ObjectivesThe course prepares students at postgraduate level for employment as professionally qualified social workers and lays the foundation for their continuing professional development. It also provides an academically rigorous education at Masters Level, focusing on critical, research and evaluative skills. In order to qualify students will need to demonstrate the integration of knowledge, values and skills through academic study and assessed practice. In order to satisfy the professional requirements for registration as a social worker, all social work students (undergraduate and postgraduate) must be able to demonstrate knowledge, understanding, critical evaluation and practice application of the following: • Principles, values and ethics, theories, models and methods • Legislation and policy/social work services and service users • Organisational/service delivery context • Practice The academic component of the course aims at the integration of traditional academic disciplines such as sociology, psychology and social policy in a thematic approach. We also focus on research evaluation throughout the programme, appropriate to Masters Level study.
Entry requirementsApplicants must have a good honours degree (2.2 or above). In addition, the GSCC requires that we admit only students who have English Language and Maths GCSE Grade C and above or equivalent, have satisfactory Enhanced CRB (Criminal Records Bureau) disclosures, have satisfied health checks by student self-declaration and GP statements where appropriate, and in all other respects meet the GSCC requirements for registration. Admission to the course is via UCAS application form and interview. All candidates are expected to have some general knowledge of social services and broad social problems. It is important that candidates demonstrate awareness of the field they are seeking to enter. Although it is not a requirement for entry, relevant experience is helpful.
Academic titleMaster in Arts Social Work
Course descriptionFull-Time study
Introduction
The University offers (at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels) the new professional award in social work. Successful completion of the award enables students to use the title of social worker and qualifies them for entrance to the register held by the General Social Care Council. Keele has a long history in social work education and research.
Staff teaching on the MA enjoy good relationships and collaboration with local employers, and MA students have always shown high rates of progression into relevant employment. The MA Social Work, in addition to fulfilling the professional requirements, will continue to develop the high level research and analytical skills expected of any Masters degree. All staff in the School of Social Relations are involved in research, with many having built international reputations in their areas of specialisation. This was recognised in the most recent Research Assessment Exercise where the school achieved a rating of 5. The research interests of staff are broad, with strengths in the study of ageing populations, poverty and social exclusion, young people and youth policy, changing patterns of family ties, and globalisation trends.
Course Structure and Content
This professional qualifying programme continues for two full calendar years (24 months) full-time, starting in September. Teaching methods include seminars, lectures, workshops including skills workshops, video recording, group work and simulation exercises. All parts of the course are compulsory.
The programme incorporates the following elements:
• 180 Masters Level credits, of which 60 credits are awarded on the basis of a dissertation and 120 credits through taught modules – these are to be passed at Masters Level, with a pass mark of 50%, for the award of MA
• Assessment in line with the National Occupational Standards for Social Work to the level required by the GSCC
• The core curriculum content as specified by the GSCC
• Compliance with QAA benchmark statement for social work
All students will be required to register with the General Social Care Council (GSCC), the regulatory body for social work in the UK. In year one of the course students must demonstrate their suitability for professional training in order to progress to the next stage of the award.
Year one introduces students to the general principles of social work, while year two aims to develop analytical, research and evaluation skills. Each year includes 100 days of practice learning in a social work setting.
Course Modules
Year One
Taught Modules (Assessed at Masters Level (credits in brackets) – total 70 Level 4 credits)
• Power and discrimination (10)
• Introduction to legal processes (10)
• Social work theory and methods 1 (10)
• Area of practice 1: children and families (15)
• Area of practice 1: adults (social science, law, policy and practice) (15)
• Life course development (10)
Personal and Professional Development
• Taught element (interpersonal skills, preparation for practice learning)
• 100 days practice learning
Year Two
Taught Modules (Assessed at Masters Level (credits in brackets) – total 50 Level 4 credits)
• Social work theory and methods 2 (10)
• Social work research (10)
• Area of practice 2: children & families (law, disability, mental health, inter-professional working, risk) (15)
• Area of practice 2: adults (law, disability, mental health, inter?professional working, risk) (15)
Dissertation
15,000 word dissertation (60 Level 4 credits)
Personal and Professional Development
• Taught element (interpersonal skills, preparation for practice learning)
• 100 days practice learning
Practice Learning Arrangements
There are two full-time block practice learning opportunities, one in each year. They are arranged in a wide variety of statutory and voluntary agencies under approved practice teachers and with regular tutorial contact. They are usually within a radius of 50 miles of Keele, in Staffordshire, Shropshire, Cheshire and the West Midlands.
Assessment
Students are required to pass written assignments including essays and case studies, and examinations, together with a dissertation. They also have to reach a satisfactory level of competence in relation to the National Occupational Standards for Social Work.