The course is validated by the University of Portsmouth and the Central Council for Education and Training of Social Workers. Students gain an MA in Applied Social Studies and a Diploma in Social Work on successful completion of the course. The MA ASS aims to enable each practitioner to focus on their own individual professional and personal development through adopting strategies from lifelong learning and student centred learning processes. We acknowledge that all students have different learning needs, and aim to provide a course tailored to those needs through the use of learning contracts, portfolio development and work-based projects, supported by specialised units as relevant to complete the learning outcomes desired by the student. The course has been designed to reflect the complex range of theoretical and practice issues that are central to the role of the social work professional.
All teaching is delivered within an anti-discriminatory framework.
The second semester involves the student working in a placement agency for 50 days, the placement is a assessed by a trained practice teacher. There are assignments designed to demonstrate the students' ability in linking theory to practice. The student will also chose two options from the method pathway and two options from the client pathway. The menu of choice for the method pathway will offer Work with Individuals, Work with Families, Work with Groups, Community Work. The menu of choice for the client pathway will offer Childcare, Learning Disability, Mental Health, Older People, Care Management and Substance Use.