Applied Community Led Development for Wellbeing - Kerry
Our programme is tailored for those passionate about community development and wellbeing. With a focus on real-world application and alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals 2030, this programme equips you with the essential skills to make a tangible impact.
| Award Name | Degree - Masters (Level 9 NFQ) |
|---|---|
| NFQ Classification | Major |
| Awarding Body | Munster Technological University |
| NFQ Level | Level 9 NFQ |
| Award Name | NFQ Classification | Awarding Body | NFQ Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Degree - Masters (Level 9 NFQ) | Major | Munster Technological University | Level 9 NFQ |
Duration
2 Years, Part-time, Blended.
Entry Requirements
The minimum entry requirement for the programme is a NFQ LEVEL 8 degree (or equivalent) minimum level 2.2 honours. Given the diverse range of modules and assessment approaches in the proposed programme, qualifications from a range of areas such as business, STEM, social science, and the arts will be deemed suitable.
All applicants must be affiliated to an employer or a voluntary organisation and have received permission from their affiliate organisation to undertake projects for the purpose of fulfilling academic requirements of the proposed programme.
All applicants whose first language is not English must provide evidence of English language proficiency (IELTS score of at least 6.0). English language tests must be undertaken no more than two years prior to the start of the programme.
International applicants must have completed an academic qualification equivalent to an Honours Bachelor Degree (NFQ Level 8). Further information is available at https://www.mtu.ie/international/non-eu/
Careers / Further progression
Career options
Employment Opportunities
This programme is designed to suit those already employed within the following sectors/organisations, in a variety of development positions, to enable them to upskill and to enhance their capacity to undertake their development work with new vigour, linked to the utilisation of a positive psychology/human flourishing focus. It is intended that the outputs of the programme will also benefit agencies with participating staff. Such agencies include:
Local Authorities
Local and Community Development Agencies
Health Services Executive
Youth Organisations
Local Sports Partnerships & affiliated supported programmes - sport hubs
Local and national organisations working with communities of interest (e.g., women, Travellers, new communities, immigrants, LGBTQI+)
National and local organisations concerned with specific societal issues (e.g., unemployment, migrant rights, drugs, poverty, racism, gender equality, disability rights)
National and local sports bodies/clubs
Family Resource Centres
Community health agencies
Research organisations
Social enterprise agencies
In the surveys undertaken to assess the feasibility of this programme, 54% of managers stated that they expected an increase in job opportunities in their sector, while 27% expected them to stay the same. Only 7% stated that they expected a decrease. Furthermore, discussions with local development company managers identified a challenge in recruiting people with the required skill set to undertake this complex work.
Progression
Progression will be available to students who successfully complete the Postgraduate Diploma to the MSc, students may progress from the MSc to PhD programmes as outlined in the MTU Postgraduate Regulations.
Further information
The programme fees are €4250 per year (€9500 in total).
Application Deadline 4pm 15th April 2026
Become a Leader in Community Development
Are you dedicated to improving communities and driving positive change?
Our programme is tailored for those passionate about community development and wellbeing. With a focus on real-world application and alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals 2030, this programme equips you with the essential skills to make a tangible impact.
Join us in shaping the future of community development. Enrol in our programme today and become a leader who drives positive change and fosters thriving, sustainable communities.
Exit Awards
If you are uncertain about the commitment to a full 90 credit Masters programme, there are a range of alternative options for you.
The M.Sc. contains 3 embedded exit awards.
Postgraduate Diploma in Community Led Development for Well-being
This 60-credit award requires you to complete all modules across semesters one to three, but you will not be required to undertake the applied research project.
Postgraduate Certificate in Community Development
This 30-credit award requires you to complete one module in semester 1 (Models of Community Development ), two modules in semester 2 (Engineering Community Enhancement and Inclusive Communities & Global Citizenship), and two modules in semester 3 (Applied Policy Development & Analysis and Planning Strategically).
Certificate in Wellbeing Leadership
The 15-credit award can be completed in the first semester by undertaking two modules (Leadership for Wellbeing and Wellbeing Science).
Finally, you also have the option of taking a single module, should you so wish. The modules available will be determined by those being delivered in any given semester.
The MSc in Applied Community led Development for Wellbeing is a two-year (four semesters), part-time NFQ Level 9 programme with 90 ECTS credits of content. The course is designed for delivery in a blended mode, delivered partly online and partly on campus. Online content is delivered weekly, while on-campus study blocks are scheduled for specific times of the academic year.
Year 1 (Semesters 1 &2) 45 credits
Research Methods: Assessing Community Needs & Resources*
Leadership for Wellbeing
Wellbeing Science
Models of Community Development
Research Methods: Assessing Community Needs & Resources*
Engineering Community Enhancement
Inclusive Communities & Global Citizenship
Sustainable Impacts
Year 2 (semesters 3 & 4) 45 credits
Planning Strategically
Community Innovation Lab
Applied Policy Development & Analysis
Applied Research Project
What You'll Learn:
Harness Community Assets: Discover how to identify and leverage human, infrastructural, and natural resources to enhance community development.
Policy Analysis: Develop the skills to critically evaluate public policies—social, economic, education, justice, health, and infrastructure—to uncover opportunities for community improvement.
Lead with Impact: Acquire leadership skills to effectively engage and empower community members, fostering collaboration and growth.
Foster Inter-Professional Collaboration: Gain expertise in collaborating with diverse professionals to boost the quality of life in various community settings.
Participatory Research: Master participatory research methods to plan, monitor, and evaluate wellbeing initiatives effectively.
Promote Inclusion and Justice: Analyze and apply inclusion paradigms and equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) principles to strengthen community capacity and advocate for social justice.
Drive Professional Growth: Use self-evaluation frameworks to enhance your professional development and ensure continuous learning and mastery in your field.
Agenda 2030 Implementation: Assess and apply Agenda 2030 principles to advance sustainable development and community wellbeing.
Champion Advocacy: Partner with communities to advocate for human rights and sustainable development.
Apply Holistic Development Models: Engage holistic approaches to foster interdisciplinary partnerships and improve collective quality of life.
Strategic Planning Excellence: Utilize analytical frameworks for strategic planning and sustainable development to drive long-term success.
Execute Transformative Research: Design and implement a research project with a transdisciplinary approach and ethical standards.
Advance Democratic Decision-Making: Uphold democratic values and participatory planning to achieve inclusive outcomes.
Application Queries
If you have any specific queries on the application process, please email mscdevelopmentforwellbeing@mtu.ie