Masters Degrees in Child Psychology, United Kingdom

Visit our website for more information on fees, scholarships, postgraduate loans and other funding options to study Child Public Health at Swansea University - 'Welsh University of the Year 2017' (Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2017).

The Child Public Health course aims to equip students with a knowledge of the multitude of factors that affect infant, child and family health and the importance of health in early childhood for future national health, well being and growth.

Key Features of Child Public Health

Course:

- The course explores the evidence base behind current child public health, policy and practice

- Considers the real world implications of research for infants, children and families in health, social and educational settings

- Equips students with the knowledge and evidence base to develop and change practice in their field

- Developed by researchers with leading international reputations in the field of child health

- Delivered by experts with professional backgrounds in their field

Teaching and Employability:

- Taught by an interdisciplinary team including Public Health experts, Psychologists, Sociologists, Midwives and Child Nurses

- Teaching staff have strong professional links in practice in health, social care, social work and education

- Teaching is research led, informed by the research expertise and international networks of the team

- Opportunity to pursue a PhD supervised by a well-qualified member of the team

Ever wondered why mothers are encouraged to breastfeed?

Or why so much attention is paid to childhood obesity?

Do you believe that mothers should be ‘grateful that they have a healthy baby’ or is birth experience more important than that?

Perhaps you are a Professional working in practice and want to know the latest evidence behind what you do?

Or perhaps you are a Professional who wants to know the evidence behind an issue to strengthen your argument to drive forward a new policy?

Then this taught Master’s programme in Child Public Health is for you. Exploring the evidence base underpinning Child Public Health policy in the UK and Internationally, this course examines health issues for children (and their families) aged 0 – 11 years such as perinatal health, nutrition and immunisations. It highlights the importance of child health, not only as a concept of illness, but as affecting wider long term educational, social and emotional development.

The Child Public Health programme uses a bio-psycho-social approach to critically evaluate the multitude of factors that influence child health and the role of multi-disciplinary professionals, policy makers and government in child health promotion and governance. Overall, it will emphasise the importance of the early years upon future child and population health and consider the public health policies and interventions established to promote and enhance this.

The Child Public Health course will:

- Enhance understanding of the evidence base that drives Child Public Health policy, promotion and practice

- Develop students critical perspective on the importance of child health, the interplay of factors that affect it and the impact it can have upon child outcomes

- Promote critical understanding of child health from an integrated, holistic perspective examining evidence from biological, psychological and social angles

- Raise awareness of the number of professions who play a role in Child Public Health and explore the importance of inter-professional working

-Equip students with the knowledge to understand and promote child health in professional settings

Modules

Modules on the Child Public Health course may include:

Issues in Child Public Health

Sociology of Child Public Health

Childhood Nutrition and Growth

Common Childhood Illness

Research Methods

Understanding and Observing Child Development

Advanced Practice with Children

Therapeutic Work with Children

Children's Rights and Safeguarding Children and Young people

MSc Child Public Health students will take 180 credits comprising five compulsory modules (20 credits each), one optional module (20 credits) and a dissertation (60 credits).

Students wishing to exit on successful completion of 60 credits at level M can be awarded a PGCert in Child Public Health.

Students who successfully complete 120 credits at level M but do not successfully complete the Dissertation module can exit with a PGDip in Child Public Health.

Staff Expertise

The teaching team consists of staff with backgrounds in teaching, research and professional expertise in the field of child public health. The team is active in their research and have considerable experience of encouraging students to publish their research; an indicator of high quality.

Facilities

Child Public Health students have access to a multi-media teaching suite; take part in interactive teaching sessions where student involvement enhances learning and practical hands-on sessions with visiting speakers.

Postgraduate Community

The College of Human and Health Sciences has a vibrant postgraduate community with students drawn from a variety of backgrounds and nationalities. The College is known for its friendly, welcoming and supportive environment, which combined with its extensive facilities, state-of-the-art technology and superb beachside location, helps to ensure that students benefit from an exceptional student experience.

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Anyone interested in child development, or planning to work with children in the future, will be fascinated by this course. As well as core modules in Social, Developmental, Biological and Cognitive Psychology, Research Methods and Statistics that will give you a BPS-recognised Psychology degree, you will take a series of specialist Child Development modules in years one, two and three that will give you a chance to study children’s thoughts, emotions and behaviour in great detail. You will be able to do a work placement in a child-centred setting, and you will complete an original research study under the supervision of an active developmental researcher. If you want to see how children play or how they interact with their carers or peers, you will have access to our purpose-built Child Observation Suite. If you want to see what is happening inside their heads, we have a fantastic Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience lab with a wide range of imaging equipment designed for children of all ages. If you are interested in Educational Psychology, we have lots of links with local schools and other children’s services, providing opportunities to study language development, literacy, peer relations, online safeguarding, antisocial behaviour and bullying.

DBS CHECKS

This course will involve access to children and/or vulnerable adults. You will be required to obtain a satisfactory Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service clearance (formerly termed CRB) and we will guide you through this process.

INDUSTRY LINKS

We continuously engage with employers to make sure our curriculum delivers the skills and knowledge industry needs. These include a number of professionals from various sectors, including NHS Trusts, patient groups, medical practitioners, allied health professionals, the Prison Service, police forces, local education authorities, schools and professional sports organisations.

