BA in Community and Family Studies
Course overview
Key facts
Entry requirements
Applicants for the programme should meet the University’s requirements for mature students. Formal academic qualifications are not required to commence the BA in Community and Family Studies.
Duration:
4 years, part-time
Next start date: September 2013
ECTS weighting: 180
Average intake: 30 per venue
NFQ level: 8
Course outline
This programme was developed in response to the continuing education needs of personnel working in community/voluntary and state sectors actively supporting Community and Family life in a rapidly changing society. It is an interdisciplinary programme drawing upon selected components of Sociology, Politics, Community Development, Family Studies and Law. It is a broad educational programme which places specific emphasis on knowledge and skills for personnel working within a broad range of sectors which seek to support and enable families and communities to function effectively within society.
This NUI Diploma/ BA programme is designed specifically to create accessible, student centred learning opportunities within the Social Sciences. Core open learning materials, developed by NUI Galway practitioners and experts in the field of Community and Family support, will be provided to students at the start of the programme. The cost of learning materials and the tuition is included in the programme fee. Each programme consists of a combination of learning materials, workshops and assignments. The workshops will be held at a number of geographic locations throughout Ireland.
An NUI Diploma in Arts (Community and Family Studies) is awarded on attaining 90 credits and a Bachelor of Arts in Community and Family Studies degree on attaining 180 credits.
The BA programme is devised on a modular, credit basis. Each module carries a specific number of credits. The maximum number of credits that a student can attain each year is 45 credits.
YEAR ONE
- Introduction to Sociology
- Social Research Skills
- Elective Module (See electives listing)
- Understanding Communities
- Family and Society
- Community & Family Studies: Independent Research Project 1
YEAR TWO
- Elective Module (See electives listing)
- Politics and Policy Making
- Issues in Contemporary Family Life
- Group work and Community Leadership
- Community & Family Studies: Independent Research Project 2
YEAR THREE *
- Elective Module (See electives listing)
- Research Methodology in the Social Sciences
- Childhood and Adolescence
- Family and Societal Interactions
- Community & Family Studies: Independent Research Project 3
YEAR FOUR *
- Life Long Learning: Policy and Practice
- Community and Family: Project Planning & Development
- Equality and Diversity
- Research Project
*Alternative modules may be offered
|
Electives |
|
|
|
Note: Other elective modules may be offered in addition to, or in substitution of, the modules listed above. Not all of the elective modules may be offered every academic year
Applications and selections
Apply here
Programme Administrator
NUI Galway Community Education Centre
Hygeia Office Block
Nuns Island
Galway City
T: 091 495472 / 091 495786
E: community.ed@nuigalway.ie
Requirements and assessment
The modular structure of the programme allows students to proceed at their own pace. A series of one- to two-day workshops are scheduled throughout the academic year (September to May) which students must attend – this equates to approximately one workshop per month.
Students must attend workshops and submit an assignment for each module. Students must also submit a project at the end of each year of study. A proportion of marks are also allocated to written examinations.
Find out more
Programme Administrator
NUI Galway Community Education Centre
Hygeia Office Block
Nuns Island
Galway City
T: 091 495472 / 091 495786
E: community.ed@nuigalway.ie
Fees for this course
EU (Total): € 2,900
Current student
Mark Wilde, Third Year Student
“Having worked in the area of social care for several years, I felt it was time to begin seeking formal qualifications to further my career. I was very nervous about entering the world of academia as I felt I would have difficulties writing essays and meeting deadlines for submissions. I chose the Community and Family Studies B.A. primarily because of its broad subject matter, which allows a choice of several academic and career paths to be undertaken further down the line. The tutors delivering the modules all have vast experience of the content on both a practical and theoretical level, showing a genuine passion for what they were teaching us. I am now in my second year and am very happy I took the tough decision to go to college; it has been a very rewarding experience”.
Past students
Anthony Wyse
"...I chose this BA because I am involved in voluntary work and at some point would like to do some kind of community work on a full-time basis. The structure of this course allows me to work full time without any difficulty and there are options on workshop dates if required. I was a bit apprehensive about starting the course, having had no formal education since Leaving Certificate and in particular, no experience of third level education. However, after the first workshop I was confident that with the support of tutors the content of the course was well within the groups’ capabilities. The tutors are excellent in explaining modules but also show an abundance of patience, enthusiasm and willingness to help. Course administrators are also well organised and supportive. The constant requests for feedback showed genuine interest for students’ views and a number of suggestions were taken on board. Overall, an excellent programme..."