ObjectivesAims to provide high quality and up-to-date coverage of theory, practice and research in the field of mental health and illness
Entry requirementsDesigned for students who already have some experience of working in the mental health field, in clinical, therapeutic or educational capacities, who want to build on their existing knowledge, experience and understanding.
Academic titleMSc Mental Health Studies
Course descriptionProgramme description
- Offers wide choice of elective modules.
- Regular contributions from practicing clinicians and visiting specialist lecturers.
- Applications welcome from mental health professionals and psychology graduates.
While the MSc Mental Health Studies offers mental health professionals a range of opportunities for continuing professional development, many of our students have not yet embarked on professional training but come with a relevant first degree, usually psychology and a minimum of one year’s work experience in the mental health field. These students typically aim to pursue a career in clinical psychology. The programme consists of five modules: compulsory modules in Basic Mental Health; Research Methods and a dissertation and two elective modules. The Basic Mental Health module provides an overview of: theoretical perspectives on mental illness; diagnosis and assessment; psychiatric disorders and treatment; approaches to management and care. The research methods module covers quantitative and qualitative approaches to research and provides the foundations for your own research project.
You will be able to pursue your interests and to develop more in-depth knowledge and understanding of particular aspects of mental health and illness in the elective modules, which currently include: social and community mental health, cognitive behavioural therapy, psychological therapies, women's mental health, mental health in the workplace and mental health in learning disabilities. The teaching staff, drawn from psychiatry, psychology, psychotherapy and nursing, reflects the multidisciplinary ethos of the programme, and all modules have regular contributions from practising clinicians and visiting lecturers who are specialists in their fields.
Programme format and assessment
Teaching methods include lectures, group work, discussions, videos, case analyses. Assessment is by essays, written examinations, research project.
Programme modules for MSc Mental Health Studies
Basic Mental Health Studies (30 credits) (Core Module)
Provides students with an overview of key aspects of mental illness. Enables students to build on their existing knowledge and experience of psychiatric disorder, with reference to aetiology, classification, assessment and management. Students will develop their knowledge and understanding of different theoretical approaches within the field of mental health, and strengthen their ability to critically appraise different approaches to management and care. Provides structured opportunities to apply this knowledge and understanding to individual cases.
Dissertation - Mental Health Studies (60 credits) (Core Module)
The dissertation element is designed to enable students to develop their research knowledge and skills to undertake and write up a small-scale research project. It aims to enable students to build on their knowledge and understanding of quantitative and qualitative approaches to research in the field of mental health and enhance their knowledge and critical understanding of the research process. Students will critically appreciate and apply the principles of rigorous and ethical research, and systematically appraise research evidence pertaining to mental health. Aiming to advance existing knowledge and understanding of data collection and analysis, students will undertake the design, execution and writing up of a small scale research project.
Introduction to Research Methods (0 credits) (Core Module)
Enables students to develop their knowledge and understanding of quantitative and qualitative approaches to research in the field of mental health, providing an introduction to the principles of research rigour, in both quantitative and qualitative research. Students will build on their existing knowledge and understanding of data collection and analysis. This module aims to strengthen students' ability to critically appraise research and to develop the knowledge and skills to undertake and write up a small-scale research project.
Cognative Behavioural Therapy (45 credits)
The CBT module is an introduction to the theory and application of CBT and is not intended to provide a clinical training in CBT. Students are not required to be working clinically with patients to undertake the course and the course does not offer clinical supervision of any aspect of students' clinical work. The module will, however, provide a strong foundation in CBT for students considering pursuing further professional training such as a CBT diploma.
Mental Health in Learning Disabilities Module 1 (45 Credits)
This module aims to enhance evaluation and application of a systematic and evidence-based framework for understanding mental health needs and the development of psychopathology, as well as assessment and treatment interventions for people with Learning Disabilities (LD).The module consists of three units focussing on aetiology, clinical psychopathology and assessment, as well as clinical application of mental health care for people with LD.
Organisational Psychiatry and Psychology Module 1 (Mental Health in the Workplace) (45 credits)
Introduces students to key issues in mental health and the workplace. Students will critically examine the causes and effects of occupational mental ill health at an individual, interpersonal and organisational level, enabling them to develop their knowledge and understanding of psychiatry and psychology as applied to the workplace and to consider strategies and interventions for improving workplace mental health.
Pharmacotherapy (45 credits)
Provides an overview of key principles of pharmacotherapy and enables students to build on their existing knowledge and understanding of pharmacotherapy in the care and management of mental illness. Enables students to critically appraise the evidence base of pharmacotherapy and its clinical applications.
Psychological Therapies (45 credits)
Introduces students to multi-model theories and practice in psychological therapies. Enables students to develop a critical understanding of Psychodynamic, Behavioural, Cognitive and Family Systemic psychotherapies and provides opportunities to apply them to their own practice using role-play, group discussion and structured exercises.
Social & Community Mental Health (45 credits)
Develops the students' knowledge of social approaches to mental health in terms of theory, research and practice, enhancing their ability to critically appraise these elements in social and community mental health. Develops the students' critical understanding of the relationship between social adversity and mental health problems, and their ability to critically evaluate evidence bases and evidence-based practice in mental health care in the community.
Women's Mental Health (45 credits)
Introduces students to the fundamental concepts and processes of women's mental health, and to current theories and clinical applications relevant to women's mental health. Enables students to gain experience in critically reviewing research into women's mental health and use evidence bases to identify the characteristics of a gender-sensitive service.
Duration
One year FT, two years PT, September to September.