Childhood Studies

Looking to develop your knowledge in supporting childhood development and Early Learning Care? This Master's Degree is an ICHAS (Irish College of Humanities and Applied Sciences) programme. ICHAS are responsible for its delivery & all academic matters pertaining to it.



Why Study a Master's in Childhood Studies?

This course should be of particular relevance to existing Level 8 graduates of programmes 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 those students currently holding positions in the children and young people’s workforce, including those wishing to advance their careers or indeed change careers.



This programme is congruent with the objective of providing accessible and flexible programmes to adult learners and has been designed with particular emphasis on the use of blended learning technologies to support traditional classroom learning.



This programme supports learners to develop personally & professionally to enable them to achieve a Masters's Degree in Childhood Studies.



Develop learner's knowledge, skills & competence to an appropriate level of ‘Higher Order Practice’



Modules within the programme are designed to build personal capacity, collaborative problem-solving skills, and an understanding of the systems and context within which individuals may be best supported.



The programme provides a progression opportunity to complete a range of Programmes at Level 10 nationally and internationally.



Course Details

Students will undertake a minimum of 150 hours of work placement in approved settings with the support of 15 hours of supervision arranged by the college (10 of which would be mentoring of small group tutoring with 5 hours of direct 1 to 1 placement supervision).



This work-based learning represents an opportunity for students to have real exposure to working creatively with children and adolescents to develop transferable and adaptable professional skills, including the professional disposition to work confidently and independently in different settings. Students will draw on the practical and theoretical knowledge acquired through college-supportive tutorials and workshops.



Examples of acceptable placement settings could include educational settings such as pre/schools, creches, primary schools, and secondary schools as well as broader structural contexts such as Childcare committees, Early Childhood Ireland, Bernados, Childhood, National Childhood Network or youth Provision, Family resource centres and social care

Mandatory Modules

• Critical Perspectives on Child & Youth Development

• Research Methodologies & Design

• Curricular & Pedological Approaches in Early Learning & Care

• Governance & Professional Leadership in Child and Adolescent Practice

• Contemporary Discourses in Early Learning and Care

• Practicum

• Dissertation

The knowledge, skills, and competence required to successfully participate in and complete this Level 9 programme will normally require applicants to have successfully achieved a Level 2:2 award in a relevant Level 8 Honours Degree in areas such as Early Learning & Care, Primary & Post Primary Education, Nursing, Social Care, Psychology, Sociology, Social Science, Youth Work & Community Studies, and related Social Science disciplines.



Those who have completed other relevant educational programmes or have relevant professional experience etc., where Recognised Prior Learning (RPL) and Acquired Prior Learning (APL) can be applied to the programme by submission of programme content, qualification, and assignments equivalent to an appropriate Level 8 award at an Honours 2:2 standard, can also be considered.



English Language:

For non-native speakers of English, an IELTS score of 6.5 (or equivalent) is required.

Applications for this course are submitted through the ICHAS website. When you click on "Application Weblink" above, you will be directed to ICHAS to complete your application.



How to Apply

Applicants over 23 years of age (Mature students):

If you are 23 years of age on or before the 1st of January of the year you want to enter, you may apply as a mature student. Mature students must apply to Griffith College directly online using the Apply Online facility on the website homepage or the button below. Mature applicants will be asked for a copy of their passport.



International Applicants:

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 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.



All applicants will be required to attend for interview to ascertain their suitability for the programme. Successful applicants would be required to complete Garda Vetting at the College.

1 year full-time, 2 years part-time.



Timetable

Full-time:

(1-year option) The full-time programme is normally scheduled over 3 consecutive days per week over 2 Semesters, from 9.30am to 4.30pm.



Part-time:

(2-year option) would normally require attendance, either in class or online, on 1 evening per week from 6 pm-9 pm and approximately eight Saturdays from 9.30am-4.30pm in the academic year.



The timetable has been structured to optimise the utilisation of online learning where this allows. Still, skills-based components do require in-person attendance, and it is taught using a combination of classroom-based and blended learning techniques. In specific skill-based modules, attendance will be a mandatory requirement.



*This is an ICHAS course promoted by Griffith College.

Full-time classes: delivered at ICHAS, Walton House, Lonsdale Road, National Technology Park, Castletroy, Co. Limerick

Part-time classes: Griffith College Dublin, South Circular Road, Dublin 8

Intake Dates:

Limerick - Full-Time - September 2026

Limerick - Part-Time - September 2026

Dublin - Part-Time - September 2026

Cork - Part-Time - September 2026

Dublin - Full-Time - September 2026

Cork - Full-Time - September 2026

Careers:

Project Worker

Family Support Projects

Youth Workers

Afterschool Assistant

Childcare Development Officer

Youth Advocate