Masters of Arts in Adolescent Studies

Are you looking to deepen your expertise in working with young people? The MA in Adolescent Studies at the Irish College of Humanities and Applied Sciences (ICHAS) is specifically designed for graduates who wish to gain specialist knowledge in understanding children and adolescents under the age of 18.

This Master’s programme is ideal for professionals and graduates from health, human, and social science backgrounds. Whether your discipline is social care, social work, nursing, psychology, counselling, or psychotherapy, this course will equip you with the advanced skills needed for child and adolescent practice.

Affordable Access to Learning Bursary

To support students in advancing their education, ICHAS has established an “Affordable Access to Learning” initiative. Through this scheme, the college offers a generous bursary for this programme, significantly reducing tuition fees for both full-time and part-time students. We recommend contacting the college directly for the most up-to-date fee schedules and bursary application details.

Flexible Course Delivery: Full-Time or Part-Time

Understanding the demands placed on working professionals, ICHAS has structured this MA to be highly flexible. The timetable optimises online learning where possible, though skills-based components do require in-person attendance. This blended learning approach ensures you get the best of both worlds.

You can choose to complete this course via two distinct pathways:

• Full-Time (1 Year): Requires attendance (either in-class or online) on one to two evenings per week from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm, plus approximately eight Saturdays from 9:30 am to 4:30 pm throughout the academic year.
• Part-Time (2 Years): Requires attendance (either in-class or online) on just one evening per week from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm, alongside the eight scheduled Saturdays.

Hands-On Work-Based Learning and Placement

A core component of the MA in Adolescent Studies is the practical application of theory. Consequently, students will undertake a minimum of 150 hours of work placement in approved professional settings.

To ensure you are fully supported during this practicum, ICHAS arranges 15 hours of dedicated supervision. This includes 10 hours of small-group mentoring and 5 hours of direct, one-to-one placement supervision.

This work-based learning represents a vital opportunity to gain real-world exposure. You will learn to work creatively and confidently with children and adolescents, developing adaptable professional skills that are highly sought after by employers across the social care and health sectors.

Want to learn about other courses from this college? View more courses from ICHAS on Findacourse.ie.

Comprehensive Course Modules

Throughout the programme, you will draw on both practical and theoretical knowledge, supported by college tutorials and interactive workshops. The curriculum is robust and covers the following core modules:

• Critical Perspectives on Child & Youth Development
• Research Methodologies & Design
• Interventions & Models of Care in Adolescent Practice
• Governance & Professional Leadership in Child and Adolescent Practice
• Contemporary Discourses in Youth Studies
• Practicum (Work Placement)
• Dissertation