Clinical Pharmacy MSc

Course details

MSc Clinical Pharmacy is a two-year, part-time distance learning course specially designed for pharmacists employed in a healthcare setting, who want to enhance their clinical pharmacy knowledge and practice skills. Much of the learning is case-based so scientific and professional elements are integrated. The course is designed to maximise contact between student and tutor while allowing distance learning via the internet and through teleconferences/webinars with experienced medical and pharmacy practitioners.

Course Details

Pathway 1 of the course consists of: a compulsory introductory webinar at the start of year 1; 60 credits of taught modules (part 1); 30 credits of a research project (part 2).

Part 1

60 credits:

• PF6001 Biostatistics/Critical Appraisal (5 credits)
• PF6005 Pharmacoeconomics (5 credits)
• PF6006 Pharmacotherapy II (15 credits)
• PF6007 Pharmacotherapy III (10 credits)
• PF6009 Pharmacotherapy I (15 credits) 
• PF6010 Pharmacology, Therapeutics and Rational Use of Drugs (10 credits)

In Part 1, you must take a minimum of 30 credits in the first academic year. You cannot proceed to year 2 of the course unless you have passed year 1. 

Part 2

30 credits: 

• PF6008 Research Project Clinical Pharmacy (30 credits)

The research project is carried out in the workplace under the supervision of an academic supervisor and your workplace tutor. You are expected to develop an understanding of the planning, execution and reporting of a research project. You will also develop problem-solving, project management and presentation skills.

Entry Requirements

• candidates must hold a primary pharmacy degree from a School of Pharmacy that is approved by the Programme Committee;
• they must be registered with the professional accreditation authority in the country in which they are practising;
• ideally candidates should have practical experience in their area of qualifications of at least two years post-registration;
• candidates must be employed in a healthcare setting;
• all candidates will be required to have full access to computer and internet facilities and to be computer literate;
• in some exceptional circumstances candidates, by virtue of their training and experience may, at the discretion of the Programme Director and the Head of School, be deemed suitable for entry to the degree.

Entry Requirements (Pathway II)

In addition to the above:

The Programme Management Committee may permit graduates holding a Postgraduate Certificate (equivalent to Level 9 award) in Clinical Pharmacy or a Postgraduate Diploma (equivalent to Level 9 award) in Clinical Pharmacy from an appropriately accredited School of Pharmacy to enter a one year programme. To be considered for entry to this programme, candidates must have completed their Clinical Pharmacy Postgraduate Certificate/Postgraduate Diploma no later than five years prior to the date of registration for this programme.

Course Practicalities

Delivered entirely by distance learning. Apart from the final year exams, students are not required to attend the university.

The taught modules incorporate a combination of printed module workbooks, teleconferences, web-based seminars and online assessments. Students communicate with the module co-ordinators and each other through regular teleconferences and via the Internet (using Blackboard, UCC’s learning management system).

Course materials are circulated under a strict timetable and all module assignments must be returned within set deadlines.

Average 10 to 15 hours a week on teleconference/webinar preparation and participation, general reading, case studies, assignments and examination study and half a day each week on clinical placement.