PROFESSIONAL ACCREDITATION

Accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS) as conferring eligibility for Graduate Membership of the Society with the Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership, provided a minimum standard of qualification of second class honours is achieved.

LEARNING ENVIRONMENT AND ASSESSMENT

You’ll be taught by academics that produce first-class research, which has an impact not just in academia but in our working and everyday lives. Much of our psychological research was rated as ‘internationally excellent’ and ‘world-leading’ in the last research assessment exercise.

Year 1 is assessed by coursework and Multiple Choice Question exams; Year 2 through coursework, MCQ and essay exams; Year 3 through coursework or essay exams and the project. Percentage of coursework to exams is roughly 50/50.

OPPORTUNITIES

You can get involved in the research carried out by our staff, both as a participant and as a researcher, and not just through your classes and final year projects - there are paid research student internships and part-time research assistant positions available. You can also take part in conference talks, research publications and research grants - our current students regularly publish themselves, or become members of the editorial panel of ‘Diffusion’, UCLan’s own undergraduate research journal.

Some of our graduates pursue a career in psychology by undertaking postgraduate training to become professional psychologists, including our BPS-accredited Master’s programmes. However, UCLan graduates are valued more broadly, and others utilise the skills that our degree encourages to take graduate-level positions in a range of organisations, including the Police, Prison Service, NHS, social and community services, health authorities and in the pharmaceutical industry, and in education and training.

FURTHER INFORMATION

All our Psychology degrees share a common first year, with the opportunity to start specialising from Year 2. You can choose BSc routes in (i) Developmental Psychology, (ii) Forensic Psychology, (iii) Health Psychology, (iv) Neuropsychology, (v) Psychology with Psychotherapy and Counselling and (vi) Psychology and Criminology.

The Psychology syllabus is informed by the professional body, the British Psychological Society (BPS). All core modules are completed by Year 2, after which you can choose your specialism and, if you like, progress straight onto a Master's degree, which can provide stage 1 of your training towards becoming a professional psychologist.

In Year 1 you will attend lectures, seminars, workshops and labs. You will take part in Psychology practicals and develop your skills in statistical analysis and report-writing. Lectures are delivered to large groups, but other classes contain about thirty students. These small groups allow you to develop your understanding of psychology and to practise your communication skills. You should get to know your fellow group members, and learn to use your Academic Advisor as a source of academic advice.

In Year 2, you will study core areas of psychology in more depth, including Social and Developmental Psychology, Cognitive and Physiological Psychology, and Psychological Research Methods. You will continue to develop your skills in psychological research and report-writing but work in smaller groups, and take a role in designing your own studies.

In Year 3, you will complete a double module research project on a Developmental topic. This can be the most exciting part of your degree because it lets you investigate a subject in which you have a particular interest, supported by one-to-one discussions with your supervisor. The rest of Year 3 is made up of a mixture of specialist and general modules including two core Developmental Psychology and Educational Psychology modules.

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The MSc Child and Adolescent Psychology will help you to develop an in-depth understanding of current issues in child and adolescent psychology.

It includes a strong practical and applied element, including a work placement. Studying the degree enables students to apply state of the art developmental theory and research findings to real-life settings. It also gives students a robust training in advanced research design, methods and statistics, in preparation for further postgraduate education or for a research career.

The Department of Psychology, Social Work & Counselling is a trusted provider of excellent academic degrees and vocational training. Our teaching staff are research active and are experts in their respective field. The department is consistently rated highly in the National Student Survey. We pride ourselves on combining high-quality teaching with world-class research and a vibrant student experience. We have well-equipped facilities and laboratories to support our activities and we employ creative teaching methods and assessment techniques. All our programmes offer a wide choice of courses and we welcome and offer support to students from a range of backgrounds.

The aims of the programme are:

- To develop an in-depth understanding of current issues in child and adolescent psychology

- To be able to apply that understanding when working with children and adolescents

- To conduct a substantial piece of research in child and adolescent psychology

- To provide students with a robust training in advanced statistics and research methods related to psychology

Visit the website http://www2.gre.ac.uk/study/courses/pg/psy/childadolpsych#utm_source=findamasters.com&utm_medium=course%20profile&utm_content=child%20and%20adolescent%20psychology%20msc&utm_campaign=education%20and%20health

Psychology and Counselling

The Department of Psychology & Counselling at Greenwich has a strong record of delivering high quality programmes, research and consultancy. All our programmes offer a wide choice of courses and we employ creative teaching methods and assessment techniques. We welcome and offer support to students from a range of backgrounds.

What you'll study

Year 1
Students are required to study the following compulsory courses.

Current issues in Child and Adolescent Psychology (30 credits)
Child and Adolescent Psychology in Practice (30 credits)
Advanced Research Methods in Child Development (15 credits)
Advanced Statistical Methods (30 credits)
Applied Psychology Project (60 credits)

Additionally students can choose one of the following three options:

Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology (15 credits)
Introduction to Educational Psychology (15 credits)
Psychology, Development and Crime (15 credits)

Fees and finance

Your time at university should be enjoyable and rewarding, and it is important that it is not spoilt by unnecessary financial worries. We recommend that you spend time planning your finances, both before coming to university and while you are here. We can offer advice on living costs and budgeting, as well as on awards, allowances and loans.

