University College Dublin

MSc Children & Youth Studies
Academic Year 2020/2021
Graduate Taught (level 9 nfq, credits 90)

The MSc in Children and Youth Studies is an interdisciplinary programme specialising in research, policy and practice relating to children and young people.

The MSc in Children and Youth Studies is an interdisciplinary programme specalising in research, policy and practice in relation to children and young people. Set in the context of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, the programme explores key aspects of the welfare and well-being of children and young people from a multi-disciplinary perspective. It does so recognising the complexity and inter-dependence of issues facing contemporary childhoods and youth. The programme encourages students to develop along a trajectory of critical thinking and independent learning through a series of tailored reading programmes matched to programme aims. Content is covered through a combination of lectures, laboratory work, seminars and tutorials with a strong emphasis on collaborative group work and active learning, including the use of on-line resources and discussion. A range of assessment strategies are incoroprated including essay, presentation, mind mapping and group project work.

Curricular information is subject to change.

Who should apply?
Full Time option suitable for:
Domestic(EEA) applicants: Yes
International (Non EEA) applicants currently residing outside of the EEA Region. Yes

Part Time option suitable for:
Domestic(EEA) applicants: Yes
International (Non EEA) applicants currently residing outside of the EEA Region. No

This is suited to those working with children and young people across a range of professional and public services including education, psychology, social work, health, law, social policy, NGO and research settings. It is also suitable for people wanting a career change to working with children and youth.

Programme Outcomes
On completion, students should:
1. Demonstrate detailed conceptual knowledge of the field of childhood and youth studies and of childhood as a social phenomenon, drawn from a range of disciplinary perspectives.

2. Critically consider issues of equality and social justice in the contexts of policy and practice, that impact the experiences of different groups of children and young people, including those with special needs, migrant children, and children growing up in socially disadvantaged contexts.

3. Deepen knowledge and critical perspective on empirical research on the psychological and social development of children and young people in a range of sociocultural contexts including education, health and other sectors.

4. Show familiarity with the concepts of agency and competency of children and young people and critically consider implications for their active participation and voice across a range of settings.

5. Show familiarity with the main research traditions in researching the lives of children and young people, including quantitative, qualitative and mixed methods approaches, as well as participatory research that prioritizes children.

6. Demonstrate familiarity with the Growing Up In Ireland data sets (quantitative and qualitative) and capacity to analyse and apply findings in the context of international studies.

7. Be thoroughly familiar with ethical issues in relation to research and practice with children and young people.

8. Demonstrate and develop skills in self-directed and autonomous/self-directed learning through the completion of academic assignments.

9. Develop appropriate academic writing and communicative skills, engage in group work, and present core ideas, concepts, research findings (thesis route) and reflections on practice (internship route).

10. Have the ability to integrate knowledge and to reflect on wider disciplinary, scientific, professional, social and ethical responsibilities in conducting a research dissertation on a defined aspect of the lives of children and young people.

11. Demonstrate and develop skills in self-directed and autonomous/self-directed learning through the completion of academic assignments and reports.

12. Develop appropriate academic writing and communicative skills, engage in group work and presentation of core ideas, concepts and research findings.

13. Show critical awareness of current policy and practice in relation to children's rights, (especially as articulated in the UNCRC) and well-being and its application to a range of contexts across education, health and other sectors.

14. Show critical awareness of the cognitive, social and personal development of children and young people and how concepts related to time, space, generation, agency, structure and identities shape understanding of children's everyday lives.

15. Deepen insights and critically consider issues of equality and social justice in the experiences of different groups of children and young people across a range of settings and contexts.

16. Show familiarity with the concepts of agency and competency of children and young people and critically consider implications for their active participation and voice across a range of settings.

17. Show critical awareness of debates policy and practice working with diverse groups of children including those with additional support needs, migrant children, and children across different cultural, economic and societal contexts.

18. Show familiarity with the main research traditions in researching the lives of children and young people, including quantitative qualitative and mixed methodological approaches, as well as child participatory approaches that prioritize children.

19. Demonstrate familiarity with the Growing Up In Ireland data sets (quantitative and qualitative) and capacity to analyse and apply findings in the context of international studies.

20. Be thoroughly familiar with ethical issues in relation to research with children and young people.

On completion, students should: 1. Demonstrate detailed conceptual knowledge and understanding of the field of childhood and youth related research and childhood as a social phenomenon and draw on a range of disciplinary perspectives.