Masters Degrees in Learning Disability Nursing

Shape the future of adult, child, mental health or learning disability nursing with this new masters which includes registration.

The Masters in Nursing (MN) enables you to achieve a post-graduate qualification and professional registration. The MN underpins all aspects of nursing practice and leads to eligibility for registration on the Nursing and Midwifery Council professional register in one of the four fields: Adult Health /Child Health /Mental Health /Learning Disability.

It is a full-time, three year, post-graduate degree course which aims to provide you with a range of learning, teaching and assessment experiences that will enable you to become a critically reflective, post-graduate nurse with an in-depth knowledge and understanding of your respective field of nursing.

Throughout this programme you will be in University studying theory (50%) and then have the opportunity to engage in clinical-based learning (50%) in a variety of hospital and community settings within the Lothian and Borders area. Integrated into this programme is the opportunity to engage in voluntary and elective practice placements locally or internationally.

What you'll learn

This new Masters in Nursing with registration is a full-time 3 year programme. It would suite highly motivated graduates who enjoy a challenge and want to shape the future of one of the four fields of nursing: Adult Health, Child Health, Mental Health or Learning Disability.

The Masters in Nursing (MN) enables you to achieve a post-graduate qualification and professional registration. The MN underpins all aspects of nursing practice and leads to eligibility for registration on the Nursing and Midwifery Council professional register in one of the four fields: Adult Health /Child Health /Mental Health /Learning Disability.

It is a full-time, three year, post-graduate degree course which aims to provide you with a range of learning, teaching and assessment experiences that will enable you to become a critically reflective, post-graduate nurse with an in-depth knowledge and understanding of your respective field of nursing.

Throughout this programme you will be in University studying theory (50%) and then have the opportunity to engage in clinical-based learning (50%) in a variety of hospital and community settings within the Lothian and Borders area. Integrated into this programme is the opportunity to engage in voluntary and elective practice placements locally or internationally.


Nurses today need to be able to demonstrate competence in nursing care across the patient’s lifespan. To deliver this, they need to be able to work flexibly, inter-professionally and collaboratively in a dynamic and ever changing health care arena.

Our nursing programme has been written to take account of the key drivers in health care at local, national and international levels and was developed in partnership with our clinical partners, students, service users and carers.

During each year of the programme you will learn alongside colleagues in all fields of nursing, and will work with peers from the MN and the undergraduate nursing programme. The course is designed so that you will acquire in-depth knowledge and understanding which gives you specific skills, knowledge and competences to work within a variety of health-care settings. There is increasing nursing field specialisation as the programme progresses which keeps you abreast of the current developments within your chosen field of nursing. On completion, this course will support you to become a creative, innovated and dynamic nurse with an excellent grounding in nursing theory and practice.

Year 1 lays the foundations about what the role of the nurse is and introduces you to the Nursing and Midwifery code as well as theories and models of nursing and nursing skills. It also focuses on anatomy and physiology, determinants of health across the life span, communication, compassionate care, and ethics and inter-professional working. You will also begin to develop academic and research skills.
Year 2 to builds on the work undertaken previously, but also introduces factors which influence health and well-being such as global and national public health priorities. You will explore the impact of altered health status on the individual and their family/carers over the life span. In addition, you will acquire deeper understanding of inter-professional healthcare delivery which includes looking at aspects of co-production, individuals’ rights and inclusion.

Year 3 builds and consolidates your knowledge within your specific field of nursing. Here you will looks more specifically at complex health care needs, health care delivery, interventions, governance, leadership and decision-making. You will undertake a literature review which provides opportunities to build upon your prior learning and experience in an area of interest to you.

Modules

Theory year 1
• Foundations of health and well-being {Masters} 1A
• Foundations of health and well-being (Bridging) 1B
• Developing Professionalism {Bridging} 2A
• Developing Professionalism {Masters} 2B

Practice learning disability year 1
• Nursing Practice 1
• Nursing Practice 2 (learning disability)

Theory Year 2
• Essential Theory and Skills for learning disability Practice {Masters} 3A
• Essential Theory and Skills for learning disability Practice {Masters} 3B
• Effective Interagency working in healthcare {Masters} 4A
• Effective Interagency working in healthcare {Masters} 4B

Practice year 2
• Nursing Practice 3 (learning disability)
• Nursing Practice 4 (learning disability)

Theory Year 3
• Critical Perspectives of learning disability {Masters} 5A
• Critical Perspectives of learning disability {Masters} 5B
• Effective Leadership in Healthcare {Masters} 6 Dissertation

Practice year 3
• Nursing Practice 5 (learning disability)
• Nursing Practice 6 (learning disability)

Study modules mentioned above are indicative only. Some changes may occur between now and the time that you study.

Careers

Edinburgh Napier University is the largest provider of nursing professionals in Scotland. This new programme has the potential to deliver post-graduate nurses who have excellent career prospects across hospitals and local communities, voluntary organisations and the private sector.

