This course is approved by CORU. This means that graduates can apply to CORU for registration as social care workers once register opens in November 2023
What is the BA (Hons) in Social Care Practice?
This is a 4 year level 8 course of study designed to prepare students for professional careers in Social Care Work and facilitate students who wish to pursue a specific area of interest.
The overall aim of the course is to develop critically reflective, skilled and ethically aware practitioners with the capacity to build professional relationships, in partnership with vulnerable individuals and groups who experience marginalisation, disadvantage or special needs.
The course involves the study of related disciplines of Applied Social Studies, Professional Practice, Sociology, Social Policy, Psychology and Law and Personal and Professional Development.
Entry will only be permitted at year one and applications in relation to RPL, advanced entry and module exemption applications for any year will not be accepted and reviewed for these programmes.
Applicants who seek entry into the BA (Hons) in Applied Social Studies in Social Care will be permitted once they have completed the Bachelor of Arts in Applied Social Care, Waterford Campus or equivalent programme.
Special Feature of the BA (Hons) in Social Care Practice Course
All student must successfully complete a supervised work-based placement in an SETU approved social care placement. Placement occurs in Semester 3 and 6, and consists in total of 800 hours of supervised social care practice (400 hours per placement). Placements are spread across the South East region and beyond. There is no certainty that your allocated placement will be close to your home.
Students undertaking the BA in Applied Social Care must meet the requirements of the School of Humanities Student Fitness to Practise Policy and School of Humanities Student Garda Vetting Policy.
Entry will only be permitted at year one and applications in relation to RPL, advanced entry and module exemption applications for any year will not be accepted and reviewed for these programmes.
Student mobility and transfer opportunities across SETU campuses are not permitted for Social Care programmes.
Year 1
Semester 1
Semester 2
Professional Social Care Theory & Practice
Professional Social Care Practice
Introduction to Sociology for Social Care Practice
Introduction to Social Policy for Social Care Practice
Introduction to Psychology
Safeguarding Children & VP
Health & Safety in Social Care Practice
Lifespan Development & Individual Differences
Communication, Research & Study Skills
Creative Skills 1
Year 2
Semester 3
Semester 4
Supervised Professional Practice 1
Disability & Positive Ageing
Health & Wellbeing in Social Care Practice
Community-based Social Care Services
Psychology of Social Cognition
Legal Studies 1
Social Perspective on Continued Social Care Policy
Year 3
Semester 5
Semester 6
Children and Families
Supervised Professional Practice 2
Creative Skills 2
Leagal Studies 2
Alternative to Home Care
Social Research Studies
Psychology of Mental Health & Neurology
Year 4
Semester 7
Semester 8
Ethics and Human Rights
Connect Social Care Practice to a Global World
Global Issues for Social Care Practice
Advanced Social Care Practice 2
Advanced Social Care Practice 1
Leading Self and Others
Contemporary Approval to Lead & Change
Psychology, Adjacent & Alternative Views
Psychology & positive Change
Research Methods & Dissertation in Social Care Practice
Leaving Cert: Minimum entry requirements for BA (Hons) in Social Care Practice
2 subjects: H5 4 subjects: O6/H7 English or Irish: O6/H7
Advanced and Equivalent Entry for BA (Hons) in Social Care Practice:
For previous SETU students, who wish to apply to complete their studies on either SE919 Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in Social Care Practice or SE927 Bachelor of Arts in Applied Social Care, please contact [email protected]
Due to professional validation requirements, this programme is not suitable for advanced entry, exemptions or recognition of prior learning
There is no health requirement for admission to this programme. However, some Placement Agencies may require students to be immunised against specific infectious diseases.
Additional requirements for BA (Hons) in Social Care Practice:
Places are offered on the programme subject to satisfactory Garda Vetting clearance.
Students undertaking the BA (Hons) in Social Care Practice must meet the requirements of the School of Humanities Student Fitness to Practise Policy and School of Humanities Student Garda Vetting Policy.
Graduates of the BA in Applied Social Care may take up employment in the public, private or community based care sectors. Social Care Workers may work with:
Children and adolescents in residential care
People with physical, intellectual and or sensory disabilities
People or families experiencing homelessness
People with alcohol/drug dependency
Families in the community
Older people
Ethnic Minority groups
Follow on Study for graduates of the BA (Hons) in Social Care Practice:
Graduates can proceed to the MA in Social Studies and Masters by Research at SETU Waterford as well as Masters in Social Work and other similar courses.
Graduates of the BA (Hons) in Social Care Practice may take up employment by the state sector and in community-based organisations.
Social care workers may work with:
Children and adolescents in residential care
People with learning or physical disabilities
People who are homeless
People with alcohol/drug dependency
Families in the community
Older people
Recent immigrants to Ireland; and others
Graduates can proceed to the MA in Social Studies and Masters by Research at SETU Waterford as well as Masters in Social Work and other similar courses.
