Diploma in Drug and Alcohol Studies
| From | To | UK Fee * | International Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| 01 Sep 2012 | 31 Aug 2013 | £667 per 20 credits | £POA |
* Exceptions may apply. Please see Fees and Finance for further information.
Introduction
Funding for this course is available from the Students Loan Company, for more information and advice on applying please contact The University of Sunderland's Student Financial Advice team they can be contacted on 0191 515 2933 or email studentfinancialadvice@sunderland.ac.uk
This programme has been directly mapped to the relevant Drug and Alcohol National Occupational Standards (DANOS). If you would like more information as to which standards the course has been mapped to please contact the Programme Leader (see details below).
In order to ensure that applications are processed in time for the start of the course in September applications need to be in by 1st September 2012. If you anticipate difficulties with this you are strongly encouraged to contact the Programme Leader.
The Diploma in Drug and Alcohol Studies lasts one year and runs part-time. As such it involves being in the University for half a day per week between September and May and spending 60 hours in a placement area. The course is aimed at those with an interest in drug and alcohol studies even if they have no employment or volunteering experience within the field; in fact the placement is often an ideal opportunity for those with no working experience in the substance misuse speciality to gain this in a practice placement related to drugs or alcohol.
The Diploma would also be of use to those who have some experience within the speciality (or related services such as hostel support workers, mental health support workers, and criminal justice agencies) and wish to build upon their current knowledge and experience.
Mature students are particularly encouraged to apply for the course, and lack of formal or traditional qualifications should not be an obstacle to applying.
For students where it has been a long time since they did any formal study or they have little experience or knowledge of substance misuse typically the Diploma would be most suitable for them and the teaching team are experienced in offering support to students returning to learning.
The Diploma provides an introduction and overview to drug and alcohol use and misuse and aims to enable students to understand the links between substance use/misuse and societies, appreciate the varied effects that substances have both for the individual and communities as well as begin able to understand the principles of research and evidence as it relates to drugs and alcohol.
Students will study three modules: The Basis of Substance Use and Misuse; Health Research Methods and undertake a practice placement within a local organisation.
Course Content
- The Basis of Problematic Substance Use HSS245
The module will cover the historic and contemporary use and misuse of substances by young people and adults. It draws upon the national and international literature, policy and legislation in order to give a wide reaching description of the effects and impact that problem drug and alcohol use can have both for the individual, communities and societies at large and is designed to provide students with a comprehensive basis from which to understand substance use and misuse.
The nature, severity and ramifications of drug and alcohol use can vary markedly but frequently there are physical, psychological, pharmacological, ethical, legal, economic and social factors that need to be considered when forming an understanding of drug and alcohol use.
The module will not only focus on high profile and illegal drugs but will explore the use and misuse of drugs such as tobacco and alcohol; which whilst in many countries are not illegal, still have restrictions applied to their sale, use and availability. The module will also explore the impact of misused "over the counter" as well as prescription only drugs.
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Practical Placement HSS316 (cross the year)
An opportunity for you to relate the theoretical parts of the course to a supervised practice placement where you can gain some experience of working with people who are experiencing or have experienced a drug or alcohol problem.
A current Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) check will be required before you can commence the placement; our experience of working with students who have an offending history is that this should not normally prevent them from undertaking a suitable placement.
- Research Methods
The research methods module enables you to make the academic links between substance misuse to the principles of research, and understand how the evidence relating to drug and alcohol use and misuse is generated and can be critically discussed.
We can support you to find a placement but we would urge prospective students to give some thought to this before they commence the course.
Entry Requirements
Recruitment onto the course is designed to be flexible and where possible uses previous experience as well as prior learning to enable students to access the course they are most interested in and would meet their needs.
Whilst there are no formal entry requirements for the course evidence of the ability to study at the required level is necessary. Applications are accepted from mature students who do not have traditional qualifications as well as those currently employed (or volunteering within health/social care).
Applications are particularly welcomed from students who have a wide range of experiences that can be applied to the course, for example having overcome a drug or alcohol problem themselves or are considering a change of career to health or social care.
Support for students with disabilities
The University of Sunderland is fully committed to principles of Equality and Diversity. We welcome applications from potential students who have or may have a disability and are eager to ensure that all reasonable adjustments and support can be put in place where appropriate.
When you apply for a course at Sunderland you will have the opportunity to disclose that you have a disability, specific learning difficulty or a medical condition. You are not obliged to provide us with this information. However, if you do not, it may mean that we are unable to provide you with the level of support and assistance that you require.
For courses and programmes where no application form is required we recommend that you contact the appropriate Faculty and department to discuss your needs as soon as possible before the start of the course. This will enable the University to work with you to identify any disability-related support needs and to make sure you receive timely advice and guidance about how your needs may be met.
We advise all applicants to make themselves familiar with the demands of a programme, including requirements for field trips, placements, years abroad and teaching, learning and assessment methods.
Fees and Finance
The fees for this course are as specified in the table at the top of the page.
Teaching and Assessment
The two taught modules (the Basis of Problematic Substance Misuse and Research Methods) are taught by a combination of lectures delivered by University of Sunderland staff including those with a specialist interest in Substance Misuse, along side visiting speakers. Smaller group tutorials/seminars will also be provided.
The e-learning platform, Sunspace, will also be used and the course materials and other resources will be accessible through this for the duration of the course.
The modules are assessed by written course work and a portfolio of evidence to support the placement.
Career Opportunities
Career opportunities within health and social care and the criminal justice system are diverse.
Whilst the Diploma is not a designated entry qualification to a profession (as a Nursing or Social Work qualification would be) drug and alcohol support workers, community health workers, and those working with related groups, such as young people or offenders in both statutory and non statutory services would be in a position to develop their career further with a University of Sunderland accredited course.