Applied Social Studies

Overview

Interested individuals are encouraged to make an informal approach to the Department to discuss their proposal and establish an initial fit between their interests and the Department’s research priorities and expertise. Formally, an applicant wishing to undertake a research degree should submit a research proposal in writing of 3,000–4,000 words and consult with the Department on the general suitability of the research topic, and on the availability of an appropriate supervisor.

The research proposal should provide the following information:

• Introduction to the central research topic that the student proposes to investigate
• Reference to the key debates and issues relevant to the research
• An indication the body of literature that the research will analyse; the main data that will be collected and/or analysed and the methods that will be used
• An outline of the potential significance of the proposed research for the field under investigation

Career

Graduates of the Applied Social Studies programme from Maynooth University including doctoral graduates of the Department of Applied Social Studies have pursued a range of careers in community and youth work, public administration, NGOs, academic institutions and research/advisory bodies / careers in social policy consulting and teaching.