Find out more about our fees and the support available to you at our:
- Postgraduate finance pages (http://www.gre.ac.uk/finance/pg)
- International students' finance pages (http://www.gre.ac.uk/finance/international)

Assessment

Assessed coursework includes essays, portfolios, oral presentations, practical research reports, research posters and examinations.

Students will also be required to produce an independent piece of work based on their work placement and an independent project reporting on a substantial research area including the collection of empirical data or equivalent.

Career options

Graduates from this programme can pursue careers in research and would be well-placed to undertake doctoral study. Their training in applying cutting-edge developmental theory and research to real-life settings also enables them to pursue careers working with children and adolescents.

Find out how to apply here - http://www2.gre.ac.uk/study/apply

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The MSc Applied Child Psychology combines an in-depth critical evaluation of current theory pertaining to psychological development in children and adolescents with advanced training in relevant research methods.

The implications of psychological theory for policy and practice in various areas, including education, clinical and social contexts are also considered. This an ideal course for anyone wanting a career that involves working with children or for those interested in securing a doctoral training place in educational psychology.

Modules may include:

Social and Cognitive Development in Children
The Child in Context
Research Skills for Working with Children
Observational Methods
Understanding Atypical Development
Clinical Aspects of Behavioural Disorders
Child Psychology Specialist Essay
Child Psychology Research Project.

For more information about the modules you may study on this course visit http://www.ntu.ac.uk/childpsych

Facilities

The University has made significant financial investment in the Psychology Division over recent years upgrading accommodation, facilities and equipment used exclusively for the provision of our psychology courses and for research. We have a first class undergraduate teaching laboratory suite and a second teaching laboratory specifically catering for postgraduate students.

In addition there are specialist suites dedicated to particular areas of interest in psychology, including:

social interaction, group work and interviewing
computer gaming and cyberpsychology
eye-tracking
cognitive modelling and visual analysis
psychophysiology.

Alongside these are new flexible cubicles for student project work, a psychometric test bank library, and a technical workshop.

Delivery and assessment

The course is delivered through lectures, interactive workshops, small group teaching and one-on-one supervision. There will also be an expectation that students will engage in independent study during the course. All staff teaching on the course is research-active in their field of interest which includes members from the Communication for Inclusion Research Unit (CIRU) and the Specific Language Impairment Research Unit (SLIRU). Students will also have access to the extensive new facilities within the Division of Psychology and the University's Virtual Learning Environment.

International students in psychology can also access additional language and study skills support, as well as help in acclimatising, via our own International Student Support Officer.

You will be assessed in a variety of ways and on a modular basis through:

examinations
coursework
essays
laboratory reports
literature reviews
research project.

Career opportunities

Students generally choose the MSc Applied Child Psychology because they wish to pursue a career working with children (as a teacher, support worker, and so on).

Many already work with children and complete the course in order to improve their prospects of promotion and career progression. Others see the qualification as a means of helping to secure a path to teacher training or a doctoral training place in educational psychology. It is also possible to pursue an academic and / or research career in child / developmental psychology following graduation (by working as a research assistant or associate, for example, or by studying for a PhD).

Your qualification in psychology is likely to be popular with a whole range of potential employers because you will have demonstrated an ability to write essays and reports, to master advanced statistics and to talk and present in front of other people (amongst other transferable skills).

Careers and job application advice is available to all our postgraduate students and is provided on a one-to-one basis by a subject specialist within the Division, supported by the university wide careers service.

Scholarships

The School of Social Sciences offers a number of competitive scholarships for our full-time and part-time Masters courses. For more information please visit http://www.ntu.ac.uk/s3scholarships

Want to find out more? Come along to one of our postgraduate Open Evenings. For further details please visit: http://www.ntu.ac.uk/s3events

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This course looks at research in child psychology, focusing on the advanced study of psychological development in children and the implications of psychological theory and research for policy and practice. It is ideal if you would like to start or promote a career working with children in areas such as teaching and social work; it also provides an excellent foundation for pursuing a research career in child/developmental psychology.

-Aimed at childcare professionals, including teachers, paediatric nurses and social workers, this course will develop their knowledge of child psychology and enhance their professional work.
-Areas of expertise include: psychosocial issues concerning living with facial disfigurement and impairment in childhood and adolescence; children's expertise in describing and recalling faces; reading development in blind children; phonological awareness and letter knowledge in reading development; bullying; the development of biological at-risk children (very pre-term); children's regulatory problems (crying, feeding, sleeping) and ADHD; autism, face processing and ‘Theory of Mind'; anxiety disorders; learning and the role of cognitions in fears and anxiety; language development in typical development and developmental disorders; pre-verbal infant cognitive, social and emotional development; and development of numerical abilities.

What will you study?

Taught by researchers active in the field of child psychology, this MSc has a strong research focus, and you will be encouraged to approach empirical research critically. You will study four, year-long, 30-credit modules, including three core modules and one option module, plus a 60-credit dissertation.

