Short Courses
In addition to degree programmes, the School of Applied Social Sciences also offers a variety of stand-alone courses for continuing professional development.
Course Structure
These courses will also prepare you to study further at a postgraduate level if you later wish to continue onto one of our postgraduate programmes. We know that returning to studying after many years can be challenging, so our courses will build on your own experience and support you in practical study skills that will help you get the most from your learning. Depending on module choice, these short courses are assessed through essays, written reports, and presentations.
Work Whilst You Study
Courses are delivered part-time with around 2 ½ hours each week in university, plus some self study time. This allows you to balance your studies with your work commitments. Many employers support practitioners attending relevant programmes as part of their ongoing commitment to continued training for their staff. Learning will be supported through interactive lectures, seminars and tutorials that relate what you are learning to your work, providing direct benefits to employers through the improved understanding and skills of their staff.
Current Short Courses
Community Policy and Practice (15 credits)
Course Description
Critically explore different meanings of ‘community’, the development of public policies relating to communities of interest, identity and neighbourhood, and how these relate to changing professional practices. This module will help you to understand your work in an historical context in order to consider how best to respond to the dilemmas arising in contemporary practice.
Course Format
The course will be conducted through lectures, seminars, group discussions, and student presentations. Lectures will be given on a weekly basis over 10 weeks, for 2 hours per week. A total of 130 hours of preparation and reading time is expected during the course.
Assessment
The formative assessment includes a seminar presentation. The summative assessment includes a 3,000 word essay.
Management in Community Settings (30 credits)
Course Description
Develop your ability to draw on a wide range of contemporary management theories and apply these to your work with children, young people and communities. Topics covered include organisational theory, managing resources, managing staff and volunteers, strategic planning, fundraising, change management, implementing policies/procedures and managing partnerships. Assessment includes an oral presentation and a 3,000 word agency analysis.
Course Format
The course will be conducted through seminars, group discussions, reflective recordings, practical exercises, independent reading, and assessed written work and oral presentations. Seminars will be given on a weekly basis over 20 weeks, for a duration of 2 hours per week. A total of 20 hours is expected for fieldwork, and another 240 hours of preparation and reading time is expected during the course.
Assessment
The formative assessment includes a seminar presentation. The summative assessment includes an oral presentation and a 3,000 word agency analysis.
Professional and Personal Development (30 credits)
Course Description
Deepen your understanding of professional practice and its relationship with personal values, skills, professional ethics and wider standards. A piece of group work then gives you the opportunity to apply this understanding to an area of professional interest, such as sport, faith or creativity.
Course Format
The course will be conducted through individual and group tutorials, group discussion, practical exercises, study groups, case studies, reflective recordings, independent reading, and field visits. Five tutorials will be given, over three terms and the summer, at an average of 45 minutes per session. Seminars will be delivered weekly over the first two terms, for a duration of 2 hours per week over 16 weeks. A total of 264 hours of preparation and reading time is expected during the course.
Assessment
The formative assessment includes a 1,500 word assignment on reflective practice. The summative assessment includes a 3,000 word written assignment and a 3,000 word-equivalent learning journal.
Practitioner Research (15 credits)
Course Description
Develop the knowledge and skills to carry out research in your own setting to inform your work and the wider practice context. Topics include reviewing existing literature, deciding on appropriate methods, collecting and analysing data, handling research ethics, considering methodological underpinnings and the implications of findings.
Course Format
The course will be conducted through lectures, small group discussions, and tutorials. A total of 10 weekly lectures will be delivered, for a duration of 2 hours per week. A total of 130 hours of preparation and reading time is expected during the course.
Assessment
The formative assessment includes a 1,500 word outline research proposal. The summative assessment includes a 3,000 word research design.
Policy-related and Evaluation Research (15 credits)
Course Description
Improve your understanding of how and why evaluation research is commissioned, the multiple interests of those involved, the politics of evaluation, the use and abuse of research to inform policy making/professional decision-making and associated skills.
Course Format
The course will be conducted through lectures and tutorials. A total of 10 weekly lectures will be delivered for a duration of 1 hour per week, and 10 weekly tutorials will be delivered for 1 hour per week. A total of 130 hours of preparation and reading time is expected during the course.
Assessment
The formative assessment includes a poster presentation which critiques a published policy/evaluation research report. The summative assessment includes a policy-related essay.
Youth Policy and Practice (15 credits)
Course Description
Expand your critical and historical understanding of key theoretical approaches and models of practice in work with young people, taking into account the relationship between the political, organisational and practice environment.
Course Format
The course will be conducted through lectures, group discussions, independent reading, and the assessment of written work. Lectures and group discussions will be delivered on a weekly basis over 10 weeks, for a duration of 2 hours per week. A total of 130 hours of preparation and reading time is expected during the course.
Assessment
Assessment methods focus upon the ability of the student to research a significant area of policy and/or practice, using a range of sources, and to use professional experience in addition to theoretical understanding to develop a critical analysis of that area. The formative assessment includes a 1,500 word written assignment. The summative assessment includes a 3,000 word assignment.
Fees for Short Courses
Your course fee will be determined by the number and credit value of modules you wish to undertake. For current information on fee structure please contact sass.pgadmissions@durham.ac.uk
How to Apply for Short Courses
To apply for a short course, please complete the online postgraduate application form and select ‘CPD Community and Youth Work’ or ‘CPD Social Work’ as appropriate.
For More Information
If you have any questions about the short courses, please contact: