Diploma in Youth and Community WorkNFQ level 6/7

Diploma in Youth and Community Work

Entry

Requirements

• Candidates must be at least 21 years of age by 1 January of the year of application and hold a Leaving Certificate/FETAC Level 5 qualification (or equivalent).• Candidates who do not hold a Leaving Certificate/FETAC Level 5 qualification but have a minimum of 2 years relevant experience may be deemed suitable.• Applicants must satisfy Garda Vetting requirements. • Candidates may be required to attend for an interview before being permitted to progress to Year 2.• All applicants whose first language is not English must have attained IELTS Level 6 or the equivalent TOEFL score.

English

Language

Requirements

All applicants whose first language is not English must have attained IELTS Level 6.0 or the equivalent TOEFL score with no individual section lower than 5.5.

Want to know more?

• Programme Coordinator (Cork ): Norma Browne; norma.browne@ucc.ie; 021-4904731

• Programme Coordinator (Limerick): Christine Chasaide; c.chasaide@ucc.ie; 087-9461472

Apply Now at:

https://www.ucc.ie/en/ace-dycw/

What is the course about?The Diploma in Youth and Community Work offers you the opportunity to develop professional skills and gain an understanding of the theory that guides good practice in this field. The programme explores approaches to working with groups in a variety of settings to create a positive social environment. Students will trace the development of social intervention from its historical beginnings to its current form. The aim is for students to develop skills that support reflective practice and enable them to engage in research, strategic planning, group leadership and mediation.

Who should apply?If you want to enter youth and community work, are already employed and wish to gain promotion, or you want to progress to full-time professional training this course is for you.

How is it delivered?• Lectures will be delivered one evening a week, with occasional Saturday sessions, over two academic years.

Course Curriculum

Year 1• Introduction to Youth and Community Work• Introduction to Research Methods in Youth and Community Work• Principles and Practices of Youth and Community Work• Core Skills in Youth and Community Work

Year 2• Practice Placement - Youth and Community Work• Models of Youth and Community Work• Social Analysis: Disadvantage and Social Exclusion• Managing Youth and Community Youth Projects

How will you benefit?You will engage in dynamic discussions, compile a community profile, make confident mini-presentations, and conduct a research project. You will undertake a placement in a youth/community agency during year 2 which gives you the opportunity to apply your understanding of theory and professional skills and to reflect on the experience. The Diploma enhances employment opportunities for students. It has a high profile with local agencies who welcome applications from our graduates. It is not unusual for participation in practice placement to lead to employment. Many of the lecturers work with local agencies and can highlight essential employment skills and opportunities. The course also opens access to full time third level education. Past students have progressed to level 8 and 9 courses in UCC and other Irish higher education institutions. The Diploma was their first step to obtaining degree qualifications in the areas of youth and community work, addiction studies, social care, regeneration studies and social work.

Diploma in Youth and Community Work Diploma in Youth and Community Work

What our graduates say

“The course has opened my mind, reminded me to look around the world. Group work has giveen me fresh perspectives, challenging my own knowledge, thoughts and experience. This year in UCC has restored my faith in myself. It has reminded me age is positive, life experiences (good and bad) are positive, and when shared and with the academic knowledge of the younger students in our course it combines for interesting and progressive experiences..”

“The Diploma in Youth and Community Work allowed me to become the youth worker I wanted to be. Over the two years, I learned the core principles of youth and community work and gained confidence in my skills as a youth worker , through a diverse range of modules delivered by helpful and knowledgeable lecturers. I would recommend this course for anyone who is working in or is hoping to work in youth and community work in the future.”

Sinead

Michelle