As new registrants you will be taking up leading roles within education, practice and research within the NHS and in the private sector, and will be able to work anywhere within the UK and EU and in some cases even further afield.

How to apply

http://www.napier.ac.uk/study-with-us/postgraduate/how-to-apply

SAAS Funding

Nothing should get in the way of furthering your education. Student Awards Agency Scotland (SAAS) awards funding for postgraduate courses, and could provide the help you need to continue your studies. Find out more: http://www.napier.ac.uk/study-with-us/postgraduate/fees-and-funding/saas-funded-courses

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Learning disability nurses enable individuals to live their lives to their full potential within the social context they choose, through collaborative interventions across a variety of health and social care settings and by using specialist input, through person centred practice, underpinned by the concept of partnership working.

This course teaches you to promote social inclusion, good mental and physical health and self-determination through developing your skills, knowledge and attributes. All learning is grounded in a strong evidence base of integrative health and social care modelling. Our placements are varied, offering you the chance to create a future career that will be rewarding both for your personal and professional advancement.

Modules

You will be taught separately from the three-year undergraduate students and will study the following:

Year 1

Improving quality, change management and leadership
Building practice skills for learning disability nursing
Applied physiology, growth and development
Contemporary issues in learning disability nursing

Year 2

Research in health and social care
Enhancing practice skills in learning disability nursing
Complexity in learning disabilities
Advanced communication

MSc pathway

You'll follow the same modules as outlined above for the PgDip, with the addition of a dissertation:

Dissertation
Assessment methods vary within each module, mapped against the professional standards as outlined by the NMC (2010) and assessed either through course work, and/or clinical placement assessments. Written assessments include essays, case study's, and critical reviews of evidence for example. Clinical practice assessments include achievements of identified competencies, a learning assessment portfolio, and problem based scenarios.

Teaching and learning

You'll be expected to work as an independent adult learner, working alongside academic staff to expand and extend your knowledge, skills and attitudes as a critical scholar in the field of Intellectual Disabilities.

You'll be allocated a personal tutor, a cohort leader, and a course director, plus clinical mentors, and link lecturers whilst on placement.

The course makes use of the virtual learning environment MOODLE, an interactive based system for accurate and rapid information sharing, so course materials are available whenever you need them. A range of learning styles are employed, including visits from service users and their carers, to ensure the course remains contemporary and applied to real life situations.

Placements

Every student will spend 50% of the course on placement. You'll have the opportunity to work in partnership with individuals with learning disabilities and their families using a health mentoring model. Alternatively you can work in partnership with community based organisations on projects where all parties increase their awareness, understanding and valuing of their roles, using strength based approaches.

The placement aim is to provide a broad range of experiences working with children and adults with learning disabilities in a variety of settings. This will enhance your knowledge and experience of the range of challenges people with a learning disability may face on a daily basis and what can be done to assist not only the individual but also their families.

You'll also gain insight into what is available to support workers and organisations providing services in the areas of physical and mental health, complex care needs, communication, behaviours of concern, sexuality, personal care and a range of other areas.

Professional links

The learning disability nursing programmes at LSBU have a long history of partnership working with agencies in the NHS and independent and voluntary sector. The Professional Lead for Mental Health and Learning Disabilities at the Department of Health England is a frequent guest speaker who inspires Learning Disability nurses to influence and innovate.

Learning disability nursing as a career

The course will enable you to develop a wide range of employability skills through the emphasis on a vocational approach to teaching which leads to a professional qualification leading to registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC).

There is an increasing body of research that shows the need for learning disability nurses as a specialist resource to address health inequalities experienced by people with learning disabilities. The course will give you the specialist knowledge and skills to work in a wide range of services, and the confidence to work collaboratively with people with learning disabilities, their families and carers, and other professionals and agencies.

Role and responsibilities

As a learning disabilities nurse you would work with people of all ages to give them the skills and confidence they need to live as independently as possible. You'd be working as part of a multi-disciplinary team and be responsible for co-ordinating care plans with other healthcare professionals, as well as monitoring progress. A learning disabilities nurse would be responsible for making an initial assessment of a patient's health and social care needs.

Day-to-day duties would be likely to include help and encouragement with tasks such as personal hygiene, dressing, using public transport, shopping, leisure interests, making and attending appointments, and finding a job. Learning disabilities nursing also involves campaigning on behalf of those with learning disabilities, supporting the agenda for equality and trying to improve healthcare services for those with learning difficulties.

Career progression

Successful graduates of the PgDip can top-up to MSc in one year and will be qualified to study a range of further specialist postgraduate pathways. With additional experience, advanced practice is available at Masters level with the potential to progress to doctorate studies. Once you are a registered nurse browse our online CPPD prospectus to find out what courses are on offer to help with your professional development.

