MA in Adolescent Studies

masters adolescence teacher
Type
Postgraduate
Duration
One Year Full-Time / Two Years Part-Time
Validated by
ICHAS QQI
Mode
Full-Time
Campus
Limerick
NFQ Level
9
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Course Overview

Looking to develop your career in adolescent care with an MA in Adolescent development?

This Master's Degree is an ICHAS (Irish College of Humanities and Applied Sciences) programme. ICHAS are responsible for its delivery & all academic matters pertaining to it.

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Full-time classes: delivered at ICHAS, Walton House, Lonsdale Road, National Technology Park, Castletroy, Co. Limerick
Part-time classes: delivered at Griffith College Dublin, South Circular Road, Dublin 8

 

This programme is primarily designed for graduates from relevant undergraduate programmes in a range of disciplines who wish to develop appropriate knowledge and competence to empower and professionally support adolescent development. The programme has been designed to accommodate the needs of both new and recent graduates as well as those students currently holding positions in the children and young people’s workforce, including those wishing to advance or change careers.

 

Relevant undergraduate programmes include areas such as Early Learning & Care, Primary & Post Primary Education, Nursing, Social Care, Psychology, Sociology, Social Science, Counselling and Psychotherapy, Youth Work, Community Studies and related disciplines at the postgraduate level on either a full-time or part-time basis and who seek to gain specialist knowledge of childhood and youth to expand their knowledge and understanding of children and young people under the age of 18.

Why Study for a MA in Adolescent Studies?

  • This programme is congruent with the objective of providing accessible and flexible programmes to adult learners and has been designed with particular emphasis on the use of blended learning technologies to support traditional classroom learning
  • This programme supports learners to develop personally & professionally to enable them to achieve a Master's degree in Adolescent Studies.
  • Develop learner’s knowledge, skills & competence to an appropriate level of ‘Higher Order Practice’
  • Modules within the programme are designed to build personal capacity, collaborative problem-solving skills and an understanding of the systems and context within which individuals may be best supported.
  • The programme provides a progression opportunity to complete a range of Programmes at Level 10 nationally and internationally.

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Intake Dates

  • Limerick - Full-Time - September 2025

Campus(es) where the course is available 

Full-time:  ICHAS Limerick, promoted by Griffith College

Classes are delivered at ICHAS, Walton House, Lonsdale Road, National Technology Park, Castletroy, Co. Limerick 

 

Part-time: Griffith College Dublin Main Campus 

Course Details

*This is an ICHAS course promoted by Griffith College
Full-time classes: delivered at ICHAS, Walton House, Lonsdale Road, National Technology Park, Castletroy, Co. Limerick
Part-time classes: Griffith College Dublin, South Circular Road, Dublin 8

 

Students will undertake a minimum of 150 hours of work placement in approved settings with the support of 15 hours of supervision arranged by the college (10 of which would be mentoring of small group tutoring with 5 hours of direct 1 to 1 placement supervision).
 

  • This work-based learning represents an opportunity for students to have real exposure to working creatively with children and adolescents to develop transferable and adaptable professional skills, including the professional disposition to work confidently and independently in different settings. Students will draw on the practical and theoretical knowledge acquired through college-supportive tutorials and workshops.
     
  • Examples of acceptable placement settings could include educational settings such as pre/schools, creches, primary schools, and secondary schools as well as broader structural contexts such as Childcare committees, Early Childhood Ireland, Bernados, Childhood, National Childhood Network or youth Provision, Family resource centres and social care.
     

The timetable has been structured to optimise the utilisation of online learning where this allows. Still, skills-based components do require in-person attendance, and it is taught using a combination of classroom-based and blended learning techniques. In specific skill-based modules, attendance will be a mandatory requirement.

Module information

Name of Module

Mandatory

/ Elective

ECTS (Credits)
Critical Perspectives on Child & Youth Development M 10
Research Methodologies & Design M 10
Interventions & Models of Care in Adolescent Practice M 10
Governance & Professional Leadership in Child and Adolescent Practice M 10
Contemporary Discourses in Youth Studies M 10
Practicum M 10
Dissertation M 30

Timetables

Full-time: 


ICHAS Limerick: (1-year option) The full-time programme is normally scheduled over 3 consecutive days per week over 2 Semesters at ICHAS College Limerick, from 9.30 am to 4.30 pm.


