Programme Specification Postgraduate Programmes

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1 Programme Specification Postgraduate Programmes Awarding Body/Institution Teaching Institution University of London Goldsmiths, University of London Name of Final Award and Programme Title MA in Practice Education Name of Interim Award(s) Duration of Study / Period of Registration UCAS Code(s) QAA Benchmark Group Postgraduate Diploma in Practice Education/Postgraduate Diploma in Social Work (Practice Education)//Postgraduate Certificate in Practice Education Part-time only: PGCert 1-2 years / PGDip 3-5 years / MA 4-6 years N/A Social Work FHEQ Level of Award Level 7 Programme Accredited by The College of Social Work (Endorsement is being sought May 2014) Date Programme Specification Approved 30 Nov 2006 Date of this Version 14 May 2014 Primary Department / Institute Social, Therapeutic and Community Studies Departments which will also be involved in teaching part of the programme Not Applicable Programme Overview This overarching programme enables qualified and registered Social Workers, professionals working in social care and allied professional roles to access a set of flexible qualifications in practice education at Masters level and to give due credit to prior learning experiences. Systems for the accreditation of prior learning are in place to enable this. Successful completion of the first four modules of the framework will give you 60 level 7 credits and allow you to exit with the Postgraduate Certificate in Practice Education. Successful completion of the next four modules will give you a further 60 level 7 credits and allow you to exit with the Postgraduate Diploma in Social Work - Practice Education, if you are a qualified and registered social worker. Non social work qualified candidates can exit with the Postgraduate Diploma in Practice Education. Successful completion of the final 60 credits of the Programme will give qualified and registered social workers the MA in Advanced Social Work - Practice Education. Non social work qualified candidates will be awarded the MA in Practice Education. This programme is suitable for you if you are in one of the following groups of practitioners: Those wishing to qualify as a practice educator under stages 1 & 2 of the social work Practice Educator Professional Standards (PEPS) Those wishing to assess and teach students on other equivalent professional programmes Those wishing to act as a practice educator or supervisor of a newly qualified social worker (NQSW) in their assessed and supported year in employment (ASYE) Those wishing to specialise further in teaching and assessing pre-qualifying learners and fulfil requirements for the practice 1

2 educator specialism in the revised career progression developed by the College of Social Work Practice development educators for practitioners on post qualifying awards Trainers and lecturers in the workplace or universities Frontline managers or specialist practitioners with responsibility for individual, team or agency learning and development Managers and other staff in learning and development/human resources units with responsibility for learning and development and/or managing practice learning. What are the Entry Requirements? The procedures for recruitment and selection adhere to the College s general admissions policies including the equal opportunities policy. Criteria for admission Normally applicants should: 1. Hold a degree level professional qualification in social work or one of the caring professions; 2. Be registered or be in the process of registering with the HCPC as a social worker, or if you are not qualified as a social worker, be registered or in the process of registering with the appropriate professional body if applicable; 3. Have developed and consolidated your practice in a specific area of social care practice; 4. Have obtained initial competence in teaching and assessing the practice of professional students and mentoring and supporting students or colleagues; 5. Be able to demonstrate that they can meet the academic requirements of a post-graduate programme; 6. Be working or intending to take up employment (usually in a paid, but exceptionally in a voluntary capacity) in a setting that will enable you to demonstrate competence in practice education at the required level; 7. In exceptional circumstances very able and experienced practitioners not holding a recognised qualification and who are over the age of 25 may be admitted to the programme. In these circumstances you will need to demonstrate that you can meet the criteria 3-6 above. Further advice about admission requirements is available from the programme convenor. Consideration will be given to requests for Advanced Standing from suitably qualified or experienced applicants. Selection process In the majority of cases applicants will be selected and sponsored by your employing agency. However we welcome applications even if you are not being sponsored by your employing agency, provided that you are in a position to demonstrate competence in practice education at the required level. Admission will be via an application form that asks for: Details of professional and academic qualifications and experience; A personal statement of 750 words in which applicants o Outline the skills, knowledge and values that they bring from your professional practice o Describe existing experience in practice education o Discuss what knowledge and skills they hope to gain from attending the programme; Supply a reference from a line manager or equivalent recommending them for the programme; Give evidence that they are in a position to demonstrate competence in practice education at the level that is required to complete the programme; (Where applicable) Supply an agency commitment form undertaking to pay the necessary fees; Applicants in category 7 above will be required to provide an additional statement of 1,500 words showing how their experience makes them eligible for the programme. In order to progress onto the MA in Pracitice Education or the MA in Advanced Social Work (Practice Education) you will need to meet the requirements of the Postgraduate Diploma in Pracitice Education or the Diploma in Social Work (Practice Education). Additionally you will need to provide a proposal for a substantial practice or research based dissertation that demonstrates you can meet the academic requirements at the level and the practice requirements for advanced practice. The post-qualifying module convener will assess and make decisions on all applications. A standard assessment schedule will be used to ensure transparent and consistent decision-making. In some situations you may be asked to provide further information. Interviews will not normally be held but exceptionally you may be asked to attend an interview. 2

