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Community Development Practice (Diploma/Certificate)

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Course Overview

The Certificate/Diploma in Community Development Practice are part-time courses, designed to enable community activists gain a thorough understanding of community development combined with the practical skills necessary to work effectively in development work.

Mode of Study: Blended Learning

The courses will run concurrently and classes will be delivered via blended learning including a series of monthly workshops on Saturdays throughout the academic year September to May.

Applications and Selections

The next intake for this course will be in September 2023.

Applications are made online via the University of Galway Applications System. This course is listed under Adult Learning & CPD Courses Application.

Please visit our How to Apply page for Application tips and Supporting Documents information.

 


Who Teaches this Course

Requirements and Assessment

 A minimum of 75% attendance per term/overall is mandatory in order to successfully complete the course.

In addition to the attendance requirement, participants will submit assignments for each module (including a profile and a project) and will be required to reach a pass standard in all relevant coursework. Each aspect of the course will be monitored by the programme board and will be delivered by course tutors who are based locally.

*To be considered as an adult student and therefore eligible to participate on these courses, applicant must have reached 21 years of age on or before 1st January of the year of proposed entry. 

Key Facts

Entry Requirements

Applicants should have good reading and writing skills, as well as basic IT skills, as independent home study is required. Ideally, applicants should also have some experience (either in a voluntary or professional capacity) of working in a community or voluntary organisation.

There are no special educational requirements for entry to either the Certificate or Diploma course.

Entry requirements for part-time students can be found in our FAQs section (i.e. age, english language requirements etc.). 


Additional Requirements

Duration

8 months, part-time (Certificate); 1 academic year, part-time (Diploma)

Next start date

September 2023

A Level Grades ()

Average intake

25

QQI/FET FETAC Entry Routes

Closing Date

Closed

NFQ level

7

Mode of study

Blended Learning

ECTS weighting

15 (Certificate); 30 (Diploma)

Award

CAO

Course code

Course Outline

Certificate modules:  

  • SP127 Understanding Communities (10 ECTS)
    This module seeks to provide an understanding of the main themes and initiatives that characterise community development. The key principles of community development theory and their application to various types of community setting are explored. It also aims to provide participants with the practical skills and training necessary to enable them to work effectively with communities.
  • SP1110 Introduction to Family and Society (5 ECTS) 
    This module is concerned with the nature of family and its interrelationship with wider society. It looks at how family is defined, the diversity of family forms and the role of family in society. A particular emphasis is placed on the nature of family change in Ireland and the western world. Throughout the module, you will see that family does not exist in isolation from wider systems, culture and ideologies and that these influences continually shape and re-configure people’s experiences and understanding of family and family life.

See 2021/22 CDP Certificate Timetable for this years module details.

Diploma modules:  

  • SP127 Understanding Communities (10 ECTS)
    This module seeks to provide an understanding of the main themes and initiatives that characterise community development. The key principles of community development theory and their application to various types of community setting are explored. It also aims to provide participants with the practical skills and training necessary to enable them to work effectively with communities.
  • SP1123 Group Work and Community Leadership (10 ECTS)
    This module examines the theory and practice of group work and community leadership. It considers group dynamics, communication in groups, effective group processes, conflict management and practical facilitation skills. It also outlines theories on leadership and how community leadership can be developed and supported.
  • SP1113 Social Research Skills (5 ECTS) 
    This module comprises of an introductory under-graduate course on the theory and practice of social research. Research is essentially about collecting information in a methodical way in order to answer a question or test out a theory. The module focuses on how social research can play a vital role in community, youth and family work.
  • SP1110 Introduction to Family and Society (5 ECTS)
    This module is concerned with the nature of family and its interrelationship with wider society. It looks at how family is defined, the diversity of family forms and the role of family in society. A particular emphasis is placed on the nature of family change in Ireland and the western world. Throughout the module, you will see that family does not exist in isolation from wider systems, culture and ideologies and that these influences continually shape and re-configure people’s experiences and understanding of family and family life.

See 2021/22 CDP Diploma Timetable for this years module details.

Why Choose This Course?

Career Opportunities

There are many career opportunities open to graduates of the Certificate and/or Diploma in Community Development Practice course as it offers a solid practical and theoretical understanding of the community development sector. Some graduates have progressed onto further studies such as the B.A. in Community and Family Studies while other graduates of the Diploma in Community Development Practice have improved their employment prospects in the field of community development.

Who’s Suited to This Course

Learning Outcomes

Transferable Skills Employers Value

Work Placement

Study Abroad

Related Student Organisations

Course Fees

Fees: EU

€505 (Cert); €800 (Diploma)

Fees: Tuition

€470 (Cert); €730 (Diploma)

Fees: Student levy

€35 (Cert); €70 (Diploma)

Fees: Non EU

€1,005 (Cert); €1,300 (Diploma)

 
A fees scholarship of up to 30% may be available for students who wish to upskill for the purposes of re-employment.  Students must be registered as unemployed and in receipt of one of the following: 

  • Job-seekers Benefit
  • Job-seekers Allowance
  • One-parent family allowance
  • Disability allowance
  • Community Employment Scheme
  • Carer’s Allowance
  • Signing for social insurance contribution credits

Please download the 2022_23 Fees Scholarship Form for more information.

Find out More

Course Administrator
Centre for Adult Learning and Professional Development
University of Galway, Nuns' Island, Galway
Tel: 091 495241
E-mail: gail.cassidy@universityofgalway.ie
 
For any academic (course content) queries, please contact:
 
Dr. Helen Casey
Tel: 091 493110
Email: helen.casey@universityofgalway.ie
 
Dr. Deirdre Hardiman
Tel: 091 495203
Email: deirdre.hardiman@universityofgalway.ie

What Our Students Say

Siobhan

Siobhan Carroll |   Graduate

In my role as founder and CEO of the national charity ACT for Meningitis, I felt this was the perfect course for me to broaden my knowledge of community development and combine this with the practical skills required to work effectively in this line of work. Not having had the opportunity to attend third level education, I can honestly say this course, and indeed this whole experience, has opened up a whole new world of opportunity for me. It has allowed me to be more educated and informed, and in turn, more confident in my own position within my organisation and within my community.
Tony

Tony Hogan |   Graduate

As I work part-time and also volunteer at a Youth Café, I thought this course would help me in my daily activities. As the course progressed, I realised that I would really like to do community work full time, and that this course suited me ideally. I find the workshops and modules easy to understand, and the tutors more than helpful. As I have never attended Third Level education, this is a great way for me to achieve a level of education that, previously, I could only aspire to.

Downloads

  • Adult Learning Prospectus

    Adult Learning Prospectus PDF (2.7 MB)

  • Postgraduate Prospectus 2023

    Postgraduate Prospectus 2023 PDF (20.6MB)