You will be introduced to the theories of child psychology, considering them in relation to the real world, and will cover the empirical research and theories of developmental psychology, focusing on implications for policy and practice. You will also study the application of developmental psychology to social policy, such as social issues, education and school issues and health, and the factors influencing the development of children's relationships. You will consider both typical and atypical development, including a range of developmental disorders, such as autism spectrum disorders, dyslexia, etc. Your dissertation enables you to study an area of interest in depth and gain valuable research skills.

Assessment

Essays, in-class tests, presentations, unseen examinations, laboratory reports and dissertation.

Course structure

Please note that this is an indicative list of modules and is not intended as a definitive list.

Core modules
-Applications of Psychological Research
-Cognitive and Social Development
-Development in Typical and Atypical Populations
-Methods and Statistics for MSc Psychology
-Psychology Dissertation

Optional modules to be confirmed.

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Do you want to work towards a clinical career with children or take the next step towards a doctorate? Gain an advanced academic understanding of developmental disorders and childhood mental health. Investigate causes, assessment, classification and treatment.

See the website http://www.anglia.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/clinical-child-psychology

Our course provides you with a strong foundation for research and will complement your professional clinical training. You’ll gain a comprehensive theoretical knowledge of the field, as well as the practical ability to design and evaluate clinical research programmes.

Specialist modules focus on diagnosis and treatment of different conditions, developmental psychopathology (including causes and impacts) and the broader issues surrounding psychological research.

You’ll also train in quantitative and qualitative research methods, including infant observation, assessment and diagnostic interviewing, neuroimaging (electroencephalography and magnetoencephalography) and neuropsychological assessment.

This leads up to your dissertation project, which will involve significant independent research with the guidance and support of our expert staff.

Please note that this course does not include clinical work with children and neither does it constitute professional training (e.g. training in clinical psychology).

See the website http://www.anglia.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/clinical-child-psychology

This course will:
- provide you with a comprehension of the principles of research design and strategy within the field of developmental disorders and child psychopathology, including an understanding of how to formulate researchable problems and an appreciation of alternative approaches to research
- enable you to understand a range of quantitative and qualitative research methodologies and tools, including infant observation, assessment and diagnostic interviewing, neuroimaging (electroencephalography (EEG), magnetoencephalography (MEG)) and neuropsychological assessment
- give you a comprehensive understanding of current theoretical issues in relation to cause, classification and treatment protocols for a range of developmental disorders and childhood mental health
- provide you with the skills necessary for managing research, including the process of research and its dissemination in a way that is consistent with both professional practice and the normal principles of research ethics
- develop your understanding of the significance of alternative epistemological positions that provide the context for theory construction, research design, and the selection of appropriate analytical techniques
- prepare you for careers in research, research methods, and provide you with a wide range of transferable skills
- provide you with the opportunity and the practical skills to carry out research with a clinical population using either quantitative or qualitative methodology.

On successful completion of this course you will be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:
• current methodological issues within the clinical field specifically related to children
• current theoretical issues in developmental disorder and psychopathology
• the context (at the national and international levels) in which research takes place
• issues relating to the rights of other researchers, research subjects, and of others who might be affected by the research (e.g. ethical and legal issues, confidentiality, copyright, malpractice)
• good research practice in psychology clinical settings
• the relevant health and safety issues and responsible working practices
• the processes for funding and evaluation of research
• the process of academic and commercial exploitation of research results
• the scientific basis of the discipline of psychology: its philosophical, historical, and epistemological context
• the relationship between hypotheses, research design, data collection, interpretation, and theory
• a range of quantitative research methods and general statistical techniques

Careers

Our course is ideal if you want to pursue a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology, a career working with children or in other clinical settings. You’ll be highly employable in many research environments. You’re also in the perfect position to continue your academic career and move up to our Psychology PhD.

Core modules

Issues in Psychological Research
Diagnosis and Treatment in Clinical Child Psychology
Developmental Psychopathology
Quantitative Research Methods
Dissertation

Assessment

We’ll assess your theoretical and applied understanding through essays, portfolios, exams, presentations, debates, data analysis and dissertation.

Specialist facilities

You can use several dedicated, sound attenuated research laboratories, equipped with networked computers, as well as: an observation laboratory, including a two-way mirror; an electroencephalography (EEG) laboratory; an eye-tracking laboratory; a psycholinguistics laboratory; a psychometrics laboratory and a psychoneuroimmunology laboratory.

Your faculty

The Faculty of Science & Technology is one of the largest of five faculties at Anglia Ruskin University. Whether you choose to study with us full- or part-time, on campus or at a distance, there’s an option whatever your level – from a foundation degree, to a BSc, MSc, PhD or professional doctorate.

Whichever course you pick, you’ll gain the theory and practical skills needed to progress with confidence. Join us and you could find yourself learning in the very latest laboratories or on field trips or work placements with well-known and respected companies. You may even have the opportunity to study abroad.

Everything we do in the faculty has a singular purpose: to provide a world-class environment to create, share and advance knowledge in science and technology fields. This is key to all of our futures.

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The DEdPsy provides initial professional training in applied educational psychology, and is aimed at psychology graduates with experience of working with children and young people from birth to age 19. The programme generates high-level research expertise and develops the knowledge and skills you will need as an educational psychologist.