3 Aims of the Programme This programme aims to substantially enhance your initial learning and competence in all areas of practice education. For social work candidates this will build on the initial competence gained through experience in practice or the Enabling the learning of others module at the specialist award level. For candidates not holding a social work qualification an equivalent level of competence is required. More specifically the programme aims to enable you to: Use independent critical judgement to systematically develop your own professional practice as a practice educator in the context of the HCPC s Standards of conduct, performance and ethics and Standards of Proficiency - Social workers in England, TCSW's Professional Capability Framework and the Practice Educator Professional Standards for Social Work. In the case of candidates qualified in other professions, the equivalent codes of practice or statement of values, and the principles of respecting diversity, promoting equality, enabling the participation of service users and carers and reducing social exclusion. Teach, support, mentor, supervise or manage others including working effectively in complex situations involving risk, uncertainty and conflict where there is a need to make informed and balanced decisions. Demonstrate a fully developed capacity to use reflection, critical analysis and evaluation to continuously develop your own professional practice and practice education and to apply relevant and up-to-date research evidence, including service user research Take responsibility for making a significant contribution to workforce training and development. Develop and implement practice education strategies across organisational and professional boundaries. What Will You Be Expected to Achieve? To successfully complete your programme of study for the Postgraduate Certificate in Practice Education or the Postgraduate Certificate in Social Work (Practice Education) students will show a developing ability in the areas outlined below. To successfully complete your programme of study for the Postgraduate Diploma in Practice Education or the Postgraduate Diploma in Social Work (Practice Education) students will show developed competence in the areas outlined below. 3

4 Knowledge & Understanding: A 1 A 2 A 3 A 4 A 5 A 6 support, mentor, supervise or manage others in order to improve their practice apply theoretical frameworks to enhance quality in teaching and learning with individual and groups demonstrate workforce development and planning and the learning organisation use and apply education, training and development networks, standards, requirements and policy relevant to the particular area of practice worked within synthesize and critically analyse literature on up-to-date research and theoretical developments in professional practice and practice education. distinguish and appraise approaches to and methods for the evaluation of learning experiences and teaching strategies. Enabling the learning of others, Assessing and Teaching the Adult Professional Learner, Developing and Planning the Evaluation of a Practice Learning Intervention, Implementing and Evaluating a Practice Learning Intervention, Developing the learning organisation (individuals/teams and groups/within and across organisations/practitioner research) Cognitive & Thinking Skills: B 1 B 2 demonstrate critical skills in the analysis of research, policy and other texts in order to enhance professional practice and practice education skills display ethically informed and self-reflective research skills with particular reference to practice education Subject Specific Skills and Professional Behaviours and Attitudes: deliver work-based assessment, the teaching of learners C 1 and the management of systems to support teaching and learning. evaluate your own professional practice and practice C 2 education and an ability to develop creative strategies for change. deliver ethically sound professional practice and practice educational practice that respects and promotes the C 3 involvement of all stakeholders in the learning process, in particular service users and carers, learners, educational establishments and employers. 4

