Adolescent Psychology
Nurturing quality and diversity...
Fact File
Award
Grad Cert
About the Course
A unique opportunity to study the transitional period between childhood and adulthood
School of Education Studies and Social Inclusion
The course will provide a unique opportunity for in-depth study of the transitional period between childhood and adulthood - the teenage years!
How does it work?
This 60 credit graduate course has three thirty credit modules, one core and a choice for the second.
The core module, ‘Making Sense of Adolescence’ examines the development of adolescent psychology, the concept of adolescence in contemporary society as well as the physical, cognitive and social changes that take place from puberty to early adulthood. Research methodologies and issues will also be discussed.
To complete the Graduate Certificate students may then choose either to undertake the Dissertation module that provides students with an opportunity to research a specific area of interest within Adolescent Psychology with the support of a personal supervisor or to undertake a further taught module ‘Challenges for Adolescents in the 21st Century’ which explores issues relating to identity development, mental health issues and the influence of the media in shaping adolescent thinking/behaviour as well as the society’s view of young people.
Successful completion of this course could enable you to transfer up to 30 credits towards a programme leading to a masters’ degree.
Is this course for me?
This course is aimed at those who are involved with young people during their adolescent period, for example, professionals in secondary and tertiary education, youth and community work and youth justice, and other professions. This is an exceptional opportunity to enhance your knowledge and understanding of today’s youth and the issues that intricately involve them. The course may also be of interest to those who may wish to pursue a career involving young people.
How will I study?
Delivery of the programme will be through workshops, seminars and personal supervision. The course will make extensive use of e-learning through the use of the College’s virtual learning environment - ‘Blackboard’ for which full training will be given.
Why study at Trinity?
- Excellent pastoral support
- Flexible learning route
- Extensive use of e-learning to balance work-life commitments
- Experienced School and College staff
Programme Specification
Educational Aims
- To support the continuing professional development of those working with young people by enhancing their knowledge and understanding of theory and research relating to a range of issues concerning biological, social and cognitive processes that affect those entering puberty and adolescence.
- To develop concepts, skills and techniques to enable students to engage with the scientific rigour of psychology.
- To provide the opportunity to identify a specific area within adolescent psychology for research.
Objectives
The programme will:
- provide a framework for the development of a comprehensive analysis of theories and research relating to Adolescent Psychology;
- promote the development of research skills and ideas and identify opportunities to review and challenge values and assumptions relating to young people;
- support personal development through review, reflection and planning;
- provide a structure to work with and through other people and enhance thinking and participation with young people.
Programme Outcomes
The Learning Outcomes of the modules in the Graduate Certificate programme will enable students to:
Knowledge and Understanding of the field
- understand the scientific underpinnings of psychology as a discipline, its historical origins, development and limitations;
- recognise the inherent variability and diversity of psychological functioning and its significance;
- demonstrate systematic knowledge and critical understanding of a range of influences on psychological functioning, how they are conceptualised across modules;
- demonstrate detailed knowledge of a specialised areas and/or applications, some of which are at the cutting edge of research in the discipline;
- demonstrate a systematic knowledge of a range of research paradigms, research methods and measurement techniques, including statistical analysis, and be aware of their limitations.
Application
- reason scientifically, understand the role of evidence and make critical judgements about arguments in psychology;
- adopt multiple perspectives and systematically analyse the relationships between them;
- detect meaningful patterns in behaviour and experience and evaluate their significance;
- pose, operationalise and critique research questions;
- demonstrate substantial competence in research skills through practical activities.
Reflection
- reason statistically and use a range of statistical methods with confidence;
- competently initiate, design, conduct and report an empirically-based research project under appropriate supervision, and recognise its theoretical, practical and methodological implications and limitations;
- be aware of ethical principles and approval procedures and demonstrate these in relation to personal study, particularly with regard to the research project, and be aware of the ethical context of psychology as a discipline.
Transferable Skills
- communicate ideas and research findings, both effectively and fluently, by written, oral and visual means;
- comprehend and use numerical, statistical and other forms of data, particularly in the context of presenting and analysing complex data sets;
- be computer literate and confident in using word processing, database and statistical software;
- be sensitive to, and react appropriately to, contextual and interpersonal factors in groups and teams;
- undertake self-directed study and project management, in order to meet desired objectives and take charge of their own learning; reflect and evaluate personal strengths and weaknesses for the purposes of future learning.
Further Information
For further information, contact
Dr Daphne Evans
d.evans@trinity-cm.ac.uk
01267 676767
Is there any financial assistance available?
The following sources may be able to help you:
Student Finance Wales - studentfinancewales.co.uk
Career Development Loan - dfes.gov.uk 0800 585 505
Educational Grants Directory - studentservices@trinity-cm.ac.uk