The programme is based on an interactionist psychological perspective. It will enable you to promote change at different levels of intervention with children, their families and teachers; schools as organisations; local authorities and children’s services, and in relation to national priorities.

The DEdPsy makes a similar level of demand as the PhD degree, but combines university-based academic learning and applied professional practice with research activity. The degree is approved by the Health Professions Council (HPC) and provides eligibility for HPC registration as a practitioner psychologist with the protected title Educational Psychologist. It is also accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS) and confers eligibility for chartered status with the BPS.

Programme of study
The programme is delivered through six courses that integrate theory andpractice. We use a range of teaching and learning methods, including problem-based learning activities, psychological skills workshops, lectures, seminars, tutorials, placement activities, and video interactive guidance.

Courses
• The profession of educational psychology in context
• The effective practitioner
• Applying psychology: creative assessment, interventions and solutions in
practice
• Research methods 1 and 2
• Thesis

Length of programme and teaching arrangements
The programme starts in September and extends over three years of full-time study. In the first year, you will engage in learning activities at the IOE and undertake placements in local authority or children’s services settings. At the end of the year, you will seek a bursary funded placement for Years 2 and 3. This is subject to a work-based learning partnership agreement which outlines placement and university requirements.

Assessment
In both Year 1 and Year 2, you are required to produce a 5,000-word assignment. In Year 1 you will also produce a 10,000-word small-scale research report, and inYear 2 you will submit a 10,000-word summary report of your thesis. In Year 3, you will produce a thesis of 30,000 to 35,000 words.

Across the three years, you will submit annual logs of professional activity. Each year you will complete a series of 4,000-word process analyses and 2,000-word summaries of learning activities that will form a professional work portfolio.

Throughout the programme, you will be observed and supervised by tutors and fieldwork consultants.

Entry requirements
You should have at least an upper second-class honours degree in psychology or the equivalent, conferring Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC) with the British Psychological Society.

You should also be able to provide:
• evidence of relevant experience of working with children within educational, child care or community settings
• evidence from the Criminal Records Bureau, demonstrating suitability for direct work with children
• compliance with the Fitness to Practice policy (for more details, see our website)
• an excellent work record, including evidence of outstanding interpersonal skills, provided through employment/academic references.

As for all our research degrees, we also require evidence of your competence in written and oral English.

For more information, visit http://www.ioe.ac.uk/study/RPE9_EDU999.html or come along to our open evening on 21 November, 6pm - 7.30pm to find out about our DEdPsy programme. Further details at http://www.ioe.ac.uk/study/departments/phd/751.html

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The programme aims to equip students to work as educational psychologists in LEA Educational Psychology Services and other settings. It is a British Psychological Society recognised qualification to practise as an educational psychologist. At the end of the programme successful graduates can apply for Chartered Educational Psychologist status conferred by the British Psychological Society. The programme aims to prepare students to become committed and creative educational psychologists, applying psychology in educational and other settings, to make a positive difference for children.

Students will study child development, methods of assessment and intervention, special educational needs, inclusion, professional practice issues, research methodology and develop their personal and professional problem-solving skills. Students will explore issues relating to individual children, groups, families, schools and work with other professionals. In addition to developing skills of individual child assessment and intervention, students will develop skills of working with families, teachers, carrying out training and presentation, and organisational change.

The key themes throughout the programme are:

* The Profession of Educational Psychology
* Psychology of the Individual Child
* The Child in the Family and Social Context
* The Psychology of Groups and Organisational Change
* Psychology and Education
* Consultation and Assessment
* Intervention and Therapeutic Skills
* Interpersonal Effectiveness
* Research, Enquiry and Critical Evaluation
* Personal Learning Module

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Why take this course?

This distance learning degree is designed especially for graduate students or professionals already working with children caught up in the legal system.

Supported by academics who have research interests and expertise in child witnessing and children as suspects/offenders, this course provides a chance for you to study relevant specialist topics.

What will I experience?

On this course you can:

Be taught by actively researching academics at the cutting edge of child forensic psychology research
Participate in live web-based chat forums to discuss your work with lecturers and other students
Tap in to our Library’s vast selection of electronic resources or access library facilities and borrow books locally via the SCONUL scheme

What opportunities might it lead to?

This course provides an opportunity for those supporting or working with child victims, witnesses or suspects to enhance their knowledge and skills, and gain an academic qualification.

Module Details

Year One

Full time students will study all units in one full year.

Part time students - Year One:

You will normally study three units each year, and will begin to explore potential research ideas and research methodologies in your first year.

Here are the units you will study:

Child Development and Young Offenders: This unit discusses child development theories including cognitive, emotional, social, and sexual development and in the second half of the unit, it critically discusses the factors, prevention, and intervention strategies for children as perpratators. A summary of research on adolescent violent offenders and adolescent sex offenders is followed by a section on child suspects, criminal responsibility, and false confessions and suggestibility.

Law and Procedures Relating to Children: This unit provides an historical overview of what influenced the changes to the law that have provided the special measures to help children have greater access to the criminal justice process. It also outlines current laws and procedures in England and Wales.