LSBU Employability Services

LSBU is committed to supporting you develop your employability and succeed in getting a job after you have graduated. Your qualification will certainly help, but in a competitive market you also need to work on your employability, and on your career search. Our Employability Service will support you in developing your skills, finding a job, interview techniques, work experience or an internship, and will help you assess what you need to do to get the job you want at the end of your course. LSBU offers a comprehensive Employability Service, with a range of initiatives to complement your studies, including:

• Direct engagement from employers who come in to interview and talk to students
• Job Shop and on-campus recruitment agencies to help your job search
• Mentoring and work shadowing schemes.

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The Post Graduate Diploma Specialist Nursing (with pathways) is aimed at preparing Nurses for Leadership roles in a field of Nursing of their choice. There are a range of Pathways to suit all Nurses including District Nursing, Mental Health Nursing, Learning Disability Nursing, and Community Children’s Nursing. The full range of Adult Nursing Specialisms include, Palliative Care, Stroke Care, Diabetes Care and Emergency Care.

Key benefits

- The programme leads to more than one qualification. You will obtain a degree from Ulster University and a professional qualification from the United Kingdom Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC).

- Students of District Nursing also obtain a further professional qualification in Nurse Prescribing.

- Recognised by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) for the purpose of recording as Specialist Practice Qualification (SPQ) (child/ adult/ learning disabilities/ mental health)

Visit the website: https://www.ulster.ac.uk/course/pgdip-specality-nursing-with-pathways-ft-jn
or part time https://www.ulster.ac.uk/course/pgd-specialist-nursing-with-pathways-pt-jn

Course detail

- Description -

The term, ‘Specialist Nursing’ refers to, the exercising of higher levels of judgment and decision-making in relation to the nursing care of individuals, families and communities. As a future Leader you must display this higher level of decision-making across four areas; clinical practice, care and programme management, clinical practice development and clinical practice leadership.

- Format and assessment -

At Ulster we focus on developing you as a Leader and help you achieve academic and professional competence in all these areas. This programme is a 50-50 programme, meaning that 50% of the programme is university-based and 50% based in the practice learning setting. In the Practice Learning setting you will be allocated to a Sign-Off Mentor. This Sign-Off Mentor who is an established Specialist Nurse and Leader in Clinical Care will supervise you throughout the Programme. He/she will assess you and sign off your competencies prior to recording the professional qualification with the NMC. You will also be allocated to a Pathway Leader who will supervise your academic development and provide support throughout.

The academic component of the programme consists of four 30-credit modules:

- Research Module
- Leadership Module
- + Two Specialist Focus Modules, depending on your selected pathway.

District Nursing students have an additional 20 credits to complete in order to evidence outcomes related to Nurse Prescribing.

A range of assessment methods including OSCEs, Reflective and Academic Essays, Case studies and Portfolio are used. Patients and families are involved in the assessment process.

- Work placement / study abroad -

All students must complete 75 days Practice Learning in an aproved setting. Students must have direct interaction with patients and families during this period. Supervision by an expert Specialist Nurse (Sign-Off Mentor) will occur during Practice Learning. A Specialist Practice Qualification (SPQ) Portfolio is required to evidence achievement of professional outcomes.

Career options

Graduates of this programme take up posts as Specialist Nurses. Most are in Team Leadershippositions. There is 100% Employability associated with this programme.

How to apply: https://www.ulster.ac.uk/apply/how-to-apply#pg

Why Choose Ulster University ?

1. Over 92% of our graduates are in work or further study six months after graduation.
2. We are a top UK university for providing courses with a period of work placement.
3. Our teaching and the learning experience we deliver are rated at the highest level by the Quality Assurance Agency.
4. We recruit international students from more than 100 different countries.
5. More than 4,000 students from over 50 countries have successfully completed eLearning courses at Ulster University.

Flexible payment

To help spread the cost of your studies, tuition fees can be paid back in monthly instalments while you learn. If you study for a one-year, full-time master’s, you can pay your fees up-front, in one lump sum, or in either five* or ten* equal monthly payments. If you study for a master’s on a part-time basis (e.g. over three years), you can pay each year’s fees up-front or in five or ten equal monthly payments each year. This flexibility allows you to spread the payment of your fees over each academic year. Find out more by visiting https://www.ulster.ac.uk/apply/fees-and-finance/postgraduate

Scholarships

A comprehensive range of financial scholarships, awards and prizes are available to undergraduate, postgraduate and research students. Scholarships recognise the many ways in which our students are outstanding in their subject. Individuals may be able to apply directly or may automatically be nominated for awards. Visit the website: https://www.ulster.ac.uk/apply/fees-and-finance/scholarships

English Language Tuition

CELT offers courses and consultations in English language and study skills to Ulster University students of all subjects, levels and nationalities. Students and researchers for whom English is an additional language can access free CELT support throughout the academic year: https://www.ulster.ac.uk/international/english-language-support

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The MSc Professional Practice (Learning Disability) is open to all professionals working with people who have a learning disability. Professionals working with this client group need to keep up-to-date with the latest developments in order to meet the clients’ changing needs.

