|
Welcome from the Head of Programme
The MSc provides students with the unique
opportunity to study developmental psychology across both childhood
and adolescence. Drawing on the research interests and expertise of
the teaching team the MSc will expose students to contemporary
issues in developmental psychology. The team has links with local
child and youth based organisations and students will be able to
engage with professionals working in related fields.
Why study the Psychology of Child & Adolescent
Development?
The programme provides a solid grounding for
students wishing to pursue a career working with children or young
people or to further develop the knowledge base of individuals
already working in a related field. Theories of developmental
psychology will be explored and you will be encouraged to consider
them in an applied context. You will be given the opportunity to
study topics such as: developmental, emotional and behavioural
problems, relationships in childhood and adolescence and cognitive
development in the context of legal, health and educational
settings. Your studies will culminate in the undertaking of a
research project in an area of development that is of particular
interest to you.
The MSc is suitable for students who wish to use
it as a stepping stone to either (a) a PhD; (b) a professional
doctorate; or (c) employment in related areas (eg education; social
work, third sector, public sector).
What will I study?
Full-time: You will take
two 30-credit modules per semester, followed by a 60-credit
dissertation in the spring and summer.
Semester 1: The Psychology
of Child Development; Research Methods.
Semester 2: The Psychology
of Youth; Psychological Science: Perspectives &
Practicalities.
Spring/summer: A
dissertation module, in which students undertake and write up an
extended research project (with supervision).
Part-time students take one module in each
semester in years 1 and 2, and undertake the dissertation in year
3.
Will I get any practical experience?
You will get practical experience of designing
and conducting research.
How will I be assessed?
Assessment will take a number of different forms,
including essays; project work; brief reports; presentations; a
portfolio; a research proposal and an independent research
project.
Staff research interests
The core PCAD teaching team have research
interests in a diverse range of areas, including: young people’s
social networks, safe use of the internet and related technology,
experiences of bullying, children’s event memory and
eyewitness testimony, interviewing techniques, children's drawings
and the development of pictorial representations and alternative
educational approaches. For further details see Unit for Child and Youth Studies web
page.
Teaching on the Psychological Science module is
undertaken by academics from across the various research groups
within the department, and as such you will have the opportunity to
engage with academics with interests in other areas (eg cognitive,
social) in addition to their primary focus on PCAD.
Similarly, teaching on the Research Methods module is undertaken by
academics from across the Faculty of Health & Life
Sciences.
What resources will I have access to?
You will have access to the full range of
resources available at the university, including a suite of
psychology laboratories, newly
refurbished library and learning centre and a range of online
resources for learning and research.
Can I get involved with departmental activities?
Our postgraduate students are encouraged to play
a full part in the life of the department. Attendance at
research seminars and other events is encouraged, and students will
be able to get involved with projects in their areas of interest as
appropriate.
Student/graduate profile
We anticipate that graduates from this programme,
which is running for the first time in 2012-13, will pursue
doctoral study in psychology or related disciplines, or will seek
employment in fields such as education, third sector/voluntary
sector, or the public sector.
Degree programme information
Programme specifications
»
|