Child Development & Mental Distress - Microcredential - Waterford
The student will learn to critically applying Child Development Theory to contemporary circumstances in childhood. They will also demonstrate an awareness of the impact of contemporary stressors on children’s emotional development and be able to appraise the normative developmental trajectory in the context of the changing world of technology, childcare and education.
| Award Name | Minor Certificate (Level 9 NFQ) |
|---|---|
| NFQ Classification | Minor |
| Awarding Body | South East Technological University |
| NFQ Level | Level 9 NFQ |
| Award Name | NFQ Classification | Awarding Body | NFQ Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minor Certificate (Level 9 NFQ) | Minor | South East Technological University | Level 9 NFQ |
Duration
12 Weeks Blended
16 hours Face to Face teaching and 18 hours Online Asynchronous Learning
Entry Requirements
Must hold the equivalent to a Level 8 in an appropriate discipline.
Careers / Further progression
There is no licence to practice involved in any of the awards, but each will enhance the student’s knowledge of the specific areas of children’s and young people’s mental health.
Further information
Start Date: September 2026
Application Deadline 28 Aug 2026
In addition, the student will demonstrate an awareness of the major mental health disorders in young people and the evidenced based treatment responses available.
This 10 credit module aims to explain the origins of mental distress in the context of the emotional development of the child by critically applying Child Development Theory to contemporary circumstances in childhood.
Students will undertake an element of their teaching on line (80%) via primarily asynchronous and some synchronous modes. These will include lectures, online resources and workshops.
Indicative Content
Origins of mental distress in the context of emotional development of the child
The relevance of Child Development Theory to contemporary circumstances in childhood
Contemporary stressors on children's emotional development
Normative development trajectory in the context of the changing world of technology, childcare and education
Major mental health disorders in young people and the evidence based treatment responses available
Course Leader
Dr Colman Noctor
E: colman.noctor@setu.ie
Graduate Admissions, SETU Waterford
E: pgadmissions.wd@setu.ie