卡迪夫大学

Overview

This programme will equip you with a theoretical understanding of the psychological factors that cause and maintain emotional and behavioural problems in children. Taught by leading international experts, you will discover and research how both mental health difficulties and neurodevelopmental conditions, which include anxiety, depression, ADHD, autism and conduct disorder, emerge in childhood. You will gain an in-depth knowledge of how these conditions can be best assessed; enabling you to subsequently inform intervention and advise the best course of treatment. Located at our dedicated Centre for Human Development Science (CUCHDS), this programme will also equip you with the skills, knowledge and experience to pursue a rewarding career in child neuro – development, clinical psychology or educational psychology. You will undergo a range of professional training in emotional, cognitive and neurodevelopmental assessments for children, classification systems of childhood disorders and in observational coding of child behaviour and parent-child interaction. Research training also forms a key focus of this programme, and it is designed to strengthen your credentials for entry to a PhD in developmental psychopathology, or to doctoral training programmes in Clinical or Educational Psychology. In addition to providing training in basic research, the course aims to integrate research perspectives from clinical and educational psychology.

Course structure

Teaching is organised across three semesters: autumn, spring and summer. Semesters 1 and 2 each have three 20-credit modules, involving lectures, seminars and workshops; in Semester 3 you will do a research placement that results in a research project. Each module lasts 10-weeks and is assessed by means of formative and summative assessments.

Learning and assessment

The School's educational philosophy rests upon the precept that good research benefits good teaching. All teaching and learning is research-led. A diverse range of teaching and learning styles are used throughout the MSc. You will attend lectures, participate in seminars, journal clubs and tutorials, and gain experience in child assessment methods. You will play a leading role in your own training. The School facilitates learning by identifying appropriate reading and organising practical classes. You will be assessed in a variety of ways both to inform learning (formative) and to assess learning (summative). Six modules to the value of 20 credits each are studied in Semester 1 and 2. Five of these modules include written examinations (essay format); all modules are also assessed via essays and/or practical assignments. In Semester 3 the Research Project (60 credits) is assessed via a journal article style dissertation (100%).

Career prospects

Research degree (PhD) and academic career in developmental psychopathology. A career in translational research in practice or in applied research centres, in mental health or educational services. Work in clinical or educational practice as an assistant psychologist. The qualification will be helpful for those who will later want to apply for a DClinPsych or DEdPsych degree. Work in a variety of professional fields involving work with children and young people, such as education, health and social care, family policy, youth work, justice, international development and charity work.