Social Work & Psychology MSc Child and Family Psychology

Overview

The MSc Child and Family Psychology degree combines research methods training with the study of children and families, their development, roles and social contexts, in order to prepare students to undertake a research project on a child and family topic of their choice. It will challenge students to look critically at the changing nature of childhood and families in the 21st century, within applied, ecological, interdisciplinary and cross-cultural perspectives.

Students will need to demonstrate understanding of psychological approaches to child and family research questions and will undertake a research project supervised by a psychologist accredited by the British Psychological Society.

The MSc Child and Family Psychology is offered over one year full-time, or two years part-time.

Aims

To acquire and apply knowledge and conceptual and theoretical understanding of child and family research in fields such as social work, social policy and psychology
To acquire skills in the use of a range of quantitative and qualitative research methods
To develop the ability to prepare a proposal, and undertake original research, analysis and synthesis in a chosen topic in the field of child and family research
To develop transferable skills in oral and written communication and research project management
To gain a sound basis for further postgraduate study at MPhil/PhD level where appropriate.

Programme Content

The MSc programme combines child and family modules, and research skills modules with the opportunity to undertake a research study in a topic chosen by the student:

Child and Family Modules (60 credits)

Psychosocial perspectives on family life
Developmental psychology: applied and cross-cultural perspectives
Childhood: national and international policy perspectives

Research Skills Modules (60 credits)

Introduction to Child and Family Research
Qualitative Research Methods
Quantitative Research Methods and Statistics

Independent Research Project (60 credits)

Student Pathways through the Programme

The Masters Programme covers diverse aspects of childhood and family life, from marriage and divorce, to attachment theory, child maltreatment, fostering and adoption, to street children and children's rights. Students will be able to combine this with a particular area of interest which will be a focus for assignments in different modules and will then be the basis for their research project. Students will learn and demonstrate a range of research skills and then will select a research design and method that is suitable for their research question and research topic.

Support and Guidance

The Programme Director will provide overall support and guidance and act as an adviser to students. Each student will also have a research supervisor to offer specialist advice and academic guidance on the independent research project.

The Teaching and Research Environment

The Centre for Research on the Child and Family is based in the School and many of the staff involved in teaching and supervising students on the MA in Child and Family Research and the MSc in Child and Family Psychology are national international experts, able to bring their experience of 'real world' research as well as their subject expertise to offer research-led teaching. Alongside the formal teaching modules all Masters students will be encouraged to draw from, and contribute to, the School's research culture, through, for example, informal consultations with leading researchers in their field and attending School research seminars.

Why Choose Us?

The School of Social Work and Psychology is an internationally renowned academic department dedicated to research and teaching in social work, social policy and psychology. It has a strong interdisciplinary focus with a reputation for policy relevant empirical research. Our Postgraduate Programmes aim to develop confident and competent practitioners and researchers.

Academics conduct rigorous quantitative and qualitative research on key social issues and problems in contemporary society. Dedication to improving the welfare of children and their families is central to our mission: the School is home to the renowned Centre for Research on the Child and Family, a key institution in the UNICEF Childwatch international research network.

The School benefits from collaboration with other leading researchers from economics, education, environmental sciences, law, management, and medicine. It is in close proximity to the Norwich Research Park which includes the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital.

There are many external indicators of the quality of our teaching and research. The recent Research Assessment Exercise (RAE) confirmed our research excellence, rating 90% of our research to be of international standing with 55% judged to be “world leading” or “internationally excellent”. Our School also benefits from Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) recognition - the main UK postgraduate funding body - for '1+3' Awards (including quota awards specifically to study at the University of East Anglia). In addition we have an excellent record for teaching with consistently high ratings in the National Student Survey. Social Work at the University of East Anglia was also rated third in the Independent Newspaper League Table of Universities.

