MA Community & Youth Work

Available as a part-time or full-time programme.

This programme is ideal for those who are already practicing or want to practice in the community and youth work field but do not have a professional qualification. This programme is professionally validated by the National Youth Agency (with JNC recognition) and combines professional practice development with academic study. This is accomplished through university based study, paired with two periods of fieldwork practice. One period of fieldwork can be undertaken in students’ current place of employment, if appropriate.

For more information about the Community and Youth Work field, see the related links to the right.

Programme Structure

How long does the programme last?

The programme commences in October of each year. The full-time programme lasts 12 months, and part time lasts 24 months.

What will I study?

The programme is comprised of seven modules, and time is divided between taught elements and fieldwork practice.

Full-time students undertake their first fieldwork practice part-time in terms 1 and 2, with the second period full-time in term 3.
Part-time students attend the University one day per week during terms 1 and 2. Additional study time totalling at least another half a day per week during term time is needed to meet the academic demands of the programme. The fieldwork practice in each year can be undertaken during term 3 and over the summer. The second period of fieldwork practice may be undertaken in existing employment if suitable. The first must be undertaken in another agency/project.

YEAR 1 (part-time) or DAY 1 (full-time)

Youth Policy and Practice

(15 credits)

Youth policy in the UK
Origins, development, and theoretical underpinnings of youth work
Critical overview of contemporary youth work practice Key forms of intervention

Community Policy and Practice

(15 credits)

Critical analysis of communities
Origins, history, and theoretical approaches to community development
Contemporary forms of community development practice
Community and public policy

Professional and Personal Development

(30 credits)

Theoretical perspectives informing current practice in community and youth work, including:
Critical examination of the professional relationship and the paradigm of the reflective practitioner in community and youth work practice
Reflection on:
Developing understanding and skills in one-to-one communication and groupwork
- Opportunity to study an area of special professional interest in small groups

Occupational standards
Professionalism and professional ethics

Personal experience of practice
Professional and personal values
Knowledge and competencies
Professional and personal development needs

Fieldwork Practice Development 1

(15 credits)

Development of professional practice through undertaking community and youth work in a placement which enables students to relate theory, skills and values to practice

YEAR 2 (part-time) or DAY 2 (full-time)

Management in Community Settings

(30 credits)

Critical analysis of a range of perspectives which have informed the management of organisations in community settings, including those relating to:
Development of understanding in effectively managing and developing these organisations in the current context to increase their effectiveness in achieving their aims in ways that are consistent with professional values

Personnel management
Physical resource management
Financial management
Strategic management
Change management

Research in Community and Youth Work

(45 credits)

Uses of research in social welfare policy and practice
Approaches to social research
Ethical issues in research
Literature reviewing, sampling, data collection and analysis methods
Completion of a piece of research with support from a supervisor

Fieldwork Practice Development 2

(30 credits)

Builds upon the skills and knowledge developed in Practice Development 1 through a second placement to further develop practice competencies and abilities to relate theory and practice together
To particularly develop skills in service development and management, including planning, implementing and evaluating community and youth work interventions from a practice and management perspective

Specialisms

There are opportunities for students to undertake specialist study on the themes of creativity, faith or sport. Specialisms may be pursued within the Professional and Personal Development module, the research project and fieldwork practice.

Methods of Assessment

Academic learning is assessed through 3,000 word essays, fieldwork reports, self-assessment, oral presentation and a 10,000 word research report. There are no examinations. To gain a Durham University MA, you must gain 180 credits at Masters level (pass mark 50%).

Entry Requirements

Applicants normally require a degree level qualification or equivalent (including approved professional qualifications), plus at least one year's practice experience in community and youth work or a related field. Where applicants have substantial experience, lower qualifications may be accepted, subject to submission of a written assignment to give evidence of their ability to study at this level. Alternatively, we may suggest you register for an individual module as a short course in the first instance, and use any assignment submitted for that short course to assess your ability to proceed onto a full programme. A CRB Enhanced Disclosure will be required on admission, which currently costs £44.

How to Apply

For more information on the application process, visit the How to Apply page.

Contact Community & Youth Work

Community & Youth Work
Elvet Riverside 2
New Elvet
Durham
DH1 3JT
Tel: 0191 334 1505
sass.pgadmissions
@durham.ac.uk