Masters, Postgraduate Diploma and Postgraduate Certificate
A joint award of the University of East Anglia and University of Essex.
The information contained within this programme specification is correct as at February 2011
UCAS Course Code / UCS Course Code:
For guidance see the UCAS web site at www.ucas.com or contact Admissions on 01473 338833 or
e-mail admissions@ucs.ac.uk
Level of Award
Framework for Higher Education Qualifications (FHEQ) Level 7
Course Summary
The MA in Leadership and Service Innovation provides a platform from which the student can develop a comprehensive range of skills to enable them to lead innovation and service improvement to meet the challenges required in health, social care and related fields. The programme recruits on a national basis from a range of different professions, for example; nurses, allied health professionals, local government and third sector middle managers and leaders. Two pivotal themes will percolate throughout the course: self-development as a leader and facilitating and effecting change in the organisation and delivery of care.
Professionals are able to discuss and evaluate the leadership process and the practice of service innovation while exchanging their own experiences and learning. Work based learning is a central tenet of this programme, which enables students to apply and link the theoretical constructs to the practice environment and context. It is anticipated that on successful completion of this programme students will be in a position to consider opportunities in a variety of leadership and service improvement roles.
Entry Requirements
All prospective students, who wish to register and enrol for the Post Graduate Certificate, Post Graduate Diploma or MA in Clinical Effectiveness, must meet the following specific entry requirements:
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An honours degree normally at 2:2 or above
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A professional qualification in health care
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Currently working in the field of health and social care
or
Potentially suitable students may be interviewed in person or by phone so that their interest, motivation and desire to be more effective in practice can be determined
Accredited Prior Learning (APL)
We recognise that students seeking to begin study on this Masters Programme come from a wide variety of backgrounds, with a rich selection of experiences and abilities. Students can use an Accredited Prior Learning (APL) process to demonstrate that they have already achieved equivalent learning outcomes associated with elements of this course. This is a means of enabling students to shorten their study period towards the award through the recognition of what they have already learned.
For more information about APL, please contact the Course Leader.
Course Aims
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Critically analyse a range of theoretical perspectives related to leadership, management and service innovation and apply them to your own leadership practice and experience.
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Critically analyse the global, political and social context and perspectives of leadership.
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Demonstrate initiative and originality in problem solving and decision making to lead change within the care context.
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Lead change and innovation within the student’s practice setting.
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Critically analyse and apply relevant ethical and legal frameworks to a range of leadership issues.
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Understand the process of research and how it can be applied in complex organisational settings.
Meet the challenges of undertaking research at masters level within their field of practice.
Learning Outcomes
On completion of the Post Graduate Certificate programme the student will be able to:
Knowledge and Understanding and Cognitive Skills
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Systematic understanding of knowledge and a critical awareness of current problems and/ or new insights within their field of practice.
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Retrieve and synthesise knowledge from a wide variety of sources to encourage innovative and creative and effective practice.
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Engage with colleagues to discuss and critically debate practice from a variety of perspectives to encourage the provision of high quality productive care.
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Critically evaluate the impact of health and social care policy on clients / users / relevant others and health care practitioners.
Subject Specific Skills
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Reflect upon, and critically evaluate own professional practice and performance.
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Integrate new knowledge and evidence into the practice environment.
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Demonstrate a commitment to advance knowledge and understanding and to develop new skills to a high level.
Key / Common Skills
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Take responsibility for personal and professional development.
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Work collaboratively with others within health care and the wider environment to enhance the understanding of their professional practice.
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Utilise a creative approach to problem solving in both theoretical and practical settings.
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Make decisions in challenging situations
In addition, on completion of the Post Graduate Diploma programme the student will be able to:
Knowledge and Understanding and Cognitive Skills
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Demonstrate enquiring, reflective, critical and innovative approaches to leadership and service development/improvement in a range of contexts.
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Lead others through issues connected with change and innovation within complex situations.