The aim of this degree is to transform your practice and thus improve the quality of care for service users. Module content and delivery is underpinned by the latest research evidence, which ensures that this award meets the challenges of the demanding and dynamic environments that health and social care practitioners work in today.

See the website http://courses.southwales.ac.uk/courses/609-msc-professional-practice-learning-disability

What you will study

Modules
Core modules:
- Research methods
- Dissertation

Specialist modules:
There modules relate directly to this degree.

- Autistic Spectrum Disorder
This 20 credit module covers areas such as Introduction to Autistic Spectrum Disorders; autism; Asperger’s syndrome; incidence and prevalence, diagnosis; assessment strategies; related syndromes and conditions; bio-psycho-social factors; diet; pharmacotherapy; environmental considerations; communication methods; TEACCH; therapeutic approaches;

- Contemporary Issues in Learning Disability
This 20 credit module covers areas such as local, national and international policy developments; inter-professional practice; quality of life; frameworks and philosophies of care; anti-discriminatory practice; vulnerability and abuse issues; stake holder involvement; developments in research and service delivery; person centred approaches; developments in technology.

- Advocacy
This 20 credit module covers areas such as – What is Advocacy and the different types of advocacy- independent; self; group; citizen and professional; Legislation and duties; Mental Capacity Act 2005 and consent; the role of the IMCA; DOLS; Human Rights Act 1998 and Equalities Act 2010; Power, Empowerment and Participation; Practical skills – supporting people to self advocate; Communicating concepts; listening, negotiation skills; Developing, marshalling and presenting coherent arguments on behalf of others; Policy and Guidance e.g. POVA; advocacy within the policy process; ethical principles, frameworks and decision making; interagency working, confidentiality and sharing information; thresholds for intervention/referral; creating an advocacy culture.

Learning and teaching methods

To gain the MSc Professional Practice (Learning Disability) degree you will need to study at least 80 credits (including your dissertation of 60 credits) relating to the support and care of people with learning disabilities. This means that you must choose to study at least one of the specialist modules. To graduate from a masters’ degree course you must study a total of 180 credits which must include a 40 credit research module.

These modules run yearly depending on demand and are usually delivered via weekly four-hour sessions throughout the academic year.

Teaching methods include facilitated discussions, seminars, workshops and presentations. You will be required to undertake background reading to develop a broad knowledge base and encouraged to become a critical thinker, enabling you to question theories and develop your own ideas informed by evidence and research.

We offer a range of support services for students with a disability. We encourage you to discuss your individual requirements with an adviser as early as possible when you apply.

Work Experience and Employment Prospects

To date, students undertaking this course have normally been qualified nurses. However, other professionals such as psychologists, speech and language therapists, occupational therapists and social workers have undertaken modules. Currently, there are attempts being made to include this pathway or elements of it in the post qualified social work framework and childrens nursing post registration programme. Feedback received from students undertaking modules has so far been very positive especially the use of service users and carers as well as specialist practitioners and leading academics.

Assessment methods

Assessments will take the form of written assignments (one linked to publication).

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The MSc Community Health Studies is a natural progression route for graduate nurses who desire to develop mastery in specialist practice, in line with the Post Registration Nursing Career Framework (WAG, 2010).

The course aims to develop professionals who can independently access information and use the information to critically assess, evaluate and disseminate the evidence base for community nursing care. It will develop problem-solving skills and prepare you to take a leadership role in the community context.

The degree meets the specific requirements set by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) for community nursing competence. The NMC states that to achieve specialist practitioner status, graduates must have achieved prescribed standards, both core and community-specific.

When you successfully complete this degree, you will have a recordable specialist practice qualification in Community Learning Disability Nursing.

See the website http://courses.southwales.ac.uk/courses/943-msc-community-health-studies-community-learning-disabilities-nursing

What you will study

Year One:
- Fundamentals of Community Practice
- Decision Making
- Specialist Practitioner

Year Two:
Core module
- Research methods

Optional modules
- Law, ethics and nurse prescribing
- Transition
- Long-term health conditions
- Diabetes care
- Minor illness for Primary Care Nurses
- Continuing care for children and young people
- Advances in epilepsy care

After 2 years you will attain a recordable specialist practice qualification with the NMC and an option to exit the course with a PgDiploma.

Year Three:
- Dissertation

Learning and teaching methods

You will complete 40 academic days which run from September to June. Year one requires attendance every Tuesday.

In addition you will undertake 40 clinical days per year. Ideally you should be working in a community setting, however if you are not placements maybe negotiated. While in practice, you will be assigned a mentor who will assess your clinical competence.

Teaching and learning methods include lectures, tutorials, self-directed study and workshops.

If you have undertaken the Fundamentals of Community Practice Module (30 credits) within the last five years, this can be transferred to the degree.

