PROGRAMME SPECIFICATION PROGRAMME SPECIFICATION Programme title: MSc Speech and Language Sciences Final award (BSc, MA etc): MSc. (where stopping off points exist they should be detailed here and defined later in the document) All students awarded the MSc Speech and Language Sciences (MSc SLS) are also eligible for recommendation to the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists (RCSLT) for Membership and to the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) to apply for registration as a speech and language therapist (protected title). Post-graduate Diploma Developmental Language Studies. (For students who do not complete the masters programme but have successfully completed specified MSc SLS first year modules worth 120 credits.) Post-graduate certificate Developmental Language Studies. (For students who do not complete the masters programme and do not meet the requirements for award of post-graduate diploma, but have successfully completed specified MSc SLS first year modules worth 60 credits.) MSc Human Communication Science (For students who on completion of the programme achieve the required academic standard for award of MSc but do not meet the regulations for award of MSc SLS.) UCAS code: (where applicable) Cohort(s) to which this programme specification is applicable: From 2008 intake onwards (e.g. from 2015 intake onwards) Awarding institution/body: University College London Teaching institution: University College London Faculty: Brain Sciences Parent Department: Research Dept of Language and Communication / Research Dept of Developmental Science (the department responsible for the administration of the programme) Departmental web page address: http://www.ucl.ac.uk/psychlangsci/ (if applicable) Method of study: Full-time Full-time/Part-time/Other Criteria for admission to the programme: See: http://www.ucl.ac.uk/psychlangsci/students/prospective/PGT/ TMSSPESLAN01 Length of the programme: 25 months (please note any periods spent away from UCL, such as study abroad or placements in industry) Level on Framework for Higher Education Qualifications (FHEQ) (see Guidance notes) Relevant subject benchmark statement (SBS) (see Guidance notes) Masters level (Level 7) Healthcare programmes: speech and language therapy Health and Care Professions Council: standards of education and training Health and Care Professions Council: standards of proficiency for speech and language therapists (+ framework for higher education qualifications descriptor for a qualification at Masters level) Brief outline of the structure of the programme and its assessment methods: (see guidance notes) PROGRAMME: The programme is a two- year full time MSc programme (360 credits). It has 12 modules, all of which are obligatory. Module descriptors can be accessed at: http://www.ucl.ac.uk/lifesciences-faculty/degreeprogrammes/speech-languagesciences/msc_sls_more_structure/ First year modules (credits are indicated in parentheses): HCSCGS11: Professional and clinical studies 1 (60); HCSCGS12: Developmental speech, language and communication difficulties (30); HCSCGS13: Psychological and linguistic perspectives on development (15); HCSCGS14: Phonetics and phonology (15); HCSCGS15: Linguistics (15); HCSCGS16: Introduction to speech and hearing and audiology (15); HCSCGS17: Anatomy & physiology of speech, language and hearing (15). Second year modules: HCSCGS21: Professional and clinical studies 2 (60); HCSCGS22: Management of acquired communication difficulties (30); HCSCGS23: Disorder of vocal tract: structure and function (30); HCSCGS25: Research methods (15); HCSCGS26: Research project (60). ASSESSMENT: For award of MSc SLS, students are required to achieve an average mark of at least 50% for each of the 12 modules and must also achieve a mark of at least 50% for each assessment component of HCSCGS11, HCSCGS12 , HCSCGS21, HCSCGS22 and HCSCGS23, and for the practical component of HCSCGS14. For award of MSc Human Communication Science students are required to achieve an average mark of at least 50% for each of the 12 modules (as specified above). Where an overall average of 50% or more is achieved, a maximum of 25% of the taught assessment (not including the HCSCGS26 project) can be condoned at 40-49%. For award of Post-graduate diploma Developmental Language Studies, students must achieve a mark of 50% or above for modules totalling 120 credits - HCSCGS11 (60 credits) plus 60 credits from any combination of the following: HCSCGS12 (30), HCSCGS13 (15), HCSCGS14 (15), HCSCGS15 (15), HCSCGS16 (15) or HCSCGS17 (15)). Where an overall average of 50% or more is achieved, a maximum of 25% of the taught assessment can be condoned at 40-49%. For award of Post-graduate certificate Developmental Language Studies (60 credits), students must achieve an average mark of 50% or above in HCSCGS12 plus two of the following modules: HCSCGS13, HCSCGS14, HCSCGS15, HCSCGS16, HCSCGS17. Where an overall average of 50% or more is achieved, a maximum of 25% of the taught assessment can be condoned at 40-49%. Board of Examiners: Name of Board of Examiners: MSc Speech and Language Sciences Professional body accreditation (if applicable): Health Professions Council (HPC) Date of next scheduled accreditation visit: ongoing annual monitoring process EDUCATIONAL AIMS OF THE PROGRAMME: To enable students to develop the skills and knowledge base required to practice competently as speech and language therapists. To enable students to assess and critically