ObjectivesThis course has been designed to offer a wider choice to students. It comprises educational career pathways with the aim of providing students the flexibility to study at their own pace and design a course of study that can meet their own needs. At the same time, it is intended that the courses will transform practice, improving the quality of care for patients/service users. There will be one core/compulsory module – Research Methods. Students can ‘mix and match’ modules across pathways, but to obtain a named award students must study a minimum of 80 credits specific to the pathway title. This will include the dissertation within the chosen pathway.
Entry requirementsEntry Requirements: * A relevant Bachelors degree * Professional qualifications * APEL may apply
Academic titleMSc Professional Practice
Course descriptionYou could follow one of the pathways below:
Children and Young People’s Health and Welfare Studies
Enables the student to develop expertise in the interpretation and practice of research in relation to children’s health, educational, social and other relevant services. Students will utilise knowledge in new ways to synthesise different approaches to evidence-based children’s service provision and healthcare practice, and transfer knowledge to manage encounters with complex situations through use of critical thinking and decision making (this pathway is subject to validation).
Genetics
Enables the student to extend their knowledge and understanding of the principles of genetics, understand the contribution of genetics to health and ill health, be aware of psychological, social and physical impact of genetics on families and individuals and appreciate ethical, legal and societal issues surrounding the potential application of genetic technologies.
Health Economics
This pathway is aimed at health service managers, professional staff and researchers who wish to gain an understanding of the principles of health economics and how they can be applied to the evaluation of healthcare policies, programmes and interventions. Students will be equipped with the skills needed to consider the problems/decisions facing them at work from an alternative (economic) perspective and to critically review published economic studies.
Infection Control
This pathway enables the student to focus on the prevention and control of micro-organisms, apply advanced knowledge to the prevention and control of infection and analyse the role of the autonomous practitioner in prevention and control of communicable diseases.
Integrated Care
This pathway has been devised for those in the health and social care, public, private or voluntary sectors who are interested in designing and commissioning holistic services for people and their carers.
Learning Disability
Enables students 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 for enhancing the quality of life and service for people with learning disabilities.
Mental Health
Critically examine concepts of disadvantage and stigma that influence mental health care, analyse different conceptual frameworks and therapeutic approaches to maintain the mental health of individuals and develop strategies for role and service development and quality enhancement.
Midwifery
It is a Welsh Assembly Government target (WAG 2002) that home births are given a higher profile. To enable this, there is a need for midwives to be confident and competent in managing normality. The module ‘Promoting Normality’ will ask midwives to identify their needs and work towards them providing normal midwifery care for women and their families. ‘Topical Aspects of Midwifery’ is a broad module offering the opportunity to focus on current issues. Students will be required to explore national and international perspectives and apply them to their clinical practice areas.
Public Health
This pathway offers two dedicated modules at 20 credits each. ‘Social Epidemiology and Public Health’ examines the social causes of poor health, and introduces students to simple statistical analyses. It looks at how needs assessment and intersectoral working can address some of these social causes. ‘Public Health in the Communities’ critiques the theoretical bases to public health, and ‘Health Promotion’ explores the use policy makes of theory and how evidence is used to develop practice.
Research
Enables students to extend knowledge and understanding of research design and methods of analysis, develop project management skills, ensuring legal and ethical accountability and take a lead role in developing research protocols and related study documentation.
Vulnerable Person
Enables students to develop expertise in the interpretation and practice of research in relation to vulnerability, rigorously examine implications of policies and procedures, create innovative responses to problems that challenge protection of vulnerable persons, plus design and implement pro-active strategies for the prevention and development of vulnerable situations.
How To Study
There is a variety of teaching and assessment methods, depending on the choice of modules/pathway. Teaching methods include lead lectures, student-led discussions, case studies, debate, reflective accounts of practice, workshops, group work and tutorials. Assessment methods include written assignments, (especially based on case studies from practice) written reports/proposals in practice and critical literature reviews.
Career prospects
The planning of this MSc has taken into account the development of new roles in the fields of health and social care. This award will meet the requirements of the demanding and dynamic environments that health and social practitioners work in today. For example, the content and delivery of modules will be underpinned by the latest research evidence.