MA Social Work

danube

I know there has been a few threads on this, but no harm to have an more updated one

It says that you need 6 months experience before you apply. What sort of experience has past or current students done?
I'm a youth leader in a youth club. Will that go down well? I'm not sure if I
would be able to do the kind of volunteering the Samaratans do

counting_sheep

Hello Danube,

I am applying for the MA in Social Work for 2016.

I called the course coordinator earlier this year to find out more about the experience required. You need 6 months (960 hours) in total. The course coordinator advised that only direct contact with service users would be relevant. For example, your time working directly with young people in the youth group would be counted towards the 960 hours, but any time not directly working with them wouldn't count (for example, writing grant applications, being on a board of directors).

She was very helpful when I called her so I would suggest contacted her directly with any queries. Her contact details are on the webpage for the course

azure

counting_sheep wrote: »

Hello Danube,

I am applying for the MA in Social Work for 2016.

I called the course coordinator earlier this year to find out more about the experience required. You need 6 months (960 hours) in total. The course coordinator advised that only direct contact with service users would be relevant. For example, your time working directly with young people in the youth group would be counted towards the 960 hours, but any time not directly working with them wouldn't count (for example, writing grant applications, being on a board of directors).

She was very helpful when I called her so I would suggest contacted her directly with any queries. Her contact details are on the webpage for the course

If I volunteer for just 3 hours a week, doesn't that mean I would have to be volunteering for 7 years before I could apply as that's how long it would take to fulfil the 960 hours?

counting_sheep

azure wrote: »

If I volunteer for just 3 hours a week, doesn't that mean I would have to be volunteering for 7 years before I could apply as that's how long it would take to fulfil the 960 hours?

Yes Azure. it would take quite a while. I have about 1500 hours over the last 5 years. I'm applying with that so we will see what happens

retro:electro

Came across this thread as am thinking of applying for the masters next year. I currently have a college seminar with Paul Garett who is one of the people over the masters and is one of the people who interviews the potential students. Today he told us some info about the application process so I thought it may be useful to leave it here. There are only 20 places available and over 150 apply for these positions. Your personal statement is what will land you the interview for your spot, many think that the statement is not important and that not much effort is needed but this is what they use to weed out potential applicants. Also make sure to write about what you have learned in your work experience and how you will apply this knowledge to your masters degree.

Emer95x

Hi,

I am just finishing my BA in Psychology and considering a career in social work.
I have some experience as a student mentor at NUIG but besides that I don't have much experience. I worked in the hospital giving food to patients in the oncology ward. Although it seems like a mere food service job, we really interacted with the patients to make sure they had everything they needs. Which also meant communicating with the nurses. I'm wondering would that contribute to experience? Or is it not relevant?