POSTGRADUATE PROGRAMME SPECIFICATION Programme Title:

MSc (Applied) Sport and Exercise Psychology

Awarding Body:

Staffordshire University

Teaching Institution:

Staffordshire University

Final Awards: MSc in in Sport and Exercise Psychology or Applied Sport and Exercise Psychology (depending on the award chosen)

Intermediate Awards: PgC in Sport and Exercise Psychology or Applied Sport and Exercise Psychology (depending on the award chosen) PgD in in Sport and Exercise Psychology or Applied Sport and Exercise Psychology (depending on the award chosen)

Mode of Study 1 year full-time or 2 year part-time distance learning

UCAS Codes: QAA Subject Benchmarks: Hospitality, Leisure, Sport and Tourism JACS Code: C600 Sport and Exercise Science Professional/Statutory Body: British Psychological Society (Division of Sport and Exercise Psychology; DSEP) Accreditation is only applicable to the MSc Sport and Exercise Psychology Course

Entry year:

2017/18

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EDUCATIONAL AIMS OF THE PROGRAMME Programme Aims The aim of the two awards is to provide students with a critical understanding of current issues relating to the theory and practice of sport and exercise psychology. The awards provide a sufficient grounding for those individuals seeking to develop a career as a sport and exercise psychology professional. The MSc in Sport and Exercise Psychology is aimed at those individuals who possess Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC) with the British Psychological Society (BPS). The award is currently accredited by the BPS and provides the first stage (Stage 1) in a training process towards becoming a Chartered Psychologist and Registered Sport and Exercise Psychologist with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). The second stage (Stage 2) is a supervised practice element of 2 years duration. Thus, successful completion of the MSc provides the academic knowledge required to begin a training process to become a BPS Chartered and HCPC Registered Sport and Exercise Psychologist. The award can also provide the required post-graduate qualification for an individual seeking to engage in the accreditation process with the British Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences (BASES) that can also support a career in sport and exercise psychology. The MSc in Applied Sport and Exercise Psychology is aimed at individuals who come from a sport science (or related) background and wish to study applied sport and exercise psychology at Masters Level. The MSc in Applied Sport and Exercise Psychology can provide the required post-graduate qualification for an individual seeking to engage in the accreditation process with the British Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences (BASES) and to gain Chartered Scientist status that can support a career in sport and exercise psychology. Both awards are available in full-time and part-time study modes and follow an identical curriculum consisting of 6 inter-related (2*15 credit + 3*30 credit + 1*60 credit) modules. That two awards have an identical curriculum is not unusual and is common in this discipline at other Universities (e.g., Loughborough University, Leeds Metropolitan University, University of Portsmouth). The distinct awards reflect the different entry requirements demanded by a professional organisation (in this case the BPS) and the potential for different career opportunities depending on previous learning. In short, the use of different award titles distinguishes those eligible to pursue Chartered Psychologist Status with the BPS.

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What is Distinctive about these Awards? The modules are delivered in a distance-learning format through a Virtual Learning Environment (Blackboard). This delivery format has been and continues to be attractive to those individuals with one, or more, of the following circumstances: in full time employment, those who cannot or are not able to obtain day release, those who do not have an accessible locally based university offering this subject area, those who need to study in a more flexible format than that offered by traditional delivery methods. To date, the distance learning form of delivery is not offered by any other United Kingdom (UK) institution involved in Masters level Sport and Exercise Psychology. The course has been running successfully since 2006 with student achievement and enrolment increasing year on year. To illustrate in 2013 33 students were enrolled across both awards. The staff team have expertise in delivering effective distance learning courses along with international recognition of being field leaders in contemporary research and practice. For example, the team engage in cutting edge research on emotional regulation, the impact of challenge and threat states on performance, single-case research methods, and social identity theory. Further, the team has a vast amount of applied practice experience across sport, business, and dance domains. Presently, the team engage in psychological support work with Nottinghamshire County Cricket Club, England Futsal, Stoke City Football Club, English Ballet, GB Rowing, and Sony Mobile. Specifically, the aims of the awards are to: 1. Support those of you working towards Chartered and Registered Sport and Exercise Psychologist status with the BPS and HCPC (MSc in Sport and Exercise Psychology only). 2. Support those of you working towards accredited status with BASES 3. Develop knowledge along with key practical and analytical skills to maintain and enhance employability. 4. Offer a stimulating learning environment whilst supporting you in your development as an independent and reflective learner. 5. Provide you with experiences designed to enhance critical analysis with respect to current literature, theory and practice in sport and exercise psychology. 6. Provide you with a sound basis for progression to further study or employment in the field of sport and exercise psychology.

