Professional Development (Outdoor Learning)

Key features and benefits

Two year, part-time, group-based programme

• flexible content depending on the interests of the group members
• knowledge and theory input from experts and texts
• projects to influence and achieve change in your field
• entry and exit options at Certificate, Diploma and Masters.
  
  Who is this course for?
  

Outdoor practitioners with a number of years’ experience, who want to:

• explore the issues facing the outdoor field
• make a real difference to the way things get done in outdoor learning
• review their practice to enrich their present work.

Benefits to employers

• students will broaden their knowledge of the sector and their contacts within it
• benchmarking against industry standards of good practice
• workplace based research projects leading to improvements in service delivery in their workplace.
  
  Programme themes
  
• reflective practice: the interplay between personal development, theory, current situation and professional practice
• development and change: culture and trends, issues and values determining delivery of services
• enquiry: managing and influencing workplace change through research projects focusing on your work.
  

Programme content

Certificate
Outdoor Learning, the professional self and the professional setting:

• key current trends and issues facing the UK outdoor sector
• how these trends influence your own practice
• benchmarking your practice against relevant industry standards
• influences which have shaped you as a professional
• strengths and development areas, and development planning

Diploma
Development and Change, and practice in Outdoor Learning:

• development of your field and its contribution to the economy and education in the   UK, Europe and the wider world.
• changing cultural and values base underpinning the development of the outdoor  sector and service delivery in your workplace
• identifying workplace needs for research/change, and implementing plans to  develop an area of delivery in your workplace (small workplace project).

Master's
Work-Based Research and Dissertation

• evaluating and using a variety of research methods
• carrying out a tailored original research project on your own field.

Learning methods

• weekend residential blocks
• learning set meetings
• venues in Buckinghamshire and elsewhere, depending where students are located. 

The residentials - workshop sessions to build the group and explore issues  in the field – activities might include:

• Analysis of texts and academic databases to evaluate a range of articles on a given theme
• Debates
• Designing a methodology to address a given research question

Learning set meetings – in groups of six, with a facilitator

• co-coaching on workplace issues, challenges and practice
• peer feedback on drafts of assignments and dissertations.

Assessment

Practical assignments based on your own workplace, enabling you to influence and implement your ideas to make a real difference to your own practice and to the development of the Outdoor field.  These are:

Certificate:
Personal reflection and learning contract
Analysis of current issues

Diploma:
Analysis of economic/cultural contribution of outdoor sector/issues arising
Report on action/research/influence project undertaken

Master's:
Preparation papers on research methods, dissertation proposal etc

Dissertation

Students will need to:

• use a wide range of sources
• show how the theories relate to their own experience
• explore specific personal learnings
• show clear construction leading the tutor through the assignment, including conclusion which draws the assignment together.
• critique the theory and start to develop their own theory.

Entry requirements

Standard master's degree entry requirements are:

• a degree from a UK or other University

• a foundation degree or professional accreditation together with a suitable portfolio of technical qualifications and work experience
• a graduate apprenticeship plus work experience
• appropriate relevant experience in a post of management or professional responsibility.

IN ADDITION - We welcome applications from students without a first degree;  you will need to present a portfolio of Accredited Prior Learning and Experience in order to be accepted on to the programme. If this applies to you, please contact the programme leader, Prof Barbara Humberstone if you want to find out more.

Fees for 2010-11

MA part-time year one - £2,625
MA part-time year two - £2,625
PGDip part-time year one - £1,750
PGDip part-time year two - £1,750
PGCert part-time year one - £1,750

Further information

For further information, please contact Professor Barbara Humberstone, via email barbara.humberstone@bucks.ac.uk  on 0800 0565 660 or email on advice line on advice@bucks.ac.uk.

How to apply:
All applications should be made directly to the University. Click here for a direct application form.