MA Professional Practice

Qualification Gained
MA Professional Practice (awarded by the University of Bolton)

Study Level
University, Level 7

Duration
3 years Part-time

Start Date
September 2023

Study Mode
Part-time

Location
Lister Building

Overview

The MA Professional Practice is suitable for those at different stages of the professional lifecycle who wish to enhance their individual or organisational knowledge and practice. This award is designed to accommodate a range of professionals including support or administrative staff, social workers, youth and community workers, health professionals (not in medical roles) or trainers and educators. The modules aim to support your academic and professional development and will be tailored to reflect the needs of your working context.

Multidisciplinary understanding will be enhanced through shared examination of policies and their impact on professional practice. Your tutors will work alongside you as colleagues and peer learning that provides insights into other contexts for professional practice is a key feature of the award.

The MA Professional Practice provides a flexible and accessible degree with delivery of taught sessions on Saturdays and online.

Key Info

You will be taught core modules with the master’s cohort who will come from a range of professional backgrounds. Sessions for the core and 40 credit point optional modules are held on Saturdays with three Saturdays being the usual contact time with an additional half day if a presentation is part of the assessment. Some of the module content, seminars and tutorials will be delivered online in the form of a virtual class. Interactive learning, together with individual tutorials, provide you with relevant and appropriate understanding to develop learning and consider the impact on professional and practical skills. E-learning is an important tool and is also used to develop independent study skills and communicate with colleagues and tutors.

The learning and teaching process is participative and you are encouraged to discuss your professional practice, enabling the development of a deeper understanding of how theory applies to practice. Multi-agency working is now seen as key to effective social care and educational practice and this is most effectively achieved when professionals develop ideas and interrogate concepts alongside each other. This award will enable those working in the public and third sector to develop professional practice alongside educators and each other.

The generic core encompasses all the learning outcomes for the programme to ensure that you have coverage of the necessary skills and attributes. 40 further credits are dedicated to the core subject module – Theory and Policy in Action, and another 40 to the optional module.

Professional Development (in year one) which will prepare you for academic study at master’s level

Research: Practice and Planning (in year two) which will enable you to develop the skills and knowledge to carry out primary research

Dissertation (in year three). The focus of your dissertation will be your individual choice and you will be supported by a supervisor.

Subject Core:

Theory and Policy in Action

Optional Modules:

Leadership and Management
Developing Inclusion

Entry to this course requires an Honours degree or an equivalent vocational qualification and experience in an education-related, none medical health, youth work, social services/care settings. Applications will be considered on the basis of experience in relevant fields.

If you have masters level credit from a relevant qualification, e.g. post graduate certificates related to your professional practice, you may be able to transfer this credit into the course.

Applicants whose first language is not English are required to provide evidence of English language proficiency to the level of IELTS 6.5.

Assessment methods are varied, rigorous and appropriate to the element of the award being studied. You will have the opportunity to receive feedback from formative assessments to develop your skills and confidence prior to submitting summative assessments.

Depending on the modules you choose, assessment methods may include: the completion of a reflective professional development portfolio, a critical analysis of current initiatives and appropriate literature, research, a TED Talk and presentations to small groups of fellow students and written accounts relating to the appropriate modules.

There is no work placement associated with this programme, but we expect you to draw upon your experience of professional practice.

Although this course does not directly offer work experience, there are opportunities for you to undertake a work placement or work experience during your time studying on this course.

This course provides CPD opportunities for a range of professionals for whom a master’s qualification may enhance opportunities for progression or a change in work roles or contexts. Your future career will be built on a solid foundation of being able to research, think critically and produce written work of a very high standard. Further academic study is also possible if you wish to progress to a doctorate award.

Part-time: £5,750. (£1,920 per 60 credits).

This is representative of the most common fees scenario, but actual fees can vary depending on a number of factors. Please contact us if you need more guidance.

Disclaimer: Our prospectus, college documents and website are simply here to offer a guide. We accept no liability for any inaccurate statements and are not responsible for any negative outcomes if you rely on an inaccurate statement. We reserve the right to withdraw any programmes or service at any time.