Family Support Studies

Through research-informed teaching, the Family Support Studies program at University of Galway equips you with a strong foundation to apply Family Support principles across diverse roles, disciplines and sectors.

The MA/PDip in Family Support Studies is designed for experienced practitioners working with children, young people, families, and communities across a wide range of disciplines and sectors. Areas where a Family Support approach is relevant include social work, social care, community work, public health nursing, disability services, early years, education, justice, social policy, social welfare, gerontology, and other related fields.

Students typically have an undergraduate or professional qualification in these areas, and the Family Support program aims to enhance their knowledge and skill base. The program provides a strong foundation in Family Support theory, concepts and principles and their application across a range of practices, roles and disciplines in the human services, as well as practical social science research and evaluation skills required in the sector.

Careers

Graduates of the MA/ PDip in Family Support Studies will have enhanced career prospects in a wide range of service areas, at practitioner and manager level, working in statutory and community or voluntary services. This includes a broad range of social service fields such as welfare, justice, health, and education. Students can also progress to research, advocacy and policy roles across relevant disciplines and sectors within these fields.

Courses include

• Child Protection and Family Support

• Community Development and Families

• Family Support Theory

• Families and Children in Society and Policy

• Family Support Practice Seminars