5 Transferable Skills: D 1 D 2 D 3 D 4 display skill in communicating complex information both orally and in writing. use critical and evaluative skills in a systematic and creative way structure well formed and lucid arguments in complex situations critique practice, including your own practice, and to propose and enact creative solutions to practical problems Students who successfully complete the MA in Practice Education or the MA in Advanced Social Work (Practice Education) will be able to: Knowledge & Understanding: A 1 A 2 A 3 demonstrate extensive knowledge of the current academic concerns and published literature on professional practice and practice education demonstrate a thorough grounding in research methodology demonstrate advanced understanding of ethical issues in the practice of and research in practice education Cognitive & Thinking Skills: B 1 B 2 demonstrate an advanced ability to research and review literature in the area of practice in the dissertation critically evaluate own methods of data generation and analysis and suggest alternatives where appropriate Subject Specific Skills and Professional Behaviours and Attitudes: take lead responsibility for managing key aspects of C 1 complex change processes in practice education actively promote and implement service user and carer C 2 rights and participation 5

6 Transferable Skills: D 1 D 2 D 3 design, formulate and conduct research on a topic relevant to practice education disseminate your findings to appropriate audiences in appropriate formats exercise initiative, personal responsibility and leadership in circumstances that are often complex and unpredictable How Will You Learn? The methods and strategies used on the programme are designed to reflect the core principles of the programme; i.e. learning is active, cumulative, individual, self-regulated and goal-oriented. Students will be encouraged to reflect on and develop generalisations from experiential knowledge developed through education practice. The teaching strategies used on the programme consist of workshops including both experiential exercises and lecture input, individual tutorials, observations and assessment of practice, e- supported learning, and a major piece of practice evaluation and implementation. How Will You Be Assessed? A range of different assessment tasks and strategies will be used. These include critical self-evaluations, essays, project and evaluation plans, validation of practice competence from students, representatives from higher education institutions and line managers, feedback from service users and carers, observations of practice (e.g. reports, practice learning agreements, teaching/ supervision notes) and evaluation reports. There is also a requirement that your practice is observed on a minimum of four occasions throughout the programme. A practice assessor s report confirming that you have met the required practice standards will be needed. You must successfully complete all modules that make up the relevant award. There is no compensation between modules. A mark of 50% and above denotes a pass; below is a fail. Marking Criteria Mark Descriptor Specific Marking Criteria % % is awarded when your work shows evidence of - Extensive independent research of the relevant literature related to professional practice and learning and teaching. An outstanding grasp and original critique of current or historical issues related to Distinction professional practice, learning and teaching, both generically and in your area of (Outstanding/Exceptional) practice or discipline. Applying your understanding to your own professional practice or practice education design, delivery or assessment in a highly effective and/or original or innovative way. Exceptional writing skills and highly advanced reasoning abilities 6

7 Mark Descriptor Specific Marking Criteria 70-79% Distinction 60-69% Merit 50-59% Pass 30-49% Fail 10-29% Bad fail 1-9% Very bad fail 0% Non submission or plagiarised 70 79% is awarded when your work shows evidence of: Extensive relevant reading of the relevant literature related to professional practice or learning and teaching. An in-depth critical understanding of current major issues as related to professional practice learning and teaching, both generically and in your area of practice or discipline. Reflection on how these issues intersect with professional and academic practice. You will have applied the issues to your own practice education design, delivery or assessment and be shown to effect student learning Arguments and the presentation of evidence will demonstrate sophisticated reasoning and be clear, well focussed and cogent % is awarded when your work shows evidence of: Understanding and assimilating relevant literature on professional practice and teaching and learning, both generic and practice and discipline specific An ability to critically apply this reading to your own professional practice or practice education design, delivery and assessment Arguments and the presentation of evidence will demonstrate consistency and fluency in discussion and evaluation % is awarded when your work shows: Clear evidence of knowledge and understanding but little development of ideas, critical comment or methodology Reference to relevant reading, though not necessarily extensive References to your own professional practice or practice education but lacking sustained reflection, or showing only partial relevance to the issues under discussion. Within these limitations there will be evidence that you have grasped the fundamental concepts and processes in the field % is awarded when your work shows: That it is not without merit but not of Masters standard. An inadequate level of response to the set task or the level of response is not always appropriate or consistent Reference to a range of sources is limited or inadequate with little evidence of analytical and contextual skills being consistently employed. The work is lacking structure and/or a sound argument; the focus is not clear; inaccurate referencing % is awarded when your work shows: The concepts are realised inappropriately or under developed. Reference to relevant reading and use of sources is limited with little interpretation or analysis; lacking breadth or awareness of contextual framework. Weak organisational structure lacking in discussion and commentary; unfocused or lacking coherent argument. A submission that does not even attempt to address the specified learning outcomes. A categorical mark representing either the failure to submit an assessment or a mark assigned for a plagiarised assessment. How is the Programme Structured? 1. Postgraduate Certificate in Practice Education 60 level 7 credits consists of modules 1 & 2 and modules 3 & 4 or advanced standing credits from another Post Qualifying Masters-level programme. 1. Enabling the learning of others (15 credits) - core 2. Assessing and teaching the adult professional learner (15 credits) - core 3. Developing and planning the evaluation of a practice learning intervention (15 credits) - option 7