Work Experience and Employment Prospects

Undertaking this course ensures you will graduate with the knowledge, skills, competencies and capacity to provide safe and effective nursing care in community settings. Additionally, having employees with a specialist practitioner qualification is valued by nursing managers, commissioners and the Welsh Government.

Assessment methods

You will be assessed by a range of methods including writing essays and case studies, formal presentations, poster presentations, examinations, dissertation, literature reviews and clinical practice assessments.

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The PgDip Community Health course is approved by the Nursing and Midwifery Council and offer you the opportunity to gain a Specialist Practitioner Qualification in Community Children’s Nursing, Community Learning Disability Nursing, District Nursing, or General Practice Nursing. The courses comprise 50% theory and 50% practice.

The programme builds on the core values of the NHS constitution and is approved by the NMC to offer students the opportunity to gain a specialist practitioner qualification in Community Learning Disabilities Nursing, District Nursing or General Practice Nursing.

Features and benefits of the course

The course incorporates specialist practice qualifications in community children’s nursing, district nursing, general practice nursing and community learning disabilities nursing.

About the Course

Mandatory core for award units are specific to the specialist pathway qualification and include:
-Principles of public health
-Contemporary issues in Community Practice
-Developing Leadership and Professional Practice
-Evidence-based Practice

If you are studying on a General Practice Nurse (GPN) or Community Learning Disability Nursing (CLDN) route you will choose an elective. To ensure that the unit is appropriate to your field of practice its selection will be determined following discussion with yourself and the seconding/sponsoring trust. Electives include:
-Community practitioner nurse prescribing;
-Collaboration and health information for service users;
-Applying Ethical and Critical Thinking to Practice Based Dilemmas
-Contraception, reproduction and sexual health.

On completion of the 40 week programme of study, you may exit with a Postgraduate Diploma in Community Health, incorporating the specialist pathway qualification.

Assessment details

Assessment strategies are devised to equip students with skills that can be used in their professional development and clinical practice (eg. written reports and journal articles, giving presentations, developing portfolios).

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The Master of Health Science (Developmental Disability) is designed for practitioners from diverse backgrounds in disability services, including medical, nursing, dental, allied health therapies, social work, behavioural science and educational professions to develop specialist knowledge in the field of developmental disability.

Developmental disability is a diverse group of chronic conditions including intellectual disability, autism spectrum disorders and cerebral palsy. People living with developmental disability, across their lifespan, confront many issues, especially in communication, physical and mental health, learning, family life, social inclusion, sexuality, self-help, and independent living.

Underpinned by theory, scholarship and research, this program looks to expand the knowledge and understanding of the issues faced by people with developmental disability, and enhance the skills of professionals to respond to the challenges faced by the sector.

The Master of Health Science (Developmental Disability) is taught by world-class leaders in the field who are committed to advancing health and social policy and practice solutions to enable affected individuals and their families to participate fully in society.

This program tackles some of the difficult questions in developmental disability, including sexuality, end-of-life issues, and parenting to ensure that people receive the support they need in these crucial aspects of their life that are all too often overlooked.

To ask a question about this course, visit http://sydney.edu.au/internationaloffice/

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Please note that this course is only open to applications for September 2018 entry.

This graduate entry programme is designed to enable students to develop the required competences, skills and standards of proficiency to be eligible for registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) as an Occupational Therapist with either the PgDip Occupational Therapy or the MSc Occupational Therapy. The award received depends on the modules passed.

The accelerated format allows the full-time professional training to be condensed into two years, rather than the traditional three-year route. Key features are the use of problem-based (PBL) and inquiry-based learning approaches. These educational approaches involve students working together in small groups and sharing responsibility for meeting module learning outcomes. The course therefore requires students to draw on a range of self-management skills and this experience acts as good preparation for entering the evolving world of health and social care as a qualified member of the workforce.

Occupational Therapy at LSBU has a dedicated team of tutors who utilise their wealth of knowledge, skills and clinical experiences of working in health and social care to inform the teaching programme. The team has a strong commitment to engaging with clinicians and service users in the teaching programme.

To support the teaching programme, the School of Health and Social Care has a dedicated suite of clinical skills labs, including two well-equipped Activities of Daily Living (ADL) suites plus large rooms for art, splinting and group skills sessions.

Modules

Year 1:

Introduction to occupational therapy and occupational science
Human function and occupational performance
Promoting health and wellbeing through occupation

Year 2:

Autonomy, accountability and development of professional identity
Person, environment and occupation
Contemporary Issues in occupational therapy

Students who successfully complete and pass 2 of the 3 first year modules at the first attempt have the option to transfer to the MSc pathway at the end of Year 1. One of these modules passed first time must be Module 3 - Promoting Health and Wellbeing Through Occupation.

School of Health and Social Care Dissertation (MSc pathway only)

All modules are assessed by a mix of written assignments, case studies, critical review, presentations, examinations, practice placements and a dissertation (MSc students only).