Part-time:


Griffith College Dublin Campus: (2-year option) would normally require attendance, either in class or online, on 1 evening per week from 6 pm-9 pm and approximately eight Saturdays from 9.30 am-4.30 pm in the academic year.

The timetable has been structured to optimise the utilisation of online learning where this allows.
Still, skills-based components do require in-person attendance, and it is taught using a combination of classroom-based and blended learning techniques. In specific skill-based modules, attendance will be a mandatory requirement.

How to Apply

Entry requirements: 

The knowledge, skills, and competence required to successfully participate in and complete this Level 9 programme will normally require applicants to have successfully achieved a Level 2:2 award in a relevant Level 8  Honours Degree in areas such as Early Learning & Care, Primary & Post Primary Education, Nursing, Social Care, Psychology, Sociology, Social Science, Youth Work & Community Studies, and related Social Science disciplines.

Those who have completed other relevant educational programmes or have relevant professional experience etc., where Recognised Prior Learning (RPL) and Acquired Prior Learning (APL) can be applied to the programme by submission of programme content, qualification, and assignments equivalent to an appropriate Level 8 award at an Honours 2:2 standard, can also be considered.



English Language:

For non-native speakers of English, an IELTS score of 6.5 (or equivalent) is required. 

 

How to Apply

Applicants over 23 years of age (Mature students):

If you are 23 years of age on or before the 1st of January of the year you want to enter, you may apply as a mature student. Mature students must apply to Griffith College directly online using the Apply Online facility on the website homepage or the button below. Mature applicants will be asked for a copy of their passport.



International Applicants:

In the case of overseas applications, whose first language is not English, applicants will have to provide either certification of completion of a primary degree through the medium of English or submit the official results of English Language competency demonstrated through the completion of English language proficiency tests indicating a minimum score of B2+ in the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFRL). Certification may be evidenced through the production of a certificate of IELTS Level 6.5 or equivalent) or equivalent competency tests, if applicable.



All international applicants must meet the visa requirements for study in Ireland.



All applicants will be required to attend for interview to ascertain their suitability for the programme. Successful applicants would be required to complete Garda Vetting at the College.

Fees

This programme is offered on a full-time (ICHAS Limerick) or part-time (Griffith College Dublin) basis and there are options around the payment of tuition fees with payment plans available to learners.

A central component of the ICHAS vision is the provision of flexible and affordable education for all, with this in mind the college has established a bursary for this programme for 50% tuition fee reduction.

Please note that not all study modes may be offered at all times; for confirmation, refer to the Intake dates on the Overview tab.

Tuition Fees

General Fee Information 



Full-time programme: ICHAS Limerick: €6,200 (reduced to €3,100 with the bursary)



Part-time programme: Griffith College Dublin Campus: €7,200 for the (reduced to €3,600 with the bursary) 

Study Mode: Full-Time (only)

Please refer to the Irish/EU Living Abroad Fees section.

Study Mode: Full-Time (only)

Please refer to our Non-EU Tuition Fees section.



Non-EU students: a Student Services and Administration fee of EUR200 is payable each academic year in addition to the fees quoted.

An Academic Administration Fee of EUR250.00 and a 2% Learner Protection Charge is applicable each academic year in addition to the fees quoted.

In addition, students who opt for monthly instalments will incur an extra fee of €100 to avail of this facility. All fees are fully protected under our Protection of Enrolled Learners Policy.

Protection of Enrolled Learners’ Policy All QQI accredited programmes of education and training of 3 months or longer duration are covered by arrangements under section 65 (4) of the Qualifications and Quality Assurance (Education and Training) Act 2012 whereby, in the event of the provider ceasing to provide the programme for any reason, enrolled learners may transfer to a similar programme at another provider, or, in the event that this is not practicable, the fees most recently paid will be refunded.

Progression

Careers

  • Project Worker 
  • Family Support Projects  
  • Youth Workers  
  • Afterschool Assistant  
  • Childcare Development Officer  
  • Youth Advocate

Ready to take the next step?