The Department of Social Policy and Social Work is at the forefront of supporting the continuing professional development of its graduates.
In doing it, it maintains contact with its alumni to understand their CPD needs and how best to meet them. Over the years, the Department has become more aware of the difficulties which a number of graduates, most of who are employed on a full-time basis and/or have family and home responsibilities, face to follow a course on campus.
The challenges of having the energy to listen to lectures after a day of work are compounded by practical difficulties such as traffic and parking and logistically managing their other responsibilities. The Department was already trying to offer creative solutions to these issues, which COVID-19 put to the test.
To prevent students who have graduated in social work or social policy from having to spend extended periods on campus, usually in the evening, to gain a Master degree, the Department decided to offer Master of Art degrees in Social Policy and Social Work to be read mainly by research.
These courses will allow students flexibility on three different levels. First of all, they will have the liberty to choose an area of research which they are passionate about and have their degree focused on this. Secondly, the fact that their degree is mainly focused on carrying out research and writing a dissertation will mean that the students’ work can be planned and carried out in a way and within a schedule which is convenient for them, in consultation with their supervisor. A third area of flexibility is the fact that the number of taught study-units is limited, with one of the main ones, that which focuses on research methods, provided mainly through distance learning. Besides the flexibility which these degrees allow, they will also ensure that the students have support of supervisors throughout the process
These research degrees are an opportunity for professionals in the field of social work and social policy to develop an area of expertise which can complement their current role or allow them to explore alternative fields which they are interested in. The research will also provide the opportunity to enhance practice and to bridge the gap between research and practice which sometimes develops.
The courses give graduates the chance to come back to studying without coming back – staying mostly where they are but using the tools provided by technology, where face-to-face contact is not necessary. They may be seen as part of the ‘new normal’ which the Department was creating even before it knew of its existence!
Students can find information about in this link and about online.