Quantitative and Qualitative Research Methods: This unit introduces experimental and survey-based research methods, as well as quantitative data analysis techniques. It also covers qualitative methods for data collection and analysis, as well as to how to write research reports in both traditions.

Year Two

Part time students - Year Two

In your second year you will cover several other applied topics and carry out an independent research project relevant to children caught up in the legal system.

Here are the units you will study:

Interviewing Child Witnesses and the Detection of Deception: This unit introduces the issue of suggestibility and outlines the current advocated interview protocols for the investigative interviewing of child witnesses. It discusses Statement Validity Assessment, a technique for assessing the truthfulness of statements based solely on what is spoken by the child. The second part of this unit includes discussion of risk factors, prevention and intervention strategies for children as perpetrators.

Research Project: The research project requires you to initiate, conduct and report upon an original piece of research. The work is conducted to deadlines agreed with a project supervisor and must include empirical quantitative or qualitative research – data collection and relevant analysis must be included. Any statistical analysis must be both descriptive (e.g. means, standard deviations and graphs and so on) and inferential (i.e. statistical tests).

An option unit – the current choices are one unit from these two options:

Communication and Investigative Interviewing of People with Intellectual Disabilities: This unit aims to promote communication skills and opportunities for people with intellectual disabilities and outline the status of the law concerning vulnerable adults as witnesses/victims. It aims to provide you with the opportunity to examine issues that arise when people with intellectual disabilities are interviewed as witnesses/victims of crime.

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy: This unit outlines and discusses the efficacy of cognitive behavioural therapy. You are strongly encouraged to view this course as an introduction to the academic literature on this subject, rather than as training to be a therapist.

Programme Assessment

Despite its distance learning mode, this course is still extremely student focused. You will be given resources, materials, help and guidance to complete your studies to your full ability. Using our virtual learning environment you can participate in group discussions with other students in a friendly yet challenging online class environment. Plus real-time text based 'chat sessions' with lecturers will ensure you receive all the support you need for the topics you study.

You are assessed in a variety of ways to reflect the individual topics, however there are no examinations and all assessment is coursework based. Here’s how we assess your work:

Essays
Critical reviews
Information leaflets
Wikis
Presentation slides
A research project

Student Destinations

Many of our students are already employed or involved with children caught up in the legal system. Others, however, are new graduates and have yet to work in this environment. Whatever your experience, this course aims to enable you to have a greater understanding of many aspects concerning children as victims, witnesses or suspected offenders.

Previous graduates of the course frequently make significant progress in their careers. Some are just in the beginning stages while others move on to senior manager positions and upwards. Those yet to embark on a career have gone on to find work in related professions, such as the police. Others have chosen to complete more studies such as a social work qualification to be able to work directly with children. More recently, students have gone on to study for advanced academic qualifications.

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This Master's programme will deepen students' knowledge of child development and developmental psychology and prepare them for professional work with children and young people, or progression to higher research degrees or employment as a researcher.

Degree information

This programme provides a high-quality education in the main theories, methods, and findings of psychological research relating to child development. The programme aims to enable independent learning and an approach to developmental psychology that is both informed and critical. Participants have the opportunity to conduct research that contributes to the field of child development.

Students undertake modules to the value of 180 credits.

The programme consists of three core modules (90 credits), an optional module (30 credits) and a dissertation (60 credits). A Postgraduate Diploma, three core modules (90 credits), one optional module (30 credits), full-time one year or flexible study up to four years, is offered. A Postgraduate Certificate, two core modules (60 credits), flexible study up to two years, is offered.

Core modules
-Developmental Psychology
-Methodology and Statistics
-Social Development

Optional modules - Psychology graduates can take any optional module. Graduates seeking BPS accreditation must take either Atypical Development or Language Development
-Atypical Development
-Language Development
-or other approved Master's level modules

Dissertation/report
All students undertake an independent research project.

Teaching and learning
The programme is delivered through a combination of lectures delivered both by UCL Institute of Education academic staff and guest speakers, group work, and computer workshops giving hands-on practice. Assessment is through coursework involving exercises in statistics and methodology, and extended pieces of writing on set topics as well as the dissertation.

Careers

Graduates are currently working as:
-Educational or clinical psychologists
-Practising psychologists in the field of child development in the public and private sectors
-PhD students.

Top career destinations for this degree:
-College Lecturer, Morley College
-Senior Lecturer, Middlesex University
-Mentor, The National Autistic Society
-MRes in Research Methods in Psychology, Goldsmiths, University of London
-Behavioural Support Practitioner, Care UK and studying Advanced Professional Diploma Positive Behaviour Support, NHS Wales (Gwasanaeth Iechyd Gwladol Cymru)

Employability
This programme will prepare participants for progression to higher research degrees, employment as researchers or professional training to work with children and young people applying their psychological knowledge.

Why study this degree at UCL?

Psychology and Human Development has more developmental psychologists than most psychology departments. The Institute of Education houses major longitudinal studies such as the Millennium Cohort Study. It is conveniently located for attending research seminars in neighbouring colleges and Institutes, such as the Birkbeck Babylab and the Institute of Child Health. In addition to the Institute’s extensive library and online resources, students have access to Senate House, which contains the British Psychological Society collection.

