UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL LANCASHIRE Programme Specification This Programme Specification provides a concise summary of the main features of the programme and the learning outcomes that a typical student might reasonably be expected to achieve and demonstrate if he/she takes full advantage of the learning opportunities that are provided. 1. Awarding Institution / Body University of Central Lancashire 2. Teaching Institution and Location of Delivery University of Central Lancashire Preston Campus ICPS, Athena 3. University School/Centre School of Psychology 4. External Accreditation None 5. Title of Final Award MSc Psychology of Child Development 6. Modes of Attendance offered Full-time and Part-time 7. UCAS Code N/A 8. Relevant Subject Benchmarking Group(s) Psychology 9. Other external influences None 10. Date of production/revision of this form September 2015 11. Aims of the Programme Subject Benchmarks The major aim of this MSc. is to provide a quality programme that will develop students’ knowledge and understanding of Developmental Psychology to a professional level. In particular, the course aims to provide a thorough grounding in methodology and analysis, to produce a well developed ability to critically assess and synthesise psychological literature, and to develop further student’s ability to engage in empirical study. In addition, the aim is to provide coverage of a variety of current topics that will give a good overview of current research and theoretical perspectives in the Psychology of Child Development. 12. Learning Outcomes, Teaching, Learning and Assessment Methods A. Knowledge and Understanding A1: Select and apply a wide range of quantitative, analytic techniques currently employed in the discipline, and an understanding of their rationale and application. A2. To identify, explore and critically evaluate a range of psychological theories and topics pertaining to the psychology of child development A3: Demonstrate application of the role of ethics within the discipline. Teaching and Learning Methods Lectures and tutorials provide the core information, and are supported by workshops where guided practice is important. Assessment methods Assessment is through coursework (i.e. practical assignments, presentations and essays), and the research project. B. Subject-specific skills B1: To demonstrate ‘computer literacy’, especially with respect to advanced statistical packages B2: To critically appreciate the theoretical debates in the literature concerning design and analysis, and recognise how these have implications for the researcher choosing an analytic technique. B3: To conduct a substantial piece of empirical research. Teaching and Learning Methods Lectures and tutorials provide the core information, along with workshops and individual project supervision. Assessment methods Practical exercises in PS4700 are used to develop competence in the use of software packages (e.g. SPSS) and choice of statistical analyses, and in qualitative analysis. Furthermore, the research project requires students to develop research specific skills. C. Thinking Skills C1: Demonstrate competence in critical reading, assessing and evaluating primary sources in the discipline. C2: Evaluate controversies in depth and synthesise literature to develop an overview of the current state of a particular research literature. C3: Formulate hypotheses and plan research in a systematic and meaningful way. C4: Interpret and present data appropriately, and to communicate these effectively in written reports Teaching and Learning Methods Teaching and learning is by lectures, workshops, tutorials, guided independent learning and individual project supervision. Assessment methods The course structure incorporates a large component of coursework (e.g. essays) where literature searching, critical evaluation, integration and presentation of information is important. The research project is a test of the student’s ability to integrate and synthesize information in an organized and purposeful manner. Completion of the research project requires students to develop skills in research methodology and statistical analysis, along with the ability to integrate and synthesize information in an organised and purposeful manner. C3 and C4 will also be demonstrated via individual pieces of PS4700 coursework. D. Other skills relevant to employability and personal development By the end of the programme, students should be able to demonstrate the following skills: D1: Written communication, organization and presentation . D2: Independent learning appropriate to postgraduate study. D3: Oral delivery. D4: Reflection on practice in the ‘real world’, its relationship to the published literature and the skills it requires. Teaching and Learning Methods Teaching and learning is by lectures, workshops, tutorials, guided independent learning, the placement experience and individual project supervision. Assessment methods Written communication skills are assessed through coursework which also requires independent learning, and oral delivery skills are assessed through oral presentations. Reflection is a fundamental element of the diary assessment on PS4711. 13. Programme Structures* 14. Awards and Credits* Level Level 7 Module Code PS4700 Module Title PS4906 Advanced Developmental Psychology Project 60 PS4711 Advanced Workplace Credit 20 PS4118 Social Relationships in Childhood 20 PS4211 Development in Context 20 PS4212 Language, Literacy and Learning 20 Advanced Methods in Psychology Credit rating 40 MSc in Psychology of Child Development Requires 180 credits at level 7 Postgraduate Diploma in Psychology of Child Development Requires 120 credits at level 7 Postgraduate Certificate in Psychology Requires 60 credits at level 7 15. Personal Development Planning Students will be briefed and given written guidelines to support their PDP. The guidelines include, for example, self assessment exercises, planning tasks, and examples of record keeping. Students are encouraged to use the information to engage in PDP at course and/or module level. Web resources at the University (e.g. careers service, help and support sites) are also given. Various other support mechanisms and opportunities for PDP are embedded in the programme. For instance, independent learning skills, and the development of them, are promoted via tutorial and individual sessions on the PS4118, PS4211, PS4212 and advanced project. The ‘hands on’ workshops on PS4700 provide opportunities for students to further develop awareness of their computer skills and abilities. Feedback is given on all coursework in order to help students understand their strengths and weaknesses, and enable students to create targets for development, and monitor their own achievements. In addition, students are invited to meet with their Course Leader/Personal Tutor once a semester to discuss their PDP and reflect on their own progress. 16. Admissions criteria Programme Specifications include minimum entry requirements, including academic qualifications, together with appropriate experience and skills required for entry to study. These criteria may be expressed as a range rather than a specific grade. Amendments to entry requirements may have been made after these documents were published and you should consult the University’s website for the most up to date information. Students will be informed of their personal minimum entry criteria in their offer letter. Students should have a minimum of an upper second class honours degree in Psychology or an equivalent qualification with sufficient psychology content and research skills, including a suitable dissertation/research project, to enable them to undertake the course. Students with a relevant degree that does not confer GBC, but has a good match of curriculum, and/or with a relevant lower second class honours degree, but showing a good final year performance, including a good quality dissertation/research project, will be considered on an individual basis. A minimum IELTS score of 6.5 or equivalent qualifications. 17. Key sources of information about the programme UCLan website www.uclan.ac.uk www.findamasters.com Prospectus Fact Sheet 18. Curriculum Skills Map Please tick in the relevant boxes where individual Programme Learning Outcomes are being assessed Programme Learning Outcomes Core (C), Compulsory Module (COMP) or Knowledge and Subject-specific Level Code Module Title Option (O) understanding Skills Thinking Skills A1 PS4700 LEVEL 7 PS4906 PS4711 PS4118 PS4211 PS4212 Note: Advanced Methods in Psychology Advanced Developmental Psychology Project Advanced Workplace Credit Social Relationships in Childhood Development in Context Language, Literacy and Learning C C A2 C C C C A3 B1 B2 B3 C1 C2 Other skills relevant to employability and personal development C3 C4 D1 D2 Mapping to other external frameworks, e.g. professional/statutory bodies, will be included within Student Course Handbooks D3 D4