MSc Child and Family Psychology

The MSc Child and Family Psychology degree combines research methods training with the study of children and families, their development, roles and social contexts, in order to prepare students to undertake a research project on a child and family topic of their choice. It will challenge students to look critically at the changing nature of childhood and families in the 21st century, within applied, ecological, interdisciplinary and cross-cultural perspectives.

Students will need to demonstrate understanding of psychological approaches to child and family research questions and will undertake a research project supervised by a psychologist accredited by the British Psychological Society.

The MSc Child and Family Psychology is offered over one year full-time, or two years part-time.

Aims

• To acquire and apply knowledge and conceptual and theoretical understanding of child and family research
• To acquire skills in the use of a range of quantitative and qualitative research methods
• To develop the ability to prepare a proposal, and undertake original research, analysis and synthesis in a chosen topic in the field of child and family research
• To develop transferable skills in oral and written communication and research project management
• To gain a sound basis for further postgraduate study where appropriate.

Programme Content

The MSc programme combines child and family modules, and research skills modules with the opportunity to undertake a research study in a topic chosen by the student:

Core Modules (80 credits)

• Introduction to Social Science Research Methods
• Further Qualitative Research
• Quantitative Research Methods and Statistics
• Psychosocial Perspectives on Families

Options (20 credits)

• Attachment and Caregiving

OR

• Childhood: National and International Policy

Independent Research Project (80 credits)

Student Pathways through the Programme

The Masters Programme covers diverse aspects of childhood and family life, from marriage and divorce, to attachment theory, child maltreatment, fostering and adoption, to street children and children's rights. Students will be able to combine this with a particular area of interest which will be a focus for assignments in different modules and will then be the basis for their research project. Students will learn and demonstrate a range of research skills and then will select a research design and method that is suitable for their research question and research topic.

Support and Guidance

The Programme Director will act as an adviser to students. Each student will also have a research supervisor to offer specialist advice and academic guidance on the independent research project.

The Teaching and Research Environment

The Centre for Research on the Child and Family is based in the School and many of the staff involved in teaching and supervising students on the MSc in Child and Family Psychology are national and international experts, able to bring their experience of 'real world' research as well as their subject expertise to offer research-led teaching. Alongside the formal teaching modules all Masters students will be encouraged to draw from, and contribute to, the School's research culture, through, for example, informal consultations with leading researchers in their field and attending School research seminars.

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Entry Requirements Degree Subject: Psychology Degree Classification: 2:1 or international equivalent Entry Requirement

Applicants should normally have a good first degree from a recognised higher education institution.

It is normal for undergraduate students to apply for entry to postgraduate programmes in their final year of study. Applicants who have not yet been awarded a degree may be offered a place conditional on their attaining a particular class of degree.

Students for whom English is a Foreign language

We welcome applications from students whose first language is not English. To ensure such students benefit from postgraduate study, we require evidence of proficiency in English. Our usual entry requirements are as follows:

• IELTS: 7.0 (minimum 6.0 listening, 6.0 speaking, 6.5 writing, 6.5 reading)
• TOEFL: Internet-based score of 98 (minimum 18 listening, 21 speaking, 21 writing and 21 reading)
• PTE (Pearson): 70 (minimum 55 listening, 55 speaking, 62 writing and 62 reading)

Test dates should be within two years of the course start date.

Other tests such as TOEIC and the Cambridge Certificate of Advanced English are also accepted by the university. Please check with the Admissions Office for further details including the scores or grades required.

INTO UEA and INTO UEA London run pre-sessional courses which can be taken prior to the start of your course. For further information and to see if you qualify please contact intopre-sessional@uea.ac.uk (INTO UEA Norwich) or pseuealondon@into.uk.com (INTO UEA London).

• Year 1

Compulsory Study (160 credits)

Students must study the following modules for 160 credits:

Name Code Credits DISSERTATION PSY-M36X 80 The dissertation element of the Masters programme offers students the opportunity to demonstrate their ability to carry through an independent piece of research on a subject of their choice in greater detail than any taught element of the programme can offer. It allows students to develop and display their skills independent research and depth of knowledge of a particular area of research. The dissertation should draw from material from other modules within the MRes Programme. Further Qualitative Research PSY-M418 20 The course builds on coverage of qualitative methods in the Introduction to Child and Family Research module, where the focus is on developing critical appraisal skills that cover a range of ways of gathering and analysing qualitative data. Further Quantitative Research and Statistics PSY-M424 20 This module will provide teaching on quantitative research methods, data analysis and the use of statistical software (SPSS). It will provide a grounding in applied statistics which will both develop critical appraisal skills for reading research and enable students to undertake SPSS data analysis. INTRODUCTION TO SOCIAL SCIENCE RESEARCH METHODS PSY-M417 20 This module will provide an introduction to a range of child and family research and research methods. The approach will be interdisciplinary, for example using research from psychology, social work and social policy, with opportunities to learn from researchers in the school about the applications of research methodologies to real world issues affecting children and families. PSYCHOSOCIAL PERSPECTIVES ON FAMILIES PSY-M413 20 This module examines diverse aspects of family life using psychological, policy and sociological perspectives. It covers interpersonal relationships in families, family structure, family systems, practices and family scripts, structural issues such as income, gender and ethnicity as well as discourse and family policy. Option A Study (20 credits)

Students will select 20 credits from the following modules:

Name Code Credits ATTACHMENT AND CARE-GIVING PSY-M442 20 This programme will introduce students to perspectives on attachment and caregiving in humans. Specific aims are: 1) To consider normative processes and individual differences in adult attachment and caregiving 2) To examine the role of attachment and caregiving in intrapersonal behaviours and processes like emotion regulation 3) To examine how attachment and caregiving are linked with interpersonal functioning in intimate relationships 4) To explore the mechanisms by which attachment and caregiving can affect psychological and physical health and well-being. Childhood: National and International Policy PSY-M440 20 Disclaimer

Whilst the University will make every effort to offer the modules listed, changes may sometimes be made arising from the annual monitoring, review and update of modules and regular (five-yearly) review of course programmes. Where this activity leads to significant (but not minor) changes to programmes and their constituent modules, there will normally be prior consultation of students and others. It is also possible that the University may not be able to offer a module for reasons outside of its control, such as the illness of a member of staff or sabbatical leave. Where this is the case, the University will endeavour to inform students.

Fees and Funding Fees for the academic year 2013/2014 will be:

• UK/EU Students: £5,000 (full-time); £2,500* (part-time)
• International Students: £12,500

*for each year of the course.

International applicants from outside the EU may need to pay a deposit.

Living Expenses

Approximately £7,500 living expenses will be needed to adequately support yourself.

Scholarships and Funding

The University offers around £1 million of Scholarships each year to support International students in their studies. Scholarships are normally awarded to students on the basis of academic merit and are usually for the duration of the period of study. Please click here for further information about fees and funding for International students.