Technological University of the Shannon has launched a new Masters programme aimed at addressing the national shortage of Social Workers in Ireland.
The university’s new Master of Arts in Social Work (MSW) on its’ Athlone Campus will equip students with the relevant specialised skills to successfully engage in social work practice in an ever-increasing complex world.
According to the Irish Association of Social Workers, 250 social work students graduate each year with at least twice as many graduates needed to bridge the skills gap in Ireland, annually.
This latest addition to the TUS offering follows the highly successful 2024 launch of a Masters in Social Work at the Moylish Campus in Limerick, which was developed by TUS following consultation with Tusla – Child and Family Agency, who provided insight into sector needs in an area of work shortages.
Dean of Faculty of Science and Health, Dr Don Faller said; “We are delighted to launch our Master of Arts in Social Work (MSW) at our Athlone Campus commencing in September 2025. This new Masters in Social Work aims to address a skills shortage in the Midlands and across the country while providing an educational need to professionals throughout the region, so they may further develop their career. This is a testament to TUS’s commitment to providing programmes that make a positive impact and respond to real-time issues.”
The aim of the new MSW programme is to prepare students to successfully engage in social work practice in an ever-increasing complex world. The programme will arm students with the knowledge, values, and skills necessary to meaningfully assess and treat a variety of challenges facing individuals and families in contemporary society.
The MSW programme is highly practice-oriented, requiring students to actively participate in class activities, including role-plays. It is a two-year full-time, in-person, programme that has been developed to align with CORU requirements for registration as a social worker in Ireland.
Applications are welcome from graduates that hold an Honours undergraduate degree (Level 8) in a relevant discipline.
The online application portal is now open. Closing date for applications is 25th April 2025.
For more information go to: https://tus.ie/courses/social-work-ma-athlone/