Criteria for accreditation of non-national qualifications in Ireland
Recognition of non-national qualifications is based on each of the four criteria, as follows:
(1) Length of training
- Under-graduate qualification (e.g. Bachelor of Social Work): 4 academic years professional training (full-time or part-time equivalent).
Undergraduate qualifications of 3-years duration may be considered under certain circumstances.
or
- Post-graduate qualification (e.g. Master of Social Work): 2 academic years professional training (full-time or part-time equivalent) following on either
- a Social Science undergraduate degree
- an undergraduate degree containing at least two core Social Science subjects
- an undergraduate degree without Social Science supplemented by third level course/s containing at least two core Social Science subjects
- a non-graduate third level relevant qualification
(Post-graduate qualifications of 1 year duration may be considered under certain circumstances.)
(2) Level of training
- Professional training should take place at a third level institution, e.g. university/college.
(3) Curriculum content
- Academic content:
Essential core subjects (as outlined in the NSWQB Handbook of Accreditation Standards and Procedures for courses leading to NQSW Award):
- Social Work theory, methods and skills
- Social Policy
- Sociology
- Psychology
- Social Research
- Law
- Economics
- Political Science
(Cognate subjects may be considered, e.g. Social History, Social Anthropology)
- Practice content:
Successful completion of practice placements amounting to at least 1000 hours. Practice must be part of the requirements of the professional training, assessed and supervised by a professionally qualified social worker.
(4) Professional recognition in country of qualification
- A statement from the Authority in your country of qualification that your qualification is recognised for employment as a professional social worker.
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