Professional Health and Social Care Practice MSc (PGCert PGDip)
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Overview
This course offers an opportunity for participants from around the UK and internationally to critically evaluate and reflect on their professional development using distance learning (where students work on their own at home and communicate with staff and other students via, electronic forums, videoconferencing, and other forms of computer-based communication). The structure of the course allows participants to gain the MSc without attending the university. To allow maximum flexibility blended learning options (combining traditional face-to-face classroom methods with computer-mediated activities) are available. The elearning facilities that are available through studentcentral will allow participants to access a wide range of learning material and learn collaboratively through peer and tutor assisted learning. Flexible learning provides learners with choices regarding where, when, and how learning occurs. It meets the needs of an increasingly diverse range of participants and includes making appropriate use of technology to support the learning process enabling choice and responsiveness in the pace, place and mode of learning.
The course enables learning to be triggered by participants practice, as the core modules all allow participants to focus on aspects of their practice that are most relevant to them in their workplace. Peer assisted learning forms an important part of the teaching and learning strategy of the course, enabling participants to learn from the experiences of those working within other health and social care professions both in the UK and internationally. Most learning will occur asynchronously, enabling participants to plan their study around their other commitments. There will be the option for some action learning sets to occur synchronously, at a mutually convenient time. There is flexibility for these to occur in the early morning or evening to overcome difficulties with obtaining study leave. The core modules focus on different aspects of professional practice; the Evidence Informed Practice module focuses on applying and disseminating professional practice based on research evidence, the Continuing Professional Development by Critical Reflection module requires participants to critically evaluate and apply models of reflection and the Practice Development through Independent Learning focuses on developing the students practice within their area of specialism.
We are committed to enabling as many people as possible to take advantage of higher education, and operate a flexible admissions policy where applications are considered on merit.
Course duration
Full-time: 1 year
Part-time: 18 months
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Course content
Course structure
Participants will commence the course with a 2 week long, online `introduction to your postgraduate studies induction. This induction process will familiarise participants with the elearning tools used and some essentials skills for postgraduate study, for example plagiarism awareness and searching the literature. Following the online induction participants will be given a guided choice between the following:
Post Graduate Certificate Professional Health and Social Care Practice
Post Graduate Diploma Professional Health and Social Care Practice
MSc Professional Health and Social Care PracticeSyllabus
Post Graduate Certificate Professional Health and Social Care Practice (60 level 7 credits)
Participants must complete:
- Evidence Informed Practice (20 credits).And choose 40 credits from the following:
- Continuing Professional Development by Critical Reflection (20/40 credits)
- Practice Development through Independent Learning (20/40 credits)Post Graduate Diploma Professional Health and Social Care Practice (120 level 7 credits)
Participants must complete:
- Evidence Informed Practice (20 credits).And choose 40-80 credits from the following:
- Continuing Professional Development by Critical Reflection (20/40 credits)
- Practice Development through Independent Learning (20/40 credits)Plus:
- Research Methods Module from the GPHSS (20 credits).Depending on number of credits taken from the first section up to 2 Optional Modules (40 credits level 7)
MSc Professional Health and Social Care Practice (180 level 7 credits)
Participants must complete
- Evidence Informed Practice (20 credits)And choose 40-80 credits from the following:
- Continuing Professional Development by Critical Reflection (20/40 credits)
- Practice Development through Independent Learning (20/40 credits)Plus:
- Research Methods Module from the GPHSS (20 credits).Depending on number of credits taken from the first section up to 2 Optional Modules (40 credits level 7)
Plus:
- Dissertation (60 credits level 7)
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Entry requirements
Typical entry requirements
individual offers may varyFor non-native speakers of English:
Applicants whose first language is not English will be required to show a suitable English language qualification; for example the International English Language Testing System at least 6.5 overall and 6 in writing.Degree and/or experience:
This course is for qualified health and social care professionals who demonstrate sufficient experience of practice to reflect on throughout the course. Applicants will normally hold an appropriate honours degree or equivalent qualification in a health and social care profession. Applicants will normally be registered with an appropriate professional body. -
Location
Location
Eastbourne -
Career opportunities
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Fees and costs
The fees listed here are for full-time courses beginning in the academic year 2012-13. Further tuition fees are payable for each subsequent year of study.
The tuition fee you have to pay depends on a number of factors including the kind of course you take, and whether you study full- or part-time. If you are studying part-time you will normally be charged on a pro rata basis depending on the number of modules you take. Different rules apply to research degrees - please contact the Doctoral College for advice.
To help you plan for your time here we will be providing further information about what is included in your tuition fee, and any optional costs you may need to budget for, later in the autumn.
Our website wwww.brighton.ac.uk/money provides advice about funding and scholarships as well as further information about fees and advice on international and island fee paying status.
Professional Health and Social Care Practice (MSc) (Full time) [L2BH032] UK/EU (Full Time) 4,500 GBP Island Students (Full Time) 8,100 GBP International (Full Time) 11,500 GBP -
More details
Core modules
Evidence Informed Practice (20 credits at level 7)
This module will focus on applying research to professional practice. The module aims to enable health professionals to reflect on and critically evaluate their professional practice and to identify ways in which the learning gained will inform and enhance their future practice. Participants will identify an area of their professional practice (agreed with the module team), which will form the basis for further study. The area of practice will depend on the needs and interests of individual participants but will be expected to significantly enhance their critical evaluation skills. The area of focus must be relevant to their professional practice. Participants will be required to produce a protocol based on evaluation of the research evidence, suitable for implementation in their workplace.
Continuing Professional Development by Critical Reflection (20 /40 credits at level 7)
In this module participants will be required to draw on a significant incident from their practice that will form the basis of their in depth reflection. For example the significant incident may be triggered from reflection on their practice, a patient with complex needs or work management issue. The content will depend on the needs and interests of individual participants but will be expected to enhance their reflective and critical evaluation skills by exploring the incident in depth.
Practice Development through Independent Learning (20/40 credits at level 7).
This module enables participants to develop their professional practice. During the module they will decide on the topic, pattern and scope of study. E.g. Exploring diagnostic reasoning in advanced nursing practice by writing a paper suitable for publication critically analysing the process of formulating a medical diagnosis based upon interpretation of abnormal physical assessment findings and creating a 2-3 page guide about the process of formulating a medical diagnosis for advanced practice nurses; this will be agreed by negotiation of a Learning Contract with a member of the module team which will define the aims and objectives of their study. Online action learning sets (small groups of individuals who support each other in learning and development) will take place asynchronously via studentcentral; participants will be advised to contribute to these action learning sets during a predetermined time frame. These sets will be facilitated by a tutor. All participants will make up the remainder of the hours using personal tutorials and self-directed learning strategies. Between action learning sets participants are expected to carry out self-directed learning.
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Apply online
You should not apply unless you can meet all the entry requirements for this course. Please contact the course team before applying if you are unsure about any of the specific entry requirements.
Entry requirements
For non-native speakers of English:
Applicants whose first language is not English will be required to show a suitable English language qualification; for example the International English Language Testing System at least 6.5 overall and 6 in writing.Degree and/or experience:
This course is for qualified health and social care professionals who demonstrate sufficient experience of practice to reflect on throughout the course. Applicants will normally hold an appropriate honours degree or equivalent qualification in a health and social care profession. Applicants will normally be registered with an appropriate professional body.