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PROGRAMME OUTCOMES At the end of a PgC in Sport and Exercise Psychology or Applied Sport and Exercise Psychology (depending on the award chosen) you will have: 1. Gained a critical understanding of current issues relating to theory and research in sport and exercise psychology. [SU: Knowledge & Understanding, Learning, Analysis, Communication, Enquiry, Problem Solving] At the end of a PgD in Sport and Exercise Psychology or Applied Sport and Exercise Psychology (depending on the award chosen) you will in addition have: 2. A critical appreciation of interventions used by sport and exercise psychologists. [SU: Knowledge & Understanding, Application] 3. The ability to plan and outline how appropriate sport and exercise psychology interventions should be delivered. [SU: Knowledge & Understanding, Application, Problem Solving, Communication, Reflection] 4. A critical appreciation of Data analysis procedures and be able to choose, conduct and interpret the appropriate statistical and/or qualitative analysis for a data set. [SU: Knowledge & Understanding, Learning, Analysis, Enquiry, Application, Problem Solving]. At the end of an MSc in Sport and Exercise Psychology or Applied Sport and Exercise Psychology (depending on the award chosen) you will in addition have: 5. Sufficient grounding and knowledge of the discipline to develop a career as a sport and exercise psychology professional. [SU: Knowledge & Understanding, Application, Reflection]. 6. A critical appreciation of selected research methodologies and developed critical skills of enquiry and research skills necessary to collect, synthesise, interpret and present research evidence in sport and exercise psychology [SU: Knowledge & Understanding, Learning, Enquiry, Analysis, Problem Solving, Communication, Application, Reflection].

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PROGRAMME STRUCTURE, MODULES AND CREDITS Attendance will be required at four separate stages during the award. These will include: Induction workshop (start of course) 'Professional Skills' workshop (After 60 credits) 'Dissertation Preparation’ workshop (After 120 credits) Dissertation presentation and oral defence If a student is unable to attend a required workshop then alternative arrangements can be made that enable the student to continue on the course. For example, the work can be provided electronically and a meeting arranged with the award tutor at a convenient time. However, students must make every effort possible to attend the scheduled sessions and only under exceptional circumstances (e.g., travel from overseas is problematic) will alternative arrangements be made at the award leader’s discretion. Structure of MSc in Sport and Exercise Psychology/Applied Sport and Exercise Psychology Completion of any 60 taught credits will lead to the PgC. in Sport and Exercise Psychology or Applied Sport and Exercise Psychology (depending on the award chosen). Subsequent successful completion of the remaining 60 taught credits will lead to the PgD. in Sport and Exercise Psychology or Applied Sport and Exercise Psychology (depending on the award chosen). Finally, successful completion of the 60-credit Dissertation module will lead to the MSc in Sport and Exercise Psychology or MSc in Applied Sport and Exercise Psychology (depending on the award chosen). BPS accreditation is only applicable to the MSc in Sport and Exercise Psychology. In-line with University regulations students can only undertake the 60-credit Dissertation module after 120 taught credits have been studied. The structure of the awards is shown below in Table 1:

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Table 1. Award Structure for MSc (Applied) Sport and Exercise Psychology PART TIME ROUTE (Year 1) 8-week period

12-week period (Xmas 2 Weeks)

Physical Activity and Mental Health (15 credits)

Advanced Research Methods and Data Analysis (30 Credits)

Group Dynamics and Leadership in Sport and Exercise (15 credits)

Module 2

Module 1

12-week period (Easter 1 Week)

8-week period

The Practice of Sport and Exercise Psychology (30 Credits) Module 4

Module 3

PART TIME ROUTE (Year 2) 42-week period

12-week period Skilled Performance Under Pressure

Masters Research Project/Dissertation (60 Credits) Module 6

(30 Credits) Module 5

8-week period Physical Activity and Mental Health (15 credits) Module 1

1 Year FULL TIME Route 12-week period 8-week period (Xmas 2 Weeks) Advanced Research Methods and Data Analysis (30 Credits) Module 3

Group Dynamics and Leadership in Sport and Exercise (15 credits) Module 5

12-week period

12-week period

Skilled Performance Under Pressure

The Practice of Sport and Exercise Psychology (30 Credits) (Repeat Delivery Module) Module 4

