Course description
The LLM in Mental Health Law, Policy and Practice has been written and developed in close consultation with the Institute of Mental Health Act Practitioners (IMHAP) with the aim of providing in-depth training to IMHAP members and those who specifically work within the field of mental health administration, nursing or social care.
The programme will appeal to those students who have successfully completed the IMHAP Certificate in Mental Health Law and who would like to progress to a Postgraduate Diploma or Masters degree in Mental Health Law, Policy and Practice whilst still pursuing their careers.
This programme commences in February each year. It offers students an opportunity to gain a Masters Degree in Mental Health Law after two years of study, or to exit the programme earlier with a Postgraduate Certificate or Diploma. Participants obtain a Postgraduate Certifiacte upon satisfactory completion of 2 core modules amounting to 60 credits. Those who successful complete 4 core modules and an option will be awarded a Postgraduate Diploma. The Postgraduate Diploma will take a minimum of 18 months (2 semesters) to complete.Students wishing to obtain a Masters Degree have a further six months in which to complete a researched project of between 16,000-20,000 words on a related area allowing the exploration of a particular topic to a greater degree. The programme will be taught on a distance learning basis, with the provision of materials in the form of study packs, with lectures and workshops being provided on the five optional study days.
Participants benefit from:
* Optional Saturday study days.
* Comprehensive learning materials written by experts in the field.
* The option of studying for a Postgraduate Certificate, Postgraduate Diploma or LLM in Mental Health Law, Policy and Practice.
What you will study
For all students, the programme begins with an introductory Legal Methodology module and the first of five optional study days. This module provides an introduction to the English Legal System for non-lawyers and a firm grounding in basic legal research methods. You will complete a further three modules during the first year, and the beginning of the second year. These core modules are designed to develop understanding in the key areas of mental health law and practice.
In the second year of the programme, you will undertake an optional module. Careful selection from the range of options allows you to adapt the course to best suit your professional needs and career paths. The optional module will then allow students to build upon the essential knowledge obtained through the cores, and enables them to develop detailed understanding in their chosen area further enhancing their reflective, analytical and research skills.
Year 1
Semester One
* Legal Methodology (10 credit points)
* Compulsory Civil Admission to Hospital and Guardianship (30 credits)
Semester Two
* Mental Health Review Tribunals (30 credit points)
* Consent to Treatment (30 credit points)
Year 2
Semester One
* Consent to Treatment (continued)
* Practice Procedure and the Future of Mental Health Services (30 credit points)
