Description

Programme Specification for the 2021/2 academic year

MSc Clinical Associate in Psychology (Children, Young People and Families)

1. Programme Details

Programme name	MSc Clinical Associate in Psychology (Children, Young People and Families)	Programme code	PTS1PSYPSY14
Study mode(s)	Full Time Part Time	Academic year	2021/2
Campus(es)	Streatham (Exeter)	NQF Level of the Final Award	7 (Masters)

2. Description of the Programme

This new Masters degree affords you as a Psychology graduate a unique opportunity to gain advanced level clinical skills in the application of psychological theory in practice under the direct supervision of Clinical Psychologists. You will learn how to apply and develop your knowledge in order to become competent and skilled in the assessment, formulation and delivery of psychological treatment interventions for children, young people and families.

On successful completion of this programme you will be eligible to work in the NHS and related health and social care organisations as a Clinical Associate in Psychology under the supervision of a Clinical Psychologist. You will be eligible to apply to complete your Doctorate training as a Clinical Psychologist with exceptional evidence of relevant clinical experience and relevant clinical research skills. This programme provides skills and knowledge not currently available in this format anywhere else in England.

3. Educational Aims of the Programme

The general aims of the College of Life and Environmental Science (CLES), in accord with those of the University as a whole, are:

• To provide you with an education intended to give you competence in your chosen discipline, and to encourage you to develop your intellectual capabilities within an institution that is committed to advancing research, scholarship and learning, and to disseminating knowledge.

More specifically, the educational aims of the School of Psychology are:

• To provide an education of high quality across a range of areas of psychology in a stimulating and supportive environment that is enriched by research and/or current practice in the discipline where appropriate.
• To provide training in scientific skills of problem analysis, research design, evaluation of empirical evidence and dissemination in the context of psychology.
• To provide a range of academic and key skills that will prepare you confidently for employment, future study, or training for professional practice.

Additional aims which are specific to the MCAP programme are:

• To develop Clinical Associates in Psychology who will go on to work in the NHS or related health and social care organisations, making a meaningful contribution to service users, the services themselves and the clinical psychology profession.

4. Programme Structure

The MSc Clinical Associate in Psychology (Children, Young People and Families) programme is a one-year full-time or two-year part-time programme of study at National Qualification Framework (NQF) level 7 (as confirmed against the FHEQ).

5. Programme Modules

http://cedar.exeter.ac.uk/programmes/

Stage 1

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180 credits of compulsory and non-condonable modules

Compulsory Modules

Code	Module	Credits	Non-condonable?
PYCM070	Fundamentals of Professional Practice and Ethics	20	Yes
PYCM097	Evidence-Based Psychological Interventions in Clinical Practice	30	Yes
PYCM098	Clinical Research and Evidence-Based Practice	40	No
PYCM099	Clinical Practice with Children, Young People and Families	70	No
PYCM100	Assessment, Diagnosis and Formulation in Clinical Practice	20	No

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6. Programme Outcomes Linked to Teaching, Learning and Assessment Methods

Intended Learning Outcomes
A: Specialised Subject Skills and Knowledge

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) On successfully completing this programme you will be able to:	Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) will be...
	...accommodated and facilitated by the following learning and teaching activities (in/out of class):	...and evidenced by the following assessment methods:
1. 1. Reducing psychological distress and enhance and promote psychological wellbeing through the systematic application of knowledge derived from psychological theory and evidence. 2. Practise under clinical supervision to develop working alliances with clients, including individuals, carers and/or services, in order to carry out psychological assessment, develop a formulation based on psychological theories and knowledge, carry out psychological interventions, evaluate their work and communicate effectively with clients, referrers and others, orally, electronically and in writing 3. 3. Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of psychological (and other relevant) theory and evidence, related to specific client groups, presentations, psychological therapies, psychological testing, assessment, intervention and secondary prevention required to underpin supervised clinical practice. 4. 4. Work effectively under supervision with clients from a diverse range of backgrounds, understanding and respecting the impact of difference and diversity upon their lives, whilst being aware of the clinical, professional and social contexts within which work is undertaken and impact therein.	Clinical skills workshop NHS service seminar series PBL group Reflective weblog Clinical practice placement	Professional practice reflective log (ILO 1, 4) Clinical case reports I – IV (ILO 2, 3, 4) Practice portfolio (ILO 2, 3, 4) PBL group presentation report (ILO 2, 3, 4)