8 4. Implementing and evaluating a practice learning intervention (15 credits) - option These modules will enable students to develop skills and knowledge in professional practice and the assessment and teaching of practice in the workplace. If you already hold the Practice Teaching Award or another equivalent qualification you should be able to claim advanced standing for modules one and two. If you have passed the module Enabling the learning of others in the Graduate Diploma in Specialist Social Work you may claim advanced standing for module one. As a compulsory part of modules one and two you must be providing work based learning and assessment for a recognised professional award to a social work or other social care or human services professional student or member of staff. Modules three and four will enable you to develop your practice education skills through designing and implementing a practice learning intervention. You will have the opportunity to learn about and apply frameworks and models for evaluating learning through evaluating your piece of work. Further options may be introduced in the future subject to employer demand. The certificate may be undertaken over one or two years. 2. Postgraduate Diploma in Social Work (Practice Education) (for qualified and registered social workers) or Postgraduate Diploma in Practice Education 120 level 7 credits consists of the modules described above and a further sixty credits. You can undertake 30 credits from modules five, six, seven, eight outlined below or alternatively have advanced standing credits from another Post Qualifying Masters-level programme. Modules five, six, seven and eight are grouped around the theme of developing the learning organisation and will enable you to extend your skills and knowledge in developing practice education with individuals, teams and groups and within and across organisations. These modules may be taken over one or two years. 5. Developing the learning organisation working with individuals (15 credits)- option 6. Developing the learning organisation working with teams and groups (15 credits) - option 7. Developing the learning organisation working within and across organisations (15 credits) - option 8. Developing the learning organisation practitioner research (15 credits) - option Students may substitute any of the above courses to the value of 30 credits with the exception of Enabling the Learning of Others, and Assessing and Teaching the Adult Professional Learner with one of the following modules: Adult Safeguarding Alerts and Investigations: Practice, Policy and Law SW76015A (30 CATS) Interpersonal Skills for Direct Work with Adult Service Users and their Families SW76016A (30 CATS) 3. MA Advanced Social Work (Practice Education) (for qualified and registered social workers) or MA in Practice Education 180 level 7 credits In order to gain the MA in Advanced Social Work (Practice Education) (for qualified and registered social workers) or the MA in Practice Education you need to pass modules leading to the Postgraduate Diploma in Social Work (Practice Education) (for qualified and registered social workers) or Postgraduate Diploma in Practice Education and to pass module nine. This is a 60- credit module that will support you in developing your strategic leadership in practice education and requires you to write a 12, 000 word dissertation on a topic related to practice education. This will normally be in the form of an action research project. If you choose a more conventional research dissertation you must also provide evidence of how you have disseminated the results of your research and played a leading role in considering how the recommendations arising from the research could be implemented. As a part of this module you will receive teaching on research methodology and individual supervision and mentoring to help you design and implement your research and practice. This module would normally be taken in one year. 9. Leadership and research in practice education Academic Year of Study 1 MA in Advanced Social Work (Practice Education) Module Title Module Code Credits Level Module Selection Status Enabling the Learning of others SW76007A 15 7 Core Module Assessment 2,000 word critical selfevaluation (100%) plus a Portfolio for the practice element (non academic) Term 1,2,3 8

