ObjectivesYou will build sociological approaches to studying youth and community, develop understanding of the relationships between evidence, management and policy in youth work practice, and use fieldwork practice to demonstrate your competence. You can choose to obtain the professional qualification by completing the taught modules up to postgraduate diploma standard successfully, or go on to obtain a master's award and the professional qualification by completing the dissertation.
Entry requirements-Applicants will normally have an honours degree in a relevant discipline or field of study, awarded at least at lower second class. -Applicants with other qualifications and experience may be considered if they can provide evidence of their ability to study at master's level and if their previous qualifications are considered to fulfil CAMS Level III criteria. -The suitability of applicants without the normal entry qualifications will be assessed by way of an essay at CAMS Level III criteria. -All applicants will have a minimum of 12-months' full-time (or equivalent) experience of youth work and community development work. -Applicants must have an Enhanced Criminal Records Bureau disclosure. -All applicants will be offered an interview
Academic titleMSc Professional Qualification in Youth Work
Course descriptionCourse structure
Modules include Making Sense of Youth and Community, Fieldwork Practice in Youth Work and Community Development Work, Constructing Evidence for Youth Work and Community Development, History, Ethics and Management of Youth and Community Work and a dissertation.
Careers
There are excellent employment opportunities for graduates with a JNC qualification including the youth services of local authorities, voluntary agencies, health authorities, the criminal justice system, social services, outdoor pursuits and play work.
This course is a route to a professional qualification validated by the National Youth Agency (JNC national qualification).
More information
Constructing Evidence for Youth Work and Community Development - 20 credits
This module enables you to handle and make sense of public data, including population statistics and public agencies’ data, and to argue the need for youth and community development work based on sound evidence.
History, Ethics and Management of Youth and Community Work - 20 credits
How has youth work has developed? The stories of the women and men who have quietly led youth work down the years are not widely known and they reveal people making sense of situations that we are also faced with. You will be introduced to and explore a range of theoretical, practical and ethical aspects of professionalism, management and administration in youth work and community development settings
Making Sense of Youth and Community - 20 credits
This is the sociological heart of the MSc in Youth Work and Community Development. Both ‘youth’ and ‘community’ are contested terms – you will enter the theoretical and political debates that surround them, grounded in critical case studies of the position of young people from Teesside. The course team has an international reputation for its research in this area.
Fieldwork - 60 credits
This module aims to ensure that you are a reflective practitioner. This module involves evidence of competence and reflection on practice. Content will be negotiated within your work place, shaped by the boundaries of the National Occupational Standards and the requirements of the Joint Negotiating Committee (JNC).
Dissertation - 60 credits
This module is the culmination of your learning on the MSc. Your dissertation will play a central role in your intellectual development – it’s an opportunity to research and write in considerably greater depth than is possible in an essay.
The main learning and teaching methods are:
-lectures and workshops on Mondays from October to April (9.00am – 5.00pm) to support the modules.
-work-based learning to collect the evidence and provide an opportunity for reflection. This should be at least 50% of the time with 13-91 year olds and may include the work you do with your employer. You will need to complete 520 hours during the year.
-independent study - the reading and research to support the modules. You will need to allow at least 15 hours a week to do a good job of the full-time course.
The assessment methods are essays, workbooks, dissertation, a portfolio of practice and reflective essays.