Timetable

Attendance is normally three to four days per week with the remaining time being used for self-directed study. There is often preparatory work for problem based learning groups as well as other teaching sessions. Whilst on placements students are full-time following the working hours of the setting.

Teaching and learning

The course uses a range of teaching and learning methods including lectures, small group sessions, practical skills sessions, online and self-directed learning activities.

Placements

During the course you are required to successfully complete and pass over 1000 practice placement hours within a broad variety of health and social care settings; meeting the College of Occupational Therapists (2008), the World Federation of Occupational Therapists (WFOT, 2002) and the Health and Social Care Professions standards and requirements.

At LSBU, we work closely with a number of healthcare organisations to provide a wide range of suitable practice placements. You will therefore gain experience of working with:

• People of different ages, diverse backgrounds and life situations
• Acute and long standing health needs (including physical, mental health and learning disability)
• Services in a range of settings (hospital and community, urban and rural).

Structure of placement learning:

Practice placements are in four blocks and are developmental in nature as you progress through the course. Placements are full time following the working hours of the setting. Student work under the guidance and supervision of a state registered occupational therapist (practice educator).

Placement settings:

Placements will predominantly be within the Greater London area in the NHS, local authority, voluntary, social enterprise, charities and private sectors. Placements can be in established or emerging services. Applicants should be aware that they may need to cover travel costs and placements could require them to commute across London and beyond if necessary.

Professional links

We maintain very strong links with occupational therapists working in health and social care settings across the NHS London area. These expert clinicians contribute to the course design, delivery of teaching sessions and provision of practice placements.

The course is approved by the Health and Care Professions Council; the regulator of Health, Psychological and Social professionals.

The course is accredited by the College of Occupational Therapists; the professional association for occupational therapists.

The course is recognised by the World Federation of Occupational Therapists

Other professional links include the American Occupational Therapy Association, the Occupational Therapy Board of Australia, and the Canadian Association of Occupational Therapy. You will be able to join the OT student society, which has won several LSBU awards.

Employability

Students who successfully complete the 6 core modules will be awarded a Postgraduate Diploma in Occupational Therapy.

Students who successfully complete the 6 core modules and the additional School of Health and Social Care Dissertation module will be awarded an MSc in Occupational Therapy.

Graduates with either award are eligible to register as an Occupational Therapist with the HCPC. Registration allows you to practice as an Occupational Therapist within the NHS, community services and local authorities, as well as social enterprise and the private sector. Other settings include prisons, residential and nursing homes, schools and Social Services.

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Focusing on the nature of vulnerability across the lifespan, the programme is ideal for public sector professionals including those working in health, teaching, social work and the emergency services.

About the programme

Vulnerable populations require committed professionals and partnership working across local government, education, health and social care in the planning, delivery and prioritising of resources. This course is at the heart of that process, creating opportunities for you to work collaboratively to review and shape future service delivery.

Students undertaking this degree will already possess considerable professional expertise and knowledge and wish to further develop their knowledge, skills and expertise in relation to vulnerability, health and social care.

The programme responds to the needs of employers for a better qualified and research-aware public sector workforce. It provides a flexible, individualised learning package which is suited to your area of professional practice and interest.

Your learning

The programme comprises Postgraduate Certificate (60 credits, three modules); Postgraduate Diploma (120 credits, six modules); and MSc (180 credits, six Postgraduate Diploma modules) and a dissertation module (worth 60 credits). It consists of modules tailored to develop your professional needs, set within a framework of interrelated themes. These include protection throughout the life course, and addiction and collaborative practice, which reflect contemporary issues of relevance for all public service professionals.

Modules include:
• Vulnerability
• Risk Assessment and Management
• Child Protection
• Social, Emotional and Behavioural Difficulties
• Understanding Substance Misuse and Addiction
• Dementia Care Principles
• Research for Health and Social Care
• Inclusive Education
• Leadership for Effectiveness
• Quality Improvement in Health Care
• Independent Study

Our Careers Adviser says

Career enhancement in clinical and managerial roles is expected, as the programme creates opportunities to develop the necessary skills and knowledge base to assume a key role within your organisation in terms of supervision, leadership, innovation, change management, clinical governance, research and development. The range of career opportunities within public sector work areas is extensive.

State-of-the-art facilities

Our campuses are equipped with artificial simulated environments with contemporary healthcare technology, where you’ll learn in a realistic context, to put your knowledge into practice. The unpredictability of patient symptoms are mimicked using sophisticated software in a clinical ward setting, ranging from low to high dependency beds.

Investment in the Domus Initiative – an older adult artificial home environment – provides you with experience in caring for older people and dementia care. In a first for the Scottish university sector, we have established A Community Orientated Resource for Nursing (ACORN) where students can practice within a simulated primary care environment.

Lanarkshire and Paisley campuses also provide midwifery students with excellent learning and teaching environments with facilities and equipment that includes a birthing room with maternal simulator and a birthing pool for simulated water births.

