Date of Revision Date of Previous Revision Programme Specification (2014-15) A programme specification is required for any programme on which a student may be registered. All programmes of the University are subject to the University s Quality Assurance and Enhancement processes as set out in the DASA Policies and Procedures Manual. Programme Title Programme Code MSc in Applied Social Studies SWK- MSC-AP Criteria for Admissions (Please see General Regulations) UCAS Code Final Award (exit route if applicable for Postgraduate Taught Programmes) N/A JACS Code MSc (180 CATS) (Exit Routes: PG Diploma and PG Certificate) L500 For current University entry requirements for this programme go to http://www.qub.ac.uk/home/studyatqueens/coursefinder/pcf1415/pt CF1415/?p_id=4529&sn=1415&subjects=3546#degreeinfo. Normally a 2.2 Honours degree or above or equivalent recognised qualification. An equivalent qualification is the Post-Qualifying Award in Social Work. Where this is not met, applicants must show that their experience and qualifications enable them to study at postgraduate level through the uptake of references or through completing a reflective assignment on their practice. Social Work applicants must have a recognised social work qualification and be registered with the Northern Ireland Social Care Council. Subject specific requirements: Strategy and Leadership; NISCC registration (or equivalent), normally 5 years post qualifying experience Child Care; NISCC registration (or equivalent), normally 2 years post qualifying experience Systemic Practice and Family Therapy NISCC registration (or equivalent), 1 year post qualifying experience OR cognate qualification (psychology, psychiatry, nursing, teaching, etc as specified by The Association for Family Therapy and Systemic Practice in the UK);
Systemic Psychotherapy; NISCC registration (or equivalent), normally 4 years post qualifying experience OR cognate qualification (psychology, psychiatry, nursing, teaching, etc, as specified by The Association for Family Therapy and Systemic Practice in the UK); Mental Health NISCC registration (or equivalent), 2 years post qualifying experience PQ Part 1 or equivalent Courtwork Skills BSW in Social Work (or equivalent) or LLB and Certificate in Professional Legal Studies. Dual Diagnosis Be registered with the NISCC Hold a Degree in Social Work, Diploma in Social Work, CSS, CQSW or predecessor equivalent. Social Workers trained outside of NISCC jurisdiction must produce a letter of comparability with these awards or a letter of verification issued by NISCC; Have completed the Assessed year in practice or have at least two years post- qualifying experience if graduated prior to the AYE implementation. Have a Second Class Second Division Honours Degree. Candidates not holding one of these qualifications are required to satisfy Queen s University, Belfast of their suitability for postgraduate study by completing a 2,000-word reflective assignment. Have experience of working with clients with a mental disorder and /or substance misuse problems. Where a candidate does not have prior experience of working with people with a mental disorder they should undertake appropriate preparation before and / or during Module 1 of the training programme Be able to commit to attend all taught days. Unspecified NISCC registration (or equivalent), OR cognate professional qualification; and Mode of Study (Full-time, Part-time, other) Part-time Type of Programme Masters Length of Programme 3 Years Total Credits for Programme 180 Awarding Institution/Body Queen's University Belfast Teaching Institution Queen's University Belfast School/Department Framework for Higher Education Qualification Level http://www.qaa.ac.uk/publications/informationan dguidance Sociology, Social Policy and Social Work Level 7
QAA Benchmark Group http://www.qaa.ac.uk/assuringstandardsandqualit y/subject-guidance/pages/subject-benchmarkstatements Collaborative Organisation and form of Collaboration (if applicable) Accreditations (PSRB) ATAS Clearance NISCC AFT N/A External Examiner Name: Professor Hugh McLaughlin Counselling and psychotherapy (Systemic psychotherapy pathway only). N/A Date of next scheduled accreditation visit May 2018 External Examiner Institution/Organisation Manchester Metropolitan University Does the Programme have any approved exemptions from the University General Regulations Yes No (Please see General Regulations) Programme Specific Regulations (If yes, please state here any exemptions to regulations which have been approved for this programme) For students on the Systemic Psychotherapy pathway, a satisfactory report from training clinic supervisor must be received in addition to successful completion of the academic coursework to pass SWK8071 and SWK8073. Students with protected characteristics Are students subject to Fitness to Practise Regulations N/A Yes (Please see General Regulations) Length of Programme 3 Years (Masters)