School of Social Work and Psychology

We use a wide range of teaching methods and modes of assessment. Teaching methods may include lectures, seminars, group discussions, tutorials and workshops, as well as videoed role-play, simulated practice and practice placements. Modules are primarily assessed by coursework. Coursework assessment methods include a literature review, research proposals, oral presentations, essays, class tests and a research project. All students complete a dissertation. A continuous control process ensures that our teaching quality continues to develop, and students have access to a number of quality-control channels including student feedback forms, debriefing meetings, and the Student Liaison Committee to help us monitor, evaluate and develop current practice.

Located in the award-winning Elizabeth Fry Building, the School of Social Work and Psychology offers a unique opportunity to study social work, social policy and psychology. Through knowledge creation in teaching, research, and intervention, the School’s ultimate goal is to enhance the well-being of children, parents and adults in their families, communities and service-user environments.

We hope to welcome you to study with us in the forthcoming year.

Career Opportunities

Our Masters degrees are designed to equip students with the skills necessary for a career as a successful practitioner within the caring professions, and training received by our graduates has earned us an excellent reputation for subsequent employment.

Opportunities for continued professional development are also available through a wide range of post-qualifying courses, including those accredited by the NHS Business Services Authority for the Higher Specialist and Advanced Award in Social Work.

The University of East Anglia provides a professional Careers Centre and, together with the School's Academic Careers Adviser, we will help students to choose their career path and develop their employability skills.

The School enjoys good working relationships with employers, both local and national, who provide training and employment opportunities to our students.

Come and Visit Us

Our Open Days will give you the opportunity to experience the University of East Anglia's unique campus atmosphere.

You will have the chance to attend subject-specific talks and presentations about student life and finance. You will also be able to talk directly to academics, admissions staff and current students giving you a first-hand impression of life at the University of East Anglia - check out the accommodation, learning resources, student support, and our sport and entertainment facilities.

If you are not able to visit us in person, check out our Virtual Open Day experience which we hope will help to provide you with an insight into life and study at the University of East Anglia.

Further Information

Postgraduate Degrees - Further Information

If you would like to discuss your individual circumstances with the Admissions Office prior to applying please contact us:

Admissions Office (Social Work and Psychology)
MA Child and Family Research/MSc Child and Family Psychology
Tel: +44 (0)1603 591738 / Email: pgswp@uea.ac.uk

MA Social Work
Tel: +44 (0)1603 591894 / Email: swk.admiss@uea.ac.uk

Please click here to download the School of Social Work and Psychology Postgraduate Prospectus or register your details via our Online Enquiry Form.

International candidates are also actively encouraged to access the University's International section of our website.

Entry Requirements

Applicants should normally have a good first degree from a recognised higher education institution. The University will also take into account the employment experience of applicants where relevant and applications are actively encouraged from those who want to return to academic study.

It is normal for undergraduate students to apply for entry to postgraduate programmes in their final year of study. Applicants who have not yet been awarded a degree may be offered a place conditional on their attaining a particular class of degree.

Undergraduate Degree Subject Psychology or Social Sciences
Undergraduate Degree Classification 2:1 or international equivalent

Students for whom English is a foreign language

We welcome applications from students whose first language is not English. To ensure such students benefit from postgraduate study, we require evidence of proficiency in English. Our usual entry requirements are as follows:

· IELTS: 7.0 (minimum 6.0 listening, 6.0 speaking, 6.5 writing, 6.5 reading)

· TOEFL: Internet-based score of 100 (minimum 19 listening, 21 speaking, 20 writing and 21 reading)

· PTE (Pearson): 70 (minimum 55 listening, 55 speaking, 62 writing and 62 reading)

Test dates should be within two years of the course start date.

Other tests such as TOEIC and the Cambridge Certificate of Advanced English are also accepted by the university. Please check with the Admissions Office for further details including the scores or grades required.

INTO UEA and INTO UEA London run pre-sessional courses which can be taken prior to the start of your course. For further information and to see if you qualify please contact intopre-sessional@uea.ac.uk (INTO UEA Norwich) or pseuealondon@into.uk.com (INTO UEA London).

