Speech and Language and Communication (Advanced Studies)

Postgraduate Diploma

Postgraduate Certificate

Master of Science

Postgraduate Diploma, Postgraduate Certificate, Master of Science

PSSLCA

Discipline Elective

Core

Stage 1

Dissertation

Programme Structure

The MSc Speech, Language and Communication (Advanced Studies) provides a flexible, professionally orientated programme for Speech and Language Therapists and other graduates with a specific interest in the field of communication and communication disorders. It seeks to prepare a specialist research-focused workforce that will help revolutionise health and social care provision to better meet society’s changing demographic health needs by using new technologies and more innovative and creative working practices. It also aims to prepare you for new, efficient and ethical ways of working that will offer better quality of life and quality of care, and will enable you to respond better to the ever-increasing pressures on healthcare.  
The programme seeks to enhance and advance clinical, professional and research skills and knowledge within a multi-professional and interdisciplinary learning context. It offers teaching in the latest theoretical and clinical developments in key areas of speech and language therapy, and will develop your critical thinking, research skills and data analysis to support and extend your role as an evidence-based practitioner. It will also give you the opportunity to conduct a research project under expert supervision, drawing on the knowledge and skills you have developed and laying the foundations for independent research in the future.  
By completing the MSc Speech, Language and Communication (Advanced Studies) you will have demonstrated original application of knowledge to the field of speech language and communication, and clinical decision making in relation to practice. You will have been engaged in research that contributes new findings &amp;/or ideas to this area. 
Those of you who undertake or exit the programme with a Postgraduate Diploma will have explored knowledge related to the field of speech, language and communication from different perspectives to broaden your expertise and skills. You will also have critically evaluated current evidence in the field and provided appropriate critiques of knowledge and techniques in relation to this. 
If you undertake or exit the programme at Postgraduate Certificate level you will have examined theories related to speech, language and communication, and will be able to synthesise and apply these to practice. You will have gained critical insight into problems that may arise in this area and be able to consider problem solving mechanisms. You will also be able to use a range of techniques to undertake your scholarly work.

Evaluate existing knowledge and determine areas for development within multi-professional and interdisciplinary contexts. 

Knowledge

Practise as an autonomous Speech and Language Therapist capable of leading professional developments (where applicable).  

Skills

Develop research proposals that fully comply  with ethics requirements for conduct of research with human participants. 

Values and attitudes

Synthesise and critically evaluate relevant research literature and articulate implications for clinical/educational/social care policy and practice development and innovation. 

Provide advice for colleagues, patients and their carers that is non-discriminatory. 

Demonstrate  critical understanding of the principles of research design and statistics, including the ability to formulate research questions and designs (MSc and PG Dip only). 

Demonstrate written and verbal communication skills appropriate to Master’s level. 

Engage in independent study using diverse research resources. 

Be able to manage your own levels of stress in a way that promotes your welfare and the quality of your work. 

Undertake an empirical research investigation (MSc only). 

Develop research designs appropriate to research questions/hypotheses, and select and implement appropriate statistical analyses of data (MSc only).  

Construct and manage a personal and professional development plan which reflects a commitment to lifelong learning. 

Be effective when working in a range of environments (NHS and non-NHS)

Show an insight into and respect for the experience of service users and participants in research. 

Critically appraise and integrate different perspectives and theories within each module and across modules. 

Systematically explore  principles of service delivery; apply those principles to  minimise disadvantages experienced by people with communication and swallowing disabilities. 

Interpret and synthesise  current perspectives, theoretical concepts, research methodologies and research findings in your areas of study. 

Demonstrate a critical understanding of the nature of communication (and optionally swallowing) disability and its impact on function and participation. 

PSSLCA - Speech and Language and Communication (Advanced Studies)

The teaching and learning methods used in this programme are designed to emphasise the synthesis of theory and practice, guide your development of robust critical analysis and research skills, and provide opportunities for you to engage in independent study in an area of interest and professional relevance to you. 
This programme can be completed entirely online. You will be taught through online, synchronous sessions, e.g. via Zoom. These involve live teaching and include the delivery of lecture content, group discussions, student led presentations and workshop activities. Where teaching is in large groups, it is supported by smaller-group break-out activities. You will be encouraged to explore the implications of theoretical and empirical research evidence for clinical assessment, intervention, policy and services (often relating these to your own clinical experience). Where relevant, we provide input from a range of experts in both theory and practice.  We require you to engage in self-directed study, and guide you towards diverse information sources including electronic databases, and academic and governmental websites (relating to health and educational policy), as well as specific journal articles and books. For online modules, the live, synchronous sessions will be supplemented with pre-recorded narrated slides. All modules make extensive use of City St George’s Virtual Learning Platform, Moodle, to provide you with learning resources and an  interactive learning experience.  
One discipline specific elective module, HCM009 Practical Audiology, is taught on campus. This involves face-to-face lab sessions, supplemented with online materials on Moodle. You do not have to select this module.  All other discipline specific, elective modules are taught online.  You have the option to take level 7 modules from other disciplines across the School of Health &amp; Medical Sciences (up to 45 credits). These may be provided online or on campus.  You must complete a core taught module on Introduction to Research Methods and Applied Data Analysis.  This can be completed online (HRM011) or on campus (HRM001). 
At Master’s level, the learning strategies are aimed at developing your ability to challenge current limits of theory and research and to take a sophisticated and creative approach to problem-solving. Through the learning process, you will engage in full professional and academic communication, including critical debate and evaluation of personal performance and that of peers and colleagues.  
City St George’s provides a rich and varied learning environment, and as a Master’s student you are expected to fully avail yourself of all the opportunities, and to work in a manner conducive to your own learning style and professional ambitions.

Curriculum Catalogue

Speech and Language and Communication (Advanced Studies) - MSc

PSSLCA