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Apply ethical frameworks to a range of leadership issues and dilemmas faced by practitioners.
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Appreciate the importance of effective implementation and critical evaluation of service improvement strategies across a range of practice settings.
Subject Specific Skills
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Demonstrate leadership skills in a variety of contexts within your field of practice.
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Critically appraise conceptual models, theories and vocabulary in the subject covered within the programme.
Key / Common Skills
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Critically analyse and appraise existing sources of information.
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Demonstrate an ability to present complex arguments to a group in a competent manner.
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Demonstrate self-reflectivity and an awareness of the need for continuing professional development
In further addition, on completion of the Masters programme the student will be able to:
Knowledge and Understanding and Cognitive Skills
Subject Specific Skills
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Independently design, plan and manage and evaluate a research project pertinent to the student’s field of professional practice.
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Demonstrate an understanding of the significance of the research findings to their profession.
Key / Common Skills
Module Framework
Post-graduate Certificate in Leadership and Service Innovation
Effective Leadership 20 credit|
Organisational Psychology 20 credits|
Innovation, Improvement and Change Management 20 credits|
Post-graduate Diploma in Leadership and Service Innovation
Leading Service Design and Development Work Based Learning 20 credits|
Research Methods 20 credits|
Optional Module 20 credits
Master of Arts in Leadership and Service Innovation
Dissertation 60 credits|
Optional Modules
Work Place Coaching 20 credits|
Practical Ethics and Law 20 credits|
Supporting Practice Learning (Mentorship) 20 credits|
Financial and Risk Management 20 credits
Strategic Change Management 20 credits
Teaching, Learning and Assessment
The teaching and learning strategy for this programme is centred on the student learning experience, and aims to engender high quality teaching, learning and assessment. It is a fully embedded strategy based upon the themes of collaborative learning, social learning and active learning, with technology enhanced learning threaded through all three themes.
The core value is learning through active engagement, so students are not seen as a passive audience of the teacher, but rather as engaged, active participants in learning. This will be achieved through a curriculum and teaching and learning strategy, based on a blend of established and innovative educational delivery methods.
Benchmarks / Professional Standards / Competency Frameworks
The Framework for Higher Education Qualifications (masters level), The Department of Health (2004) Knowledge and Skills Framework, NHS East of England (2009) Towards the Best Together and Dept of Health (2010) National Quality, Innovation Productivity & Prevention work streams have been utilised to map the course and module outcomes.
Timetable
See course delivery below.
Timetables for individual modules will be available for each module via Blackboard.
Students will be expected to attend all taught components of a module, though components of each module will by undertaken using the virtual learning environment (Wolsey). Students will need to spend 8-12 hours of independent study per week for each module. Students will be invited to an Induction day at the start of their programme of study.
Placements / Work based Learning / Work Experience:
The course is designed to be flexible and provide students with an opportunity to engage in university based and work-based learning. The delivery methods are varied and include lectures, seminars, virtual learning environment activities and work based service innovation projects. External experts in leadership and service innovation support the programme delivery.
The work-based learning module enables students to apply the theoretical aspects of leadership and service innovation to their own area of work. This involves a project based assignment that includes, project design, development, initiation, implementation and evaluation.
Tutorial and Study Support:
Students are allocated a personal tutor for their academic needs. They can also utilise the module leader for subject specific needs. The Course Leader and deputy course leader is also available to guide and counsel students. Referral to specific UCS departments for students’ problems (personal and academic) is also available. The development of a community of practice will be a vital component of peer support.
Opportunities on Completion of the Course
On completion of this degree programme, students may seek advancement or new job opportunities, for example practice development posts or nurse consultant, within their existing professional area or in other areas. They may continue their studies at Doctorate level elsewhere in the UK.
Further Information
Please contact the Course Administrator, Anne Murray for further information:
Anne.Murrayucs.ac.uk| or 01473 338459