appraise theoretical and applied research relevant to speech and language therapy. To enable students to develop evaluation and research skills so that they can evaluate their own practice, models of service delivery and client’s performance. PROGRAMME OUTCOMES: The programme provides opportunities for students to develop and demonstrate knowledge and understanding, qualities, skills and other attributes in the following areas: A: Knowledge and understanding Knowledge and understanding of: Teaching/learning methods and strategies: • the theoretical foundations underlying the processes of human communication and how human communication can be impaired • the range of complementary disciplines relevant to speech and language therapy practice Direct teaching in both large group and small groups, practical classes, student –led tutorials, self-study materials, supervised clinical placement work. Throughout the course students are encouraged to take responsibility for their own learning and to undertake independent reading to broaden their knowledge and understanding across the range of topics taught. Assessment: Students are assessed through a combination of the following formats: ‘unseen’ examination, essay, data exercise, report, written test, oral examination, clinical placement work, and dissertation B: Skills and other attributes Intellectual (thinking) skills: Teaching/learning methods and strategies: a) Critically evaluate research findings and theoretical perspectives. b) Apply theoretical understanding to clinical practice. c) Reasoning skills - Generating hypotheses, proposing arguments and providing rationale d) Identify and solve problem a) Students undertake a supervised research project, that includes critical evaluation of the relevant literature. Tutorial sessions and hand-outs encourage critical reading and evaluation of research papers; Discussion of key issues in teaching sessions promotes evaluation of theories; Feedback on essays and course-works will encourage critical evaluation. b) Teaching in lectures and tutorials relates theory to clinical practice; Course-works encourage students to develop theoretical rationale for clinical decision-making; supervised clinical placement work. c) Reasoning skills are promoted in tutorials and seminar teaching, in analysing case data, and in developing ideas for research projects. d) Tutorials focus on identifying and resolving ‘problems’ encountered in clinical placements, with peer support. Assessment: a) Essays and other course-works, marks are awarded for critical evaluation and reasoning. Research Project, includes literature review and discussion. b) Assessment of Clinical placement work, vivas, course-works and written exams. c) Essays, course-works, vivas, projects. d) Vivas include questions requiring problemsolving skills. C: Skills and other attributes Practical skills (able to): a) Transcribe and analyse samples of spoken language phonetically and linguistically. b) Undertake statistical analyses of data. c) Assess clients with speech, language and communication difficulties. d) Provide speech, language and communication intervention to clients. e) Practice competently as a speech and language therapist in the pre-registration year and thereafter. Teaching/learning methods and strategies: a) Lectures, tutorials, practical classes and exercises. b) Lectures and computer-based practical classes. c,d, & e) Lectures, tutorials, work-shops, supervised clinical placement work Assessment: a) practical exercises, course-works, test and viva. b) Computer-based tasks c,d & e) Written exams, vivas, course-works, assessment of clinical placement work D: Skills and other attributes Transferable skills (able to): Teaching/learning methods and strategies: a) Conduct a research project under supervision. b) Demonstrate good Interpersonal skills c) Demonstrate good verbal and written communication skills d) Manage & facilitate group discussions e) Take Professional responsibility a) Supervised research project b , c, & e) Supervised Clinical placement work b, c & d) Chairing student – led tutorials c) Making presentations in tutorials and other larger group teaching Assessment: a) Research project b & c) Vivas, assessment of clinical placement work d) assessment of clinical placement work, vivas The following reference points were used in designing the programme: the Framework for Higher Education Qualifications: (http://www.qaa.ac.uk/en/Publications/Documents/Framework-Higher-Education-Qualifications-08.pdf); the relevant Subject Benchmark Statements: (http://www.qaa.ac.uk/assuring-standards-and-quality/the-quality-code/subject-benchmark-statements); the programme specifications for UCL degree programmes in relevant subjects (where applicable); UCL teaching and learning policies; staff research. Please note: This 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. More detailed information on the learning outcomes, content and teaching, learning and assessment methods of each course unit/module can be found in the departmental course handbook. The accuracy of the information contained in this document is reviewed annually by UCL and may be checked by the Quality Assurance Agency. Programme Organiser(s) Rachel Rees Name(s): Date of Production: June 2008 Date of Review: October 2014 Date approved by Head of Department: Date approved by Chair of Departmental Teaching Committee: Date approved by Faculty Teaching Committee October 2014 October 2014 November 2014