Educational Aims of Programme On completion of the programme the student will be able to: Please list below the overarching aims and objectives of the programme. The central aim of this programme is to provide Masters Degree level qualifications with a facilitating framework for the continuing professional development of social workers and others from cognate disciplines: 1. Promoting the improvement of standards of service and care received by the consumers of personal, social, and health services. 2. The advancement of academic knowledge, through the fostering of staff development, professional competence and academic achievement. The aim of the programme is to provide students with an opportunity to gain a postgraduate degree, and to achieve professional awards in social work (specific award, specialist award and/or strategy and leadership award). The programme will also include opportunities to achieve professional qualifications in multi-disciplinary areas such as Family Therapy. Learning Outcomes: Cognitive Skills On the completion of this course successful students will be able to: Specific area: develop the range of knowledge and skills associated with competence 'in depth' in a specific area of work. Specialist area: complex decision-making and high levels of professional responsibility and accountability. Leadership and strategic work area: high levels of competence within field that is recognised within and without agency context. Learning Outcomes: Transferable Skills On the completion of this course successful students will be able to: Basic transferable skills achieved include communication, problem solving, teamwork, autonomy and personal skills, information technology, numeracy, intellectual skills, critical thinking personal reflection, researching, writing at Masters level, debating and listening, presenting, and professional confidence and competence. Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies Teaching and learning methods to achieve Cognitive Skills are commensurate with adult learning theory and entail formal lecturing, student led learning, IT based learning, tutorials, seminars, workshops. Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies Teaching and learning methods to achieve Transferable Skills are commensurate with adult learning theory and entail formal lecturing, student led learning, IT based learning, tutorials, seminars, workshops, and practice learning opportunities. Methods of Assessment Assessment methods include formal examination, Continuous Assessment through essays, projects, presentations, seminar papers, practice assessment methods, log books, Personal Development Profiles. Methods of Assessment Assessment methods include formal examination, Continuous Assessment through essays, projects, presentations, seminar papers, practice assessment methods, log books, Personal Development Profiles.
Learning Outcomes: Knowledge and Understanding On the completion of this course successful students will be able to: Demonstrate a systematic understanding of their own practice and a critical awareness of current issues and challenges in the context of relevant Codes of Practice (depending on Pathways, see below), professional ethics, the principles of diversity, equality and social inclusion in a wide range of situations; Use evaluation to systematically develop and improve their specific learning and practice, including implementing effective practice in inter-professional and inter-agency contexts; Take responsibility for continuing professional development making use of professional and managerial supervision, consultation and other professional support as appropriate to identify and address issues; develop, implement and evaluate plans; and continue to advance knowledge and understanding in order to improve practice. Learning Outcomes: Subject Specific Skills On the completion of this course successful students will be able to There are a wide range of Modules, some of which are stand alone, others that will have pre-requisites (to build on earlier Modules). There are different Pathways and modules that candidates can choose to take through the MSc programme: 1 - Strategy & Leadership; 2 - Child Care; 3 - Systemic Practice and Family Therapy 4. - Systemic Psychotherapy; 5. - Mental Health; 6. - Unspecified. Each of these pathways develops overarching as well as subject specific skills depending on course content and requirements of professional accrediting bodies. Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies Teaching and learning methods to achieve knowledge and understanding requirements are commensurate with adult learning theory and entail formal lecturing, student led learning, IT based learning, tutorials, seminars, workshops. Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies Subject-specific skills will be taught in class using above methods. In addition, there are placement requirements (usually in the candidate s workplace) that are supervised by qualified supervisors that are either QUB or Agency staff. Methods of Assessment Assessment methods include formal examinations, Continuous Assessment through essays, projects, presentations, and seminar papers. Methods of Assessment Assessment methods include essays, reports, examinations, direct observation, and/or project work.