9 Module Title Assessing and Teaching the Adult Professional Learner Module Code Credits Level Module Selection Status SW76008A 15 7 Core Module Assessment 2,000 word critical selfevaluation (100%) plus a Portfolio for the practice element (non academic) Term 1,2,3 Developing and Planning the Evaluation of a Practice Learning Intervention SW76009A 15 7 Optional 2,000 word Practice Learning intervention and evaluation plan (100%) 3 Implementing and Evaluating a Practice Learning Intervention SW76010A 15 7 Optional 2,000 word Evaluation report (80%) and 500 word Reflection (20%) 4 Developing the Learning Organisation Working with Individuals SW76011A 15 7 Optional 2,000 word Analysis (100%) plus supporting evidence for the practice element (non academic) 1 Developing the Learning Organisation Working with Teams and Groups SW76012A 15 7 Optional 2,000 word critical evaluation (100%) plus supporting evidence for the practice element (non academic) 1 Developing the Learning Organisation Working within and across organisations SW76013A 15 7 Optional 2,000 word case study (100%) plus supporting evidence for the practice element (non academic) 2 Developing the Learning Organisation Practitioner Research SW76014A 15 7 Optional 2,000 word Evaluation report (80%) and 500 word Reflection (20%) plus supporting evidence for the practice element (non academic) 2,3 Leadership and Research in Practice Education SW73001A 60 7 Core 12,000 word research or evaluation dissertation (100%) plus Practice Assessor s report as supporting evidence for the practice element (non academic) 1-3 Adult Safeguarding Alerts and Investigations: Practice, Policy and Law SW76015A 30 7 Optional 3,500 word critical practice review (100%) 2,3 Interpersonal Skills for Direct Work with Adult Service Users and their Families SW76016A 30 7 Optional 3,500 word Integrative Practice Study plus a Portfolio of evidence for the practice element (non academic) 2,3 Academic Support The Department of Social, Therapeutic and Community Studies (STaCS) recognises the importance of supporting students learning with high quality teaching that is responsive to individual and collective needs. All students are allocated a personal tutor - a member of staff who will meet students to discuss progress and who will also be available to discuss issues pertaining to life as a student at Goldsmiths. If you are unable to discuss a problem with your personal tutor, you will be encouraged to see the Departmental Senior Tutors. 9

10 Programme Conveners, who are responsible for the delivery of individual programmes of study, are available to discuss any issues arising throughout your study. All members of staff have office hours each week to discuss any matters, but outside these hours you may arrange an appointment with either your personal tutor or the programme convenor via or telephone. Programme and module information, a student handbook, as well as timetable details are sent to students in advance of the beginning of term. You are also expected to attend an induction meeting prior to the commencement of teaching, when, depending on which year of the programme you are undertaking, you will be offered further guidance regarding timetables, personal counselling or psychotherapy, clinical placements and enrolment procedures. A variety of library resources and arrangements will enhance your learning. There is an excellent collection of journals and texts in the College library. Heavily used texts are placed on reference and short-loan. There is also a departmental short-loan collection, and STaCS has a video library and viewing-room complementing the resources held by the College Information Services. You will also be encouraged to take advantage of the resources available in Senate House - the main library of The University of London. The College provides counselling and student support services (e.g., English for overseas students, support for those with dyslexia). For students whose first language is not English, the Centre for English Language and Academic Writing provides modules in English language and English for Academic purposes. There is also tailor-made provision for those students who may be re-entering Higher Education after a period away -- or arriving to it for the first time -- which develops their critical and writing skills. If students encounter difficulties at any time with their studies, their personal tutors can provide additional academic support. The Senior Tutors of STaCS are available by appointment to discuss welfare-centred issues. The Department is taking advantage of, and pursuing, the College's Disability Awareness policies. Students with specific needs in this regard are considered on an individual basis. The programme makes strenuous efforts to ensure that its teaching spaces are wheelchair- accessible. Other specific needs are considered and taken up on an individual basis. The College also actively supports students with specific learning difficulties (e.g., dyslexia), and provisions are made to ensure that all students, regardless of specific difficulty/disability, derive full benefit from the learning environment. In addition to specialist advice and assistance within the College, the Department ensures that module materials are suitable for all students; where necessary, they are altered to meet the requirements of individual students. The College provides a range of other student support services. Details can be found on the College web site ( Students have access to the College Library, Multi-media, Audio-Visual Study resources, Computer Services and Language Resources - all of which provide a substantial means of supporting other aspects of your learning. Links With Employers, Placement Opportunities and Career Prospects The programme is designed to enable you to move into senior practice education roles requiring high levels of responsibility and complex decision-making. The General Social Care Council (Specialist standards and requirements for post-qualifying social work education and training- Practice education 2005: 2) defined practice education as the teaching, mentoring, supporting and assessing of social work students, social care staff, qualified social workers and other allied professionals for the purpose of developing competence and raising the quality of service for users and carers. Although the responsibilities of the GSCC have been passed to the HCPC and the College of Social Work the programme continues to use this definition. Practice education involves work- based assessment, the teaching of learners and the management of systems to support teaching and assessment. The programme is designed to support practice educators in practice and academic settings. Goldsmiths are in the process of applying to have the programme endorsed by the College of Social Work. What are the Requirements of a Goldsmiths Degree? All Master's degrees at Goldsmiths have a minimum value of 180 credits. Programmes are composed of modules which have individual credit values. In order to be eligible for the award of a Master's degree students must have passed all modules on the programme. Intermediate Exit Points Some programmes incorporate intermediate exit points of Postgraduate Certificate and Postgraduate Diploma, which may be 10

