Professional Practice (following a Range of Pathways) – (M.Sc.)

Contents

MSc Professional Practice

In consultation with the Programme Leader, you will devise an individual programme (180 credits) that meets your own needs. You will also have the flexibility to study at your own pace, finding a balance between work, education and everyday life. Research Methods is a compulsory core module (40 credits), as the ability to critically analyse and apply research to your practice is an essential skill. If you have previous accredited research methods knowledge, you may be able to APL or substitute this module by demonstrating that you have met its learning outcomes. You will also be required to complete a dissertation (60 credits). Students will select modules to suit their individual needs within the MSc Professional Practice programme and to some extent, the Faculty portfolio.

Examples of Optional Modules * Leading Effective Teams in Health and Social Care
* Clinical conditions
* Cancer Interventions

The following Pathway Awards are available for students who wish to specialise in a particular area of professional practice. To obtain a named pathway award you must study a minimum of 80 credits specific to the pathway title including the dissertation which will address an issue relating to the specialist pathway. MSc Professional Practice (Learning Disability)

This pathway enables you to demonstrate an awareness of contemporary approaches to the care of people with learning disabilities, understand the complexities of providing care in an anti-discriminatory manner and develop strategies to enhance the quality of life and service for people with learning disabilities. This pathway is relevant to those working with people with learning disabilities, these modules are particularly suitable for registered learning disability nurses (RNLD) and registered nurses (RGN, RMN and increasingly children’s nurses) who come into regular contact with people with learning disabilities and their families/carers. They are also suitable for other health and social care professionals such as psychologists, social workers, physiotherapists, occupational therapists and other therapists.

Modules * Autistic Spectrum Disorder
* Contemporary Issues in Learning Disability
* Sexuality and Men and Women with Learning Disabilities

MSc Professional Practice (Mental Health)

Whether you are at a senior level within your professional career, recently graduated or have an interest in mental health issues, this pathway offers a unique opportunity to extend your knowledge in this area. This taught MSc programme is designed to promote knowledge and understanding of contemporary and international perspectives including: socio-cultural political and economic influences on mental health. You will also be introduced to the range of conceptual and contemporary schools of thoughts that currently inform the study of mental health. The ultimate aim of the award is to enable you to become proficient, creative and innovative in analysing and evaluating perspectives in mental health practice. You will be able to function at an advanced level within the contemporary political, socio-cultural and economic environment and develop strategies for role and service development and quality enhancement. The course will also increase your confidence and proficiency in analysing policies and practices in mental health through student-centred learning strategies.

Modules * Perspectives in Mental Health
* Mental Health and Modern Society
* Optional modules from Post-graduate Certificate in Community Mental Health Practice

MSc Professional Practice (Midwifery)

Current policy requires that home births are given a higher profile, so there is a need for midwives to be confident and competent in managing normality. This pathway will enable you to identify your needs and work towards providing normal midwifery care for women and their families, and examine current issues facing midwifery. You will need to explore national and international perspectives and apply them to your clinical practice area.

Modules * Normal Midwifery Developments
* Policies and Midwifery Practice

MSc Professional Practice (Research)

This pathway will enable you to extend your knowledge and understanding of research design. In particular the pathway will focus on sampling strategies, methods of data collection, legal and ethical accountability and methods of data analysis. Critical analysis of research design and the subsequent value of evidence is examined throughout the pathway. Ultimately the pathway will develop your research skills enabling you to take a lead role in developing research protocols and related study documentation; applying for research funding and gaining permission from the appropriate Research and Development committees and/or ethical committees to undertake research.

Modules * Legal and Ethical Aspects of Research
* Quantitative Data Analysis Using Information Technology
* Qualitative Data Analysis Using Information Technology

MSc Professional Practice (Vulnerable Person)

This pathway will enable you to develop expertise in the interpretation and practice of research relating to vulnerability, rigorously examine implications of policies and procedures, create innovative responses to problems that challenge the protection of vulnerable people, plus design and implement pro-active strategies for the prevention and management of vulnerable situations. Particular emphasis is placed upon legal and ethical issues relating to vulnerability. This pathway is relevant to practitioners working in a range of health and social care settings. Students who have undertaken the module previously have come from diverse backgrounds and have found that the modules have enabled them to reflect critically upon both their own practice and wider service delivery.