These modules provide an opportunity to pursue a personal or professional interest relevant to the professional’s own discipline and work area. With the support of a named supervisor, the professional will develop a learning project. This might be based on theoretical research, a work based project, critical reflection on practice, analysis of a case study, a business development plan, feasibility study, or a strategy paper. The type of project and all aspects of the study must be agreed with the module leader. Professionals are required to produce a report of around 3000 words and a dissemination strategy.
This module is part of the University’s Professional Development MA/MSc course - a flexible course that you help design to take your career to the next level.
Overview
The Negotiated Professional Development modules (15 credits) provide opportunities to design and complete short learning projects. These might be based on theoretical research, a work based project, critical reflection on practice, analysis of a case study, a business development plan, feasibility study, or a strategy paper. The type of project and all aspects of the study must be agreed with the module leader, and you will be supported by a supervisor, by online sessions and online resources.
The type of project and all aspects of the proposed study must be negotiated and agreed with the module leader. Support is provided to plan the project, but professionals are expected to have identified their development needs (either in MCPD4001 or informally). The planning of most projects will include gaining informed consent from anyone involved in it (participants, employers, etc) and written permission from individuals / organisations where the project might take place, who are data managers, or who are otherwise responsible for any aspect of the project. Approval of all projects will include formal ethical consideration by the University.
Completion of Negotiated Professional Development modules (15 credits) requires an ability to work independently over a fairly short period of time. Professionals will be allocated a supervisor and can book tutorials at any stage of the development and implementation of the project or in preparing a report for assessment. Alongside these individual tutorials, the module is supported by self-directed study tasks, online sessions and online learning resources.
Professionals are required to produce a report of around 3000 words and a dissemination strategy.
All activities conducted for the module must be fully compliant with the University of Worcester Research Ethics Policy.
It is expected that all advertised modules will run, but there may be situations where there are insufficient students to make a particular module viable.
Career benefits
Completing a project as part of a Negotiatied Professional Development module, should have a direct impact on your career as it addresses a specific area that you have identified as an area for development. In addition, most projects will have an impact on others within the workplace, either through engagement in the project, or through the sharing of your findings.
Completing a project also provides an opportunity to demonstrate your professional understanding and capabilities in annual reviews, in seeking increments and promotions, or in job interviews.
Module delivery
- Taught online sessions alongside other Negotiated Professional Development modules and Extended Professional Development modules
- Individual online Tutorials
- Access to online resources and formative tasks
Online sessions are scheduled on Thursday evenings (20:00-22:00 UK time) and Saturday mornings (10:00-12:00 UK time). Sessions are delivered at 3-4 week intervals throughout the period of study.
Entry Requirements
Entry to this module requires registration to a postgraduate award in Professional Development. This module is not generally available as a standalone module, however anyone wishing to take this module as a standalone module should contact the admissions team
No prior study is required for this module, but it is advisable to study this module alongside or after completing MCPD4001 Introduction to Professional Development.
Contact
If you have any questions, please get in touch. We're here to help you every step of the way.
Postgraduate Professional Development Team
PG.ProfessionalDevelopment@worc.ac.ukAdmissions Office
admissions@worc.ac.uk01905 855111