11 awarded on the successful completion of modules to the value of 60 credits or 120 credits respectively. Individual programmes may specify which, if any, combination of modules are required in order to be eligible for the award of these qualifications. The awards are made without classification. Final Classification There are four possible categories of final classification for Master's degrees: Distinction, Merit, Pass and Fail. In order to be awarded an overall classification of Distinction, students should have obtained: a mark of at least 70% (or A grade) for the dissertation/project (or equivalent) AND EITHER a mark of 70% (or A grade) in at least half of the remaining credits. OR an overall weighted average mark (based on credit value) of at least 70% In order to be awarded an overall classification of Merit, students should have obtained: a mark of at least 60% (or B grade) for the dissertation/project (or equivalent) AND EITHER a mark of 60% (or B grade) in at least half of the remaining credits. OR an overall weighted average mark (based on credit value) of at least 60% Pass: In order to be awarded an overall classification of Pass must have passed all the modules on a programme but not have met the criteria for the award of an overall classification of Merit or Distinction Fail: If any module on a programme has been failed on more than one occasion the programme will be failed. For further information, please refer to the Regulations for Postgraduate Taught Students, which may be found here: gold.ac.uk/regulations/approved-by-academic-board/postgraduate-taught/ Programme-specific Rules and Facts Students must successfully complete the requirements for the Postgraduate Certificate in Practice Education before progressing to the Postgraduate Diploma in Practice Education or the Postgraduate Diploma in Social Work Practice Education. In order to progress onto the MA students will need to meet the requirements of the Postgraduate Diploma in Practice Education or the Postgraduate Diploma in Social Work - Practice Education. Additionally they will need to provide a proposal for a substantial practice or research based dissertation that demonstrates the ability to meet the academic requirements at the M(3) level and the practice requirements for advanced practice. The programme takes account of the following professional and academic references and requirements: The Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) (2012) Guide to standards for continuing professional development (CPD) The College of Social Work s (TCSW) (2012) The future of Continuing Professional Development (CPD). TCSW (2012) Practice Educator Professional Standards for Social Work (PEPS) General Social Care Council s (GSCC) (2005) Specialist standards and requirements for post-qualifying social work education and training (Practice Education (b) and Leadership and Management (c)) Higher Education Academy (2005) A standards framework for teaching and supporting student learning in higher education QAA (2001) The framework for higher education qualifications in England, Wales and Northern Ireland Skills for Care (2006) Leadership and Management Update Pack Skills for Care (2013) Developing Social Worker s Practice. Core principles for employers providing opportunities for social work continuing professional development. How will Teaching Quality be Monitored? Goldsmiths employs a number of methods to ensure and enhance the quality of learning and teaching on its programmes. Programmes and modules must be formally approved against national standards and are monitored throughout the year in departmental staff / student forums and through the completion of module evaluation questionnaires. Every programme also 11

12 has at least one External Examiner who produces an annual report which comments on the standards of awards and student achievement. This output is considered with other relevant data in the process of Annual Programme Review, to which all programmes are subject, and which aims to identify both good practice and issues which require resolution. Every six years all programmes within a department are also subject to a broader periodic review. This aims to ensure that they remain current, that the procedures to maintain the standards of the awards are working effectively and the quality of the learning opportunities and information provided to students and applicants is appropriate. Detailed information on all of these procedures are published on the webpages of the Quality Office ( quality/). 12