Master of Science in Addressing Divergent Behaviours

Master of Science in Addressing Adolescents with Divergent Behaviours

MQF Level: 7

ECTS Value: 90 ECTS

Start Date: September

Duration: 3 Years (Part-time)

Programme Description

This postgraduate programme offers a comprehensive and multidisciplinary approach to understanding and addressing the complex challenges associated with adolescents displaying divergent behaviour. This programme provides an in-depth exploration of various facets crucial to effectively engage, support, and rehabilitate adolescents exhibiting such behaviour. Through a multidisciplinary approach, the programme emphasizes the development of practical strategies for prevention, intervention, advocacy, and support for this vulnerable population within various settings, including schools, community organizations, and juvenile justice systems. It aims to equip practitioners working with Adolescents with Divergent Behaviour such as educators, social workers, youth workers, and other similar professionals with advanced skills to address the unique challenges posed by adolescents exhibiting divergent behaviour.

Entry Requirements

Applicants are required to be in possession of the following:

A Bachelor degree (MQF Level 6 with a minimum 180 ECTS) or higher in education, social work, youth work, probationary studies, psychology, criminology, sociology, social studies or a cognate area deemed relevant by the Institute for Education.

Course Outline

First Year Compulsory

Code	Description	Credits
MDIV100	The Prisonisation Culture	5 ECTS
MDIV101	Mental Health and Wellbeing of Adolescents with Divergent Behaviour	5 ECTS
MDIV102	Engaging Adolescents with Divergent Behaviours	5 ECTS
MDIV103	The Practitioner’s Wellbeing in Working with Divergent Behaviours	3 ECTS
MDIV104	Challenges when Working with Adolescents having Divergent Behaviour	5 ECTS
MDIV105	Fieldwork: Working with Young People Demonstrating Divergent Behaviour I	7 ECTS

Second Year Compulsory

Code	Description	Credits
MDIV206	Research Strategies and Methodology	5 ECTS
MDIV207	Therapeutic Interventions through Creative Arts	4ECTS
MDIV208	Criminology and Young People who Offend	5 ECTS
MDIV209	Educating and Helping Challenging Youth with SRGE-related Issues	3 ECTS
MDIV210	Preventing Radicalisation and Violent Extremism	3 ECTS
MDIV211	Young Offenders' Rights and the Law	3 ECTS
MDIV212	Fieldwork: Working with Young People Demonstrating Divergent Behaviour II	7 ECTS

Third Year Compulsory

Code	Description	Credits
MDIV313	Addictions	5 ECTS
MDIV314	Adolescents with Divergent Behaviour and the Community	5 ECTS
MDIV315	Research Component	2 0 ECTS

N.B. Please note that while the above provides an indication of the overall programme structure, the years in which modules are delivered may change or be replaced as part of the Institute for Education’s administrative processes.

Overall Objectives and Outcomes

Communicate effectually with adolescent who exhibit divergent behaviour.
Effectively identify issues pertaining to at-risk adolescents.
develop the skills to identify signs of neurodiversity in adolescent exhibiting divergent behaviour,
create inclusive environments that support the needs of neurodiverse adolescents.
Acquire conflict resolution and mediation skills to de-escalate tense situations.
Initiate and manage project based-learning models and hands-on creative activities to engage and empower adolescents with divergent behaviour.
Develop crisis intervention skills to address issues that may arise when engaging with adolescents exhibiting divergent behaviour.
Enhance active listening skills to better understand the needs and concerns of adolescents.
Identify and coordinate available services for adolescents who exhibit divergent behaviour.
Cultivate group facilitation skills for delivering interventions to adolescents.
Express how the understanding of several SRE-related issues can help practitioners become more empathic with the issues and concerns that adolescents encounter in their various psycho-sexual developmental stages,
Deal with extremism and radicalisation issues;
Critique and utilise the appropriate techniques and methodologies when researching issues related to Adolescents with Divergent behaviour.

Mode of Delivery

This programme adopts a blended approach to teaching and learning, 60% will be delivered online and 40% face-to-face. The online approach may be either synchronous and asynchronous sessions. Information related to the structure and delivery of the module may be accessed through the specific programme outline available above. For further details, kindly refer to the Teaching, Learning and Assessment Policy and Procedures.

Assessment Methods

This programme adopts continuous and summative methods of assessment including assignments, online tasks, portfolios, reflective journals, projects and presentations. Participants will also have two (2) field placements in first and second year respectively. For further details regarding assessment policies, procedures and grading systems, kindly refer to the Teaching, Learning and Assessment Policy and Procedures .

Certification

Upon successful completion of this programme, course participants will be conferred a Master of Science in Addressing Adolescents with Divergent Behaviour accredited and recognised by the Malta Further and Higher Education Authority.

Participants are also offered the opportunity to exit the programme with a Postgraduate Certificate or Postgraduate Diploma in Addressing Adolescents with Divergent Behaviour following successful completion of the required ECTS credits.

Further Career and Learning Opportunities

This course prepares participants to work within educational settings, organisations or within the juvenile justice system with a focus engaging and working with youths exhibiting divergent behaviour. It may also provide access to further studies at MQF Level 8.

Applications

Applications for the Master of Science Addressing Adolescents with Divergent Beheaviour programme open mid-May of each year with programmes commencing the following September.

When open, interested applicants may apply through the Institute for Education’s online portal: https://ife.portal.gov.mt/programme/apply

Non-EU/EEA course participants who intend to move to Malta for study reasons, for the duration of the programme, require an authorisation from Identity Malta in order to be able to study locally.

For any queries related to the Admissions process kindly contact [email protected]