Diploma (HE)/ BSc (Hons) Degree Substance Use and Misuse Studies
NEW !
Introduction
Our
courses were reviewed and updated in February 2005 and have now been
mapped against the Government's Drug and Alcohol National
Occupational Standards (DANOS). Further information about
DANOS is available on their website.
Delivery of the new Substance Use and Misuse Studies programme
commences in June 2005.
Our
new programme is multidisciplinary and underpinned by recent
Government initiatives, which recognised the rising need for a more
highly skilled workforce in the drug and alcohol field.
Initiatives include the Agenda for Change and the NHS Knowledge and
Skills Framework.
The
programme has been designed for all professionals working in the
drug and alcohol field or whose work brings them into contact with
use and problem use of drugs and alcohol.
It, therefore, aims to meet the
training needs of people who work in a variety of occupations and
professions in which substance use and misuse is an important
aspect. These include nurses, social workers, drug and alcohol
treatment workers, and those who work in homeless and youth services
and the criminal justice system, in both the statutory and voluntary
sector.
Studying this programme will enable students to achieve a positive
impact on the health and social care of drug and alcohol users and
to improve their performance in the work place.
The programme provides an essential
overview on substance use and misuse issues. It explores the various
types of substances commonly used, and introduces appropriate
methods of working with people who experience problems with their
drug and alcohol use. To optimise the range of possible solutions
the programme adopts a number of perspectives that examine the key
issues from health and social care, criminal justice, child
protection, youth and community care viewpoints.
The programme has been developed by
a team of lecturers, practitioners and researchers, reflecting the
diversity and developments in the field of substance misuse. You
will be part of an academically challenging programme of study to
meet the evolving demands of providing substance misuse specific
treatment and prevention interventions in a rapidly changing
political and social climate.
The
programme is modular meaning that the individual courses can be
taken in isolation enabling the student to have greater flexibility
to combine study with working. All courses (modules) are
part-time.
The
programme has two exit points:
Diploma
in Higher Education – Substance Use and Misuse Studies
(Dip
HE – Substance Use and Misuse Studies)
Bachelor
of Science (Honours) - Substance Use and Misuse Studies
(BSc
(Hons) Substance Use and Misuse Studies)
Entry
Requirements
The academic entry requirements are
as follows:
- Diploma: 120 credits at level 4
(Certificate) or equivalent
+ working experience in the drugs and alcohol field
- BSc: 120 credits at level 5
(Diploma) or equivalent
+ work experience in the drugs and alcohol field
In order to be able to access the
programme at diploma level you must provide the evidence that you
have achieved 120 credits at level four (Certificate level) - or
equivalent, and that you have work experience in the drug and
alcohol field. If you have a relevant Diploma of Higher Education
(or equivalent) you may be able to start at degree level. The point,
at which you can enter the course, will be assessed on an individual
basis by the programme leader and personnel involved in the
selection process.
Similarly, the decision whether you
meet the admissions criteria and you are suitable for the programme
will be taken by the programme leader and the team involved in the
recruitment process.
If don't meet the academic entry
criteria:-
Don't worry! The Programme
team will be able to advise you on and you will be asked to
submit an extended CV that includes reflection on past experiences,
(both professional and personal) which, have contributed to your
development. Examples of evidence that could be included in the CV
are - an overview of the qualities and key transferable skills
necessary for the place of work (for example DANOS); evidence of
further training plus copies of certificates and development of
existing skills and acquired new competencies that have enabled you
to assume significant responsibility within your organisation and
field of practice.
The extended CV in itself does not
give you academic credits but, together with the academic credits
from prior learning, may enable you access to the programme at
diploma level. Evidence of prior learning may include completion of
a University access course, NVQ level 3 or 4 in Health and Social
Care or NVQ Level 3 in Health Care.
Evidence of prior learning and
experience provided in your extended CV is reviewed by the Programme
Leader to see if any academic credits can be awarded. This review is
carried out in accordance with the University’s standardised
procedures and is referred to as Advanced Standing. The Programme
Leader’s recommendations are then presented to the University’s
Programme Assessment Board.
In cases where students can't
attain sufficient academic credits from their prior learning and
experience they may be required to take 2 level 4 modules from the
BSc in Health Studies or BSc Sociology and Health Studies programme.
Upon successful completion the student would then be accepted onto
the Diploma programme.
In all cases it is best to contact
the Programme Leader for
advice and if appropriate a personal appointment will be arranged.
Learning
Methods
At the beginning of each module the
module tutor will provide you with a Module Study Guide, which will
include details on the module aims, learning outcomes and
assessment.
Your teachers will use a
constructivist educational approach, which will value your experience
and place the emphasis on you rather than what the teacher is doing.
This approach creates a socially interactive activity. It will help
you to take meaning from your learning experiences and create
interpretations of your world and the new knowledge and not just store
and retrieve information. You will be able to take an active part in
your learning as these learning methods will encourage you to
participate and contribute to discussion and debate. The sharing of
ideas and experience will provide an effective medium and a rich
resource of this group of participants from a range of backgrounds.
