning via Zoom allowing learners the oppertunity to attend in person or using on-line facilities.

Each learner on the Full-Time programme would study and submit for assessment for 4 modules in Semester 1 (40 ECTS), while those on the Part-Time programme would study and submit 2 Modules (20 ECTS) in Semester 1.

In Semester 1, learners focus on fundamental Modules associated with the programme and on the full-Time option, are also taught a 10 ECTS Module on Research Methodologies and Design to support them with their Dissertation Module.

In Semester 2, learners on both the Full and Part-Time options will complete a total of 30 ECTS of topic focussed learning as well as completing their Practicum module (10 ECTS).

In the Practicum (Work-Based Learning) module, all learners will be required to undertake a minimum of 150 hours of practice placement, with 15 hours of supervision arranged by the College, 10 of which would be mentoring or small group tutoring with 5 hours direct 1 to 1 placement supervision.

Students will complete the Programme on submission of their Dissertation Module at the end of Semester 3 on the full-time route and Semester 5 on the Part-time route.

Those students who exit the programme without completion of their Dissertation will be eligible for an Exit Award of a Postgraduate Diploma in Adolescent Studies.

The following are the modules that have to be completed on this course which means a total of 90 ECTS have to completed for the Award of MA in Adolescent Studies.

Mandatory Modules
• Critical Perspectives on Child & Youth Development 10 ECTS
• Research Methodologies & Design 10 ECTS
• Interventions & Models of Care in Adolescent Practice 10 ECTS
• Governance & Professional Leadership in Child and Adolescent Practice 10 ECTS
• Contemporary Discourses in Youth Studies 10 ECTS
• Practicum 10 ECTS
• Dissertation 30 ECTS

• The knowledge, skills, and competence required to successfully participate in and complete this Level 9 programme.
• Applicants will normally be required required to have successfully achieved a Level 2:2 award in a relevant Level 8 degree such as Early Learning & Care; Primary & Post Primary Education, nursing, social care, psychology, sociology, social science, youth work and community studies and related social science disciplines.
• Candidates with significant professional qualifications and or can demonstrate appropriate learning from experiential or other sources of learning may apply through a Recognition of Prior Learning route (RPL).
• All applicants will be required to attend for interview to ascertain their suitability for the programme.
• In the case of overseas applications, whose first language is not English, applicants will have to provide either certification of completion of a primary degree through the medium of English or submit the official results of English Language competency demonstrated through the completion of English language proficiency tests indicating a minimum score of to B2+ in the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFRL).
• Certification may be evidenced through the production of a certificate of IELTS Level 6.5 or equivalent) or equivalent competency tests, if applicable.
• All international applicants must meet the visa requirements for study in Ireland.
• Successful applicants are required to complete Garda Vetting at the College.

How will I be assessed?

The programme has been designed to enable learners to demonstrate their academic and reflective learning in appropriate ways. The assessment strategy accommodates different learning styles and therefore the programme assesses learners using a range of practical assignments, essays, learning journals, examinations, reflective exercises and projects.

ICHAS has always, and will continue to work closely with students to employ a range of assessment activities, and support students to achieve their best in each type of assessment activity. We recognise that many students may not have studied in a long time and we have developed systems and individual approaches to support students as they adapt to higher education.

The final year dissertation is a central part of the Masters programme and each student is provided with a supervisor for the entire period of their dissertation.

Total Credits 90

1 Year ( Full Time) 2 Years ( Part Time)

Available at our Dublin and Limerick Campuses

€3,000 Normally (€6,050)

Start Date: September 2024

Where Can I progress to on completion of the course?
On successful completion of the MA in Adolescent Studies, learners will be qualified to access Level 10 Programmes on the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ).