UCC Diploma in Social & Psychological Health Studies

Certificate (Level 6) & Diploma (Level 7)

This collaborative programme between SHEP and UCC is offered every two years.

Programme Aims and Objectives

This two-year Level 6/Level 7 programme is a collaboration between ACE and The Social and Health Education Project (SHEP) under the academic leadership of the School of Applied Social Studies and the School of Psychology. Â It draws on the ethos and work of The Social and Health Education Project (SHEP).

This unique Diploma programme offers a very supportive space to study at third level. It provides an academic orientation to the key concepts and theoretical frameworks relevant to personal, social and health education. It is open to all, but will be of particular interest to those who work as professionals or as volunteers in the facilitation of personal and social development in the community.

The Diploma programme is an open access programme. However, it is targeted particularly at i) those who have undergone experiential training in SHEP, ii) practitioners in the facilitation of personal and social development in the community and iii) values-driven activists working for individual and community health and well-being. Applicants who have undertaken prior training with SHEP will be at an advantage. Other candidates may apply but must demonstrate a clear commitment to personal and social change.

Course Duration and Venue

The programme is offered on a part-time basis over two academic years. The course runs in UCC, in the main campus, on one evening per week (Wednesdays, normally 7pm-10pm) and approximately 10 (weekend) days each year from September to May.

Year One: Programme Modules

AD1882: Human Well-being
Learning Objective: Students will have knowledge of human health-related needs and the means by which individuals, families and communities can enhance their physical, mental and social well-being.

AP1884: Lifespan Developmental Psychology
Learning Objective: Students will have knowledge of life-span developmental psychology and of the psychology of death and bereavement.

AD1881: Human Relationships, Sexuality and Parenting
Learning Objective: Students will have knowledge of psychological and sociological perspectives on human relationships, sexuality and parenting.

AD1020: The Study of Human Beings
Learning Objective: Students will have knowledge of a range of theoretical perspectives on the origins and distinctive characteristics of human beings derived from both physical and social/cultural anthropology.

AD 1868: Intro to Academic Writing
Learning Objective: Producing structured, coherent assignments (reflective learning journals and essays); developing arguments and counter arguments; applying standard conventions relating to referencing, use of quotations and compiling a bibliography.

AD1883: Health-related Social Policy
Learning Objective: Students will have knowledge of different understandings of health and health inequalities, as well as of related models of health promotion and approaches to social policy.

Year Two: Programme Modules

AP2857: Group Facilitation Theory and Approaches
Learning Objective: Students will have knowledge of approaches to group facilitation that contribute to the promotion of human well-being and social justice.

AD2854: Adult Education Theory and Approaches
Learning Objective: Students will have knowledge of educational approaches that contribute to the promotion of human well-being and social justice.

SS2858: Human Rights and Social Justice

Learning Objective: Students will have knowledge of alternative conceptions of human rights and social justice and how these shape public policy and international law.

SS2859: The Governance of Human Affairs
Learning Objective: Students will have knowledge of the theoretical understandings of the potential of human beings to achieve social justice through political means.

AD2855: One-to-One Interventions Theory and Approaches
Learning Objective: Students will have knowledge of one-to-one interventions that contribute to the promotion of human well-being and social justice.

AD2856: Theory and Practice

Learning Objective: Students will be able to integrate the theoretical elements of the course into their practice and identify appropriate pathways for the future development and application of their knowledge.

Entry Requirements

  • Candidates must be at least 21 years of age by 1st January of year of application.
  • Hold Leaving Certificate or QQI Level 5 or an equivalent qualification (or have completed SHEP Training up to Facilitation Level.
  • Have a clear commitment to personal and social change.

Applicants who have undertaken prior training with SHEP will be at an advantage. Applicants who work as professionals or as volunteers in the facilitation of personal and social development in the community will also be at an advantage.

Candidates may be interviewed (though candidates who have completed SHEP’s Training in Facilitation, or higher, will be exempt.)

English Language Requirement

All candidates whose first language is not English must have attained IELTS Level 6 or the equivalent TOEFL score.

Course Qualifications & Progression

Candidates who successfully complete Year One may opt not to proceed to Year Two and may exit the programme with a Certificate in Social and Psychological Health Studies (NFQ Level 6 – Minor). On successful completion of Year Two, participants will be awarded a Diploma in Social and Psychological Health Studies (NFQ Level 7 – Minor). Holders of the Diploma in Social and Psychological Health Studies may apply for a 15 credit non-subject specific exemption from UCCs BA (Level 8) degree programme.

Course Fee

€990 per annum (payable in two instalments; the first with the application, the second in January).

What recent course participants have said:-

  • This was the most interesting course I ever participated in. You will not regret this experience.
  • This course was engaging, enlightening and interesting, I would like to be starting it again.
  • The course is an opportunity for growth. Challenging yet fulfilling, very engaging and a worthwhile learning experience.

  • Thoroughly recommend it but know in advance you’ll gain more than knowledge.

  • Really found myself growing in understanding the world I live in. Have better grasp of how we are individually.

  • Encourages critical thinking and gives abroad perspective in society from the macro to micro level.

  • One of the best gifts I have ever given to myself, if you have any interest in this course go for it.

For Further information:

Contact : Jim Sheehan, Director, SHEP (021) 4666180 Â or email: jim.sheehan@socialandhealth.com

or Dr Maria Lotty, Senior Programme Coordinator, Centre for Adult Continuing Education, University College Cork. Email: maria.lotty@ucc.ie

Visit the UCC ACC website here:

https://www.ucc.ie/en/ace-dsphs/#

Next Course

This two year part-time course will commence again in UCC in September 2023 (It runs on a two-year cycle). We expect it will open again for applications in June/July 2023. Applications need to be made directly to UCC.