A variety of learning methods will be
used during the module and will include lectures, seminars/ group
work, tutorials, workshops, self-directed study, supervised clinical
practice:
Lectures –sessions where new
or redefined materials are presented by a lecturer to the group. In
preparation for these sessions, you may find it helpful to have read
some background material related to the topic area. Essential and
recommended reading lists for all sessions are provided within the
Module Study Guide.
Seminars –small group sessions
here shared learning takes place in the form of presentations,
discussions, case studies and experiential activities. Preparation for
these sessions is essential in order for you to participate fully.
Tutorials – individual or
group sessions involving active participation by students and a degree
of teacher facilitation. Tutorials may involve face-to-face
communication or information technology to discuss a clinical case or
issue related to the module.
Workshops –primarily of a
practical nature involving skills development and will be
participative in nature.
Case Study Analysis –provide
an opportunity to review and analyse a documented account of a
workplace situation/interaction/process, using appropriate theoretical
frameworks.
Blackboard – this is an
electronic learning platform whereby students can access materials
online. We are in the process of developing this facility and
hope to make it available later this year. Blackboard will be
used for both taught and distance learning students to support their
learning experience. It will also facilitate communication
between Lecturers and Students, and amongst Students themselves
through the use of online discussion forums for instance.
Learning Packages – Some of
you will have elected to study part of the programme by distance
learning and will have received your package with the module study
guide. The package will have a series of readings, activities and
exercises to guide you through your learning for the module. This will
be augmented with the opportunity to share ideas and views with your
fellow students and module tutor using a discussion board through the
Blackboard e-learning platform.
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Study Hours
A
single level 5/6 20 module (20 academic credits) involves 200 learning
hours, subdivided as follows:
42
hours Tutor facilitated
58 hours Independent study
50 hours Reflection on practice
50 hours Assessment writing
Tutor
facilitated – organised sessions normally involving lectures/scene
setting presentations seminars, discussion, debates and directed
activities.
Independent
learning – learning activities undertaken alone or with others,
in a self directed way.
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Assessment
Strategy
Level
5 module assessments are designed to facilitate the development
and refinement of your skills in reviewing, analysing and evaluating
theories and concepts associated with aspects of substance use and
misuse and apply these to practice. This will be achieved through
a variety of assessment methods.
The Enhancing Theory to Practice is
the final module in the diploma pathway. It has been designed
to develop competency in practice in those students who work or
whose work brings them into contact with substance users or
problematic users. The module also aims to develop the students’
knowledge and understanding which underpin competence and enable
them to critically reflect on their own practice and develop best
practice when working with substance users.
Level
6 module assessments demand the use of investigative, critical
reasoning, synthesis and communication skills to address policy
formation and the consequence of such policies as they affect training
development strategies/plans with regard to substance use and misuse,
treatment intervention and the criminal justice system.
The Practice Based Project is the
final module in the degree pathway and integrates the learning
undertaken during the period of study. Students select a substance
misuse specific issue from their work setting which would benefit
from a change and negotiate support from their managers in order to
effect the change. They will select, plan and implement a strategy
for change as well as identifying an evaluation strategy. Students
on this module will be supported by the module leader and also by a
lecturer with relevant expertise according to their chosen topic
area.
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Funding
The
majority of students on professional and post-experience programmes
are either sponsored by their employer or they are funding themselves.
If
you are intending to fund your studies through employer sponsorship or
a contract agreement between the University and your organisation, please allow plenty of time for your workplace to
organise this. The administration can be complex and involve your human resources department
and/or line manager.
We can advise you on the best way to go about this. If you would
like a discussion in confidence, please contact our Student Advice
Team on 020 8231 2573.
If
you are planning to fund yourself, you may need to make specific
financial arrangements. We suggest you explore the following
options:
A
Career Development Loan, a government-sponsored scheme
covering between 80 to 100 per Cent of your costs, which is available at commercial
rates through four major banks – Barclays, the Co-operative, the
Clydesdale and the Royal Bank of Scotland. Details are available
through your local Training and Enterprise Council (TEC), Job
Centre or Career Service, and through our own Learning Advice
Centres.
Tax
relief for vocational training is open to UK residents not
receiving other public assistance such as a grant or student loan.
Apply to your local tax office for details. A leaflet, Tax relief
for vocational training (R119), may be obtained by telephoning
020 7438 7772.
For
more general enquiries contact the Inland Revenue enquiry
line 020 7438 6420 or refer to their
website.
Further funding specifically for drug & alcohol courses may be
available
from:
Alcohol
Education Research Council, Room 520, Clive House, Petty France,
London SW1H 98D, Tel. 020 7271 8379/ 8337, fax 020 7271 8877
Email Andrea
Tilouche
The
council is offering a limited number of studentships to students
who are working or intend to work in the alcohol field and who
wish to acquire appropriate professional qualification by following
a taught course.
Some
Drug Action Teams have a budget for training
so it's worthwhile contacting your local DAT Co-ordinator for more information.
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