Programme Requirements: Please note that there are different Pathways in the Programme (i.e. Strategy and Leadership, Child Care, Systemic Practice and Family Therapy, Systemic Psychotherapy, Mental Health and Combined) with separate modules leading to a final dissertation module. In addition some modules on the Programme can be accumulated on an individual basis to complete with a Combined award; modules that can be brought together in this way are taken from Court Work Skills, the Dual Diagnosis pathway and the Child Care pathway. For all pathways, the final 60 CATS is the shared SWK8091 dissertation module. Module Title Module Code Level/ stage Credit s Availability Duration Pre-requisite Assessment S1 S2 Core Option Coursework % Strategy and Leadership Pathway Leadership in an SWK8038 M 20 Y 4 Days Uncertain World Strategic Thinking in SWK8039 M 20 Y 4 Days Social Work Modern Organisations SWK8051 M 20 Y 4 Days Use and Management of SWK8052 M 20 Y 4 Days Information Engaging With Change SWK8054 M 20 Y 4 Days Personal and Public Involvement in Health and Social Care in Northern Ireland SWK8086 M 20 Y 4 Days Examination % Child Care Pathway Advanced Knowledge, Theory & Methods Promoting & Safeguarding the Welfare of Children and Families Enhancing Outcomes for Children in State Care SWK8055 SWK8056 SWK8057 M 40 Y 10 Days M 40 Y 10 Days M 40 Y 10 Days Systemic Practice & Family Therapy
Introduction to Systemic Theory, Research & Practice Systemic Practice Skills & their Application in a Work Setting Personal & Professional Development in Systemic Practice Theory, Practice & Research in Family & Systemic Practice - intermediate level Systemic Practice Skills & their Application in a Work Setting - intermediate Personal & Professional Development in Systemic Practice - intermediate Systemic Psychotherapy Family Therapy and Systemic Thinking 1. Theoretical Perspectives Masters Family Therapy Skills and Techniques 1. Practical Applications Masters Family Therapy and Systemic Thinking -2. Theoretical Perspectives SWK8058 SWK8066 SWK8069 SWK8071 SWK8072 M 20 Y Y 5 days M 20 Y Y 5 days M 20 Y Y 5 days M 20 Y Y 5 days SWK8058 M 20 Y Y 5 days SWK8058 M 20 Y Y 5 days SWK8058 M 20 Y Y 16 days SWK8058 SWK8066 M 40 Y Y 24 days (weekly training clinic) SWK8058 SWK8066 M 20 Y Y 16 days SWK8058
Masters SWK8066 SWK8069 SWK8071 Family Therapy Skills and Techniques -2. Practical Applications - Masters SWK8073 M 40 Y Y 24 days (weekly training clinic) SWK8058 SWK8066 SWK8069 SWK8071 Mental Health Pathway Social Work Practice Development in Mental Health Law Ethics and Applied Law in Mental Health Contexts and Concepts in Mental Health Combined Court Work Skills An Interdisciplinary Approach Dual Diagnosis: An Introduction Assessment and Intervention in Dual Diagnosis Dual Diagnosis Working with Specific Service User Groups SWK8081 SWK8082 SWK8083 SWK8096 SWK8097 SWK8098 SWK8099 M 40 Y 3 Days M 40 Y 12 Days Y 50% 50% M 40 Y 15 Days M 20 Y 4 Days M 20 Y 4 Days M 20 Y 4 Days M 20 Y 4 Days
MScASS Dissertation SWK8091 M 60 Y Y 4 Days Approved by Director of Education: Print Name:.. Signature: Date:..