Intended Learning Outcomes
B: Academic Discipline Core Skills and Knowledge

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) On successfully completing this programme you will be able to:	Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) will be...
	...accommodated and facilitated by the following learning and teaching activities (in/out of class):	...and evidenced by the following assessment methods:
5. 5. Demonstrate clinical and research skills in supervised work with clients and systems based on a reflective scientist-practitioner model that incorporates a cycle of assessment, formulation, intervention and evaluation and that draws from theory and therapy evidence bases as appropriate. 6. 6. Work effectively under supervision with systems relevant to clients, including for example statutory and voluntary services, self-help and advocacy groups, user-led systems and other elements of the wider community. 7. 7. Work under supervision in a range of indirect ways to improve psychological aspects of health and healthcare. This includes competencies in consultancy, supervision, teaching and training, working collaboratively and influencing psychological mindedness and practices of teams. 8. 8. Conduct clinical research and reflect upon outcomes in a way that enables the profession to develop its knowledge base and to monitor and improve the effectiveness of its work.		Clinical Practice Reports (ILO 5 – 7) Micro-teaching presentation (ILO 7) Clinical research proposal and presentation (ILO 5, 8

Intended Learning Outcomes
C: Personal/Transferable/Employment Skills and Knowledge

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) On successfully completing this programme you will be able to:	Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) will be...
	...accommodated and facilitated by the following learning and teaching activities (in/out of class):	...and evidenced by the following assessment methods:
9. Practise reflectively within a professional and ethical value base. 10. 10. Demonstrate high level skills in managing a personal learning agenda and self-care, in critical reflection and self-awareness that enable transfer of knowledge and skills to new settings and problems and professional standards of behaviour as might be expected by the public, employers and colleagues. 11. 11. Communicate complex and contentious information clearly and effectively to specialists and non-specialists	Reflective weblog Micro-teaching presentation series Clinical practice placement	Professional practice reflective log (ILO 9, 10) Practice portfolio (ILO 10, 11)

7. Programme Regulations

Programme-specific Progression Rules

You must pass all the modules in the table above. The pass mark for these modules is 50% with an additional requirement to pass all individual assessments within individual modules. If you fail any modules you will not be permitted to continue with the programme and your registration as a student will be terminated with immediate effect.

 

Programme failure due to serious professional misconduct:

The Programme Director and Director of Education will normally recommend to the Faculty Board that a student fails the programme if, following investigation, the student has been found to have engaged in serious professional misconduct – that is, conduct that seriously infringes the BPS Code of Ethics and Conduct, or the Division of Clinical Psychology Professional Practice Guidelines and conduct that would be outside of HCPC standards of conduct, performance and ethics. Any actions taken would be carried out in consultation with the employing NHS trust or organisation where applicable.

 

Classification

8. College Support for Students and Students' Learning

A range of services is available to support your study both from within Psychology. These include:

• Team development programme.
• Personal and professional development planning.
• Student handbooks and programme guides.
• Range of specialist advisors, including for: women students, non-school leavers, and overseas students.
• Computing and Statistics Help Desk.
• Virtual Resource Room and other web-based learning materials.
• Clinically focused seminars, the ‘Think Tank’, provided by the Mood Disorders Centre.

9. University Support for Students and Students' Learning

10. Admissions Criteria

All applicants will need an employer organisation that can offer approved clinical placements and supervision.

11. Regulation of Assessment and Academic Standards

12. Indicators of Quality and Standards

The programme is accredited by the British Psychological Society.

13. Methods for Evaluating and Improving Quality and Standards

14. Awarding Institution

University of Exeter

15. Lead College / Teaching Institution

College of Life and Environmental Sciences (CLES)

16. Partner College / Institution

Partner College(s)

Not applicable to this programme

Partner Institution

Not applicable to this programme.

17. Programme Accredited / Validated by

0

18. Final Award

MSc Clinical Associate in Psychology (Children, Young People and Families)

19. UCAS Code

Not applicable to this programme.

20. NQF Level of Final Award

7 (Masters)

21. Credit

CATS credits	180	ECTS credits	90

22. QAA Subject Benchmarking Group

23. Dates

Origin Date	06/07/2020	Date of last revision	06/07/2020