Explore our Career Development and Coaching Studies taught Master's degree.

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P-L561

MA

1 year full-time;
24-48 months part-time

October

Centre for Lifelong Learning

University of Warwick

Join Warwick's Career Development and Coaching Studies MA and boost your skills in supporting the career development of others. Warwick's Centre for Lifelong Learning will provide you with a thorough grounding in the skills and knowledge required for your career.

This MA provides a thorough grounding in the skills and knowledge required to support the career development of others in a range of contexts. We will enable you to make a distinctive contribution to the field of career development and coaching studies through taught modules and independent research. The MA is approved by the Career Development Institute (CDI)Link opens in a new window as meeting the qualification requirement for the UK Register of Career Development Professionals.Link opens in a new window

Course structure:

The full-time MA is available to UK (home) students and to international students requiring a Tier 4 visa.

The part-time MA might be more suitable for students with additional commitments (e.g. work or family). Part-time study can be completed in two ways.

• The 2-year MA route offers a structured route to part-time study.
• The 4-year flexible route allows students to start with a PG Certificate or PG Diploma programme and then move on to the MA course, completing all elements within four years, depending on how quickly you wish to move through the MA.

The part-time MA is not suitable for international students requiring a Tier 4 visa.

The core and optional modules are taught through a blend of workshops and virtual learning. Each module typically consists of in-person workshops combined with independent learning using on-line study materials, links to key readings, and online webinars. For the dissertation, you will be allocated a dissertation supervisor to support your work. Group workshops and supervision are provided to assist you with undertaking an initial literature review, constructing research questions, and designing a methodology. There is considerable experience available within the course team and most topics connected with career development and coaching can be pursued.

Vary between 10-40 students dependent on the module.

For full-time students, you will have weekly sessions in each term. Modules in term one will have one weekly session each; the delivery of modules in terms two and three will vary from one, or twice weekly sessions, so that some modules will have two, two-hour sessions over five weeks, or one, two hour session over ten weeks. Your timetable will clarify the precise details once you are enrolled on your modules.

For part-time students, your pattern will reflect a more blended approach. Each module typically consists of 2 days of intensive, attendance-based workshops combined with some independent learning using on-line study materials, links to key readings, online webinars and tutorial support.

Modules are assessed through a combination of assignments (5,000 word projects) and case studies. Dissertation A (60 credits) consists of a 15,000 word dissertation (100%). Dissertation B (100 credits) consists of a more in-depth 25,000 word dissertation (100%). Typically, the dissertation is focused on a topic of your choice and includes an initial literature review, research questions, methodology and findings and discussion.

Your timetable

Your personalised timetable will be complete when you are registered for all modules, compulsory and optional, and you have been allocated to your lectures, seminars and other small group classes. Your compulsory modules will be registered for you and you will be able to choose your optional modules when you join us.

2:2 in any discipline.

Or

Level 7 Postgraduate Award from the Centre for Lifelong Learning

Or

Significant professional experience/current employment in a relevant field of work + level 4-6 cognate qualification in a related field + related academic/employer reference.

This course is designed for applicants from a wide range of backgrounds, including individuals who are currently involved in career development and coaching support, and individuals who wish to work in these areas. If you have alternative qualifications and relevant experience, you are welcome to discuss these with the course team. You must be able to produce written work of a good standard.

• Band B
• Overall IELTS (Academic, UKVI or Online) score of 7.0 and minimum component scores of two at 6.0/6.5 and the rest at 7.0 or above.

Find out if you are exempt from this entry requirement.

To access a 6 or 10 week pre-sessional English language training course at Warwick University you must meet specific entry requirements beyond those normally expected for a Band B condition in order to attend, including equivalent to an IELTs level 7.0 in listening and speaking. You would be expected to complete the course with no less than a 7.0 in listening and speaking and a 6.0 in reading and writing.

There are no additional entry requirements for this course.

Career Development Theories

This module aims to develop systematic knowledge and comprehensive understanding of classic and contemporary career development theories from a range of discipline areas. It also aims at enhancing confident and creative theoretically-informed practice in relation to a range of relevant roles.

Career Coaching

This module enables participants to develop understanding and skills in career coaching, and their use in facilitating career development learning. In addition, it aims to develop an ability to use career development theories skilfully and creatively in managing career coaching conversations. Students also integrate this understanding with their ongoing reflective practice of career coaching in a variety of contexts.

Research in Professional Practice

This module aims to develop understanding of the research process and its relevance to professional practice. This includes identifying research questions and appropriate research strategies and gathering and analysing sources using a variety of methods. It will enable you to carry out research into an aspect of career development or coaching practice of interest and relevance to you. For those of you who are working in the career development area, you may identify a topic for research that arises out of your practice.

Optional modules

There are two possible routes:

• Route A: choose 3 optional modules and a 60-credit dissertation.
• Route B: choose 1 optional module and a 100-credit dissertation.

Previously, a selection of the following options typically offered:

• Career-related Learning
• Labour Market Information and Employment
• Careers in Organisations
• Career, Vocation and Calling

There are two possible routes: 

• Route A: choose 3 optional modules and a 60-credit dissertation. 

• Route B: choose 1 optional module and a 100-credit dissertation. 

Previously, a selection of the following options have been offered: 

• Career-related Learning 
• Organisations and Labour Markets 
• Career, Work Experience and Employability 

• Career, Vocation and Calling