Dr Sue Sherman (Programme Director BSc Applied Psychology) & Dr - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Dr Sue Sherman (Programme Director BSc Applied Psychology) & Dr Nicky Edelstyn

BSc in Psychology  3 year programme  BPS accredited  Core modules in years 2 and 3  200 students per year  Applied fields (e.g., clinical/forensic psychology) – highly competitive

Background  University drive to increase the ‘employability’ skills of undergraduates  Curriculum Annual Review Development (November 2007) - required faculties and schools to refresh UG courses in light of student demand, competitor behaviour and market trends  Personal experience of placement student from Bath

Proposal  Originally to develop a Diploma in Applied Psychology  Now the 4 year BSc in Applied Psychology  Introduce a placement year between levels 2 and 3.  Psychology students 2007-8 were surveyed:  All respondents indicated they would have potentially been interested in such an option

Placement Year  30 week placement between yrs 2 & 3  Psychology setting  E.g., with a clinical psychologist, in a prison, in a school  Year 1 - must obtain a 2:1 in Psychology and pass an interview with placement team  Year 2 – cv-writing and interview workshops. Write to placement providers. Interviews.  Year 3 – placement (supported by academic supervisor)  Year 4 – final year of degree course  Assessed by:  Reflective diary  Supervisor report  Presentation on return to University

Teaching and Learning Issues  Generic employability skills  cv writing, interview skills, real working environment  Psychology specific employability skills  Applied Psychology setting  Development of practice and knowledge leading to improved final year performance  Personal Development planning (PDP)  cv, reflective diary

Award aims and innovation  AIM: To set up placement year:  Promotional materials (for prospective students and placement providers)  Placement student handbook  Meet with potential placement providers  Innovation:  Only 2 immediate competitors offer placement years  Dearing Report (1997) “every student should be given the opportunity to undertake a placement”

Progress  2009/10 cohort  5 students have successfully completed 1 st year with a 2:1 or higher  2010/11 cohort  99 applications  15 firm offers, 13 insurance  BPS accreditation obtained

Progress (cont’d.)  Placements  Several placements identified, interviewed and offered for Sept 2011 start  Leeds, Nottingham Trent & Bath Universities  Beth Johnson Foundation  Learning Disability Service  Derbyshire CC - Educational Psychologist

Ashley House (Care Principles) • Low-medium secure institution • Autistic spectrum and behavioural disorders • Placement – evaluation of provision • Some evaluation of patients

Hull University  Working in ERP lab  Object and face recognition  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PSoPsRPGjs4

Ongoing  Preparing training for students  cv and interview skills workshop  To be rolled out across all Psychology students if successful  Visits from placement providers  Visit from ex-student now training as forensic psychologist  By Easter 2011, students will be matched with placements  Preparing contracts

Current student “I see an academic placement as an ideal opportunity to gain experience in a research environment and to learn from members of a team. However I do feel that while learning I can be of help and benefit to whomever I work with. I am currently on target to achieve a 1 st in year one hopefully proving I would become a competent member of any team.”

Future plans  Interview students at entry level  Ongoing development of student handbook, with FAQs  Database of different placement providers  By 2012 will have 4 cohorts – up to 40 students  Evaluation of placement year in Sept 2012

Thank you for listening!