(30 Credits) Module 2

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4 week break

24-week period (Easter 1 Week) Masters Research Project/Dissertation (60 Credits) (Repeat Delivery Module) Module 6

HOW WILL I BE TAUGHT AND ASSESSED? Teaching, Learning and Assessment Strategies The awards are delivered in a either full-time or part-time distance learning format through a Virtual Learning Environment (Blackboard). Each module will have an identified number of Activities to complete, with each activity having a set of learning ‘Tasks’ associated with it. The format of these Tasks will depend on the nature of the learning outcomes associated with a given module. The Tasks may have formative or summative assessment within them. The award will adopt the university weighting of 10 learning hours per credit, so each 15 credit module equates to 150 learning hours, each 30 credit module equates to 30 learning hours and so on. For each module guidance is provided for both core and optional (e.g., further reading) activities, along with time set aside for assignment preparation. The 15-credit modules will follow an 8-week guided study programme and typically include 4 hours of scheduled learning and teaching time. It is anticipated that core tasks will typically amount to approximately six hours of engagement per week, representing a total of 48 activity engagement hours for the module. The number of independent study hours is 98, representing a combination of further and additional reading and a series of optional tasks (46 hours) and specific preparation for the module assignments (52 hours). The 30-credit modules will follow a 12-week guided study programme and typically include 4 hours of scheduled learning and teaching time. It is anticipated that core tasks will typically amount to an average of eight hours engagement per week, representing a total of 96 activity engagement hours for the module. The number of independent study hours is 200, representing a combination of further and additional reading and a series of optional tasks (96 hours) and specific preparation for the module assignments (104 hours). Each module has both a Module Leader and Support Tutor (an academic member of staff) to guarantee the smooth delivery of modules in the event of staff illness or unavailability. Furthermore, we will utilise a range of opportunities offered by online learning and create an online learning experience that will incorporate several of the following: Active links to online resource materials with accompanying tasks Use of multimedia (primarily video & audio; voicethread presentations, Skype tutorials) Use of selected Web 2.0 applications

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Use of online asynchronous discussion formats Online collaborative group work Modules will typically adopt an active learning approach, with small sections comprising of content and learning activity usually involving some form of interaction (student-student, student-lecturer) and dialogue at both theory and practical levels. In the award we will adopt the framework of good practice outlined by Chickering and Ehrmann (1996) to foster an online learning experience that: 1. Encourages contact between students and lecturers by 

Adopting DL approaches determined by the learning outcomes of a given module.



Emphasising the role of learning tasks that students carry out in order to acquire and develop knowledge and that require interaction between fellow students learners.

2. Develop co-operation between students by 

Setting clear ground rules for proactive feedback.



Ensuring key principles relating to discussion related interactions are clear.



Respect for diversity and cultural differences.

3. Encourage active learning by 

Ensuring that a key focus on ALL modules is a set of identified core learning tasks requiring engagement with content and with fellow students and module staff.

4. Give prompt feedback by 

Use of VLE e-mail facility, Announcement and Discussion board.



Ensuring access to a range of Help facilities both online and offline

5. Emphasise time on task by 

Outlining appropriate timings for completion of tasks set

6. Communicate high expectation by 

Attempting to incorporate applied real life problems and tasks into modules

that challenge students to evaluate and analyse information sources provided. 7. Respect diverse talents and ways of learning by

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

Utilising a range of learning styles across modules.



Ensuring compliance with the Equality Act 2010.

Each module will contribute to the overall final grade for an Award. A range of coursework formats will be offered including essays, an applied session, case studies, and presentations. Each module will supply guidelines both within the Module Handbook and within support documentation in the Assessment area of Blackboard and students will be offered the opportunity to seek clarification on assessment issues via electronic means. A balanced range of formative and summative assessment will examine achievement and progress in line with the learning outcomes of the award (see Table 2). The assessment workload has been devised to ensure that the distribution across the award is (a) appropriate, (b) equitable and (c) balanced. We have adopted a “bandwidth” approach to the wordage limit associated with assessment loading, with minimum and maximum levels. This facilitates a degree of flexibility down to the modular level so that different assessment formats are not tied to a single figure in terms of word limits, but have a small tolerance level within which they can operate depending on the exact nature of the assessment. Formative assessment, which does not count toward final grading, is an important part of undertaking a distance-learning course. Information in the weekly activities often will direct learners to undertake tasks that are not assessed. This is a part of the active learning approach that is central to acquiring the learning outcomes at both modular and award level. A range of formative assessment opportunities will be available to students from a self-directed question/answer format through to submitted work (individually or group based) that receives comment/evaluation from tutors.

