Advanced Healthcare Practice MSc

Course details

The MSc is designed to enhance graduates' critical thinking and develop evidence based practitioners as future leaders of effective services. Graduates will obtain an in-depth knowledge of an area of Health Sciences to apply to their professional practice. From this MSc, graduates will be able to describe and appreciate the strengths and weaknesses of the current range of theory and research. They will reflect critically on their own and others' learning styles and practice. Students can register on a fulltime or part-time basis. Students must complete 6 taught modules, to include two core modules and four elective modules from the modules available, with a research thesis. The full-time option is completed over three academic semesters. In the flexible part-time option, students register for one, two or three modules per semester, with maximum period of registration being three years. Offering the programme in this way addresses the educational, professional, clinical and financial demands of the student, the employer and clinical service.

At the end of the programme, graduates will have met the following programme learning outcomes:

• Knowledge- Breadth & Kind:
• Demonstrate an in-depth knowledge of an area of Health Sciences and its application to the students' professional practice.
• Describe and appreciate the strengths and weaknesses of the current range of theoretical and research underpinning that area.
• Know-how and Skills - range and selectivity:
• Reflect critically on their own learning style and practice and others' research and clinical practice.
• Competence - context and role:
• Explain their clinical role and contribution in relation to the concept of health and well-being.
• Competence - learning to learn:
• Evaluate their own learning needs and be able to structure appropriate self-directed learning to meet these needs.
• Competence - insight:
• Conceptualise healthcare & social care issues from alternative theoretical perspectives and synthesise, develop and communicate creative solutions to address issues relating to healthcare provision.

Graduate Profile

TBA

Programme Content

The taught core modules are PY5021 Evidence Based Practice and OT5002 Research Methods. Students choose 4 other elective modules and complete a research project. All modules are listed in the table below, including the semesters in which the modules run.
Depending on the module, the academic work may include classes, seminars, self-directed learning and/or e-learning, both on and off campus.

An Independent Learning Module involves a student and supervisor identifying a specific practice issue and/or academic skill they would like to address. It provides the student with an opportunity to identify a learning need particular to their own context and work area and to meet that through a structured process with a nominated supervisor.

Full-time programme structure

• Applicants register in September and complete 2 taught semesters.
• The thesis component is completed in the summer semester.
• Students must take 2 core modules (PY5021 and OT5002), 4 elective modules and complete a research dissertation. The student can take two ILM modules in the same semester.
• The research project is completed in Semester 3 (summer semester).

Part-time programme structure

• Applicants register in September and choose 1, 2, or 3 modules in Semesters 1 and 2 with completion of modules totalling 90 ECTS by the end of the maximum period of registration.
• The maximum period of registration is 3 years.
• If a student is unable to complete the programme in three years, the course board may consider an application to extend a student's period of registration. Students must take 2 core modules (PY5021 and OT5002) and 4 elective modules and complete a research dissertation. The student can take two ILM modules in the same semester.
• The core module OT5002 Research Methods must be undertaken before dissertation modules CT6001 and CT6002.

Programme Sturcture

Semester 1

Core Modules:

• PY5021Evidence Based Practice (distance learning) online (core module, 12 ECTS)
• OT5002 Research Methods for Clinical Therapists (core module, 12 ECTS)

Elective Modules:

• PY5022 Independent Learning Module (9 ECTS)
• OT5001 Independent Learning Module (ECTS)
• PY5041 Pain Management (9 ECTS)
• PY5031 Neurological Rehabilitation (9 ECTS)
• PY5051 Advances in Rheumatology and Orthopaedics (9 ECTS)
• OT5021 The Science of Occupation (9 ECTS)
• CT6011 Meeting Complex Needs: Advocating for Change
• CT6001 Dissertation Module (15 ETCs)
• CT6002 Dissertation Module (15 ETCs)

Semester 2

Core Modules:

• PY5021 Evidence Based Practice (core module, 12 ECTS)

Elective Modules:

• PY5022 Independent Learning Module (9ECTS)
• OT5001 Independent Learning Module (9 ECTS)
• SL5002 Educating in a Professional Context (9 ECTS)
• SO5072 Researching Health and Illness (9 ECTS)
• CT6001 Dissertation Module (15 ETCs)
• CT6002 Dissertation Module (15 ETCs)

Open to Physiotherapists and Doctors only:

• PY5032 Neuromusculoskeletal Physiotherapy (peripheral) (9 ECTS)
• PY5042 Neuromusculoskeletal Physiotherapy (spinal) (9 ECTS)

Exemptions will be awarded in the following situations:

• Student has completed one of the 6 Post Graduate Certs in Clinical Therapies: Student will be exempted from 30 credits on the MSc (this would include one core module and two elective modules)
• Student has completed 1 or 2 modules on another programme outside of the PG Certs and/or has completed modules from our PG Certs in Clinical Therapies. The Recognition of Prior Learning Policy will be used to guide the awarding of exemptions in such instances.

Entry Requirements

Who can apply
Healthcare clinicians with a professionally and academically accredited BSc (Hons) (level 8National Qualifications Authority of Irelandrecognised ) or equivalent in a health profession* at a minimum award of 2.2 hons level or above.

*Health Profession: Doctors, Nurses, Health and Social Care Professionals. Health and Social Care Professionals encompasses the list of professions regulated under the Health and Social Care Professions Act (2005) Ireland. These are clinical biochemist; dietician; medical scientist; occupational therapist; orthoptist; physiotherapist; podiatrist; psychologist; radiographer; social care worker; social worker; speech and language therapist.
Note some modules are open to specific professions only, indicated in the programme structure.

What to Include with your Application

• Qualification transcripts and certificates
• English language qualification if English is not your first language
• Certified English translations of your transcripts/certificates where the originals are in a language other than English.
• Your Module Preference Form
• A copy of your birth certificate/passport (showing your legal name)

Exemptions

Minimum Language Requirements

Where an applicant's first language is neither English nor Irish, excellent use of one of these languages must be demonstrated (either by having completed a degree in an English or Irish speaking country or by passing the International English Language Testing System exam, Academic Format, with an overall grade level of at least 7.5 (IELTS) and no score below 7 in any individual part).

English Language Requirements

Applicants whose first language is not English must provide evidence of either prior successful completion of a degree qualification taught through the medium of English or meet one of the criteria below (no longer than two years prior to application):

Acceptable English Language qualifications include the following:

• Matriculation examinations from European countries where English is presented as a subject and an acceptable level is achieved
• Irish Leaving Certificate English –Ordinary Level Grade D or above
• TOEFL – 580 (paper based) or 90 (internet based)
• IELTS – Minimum score of 7.5 with no less than 7 in any one component.
• English Test for English and Academic Purposes (ETAPP) – Grade C1
• GCE ‘O’ level English Language/GCSE English Language – Grade C or above
• University of Cambridge ESOL –Certificate of Proficiency in English - Grade C / Certificate in Advanced English Grade A
• GCE Examination Boards – Oxford Delegacy of Local Examinations – Grade C / Cambridge Local Examinations Syndicate – School Certificate Pass 1-6 / University of London Entrance and School Examinations Council – School Certificate Pass 1-6