Program Overview
Overview
At the Tizard Centre, you will receive cutting-edge, critical, and career-driven education in Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities and Forensic Issues. You will learn about the aetiology, assessment, and treatment of offending and/or offending-like behaviour in this group of people and how best to support them to lead meaningful, law abiding lives in the community. We will embed your knowledge and expertise within the current legal and policy framework surrounding specialist forensic services, offer opportunities for practice and/or research in the field, and support the development of your career as an evidence based practitioner.
Reasons to study Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities and Forensic Issues at Kent
The Tizard Centre is at the forefront of learning and research in autism, intellectual disability and community care. Our pioneering approach dates back to our first Director, Jim Mansell who in 2012 was awarded a CBE. In 2013, the Centre received a Queen’s Anniversary Prize in recognition of its outstanding work in the field.
We are the only higher education institution in the UK to offer a course specialising in Forensic Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities.
Our application for Continuous Professional Development approval with the British Psychological Society is underway.
Tailor your degree to your own career: choose the MA to focus on advanced research skills, the Diploma for work based learning, or the Certificate for professional development.
Hear from reputed academics in the field and experienced professional staff from specialist forensic services through our partnerships with the NHS, Police Service, HMP Prison Service, Ministry of Justice, Probation Service and Charitable Organisations.
Access the latest research evidence in the field through the University’s outstanding library resources.
Join our Tizard Practitioners’ Network and receive information about job opportunities, consultancy opportunities and requests for peer-to-peer support.
Receive outstanding support to achieve your ambitions – from our academics, specialist employability team and our professional experience and networks
Program Outline
Course structure
Duration:
2 years part-time
Teaching includes lectures, guided study using Moodle, with seminars and group exercises to enhance understanding of the underlying concepts. The MA is awarded for the achievement of 180 credits from taught modules and the successful completion of the dissertation.
Modules
The following modules are indicative of those offered on this programme. This list is based on the current curriculum and may change year to year in response to new curriculum developments and innovation.
Teaching
Teaching and assessment
The assessment methods include unseen examinations, mixture of essays and assignments.
Programme aims
The aims of this programme are:
to provide students with detailed knowledge of intellectual and developmental disabilities and forensic issues
to develop an evidence-based critical understanding of intellectual and developmental disabilities and forensic issues
to encourage values-based, ethically stringent practice and/or research in intellectual and developmental disabilities and forensic issues
to produce graduates equipped to play a leading role in public services for children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities and forensic issues
Learning outcomes
Knowledge and understanding
You gain the following knowledge and understanding:
Definitions and epidemiology of intellectual and developmental disabilities
Definitions and prevalence of challenging behaviour and offending in IDD
Cognitive, communicative and social characteristics of people with IDD at risk of offending
Biological, social and environmental factors in the causes of IDD and offending
Values & ethical principles underpinning professional practice
Methods of assessment and intervention for IDD and offending
Ideology, policy and service development in IDD and offending
Definition and measurement of service quality
Relationships between service organisation and quality
Research methodology and basic statistical analysis
Intellectual skills
You will develop intellectual skills in:
The ability to present critical, balanced and conceptually-informed arguments
The ability to appraise and interpret evidence from academic literature and personal/work experience
The ability to critically analyse data with reference to issues of method, reliability and validity
The ability to generate and interpret evidence through research
Subject-specific skills
You will develop skills to:
Conduct assessments, design interventions, monitor outcomes and adjust interventions at individual and service levels.
Behave in an ethically correct and professional manner, working collaboratively with users and colleagues, using supervision and recognising limitations.
Conduct applied research on a topic relevant to IDD and forensic issues.
Transferable skills
You gain the following transferable skills:
Communication: organise information clearly, respond to written sources, present information orally
Numeracy: make sense of statistical materials, integrate quantitative and qualitative information
Information Technology: produce written documents, undertake online research
Working with others: work co-operatively on group tasks, understand how groups function
Improving own learning: explore personal strengths and weaknesses, time management, review working environment
Problem solving: identify and define problems, explore alternative solutions and discriminate between them
Careers
Our postgraduate courses provide detailed knowledge of intellectual and developmental disabilities. Graduates will have gained a very good understanding of the matters arising within this population and will be able to analyse and conduct relevant research.
Our postgraduate courses improve employability prospects for both those with established careers and new entrants to the field. Many of our students already work with people with intellectual and developmental disabilities in professional, management or supporting capacities. Our programmes support their continuing professional development and enhance their opportunities for career advancement.
Other students, who are at the beginning of their careers, move on to a range of professional roles in health and social care including:
Working as psychologists in learning disability or behavioural specialists in community learning disability teams
Service management of development roles
Clinical psychology training or a PhD
This particular programme will also provide the necessary skills to work in secure services or forensic community teams.
