Mental Health (M.Sc. / P.Grad.Dip.)

Course details

The Faculty of Health Sciences in conjunction with St Patrick's Hospital Mental Health Services is now offering an interdisciplinary strand in Child, Adolescent and Family as part of its taught Masters in Science in Mental Health programme. Students will come from a variety of backgrounds including nursing, medicine, occupational therapy, speech and language therapy, social work, psychology, psychotherapy, teaching and education services. The aim of this programme is to strengthen and develop the knowledge, skills and attitudes of the participants, thus enabling them to fulfil their highest potential in both their personal and professional lives. The design of the course is such that it enhances the collaboration between disciplines working with children, adolescents and families with mental health problems. The programme is firmly grounded in a body of knowledge that aims to promote excellence in the participant's area of practice.

Child, Adolescent and Family strand of the MSc in Mental Health

Also, the Faculty of Health Sciences in conjunction with St Patrick's Hospital Mental Health Services is now offering an interdisciplinary strand in Child, Adolescent and Family as part of its taught Masters in Science in Mental Health programme. Students will come from a variety of backgrounds including nursing, medicine, occupational therapy, speech and language therapy, social work, psychology, psychotherapy, teaching and education services. The aim of this programme is to strengthen and develop the knowledge, skills and attitudes of the participants, thus enabling them to fulfil their highest potential in both their personal and professional lives. The design of the course is such that it enhances the collaboration between disciplines working with children, adolescents and families with mental health problems. The programme is firmly grounded in a body of knowledge that aims to promote excellence in the participant's area of practice. It is designed to provide an academically robust education for the participants and the various modules offered develop and complement subjects undertaken at degree or 'equivalent' level.

This M.Sc. in Mental Health (Child, Adolescent and Family strand) offers the student two specialist modules in year one, a number of core modules shared with other MSc students, as well as clinical placements. The specialist modules are 'Child and Adolescent and Family Mental Health Interventions' and 'Theoretical and Evidenced Based Practices in Child, Adolescent and Family Mental Health.

Students on this programme are recognised as practising professionals with a resource of practice and educational skills and knowledge that will enhance their learning at this advanced stage of their personal and professional pathway. Each student is considered unique in life experiences, motivation for learning, learning style and scholastic ability. Throughout the programme a variety of student-focused teaching strategies is used, including co-operative learning, self-directed learning and experiential learning methods. Interdisciplinary sharing of knowledge and perspectives is encouraged and rewarded. Students' past experiences are valued and integrated as a rich source of reflection and learning. Feedback and support are tailored to meet the individual needs of the student. Students also have an opportunity to engage in shaping aspects of the educational programme.

Students are enabled to reflect, inquire, critique, problem solve, evaluate and debate professional and practice issues in an academically robust manner. Students are empowered to generate evidence that will improve practice and are guided and supported through that process. Graduates of this programme, in applying their learning, can be expected to provide high quality care, leadership and education and to promote and develop excellence in their practice setting. The student is viewed as an active participant with responsibility for his/her own learning and development. Hence, the curriculum is focused on a transactional model of education, which strives to be collegial in nature and promotes independent, self-directed learning and self-evaluation.

All students register on the MSc course in the first instance. Students may choose to exit with a Postgraduate Diploma in Mental Health on successful completion of six modules. Students who successfully complete all the required elements of the M.Sc. course will be awarded an M.Sc. in Mental Health. The Child, Adolescent and Family strand of the MSc in Mental Health may only be taken over two years.