Master of Arts in Youth and Community Development
Introduction
The Namibian youth development industry is expanding and is receiving priority support from the government and international entities. However, Namibia faces a number of youth development challenges, and such challenges require interventions of qualified and skilled youth development personnel. The demand for qualified personnel is particularly high in the government sectors (Ministries and Departments of Gender, Youth, Health, etc.), community-based organisations (Churches, NGOs, CBOs, etc.). The programme will aid most government and non-governmental projects in new areas, while building and strengthening the assets of young people, and emphasising the strengths, abilities and potential of youth. Hence, the NAMCOL is introducing a specialised qualification at Master programme pitched at NQF level 9 to contribute to increased educational attainment at the stated level.
This programme aims to develop qualified Youth and Community workers who can demonstrate skills for employment and future learning and have attributes valued by employers within the specific youth and community work workforce and wider related settings; this includes the ability to undertake primary research and evaluation into areas of professional practice, using a wide range of approaches and evidence
Objectives and Target Groups
The overall objective of the programme is therefore to develop qualified workers who can demonstrate skills for employment and future learning and, have attributes valued by employers within the specific youth and community work workforce and wider related settings; this includes the ability to undertake primary research and evaluation into areas of professional practice, using a wide range of approaches and evidence.
Therefore, the programme is designed to:
• equip students with a sophisticated understanding of the place of social sciences in the professional and applied contexts of youth and community development practices;
• develop questioning, creative intellectuals with competencies to assess and evaluate evolving models of practice and synergies in youth and community work;
• produce youth and community workers with employable knowledge, skills, and values that reflect best and innovative practices in complex situations;
• produce experts capable of promoting youth and community development and advance monitoring and evaluation research in the area; and
• build professional capacity particularly for the Namibian economy, since there are limited qualified professionals in the field of youth and community development in the country.
Course open for
The Master programme is an opportunity for graduates of the Bachelor of Arts in Youth and Community Development. Prospective students who wish to work or working youth and communities in Namibia and Africa and have attained qualification at NQF level 7 can enroll for this qualification.
STUDY MODE
Distance
COURSE CODE
(MA:YCD)
DURATION
Two Years
CONTACT DETAILS
BANKING DETAILS
Bank Windhoek
Katutura Branch
Acc:1141143121
Cheque Account
Reference: Student number
Admission Requirements
• A candidate must have a Bachelor of Arts in Youth and Community Development qualification or an equivalent qualification from NAMCOL in a related field or any other recognised institution of higher learning.
PLEASE NOTE:
• All applications will be reviewed and shortlisted by NAMCOL Admission Committee;
• Prospective students may be interviewed by NAMCOL Admission Committee should be deemed necessary (e.g. proficiency in English test);
• Applicants should note that submission of an application does not necessarily ensure admission.
How the programme is deliverd
The programme is offered via self-directed learning mode with interactive online facilitations. This means the programme will be offered through course work, discussion group/seminars and thesis. NAMCOL has a Moodle Platform which
has the following components:
• developing platform for content development and online assessment;
• facilitation i.e. allows for live discussions, announcements and forums set-up;
• easy integration with other meeting platforms e.g. Zoom, Meet-me etc.;
• data analytic tool e.g. student readiness to partake in the programme (presurvey) and, post-survey; and
• tool to avoid plagiarism, etc.
Students will have a minimum of 20 hours to interact with the facilitators per module during the duration of the programme. He/she will further have a minimum of 160 contact hours with the research supervisor. Online workshops are compulsory. This will translate into the following approximately equivalent contact hours and, are used in the calculation of module credits:
• 300 hours are given per module;
• 600 hours for research communications, writing and presentation; and
• 4 hours to attend two compulsory workshops online
Modules
| Module | Code |
|---|---|
| Year 1 Semester 1 | |
| 1. Critical Perspective in Youth Work and Community Development | |
| 2. Promoting Inclusive Practice | |
| 3. Personal and Professional DevelopmentEducators I | |
| 4. Contemporary Approaches to Management, Leadership and Enterprise | |
| Year 1 Semester 2 | |
| 5. Monitoring and Evaluation Social: Research Practices | |
| 6. Principles of Designing, Planning and Implementing Youth and Community Development Project/Programme | |
| 7. Fundamentals of Monitoring and Evaluation: Substantive Placement | |
| Year 2 | |
| 8. Thesis |
Shane Fisher
CEO & Founder
Kristin Lane
Art Director
Philip Howard
Lead Developer
Stella Flores
Marketing
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Web Designer