Life-changing research

We work jointly with a range of partners, both nationally and internationally, on our research interests, and this directly informs teaching at UWS – which means that you’ll learn from the experts.

Our programmes are informed by practice and all of our academic staff are members of the School’s Institute of Healthcare Policy and
Practice. Some of our most recent initiatives include –

• the launch of a new resource, ‘Jenny’s Diary’, which will provide an invaluable tool for families and practitioners to help people with a learning disability understand their diagnosis of dementia

• the development of a new ‘Philosophy of Care’ in partnership with Broomfield Court Care Home in Glasgow, which will look at ways of enhancing the culture and care within a care setting

• we have collaborated with Ayrshire Hospice to launch the first University Hospice in Scotland to help improve the lives of people with life-limiting illness, their families, partners and carers across Ayrshire & Arran; and Ardgowan Hospice in Greenock, with it becoming a University Teaching Hospice and launching a two-year research project with the University aimed at revolutionising the way palliative
care is delivered to improve the patient journey

• the launch of Dumfries & Galloway Recovery College – the first of its kind in Scotland – which offers short courses designed to enhance self-belief, identify ambitions and encourage learning

• in partnership with Edinburgh Napier University and the University of Edinburgh, the mental health team lead research into the relationship between emotional intelligence and clinical and academic performance in student nurses

• we are working with the Glasgow Improving Cancer Journey Programme to evaluate this groundbreaking intervention in cancer care in Scotland

• we have launched a new state-of-the-art microbiology lab which will form a research base in the fight against Healthcare Associated Infection

• a collaboration with a number of European partners to develop shared academic and practicebased programmes to prepare family health nurses in Europe

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A Master of Science in Developmental Disabilities is designed to prepare researchers, advocates, administrators and policy makers to be leaders in community-based or governmental agencies that address the confluence of issues associated with developmental disabilities throughout the life span. This degree program's body of knowledge will allow graduates of the M.S. program to pursue doctoral-level training in human services, counseling, and public policy, among others. In addition, this degree will provide professionals from disciplines such as nursing and education with the necessary skills to be effective leaders and advance in the field.

The successful graduate of the M.S. in Developmental Disabilities program is expected to:

• Apply knowledge of effective administrative and other leadership skills in the field of developmental disabilities through the use of case study analyses, research papers, and in-class assignments.
• Demonstrate knowledge of the different developmental disabilities and the challenges faced by these individuals across the lifespan.
• Demonstrate an understanding of the impact of the family, the educational system, and community services on the successful integration of individuals with developmental disabilities into the community.
• Apply ethical and legal principles related to working with individuals who have developmental disabilities to real-world cases and settings.
• Apply knowledge of developmental disabilities, organizational behavior, and strategic planning to the design and/or administration of human services organizations which provide services to individuals and families with developmental disabilities. 
• Demonstrate research, analytic thinking, and writing skills when creating a program design or evaluation project on a relevant topic in the field.
• Demonstrate knowledge of the impact of health disparities experienced by individuals with developmental disabilities and the implications for healthcare and human services organizations.

This program is designed for individuals seeking a career in or as:

• Program Director (non-profit)
• Program Coordination
• Early Childhood Interventionist
• Transition Specialist
• Job Coach
• Child Life Specialist (with Child Life Specialist concentration)
• Developmental Specialist
• Case Manager
• Vocational Counselor
• Advocate
• Behavior Analyst or Assistant Behavior Analyst (with ABA concentration)

Program Format

The master's program is offered entirely online. The online format allows for students to participate in courses from anywhere in the world where Internet access is available. In addition, it allows for the flexibility of completing your master's degree without interrupting your career.

Master's students are provided NSU computer accounts including email and Blackboard, but must obtain their own Internet service providers, use their own computer systems and have a usable web camera. Online students use the web to access course materials, announcements, email, distance library services, subscription library databases, and other information, and for interaction with faculty and fellow students. Online, interactive learning methods are based on the use of Blackboard as a course management system. Online activities facilitate frequent student-to-faculty and student-to-student interaction. They are supported by threaded discussion boards, white boards, chat rooms, email, and multimedia presentations. In addition, Blackboard enables students to submit assignments online in multimedia formats and to receive their professors' reviews of assignments online in the same formats.

Curriculum

Students enrolled in the Masters of Science in Developmental Disabilities are required to complete 18 credit hours of foundational coursework, 9 credit hours in one of the Concentrations, and 3 credit hours of a Developmental Disabilities Master's Research Project.