Our alumni include professors of developmental psychology, educational psychologists, and clinical psychologists. The programme provides the opportunity for suitably qualified applicants to gain the Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC) with the British Psychological Society.

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The MSc provides students with the unique opportunity to study developmental psychology across both childhood and adolescence. Drawing on the research interests and expertise of the teaching team the MSc will expose students to contemporary issues in developmental psychology. The team has links with local child and youth based organisations and students will be able to engage with professionals working in related fields.

Course detail

The programme provides a solid grounding for students wishing to pursue a career working with children or young people or to further develop the knowledge base of individuals already working in a related field. Theories of developmental psychology will be explored and you will be encouraged to consider them in an applied context. You will be given the opportunity to study topics such as: developmental, emotional and behavioural problems, relationships in childhood and adolescence and cognitive development in the context of legal, health and educational settings. Your studies will culminate in the undertaking of a research project in an area of development that is of particular interest to you.

The MSc is suitable for students who wish to use it as a stepping stone to either (a) a PhD; (b) a professional doctorate; or (c) employment in related areas (eg education; social work, third sector, public sector).

Format

Full-time students will take two 30-credit modules per semester, followed by a 60-credit dissertation in the spring and summer.

Part-time students take one module in each semester in years 1 and 2, and undertake the dissertation in year 3.

Modules

- Semester 1: The Psychology of Child Development; Research Methods
- Semester 2: The Psychology of Youth; Psychological Science: Perspectives & Practicalities
- Summer semester: A dissertation module, in which students undertake and write up an extended research project (with supervision).

How to apply

For information on how to apply, please see the following link:
https://www.yorksj.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/how-to-apply/

Other sources of funding

Information on alternative sources of funding can be found here:
https://www.yorksj.ac.uk/student-services/money/funding-my-course/postgraduate-/postgraduate-funding-/

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This exciting and innovative multi-professional open learning course is designed for health, education and social care professionals and those with an interest in this dynamic area of work. It aims to challenge and extend the knowledge base, skills and attitudes of those working in, or interested in the field of children, young people and family wellbeing. It critically analyses the evidence-base for such work, and examines interventions that link to positive outcomes.

The programme is offered as open learning only. It is open to home, EU and international students interested in child and adolescent wellbeing, and who want to interact with other graduates and professionals in an online research-based environment. It is taught by experts with a strong record of research and publications in the area.

Please note: course content is scheduled for a forthcoming review and there may be minor changes to the course entry following this review in mid-January 2016. Please continue to check the course entry for the most up to date details.

See the website http://www.brookes.ac.uk/courses/postgraduate/child-welfare-and-wellbeing/

Why choose this course?

You will benefit from:
- Teaching by highly qualified staff - many of the teaching team have reputations for excellence in their research fields both nationally and internationally.

- A course that has been designed to maximise flexibility.

- The course can be taken part-time, including, on a module by module basis, building to the PGCert (three modules), a PGDip (six modules), or to a full MSc (nine modules including a triple dissertation module).

- It can be studied by those in full-time or part-time employment.

- The convenience of studying at home with regular periods of concentrated online study with other students on the course.

- Teaching which is delivered through state-of-the-art learning technologies via our Moodle platform.

- Excellent support in the on-line environment by lecturers who are experts in their subject areas, in the child welfare and drug and alcohol fields.

- A lively and exciting department.

- Excellent opportunities for shared learning, with students from many different backgrounds and locations.

- Strong links with Oxford Brookes University’s Children and Families Research Group.

- If you are a social worker or health care professional this course will contribute to ongoing CPD with a focus on learning and continuous improvement.

Teaching and learning

The MSc in Child Welfare and Wellbeing by open learning offers exciting opportunities to those who may be unable to attend university full-time but want to study to an advanced level in a stimulating and dynamic online environment.

Web based open learning materials are provided to guide you during your studies.

You will encounter a variety of innovative online teaching methods, which are designed to support your needs as an open learner.

Approach to assessment

Assessment is mostly on the basis of coursework. A broad range of assessment approaches are used on the course, including essays, critical reviews, case studies, research proposal and virtual presentations. Formative assessment is used extensively to enable you to develop the skills and knowledge required for your summative assignments. Coursework is designed to help you develop a wide range of transferable skills in research, communication and team working.

If you wish to obtain the full MSc in Child Welfare and Wellbeing, the dissertation provides an opportunity to conduct a piece of investigative research that will further your understanding and facilitate the development of a specific area of study.

Specialist facilities

Fully open learning and highly flexible mode of study in the University’s virtual learning environment.

Teaching is delivered through state-of-the-art learning technologies via our Moodle platform.

The programme is delivered by open learning but runs within the University's standard calendar of semesters so there will be specific activities to do each week during the semester and deadlines to meet for coursework submission. During the module you can interact with course tutors and fellow students, enabling for instance, discussion of topics of current interest in child welfare and wellbeing.

Attendance pattern

This is a fully open learning online course, so attendance at the University is not required. It is a highly flexible mode of study and as a course participant you study at a time and place that suits you.

Careers

Our course attracts graduates from a wide range of disciplines. Candidates from around the world enrol on the course to learn about child welfare and wellbeing from an international perspective.
Many students undertaking the MSc in Child Welfare and Wellbeing either work in the children and families field or want to gain future employment in this area of work.

