MA/PG Dip/PG Cert Health and Community Development Studies

Overview

Develop your skills as an innovative, progressive practitioner, engaged with social justice and equality. This programme is designed for those working in local authorities, voluntary or third sector organisations, and non-medical, non-governmental and non-clinical health services.

From mental health support services to housing and homelessness, youth offending, and drug abuse, this course attracts professionals with expertise in diverse health and community settings.

Our core modules will give you an insight into the theories and practices of community development, introducing key concepts in practice, policy and National Occupation Standards. You will explore this in relation to issues surrounding health and wellbeing and discover new strategies and methods of social science research.

You can then expand your expertise in areas that interest you most, with modules covering topics in mental health, contemporary social issues, youth and community development, anti-oppressive practice, race and diversity, and management of services and people.

You may wish to learn about non-clinical health and wellbeing, health education, or development projects focusing on a social model of health and wellbeing. The content of this programme is also relevant for those wishing to explore social health and community provision in developing countries.

Ideal candidates will have an interest in group work, informal learning and activity, and outreach and community work, particularly with young people and adults identified as ‘hard to reach’ and ‘excluded’.

Your studies will benefit from a flexible blended learning approach, where the majority of modules are taught via distance learning with two block teaching weeks per academic year.

Teaching and assessment

All core and most optional modules are launched during one of two block teaching weeks held each year, usually in September and January. These modules are supported by a wide variety of written material, individual and organisational tasks. Students are required to engage in a number of online seminars in each module. Contributions to them are compulsory and are an attendance requirement.

The course aims to build a learning community, from the initial contact during the induction block teaching week onwards. Assessment is usually by written assignment of 4,000 words per 15 credit module.

Graduate careers

Many of our graduates work in a wide range of senior posts in community health, youth work and community development work in both publicand voluntary organisations, all over the world.

An MA is a recommended qualification for workers who want to hold senior positions. The MA is recognised internationally as a valid postgraduate level of study and its content is relevant for issues relating to a developing country’s health and community provision.