Year 1

Year 1

Compulsory Study (180 credits)

Students will select 180 credits from the following module(s).

Name	Code	Credits	Period
Childhood: National and International Policy This module provides a range of conceptual frameworks for analysysing contemporary childhood and policies for children. The course approaches children as 'social actors', active agents in the world around them, both as a 'social group' and as 'unique individuals'. National and international policy contexts include the impact of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and other international child welfare interventions. The module explores how the concepts of need, rights and 'best interests' are interpreted in transnational and local contexts, and how this impacts on interventions to regulate, support and protect children and families. more...	SWP-M419	20	Semester 2
Developmental Psychology: Applied and Cross-Cultural Perspectives This module provides students with the opportunity to explore theory and research on development in childhood in the context of family life and broader cultural perspectives on the role of children and families. Students explore normal and abnormal development and take into account the impact of loss, maltreatment and adversity. more...	SWP-M407	20	Semester 1
Further Qualitative Research The course builds on coverage of qualitative methods in the Introduction to Child and Family Research module, where the focus is on developing critical appraisal skills that cover a range of ways of gathering and analysing qualitative data. more...	SWP-M418	20	Semester 2
Further Quantitative Research and Statistics This module will provide teaching on quantitative research methods, data analysis and the use of statistical software (SPSS). It will provide a grounding in applied statistics which will both develop critical appraisal skills for reading research and enable students to undertake SPSS data analysis. more...	SWP-M424	20	Semester 2
Independent Research Project This module enables students to conduct an empirical research project, based on a topic of particular interest to them. It is an opportunity to put into practice and to extend the learning achieved during the programme. more...	SWP-M38X	60	Year Period
Introduction to Social Science Research Methods This module will provide an introduction to a range of child and family research and research methods. The approach will be interdisciplinary, for example using research from psychology, social work and social policy, with opportunities to learn from researchers in the school about the applications of research methodologies to real world issues affecting children and families. more...	SWP-M417	20	Semester 1
Psychosocial Perspectives On Families This module examines diverse aspects of family life using psychological, policy and sociological perspectives. It covers interpersonal relationships in families, family structure, family systems, practices and family scripts, structural issues such as income, gender and ethnicity as well as discourse and family policy. more...	SWP-M413	20	Semester 1

Disclaimer

Whilst the University will make every effort to offer the modules listed, changes may sometimes be made arising from the annual monitoring, review and update of modules and regular (five-yearly) review of course programmes. Where this activity leads to significant (but not minor) changes to programmes and their constituent modules, there will normally be prior consultation of students and others. It is also possible that the University may not be able to offer a module for reasons outside of its control, such as the illness of a member of staff or sabbatical leave. Where this is the case, the University will endeavour to inform students.

Fees And Funding

Fees for the academic year 2012/2013 will be:

UK/EU Students: £5,000 (full-time); £2,500* (part-time)
International Students: £11,900

*for each year of the course.

International applicants from outside the EU may need to pay a deposit.

Living Expenses
Approximately £7,500 living expenses will be needed to adequately support yourself.

Scholarships and Funding

A variety of Scholarships may be offered to UK students. Please contact us for more detailed information about funding for UK students.

The University offers around £1 million of Scholarships each year to support International students in their studies. Scholarships are normally awarded to students on the basis of academic merit and are usually for the duration of the period of study. Please click here for further information about fees and funding for International students.

How To Apply

Applications for Postgraduate Taught programmes at the University of East Anglia should be made directly to the University.

You can apply online, or by downloading the hard copy application form, or by using the application form in the University’s Postgraduate Prospectus.

Further Information

To request further information & to be kept up to date with news & events please use our online enquiry form.

If you would like to discuss your individual circumstances prior to applying please do contact us:

Postgraduate Admissions Office
Tel: +44 (0)1603 591515
Email: admissions@uea.ac.uk

International candidates are also encouraged to access the International Students section of our website.

UEA

Social Work and Psychology Courses