This course supports students in their professional career development as it provides an excellent foundation in the theoretical and research underpinnings of work with children and families.

It is also helpful for people working in the field who are seeking, for the purpose of career advancement, knowledge outside their own specialist area.

The content of modules (ie child protection, substance misuse, evidence informed interventions in child welfare) is highly relevant to the workplace and will enhance your knowledge and understanding of the multiple factors that correlate with outcomes for children and young people.

Students undertaking this course have gone on to work for charitable organisations internationally and in the UK, while others have successfully gained professional promotion or developed their leadership and specialist roles.

Undertaking a research dissertation provides an opportunity to conduct a small piece of investigative research relating to child welfare and wellbeing. This is an opportunity to gain first hand research experience and may lead some to further academic study at PhD level.

Free language courses for students - the Open Module

Free language courses are available to full-time undergraduate and postgraduate students on many of our courses, and can be taken as a credit on some courses.

Please note that the free language courses are not available if you are:
- studying at a Brookes partner college
- studying on any of our teacher education courses or postgraduate education courses.

Research highlights

The course is taught by academics with a rich track record in research and publication in the children and families and drug and alcohol fields.

The master's course has close links with the Children and Families Research Group. This group brings together researchers, MSc and PhD students, lecturers, practitioners and external researchers and speakers who have an interest in child welfare and wellbeing and who wish to develop research in this area. Members of the group also contribute to the development of national and international policy guidance.

We are also a strategic collaborator with Action for Children and Work closely with BASPCAN (the British Association for the Study and Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect) and the European Society for Prevention Research (EUSPR).

Our group also has collaborative research links with colleagues in Psychology and Nutrition at Oxford Brookes University, with colleagues from a number of NHS Trusts and Local Authorities and externally with several universities throughout the UK and internationally with universities in Finland, Japan, Australia and Canada.

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Taught at our Parkgate Road Campus in Chester this exciting course focuses on contemporary issues in family and child psychology, exploring critical issues as families and society become increasingly diverse.

This course provides an excellent opportunity to study the psychology of the child and family in context, engaging with, and being taught by, leading experts in the field. With a heavily applied focus, you will learn, explore and examine how theory can be used to explain contemporary issues in the area while undertaking training in research methodology and practical issues. You will also have the opportunity to join the Social and Developmental research groups and take part in Department seminars.

Our course also emphasises employability skills, embedding a range of professional and practical skills in all of the modules.

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About the course

This professional training course will give you the skills, competencies and HCPC registration required to practise as an educational psychologist. We teach you the theory and support your practice, so you’ll be well prepared for your future career.

Your career

We offer postgraduate courses that will launch your career in education or aid your continuing professional development.

Our graduates work in the UK and overseas in schools, universities, and local and national government. Some are teachers and lecturers. Others use their skills in policy development, education, administration, psychology and social work.

About us

We value creative teaching that challenges inequalities in the education system. We believe in increasing opportunities for education, for everyone. Our research has a direct impact on educational theory, policy and practice. We’re supporting the development of children, families and learning communities through dedicated research centres.

You’ll learn from world-class academics such as Professor Cathy Nutbrown and Professor Dan Goodley. Cathy, who teaches on three of our postgraduate courses, won an Outstanding Impact in Society award in 2013 for her work on literacy. Dan’s work on disability in education has been described as ground breaking.

Our research seminar programme gives you access to the latest findings, often before they’re published. The University’s library has online catalogues and databases, e-books and e-journals.

Structure, teaching and assessment

All MA courses follow a similar pattern with two core modules (1 and 4) and two subject-specific modules (2 and 3).

Teaching and learning takes place via lectures, seminars, tutorials, discussion, active inquiry and investigations. Regular meetings with a personal tutor support and encourage your learning and understanding.

A weekly tutorial and a Study of Education course accompanies the taught modules.

There are no formal written examinations and assessment is by coursework and a 15–20,000-word dissertation.

Content

This programme is non-modular, but will include: Developmental Psychology; Assessment and Intervention; The Education of Children with Additional Needs; Group Training for Support Staff; Professional Issues and over 300 days of supervised professional practice placements.

Teaching

A mix of placement, private study and teaching from tutors. Your usual weekly pattern will be:

Year 1: two days teaching, one day private study, two days work placement.

Year 2: one day teaching, one day private study, three days work placement.

Year 3: one day teaching or research, one day private study, three days work placement.

Assessment

Essays, practical work folders and a dissertation including research portfolio.

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This postgraduate course equips those working with children and young people in a range of psychological and behavioural strategies for intervening in meaningful and lasting ways.

The course is informed by recent developments in psychological theory, developmental psychology and cognitive behavioural therapy and builds core skills in helping children and young people develop a coherent understanding of the forces behind their problem behaviour.

The training will enable those working in challenging environments to help young people develop new strategies for engaging with life in productive and fulfilling ways, and manage difficult experiences from a more secure emotional foundation.

As a student on this course you will cover a range of areas including learning theory, developmental psychology, social and emotional development, personality and communication.

You will learn to develop your ability to work quickly and effectively with children, parents and associated professionals.

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