Child Youth & Family Studies

The Master of Arts in Child, Youth & Family Studies will provide learners with critical thinking tools to enable them to manage and lead services that develop the potential of children, youth and families and visualise new possibilities for better service provision in the sector. The programme is designed to provide the knowledge, skills and competencies required by the sector and to provide future leaders of child, youth and family services in Ireland and abroad.

The programme will provide learners with critical understanding of concepts and approaches to enabling individuals and groups to realise their potential as human persons and participative communities. The programme aims to educate learners to high levels of contemporary and comparative theoretical awareness in fields central to services provision (transitions across the life span, cultural diversity, youth and families) and to create an atmosphere of rigorous academic enquiry and writing.

Learners will develop a deep and integrated knowledge of contemporary Child, Youth and Family theory and practice, and the sector within which Child, Youth and Family services operate.

What will I be able to do when I finish the programme?
Graduates from the Programme will be:
Knowledgeable
Analytical & Creative
Ethical & Responsible Future Leaders
Research Literate
Critical Thinkers
Collaborative

Graduates will be equipped to manage and lead Child, Youth & Family organisations. They will be able to contribute to and develop the strategy of that organisation and will take up positions as the future leaders of such organisations.

Potential employers include:
Community based organisations and projects both at a voluntary and statutory capacity
National rights focused organisations and advisory groups
Family support services
Services catering for the care, education and advocacy of children and families in society.

Graduates may also adopt research and advisory roles in relation to development and planning for such services. Graduates will be in a position to critically evaluate existing services and programmes and to visualise future possibilities for better service provision.

The programme will meet the needs of professionals who are already working in the area of social care/work, early education, youth and family work and related areas. It will also serve to provide new graduates with a unique opportunity to gain a competitive edge prior to embarking on a career in these fields or in the field of academia.