Course details

The MSocSc (Rights & Social Policy) provides advanced study in key and often challenging issues facingsocial policy today. It provides an opportunity for critical study in the application of social policy theory and methodology to policy and practice.

The programme aims to provide students with advanced critical, analytical and research skills in selected substantive areas of social policy, and in the shaping of policy, in contemporary Ireland and more widely. In particular the emphasis is on the interconnections between the themes of rights, recognition and redistribution. Currently, the programme includes taught modules on governance, equality, ageing and criminal justice.

The MSocSc (Rights & Social Policy) will provide graduates with: advanced knowledge in critical social policy theory, studies and perspectives; advanced skills in relation to social policy analysis; high levels of competence in social policy research methods; and a thorough grounded understanding in areas of rights, governance, equality, ageing and criminal justice issues. Graduates will develop and demonstrate proficiency by completing a supervised research dissertation in a chosen area of interest.

Entry Requirements

Candidates are required to have: A Bachelor of Social Science (Honours) degree with an overall mark of at least 55% Or a Bachelor of Arts (Applied Social Studies) (Honours) degree with an overall mark of at least 55% Or an Honours degree in a related discipline with an overall mark of at least 55%. Candidates meeting the above criteria will be interviewed. Applicants must have a recognised primary degree which is considered equivalent to Irish university primary degree level.

  • Minimum English language requirements:
  • IELTS: 6.5 minimum overall score
  • TOEFL (Paper based test): 585
  • TOEFL (Internet based test): 95
  • PTE (Pearson): 62

Module

Year 1

  • SOCIAL POLICY RESEARCH METHODS
  • EQUALITY AND INCLUSION  " RIGHTS, RECOGNITION AND REDISTRIBUTION
  • WRITING POLICY AND INFLUENCING POLICY
  • PARTICIPATIVE GOVERNANCE AND SOCIAL POLICY-MAKING
  • ADVANCED SOCIAL POLICY ANALYSIS
  • REALISING RIGHTS: CASE STUDIES, SEMINARS, CONFERENCES AND WORKSHOPS
  • SOCIAL GERONTOLOGY POLICY AND PRACTICE
  • CRIMINAL JUSTICE STUDIES
  • CRITICAL THEORY, STUDIES AND PERSPECTIVES ON SOCIAL POLICY

Year 2

  • DISSERTATION
Updated on 08 November, 2015

About Maynooth University

This means that students at Maynooth benefit from an international outlook, and those of you who wish to study abroad for a semester or an academic year during yTheir degree have a network of connections to tap in to. During the cTheirse of their academic degree students from Maynooth have studied subjects such as Law at Boston College, Mandarin Chinese at Beijing Foreign Studies University and Music in the University of Vienna.

Maynooth has many shared research projects with universities around the world.

  • In the Dept of Psychology, Prof Dermot Barnes-Holmes is working with academics in Columbia University in New York to predict the success of cocaine abuse treatment.
  • Mathematician Dr. Ken Duffy is working with immunologists from the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research in MelbTheirne, Australia to analyse cell behaviTheir in a study that could have significant implications for Their understanding and treatment of diseases like Coeliac disease, diabetes and rheumatoid arthritis.  
  • Historian Dr Tom O Connor is working with colleagues from the University of Alcala and the Irish Colleges in Spain, discovering the hidden stories of Irish people who got caught up in the Spanish Inquisition.
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