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Table 2: Assessment for Modules contributing to the (Applied) Sport and Exercise Psychology Award

Core Module Title Physical Activity and Mental Health (15 credits) Advanced Research Methods and Data Analysis (30 credits) Group Dynamics and Leadership in Sport and Exercise (15 credits) The Practice of Sport and Exercise Psychology (30 credits) Skilled Performance Under Pressure (30 credits)

Assessment Details A 1200 word essay (40%) A 1800 word proposal (60%) Analysis of Quantitative Data Set (50%) – equivalent to 2,500 words Analysis of Qualitative Data Set (50%) – equivalent to 2,500 words A 2000 word essay (50%) A 20-minute presentation (50%) One case study (2000 words) A 40 minute video/DVD of an initial session with a client (individual or group) A 2000 word reflection on the session A 3000 word Essay (70%) A 10-minute voicethread presentation (30%) 2000 word research proposal (10%)

Masters Research Project/Dissertation (60 credits)

Dissertation in the format for submission to peer-reviewed journal (70%) 20 minutes presentation and 20 minute Oral Defence (20%)

Resources Blackboard will contain the module content and provide a base from which to access web-based learning resources. Blackboard also provides facilities for submitting work on-line and interacting with other students in learner groups. Students are also able to access a wide range of electronic journals. Information on how to access these will be given during the first workshop or via print documents within Blackboard. All students will receive a library distance learning pack which outlines (with context specific examples) how to use the key electronic databases available and processes for accessing additional e-resources. Examples of relevant on-line full text journals include the American Psychological Association’s entire portfolio from

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1987 onwards. Sport specific journals include the Journal of Sports Sciences, Journal of Applied Sport Psychology, Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology, Psychology of Sport and Exercise, The Sport Psychologist, Sport Psychology in Action, and Sport, Exercise and Performance Psychology. In addition, the university has an e-book library, containing over 15,000 books covering all subject areas. For each module students will engage in both formative and summative assessments. The workload across each module will be in line with Health Sciences guidelines for Masters level work. A range of assessments will be used including, an oral examination, a portfolio, an essay and case studies. Because of the distance learning nature of the award there is a greater emphasis on coursework than on examinations.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION Criteria for Admission to the Programme(s) Applicants for the MSc in Sport and Exercise Psychology would normally have graduated from psychology related degrees (minimum 2ii classification) and must possess Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC) with the BPS. Applicants for the MSc in Applied Sport and Exercise Psychology will normally have a degree in sport science, or related subject (normally 2ii classification). In addition, applicants with alternative backgrounds (but educated to degree level) will also be considered if they are able to demonstrate the potential to work at Masters level and have experiences relevant to a course covering the discipline of Applied Sport and Exercise Psychology. If applicants language is not English, then they will need to demonstrate: a minimum score of 6.0 in IELTS (International English Language Testing System) as administered by the British Council in most countries OR, a minimum score of 550 in TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) or 213 in the computer-based test. [TOEFL results must include a minimum score of 4.5 for the TWE (Test of Written English)] OR, Cambridge Proficiency Grade C

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Disability Statement Staffordshire University operates a policy of inclusive teaching and learning to ensure that all students have an equal opportunity to fulfil their educational potential. Details about how to apply to have your needs assessed can be found at: http://www.staffs.ac.uk/study_here/disabled_students/index.jsp

AWARD SPECIFIC INFORMATION For the ‘Advanced Research Methods and Data Analysis’ module and Masters Research Project modules no compensation is allowed and you have to pass all the elements of this module. Further information about the award can be found in the relevant Student Handbook and on the University Website. This includes information about optional modules, student support, and academic regulations. ====================================

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ADDENDUM FOR DELIVERY AT A PARTNER INSTITUTION This section should record any matters within the programme specification which do not apply to the delivery at the partner. It should also note any differences in delivery, course content, module choice etc.

Name and location of partner Partnership Context

E.G., The awards listed below are part of a franchise arrangement with Staffordshire University.

Awards to be offered at partner Aims / Learning Outcomes Curricula Teaching and Learning Assessment Admissions Criteria Specific Regulations Date of completion

All of the above sections should be completed as appropriate for each partner organisation.

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