The Programme Social Care

Course details

Postgraduate Steps is a radically new approach to postgraduate education developed by Athlone Institute of Technology. Recognising that people’s higher education needs are diverse, Postgraduate Steps enables learners to undertake modules (subjects) that address their professional development needs, in a fashion that suits their diverse lifestyle. The MA, PgD and Minor Awards in Advanced Social Care Practice provide further education and training to social care graduates and practitioners.

PROGRAMME AIMS AND OBJECTIVES – Master of Arts in Advanced Social Care Practice    

The overall aim of the Master of Arts in Advanced Social Care Practice is to facilitate the professional and intellectual development of the student and her/his capacity to critically evaluate, analyse and synthesise information and to engage in further research into emerging issues in Social Care.

On completion the Learner will be expected to:

• Evaluate, contrast and criticise the fundamental and advanced theories, concepts, principles and methods associated with social care practice.
• Develop and enhance skills of analysis, interpretation, and strategic thinking as appropriate to social care research.
• Critically assess current social care standards in light of evidence based practice with particular reference to ethics and social responsibility.
• Appraise and criticise current practices and issues in the field of social care in light of comparative and international best practice.
• Independently engage in further research relevant to the advancement of the social care profession.

PROGRAMME LEARNING OUTCOMES - Master of Arts in Advanced Social Care Practice  

On successful completion of the programme graduates will be able to:

• Demonstrate the ability to evaluate, contrast, criticise and judge the fundamental and advanced theories, concepts, principles associated with Advanced Social Care at the forefront of a field of learning.
• Compare, display and support the critical abilities of analysis, interpretation, evaluation and judgement as applied to the specialised areas of interest within social care
• Demonstrate research methodologies expertise related to current practices and issues, in order to analyze and synthesize in relation to the strategic issues within the sector.
• Exercise strategic judgement in a complex social  care environment and display the ability to contrast, criticise, choose, discriminate and apply appropriate techniques to the analysis and interpretation of information, in line with ethical and regulatory standards
• Demonstrate the ability to appraise and evaluate the strategic impact of decisions, having evaluated the potential outcome from alternative courses of action and appraised alternative options
• Take significant responsibility for  the work of groups and inpiduals in any social care context
• Progress to further study and research and determine self-directed, life-long learning needs appropriate to personal development objectives.
• Participate in reflective communities of practice and display the necessary commitment to continuous professional development.

PROGRAMME AIMS AND OBJECTIVES - Postgraduate Diploma in Advanced Social Care Practice

The overall aim of the Postgraduate Diploma in Advanced Social Care Programme is to provide a flexible programme of study, which enables a variety of social care practitioners to deepen their knowledge, explore and apply contemporary thought on specific social care issues. During this process they will develop, analyse and evaluate innovative, evidence-based practice and in doing so engage in solving complex problems and formulating judgments.

The Learner will be expected to:

• Evaluate, contrast and criticise the fundamental and advanced theories, concepts, principles and methods associated with social care practice.
• To display critical awareness of contemporary issues and problems within chosen areas and to enhance the abilities of analysis, interpretation, evaluation and judgement as applied to the specialised areas of interest within social care
• Develop the ability to utilise strategic thinking and apply the most appropriate contemporary techniques in the analysis and interpretation of practice issues.
• Assess and contrast the strategic impact of decisions, with particular reference to ethics and social responsibility.
• Develop and demonstrate an ability to apply reflective models to practice and to transfer learning to other situations.

PROGRAMME LEARNING OUTCOMES - Postgraduate Diploma in Advanced Social Care Practice

On successful completion of the programme graduates will be able to:

• Demonstrate an ability to evaluate, contrast, criticise and judge the fundamental and advanced theories, concepts and principles associated with their chosen fields of study.
• Display critical awareness of contemporary issues and problems within chosen modules  and  to support the critical abilities of analysis, interpretation, evaluation and judgement as applied to the specialised areas of interest within social care
• Demonstrate an enhanced ability to integrate and synthesize knowledge, engage in solving social problems and formulate judgements in order to analyse current practices and strategic issues within the sector.
• Exercise strategic judgement in a complex social care environment and display the ability to contrast, criticise, choose, discriminate and apply appropriate techniques to the analysis and interpretation of information, in line with ethical and regulatory standards
• Demonstrate the ability to appraise and evaluate the strategic impact of decisions, having evaluated the potential outcome from alternative courses of action and appraised alternative options
• Lead and initiate best practice within their specialised areas of social care.
• Evaluate, analyse and develop their own intra professional and inter professional clinical practice.
• Initiate, develop and support further education within their clinical field of practice and display the necessary commitment to continuous professional development.