Foundational coursework:

• HSDD 5000: Survey of Developmental Disabilities (3 credits)
• HSDD 5100: Program Design and Evaluation (3 credits)
• HSDD 5200: Disability and the Family Life Cycle (3 credits)
• HSDD 5300: Legal and Ethical Issues in Disability (3 credits)
• HSDD 5400: Healthcare Issues in Developmental Disabilities (3 credits)
• HSDD 5500: Disability Services Administration (3 credits)
• HSDD 6000: Developmental Disabilities Masters Project (3 credits)

Concentrations

• Concentration 1: Leadership/Advocacy
• Concentration 2: Adult Services/Transition
• Concentration 3: Early Childhood
• Concentration 4: Applied Behavior Analysis Concentration Courses (18 Credits)
• Concentration 5: Child Life Specialist (18 Credits)

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The Severe, Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulties blended learning programme which is a combination of campus face-to-face sessions and online education. Each module contains a 3 day campus study course and during the study weekends and the study days you will have the chance to be taught by academics from the University of Birmingham and other institutions as well as frontline practitioners and well-know training providers such as Peter Imray and Dave Hewett (Find out more in the Learning and Teaching section).

The programme aims to:

enable participants to study systematically, critically and in-depth, aspects of educating children and adults with severe, profound and multiple learning difficulties that are relevant to their own practice
provide the support needed for participants to analyse critically and improve their own theory and practice with children and adults with severe, profound and multple learning difficulties
encourage participants to evaluate critically and develop their collaborative work across disciplines and agencies
facilitate participants in developing rigorous evidence-based practice
As the programme is designed for a range of practitioners, it is hoped that participants from different agencies or disciplines who work with the same learners will come on the course together (and thus improve their working together). If you are thinking of studying on the course, invite a colleague to study with you!

About the School of Education

The School of Education has a long-standing reputation as a centre of excellence for teaching and research in a wide range of areas of educational practice and policy. It is an international leader in education with a history of top rated research. In the 2016 QS World Rankings, it was ranked 28th in the World and joint 7th in Europe/UK.
The School employs over 100 academic staff who teach more than 2,500 students. It is home to a number of departments and research centres with a history of top rated research and is an international leader in education.
School of Education ranking:
- Ranked 6th in the Guardian University League Tables 2017
- Ranked 10th in the 2017 Complete University Guide
- In Top 3 for HEI provision in the Good Teacher Training Guide
- Ranked 28th in the World in the 2016 QS World Rankings
- Ranked 9th overall for Research in the 2014 REF (with more than 82% of research rated as ‘internationally excellent’ (3*) or ‘world leading’ (4*).
- Rated 'outstanding' in latest Ofsted inspection (2013) for its Teacher Training programmes
- Ranked third for Education in The Times Good University Guide 2017

Funding and Scholarships

There are many ways to finance your postgraduate study at the University of Birmingham. To see what funding and scholarships are available, please visit: http://www.birmingham.ac.uk/postgraduate/funding

Open Days

Explore postgraduate study at Birmingham at our on-campus open days.
Register to attend at: http://www.birmingham.ac.uk/postgraduate/visit

Virtual Open Days

If you can’t make it to one of our on-campus open days, our virtual open days run regularly throughout the year. For more information, please visit: http://www.pg.bham.ac.uk

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The course is designed for professionals who work (or intend to work) in teaching and caring professions, e.g. with people with autism, Down’s Syndrome and other learning disabilities, in general behaviour management, education, parent support and training, community development, and adult mental health. Students will develop practical skills e.g. the ability to select and apply behavioural assessment and intervention procedures; gather experimental evidence for the efficacy of proposed behavioural interventions and adjust them accordingly; display skills and knowledge for leadership roles in social and community settings; articulate ethical principles and employ these in clinical decision making.

Key benefits

- Three members of the teaching staff on the MSc in ABA are Board Certified Behaviour Analysts. All staff have a strong record of research and/or teaching in both experimental and applied behaviour analysis. This quality of teaching has been recognised through numerous international awards for the dissemination of the science.

- Those students who completed the course whilst in employment have gone on to bring their new skillset to such diverse backgrounds as education (Special Needs and mainstream), social work, and mental health nursing.

- Work placement/ study abroad available

Visit the website: https://www.ulster.ac.uk/course/msc-applied-behaviour-analysis-pt-ce

Course detail

- Description -

The broad aim of the MSc Applied Behaviour Analysis is to give students the opportunity to develop their theoretical and conceptual knowledge in behaviour analysis, develop skills in behavioural assessment, and acquire the ability to work in partnership with clients where they plan and implement programmes that are aimed at establishing, strengthening and/or weakening targeted behaviours.

- Purpose -

The programme aims to provide a foundation that contributes to the preparation of candidates interested in applying for the internationally recognised examination leading to Board Certification in Behaviour Analysis (BCBA). It will normally be completed over two calendar years to allow time for students to obtain relevant work experience, which is a requirement for certification in Behaviour Analysis.

- Course format and assessment -

Courses are continually reviewed to take advantage of new teaching approaches and developments in research, industry and the professions. Please be aware that modules may change for your year of entry. The exact modules available and their order may vary depending on course updates, staff availability, timetabling and student demand.

A variety of teaching methods and learning environments are utilised to provide an optimal framework for study, the development of skills and expertise, the production of coursework, and preparation for examinations.As with any Masters programme, completion of a dissertation based on a research project is a major part of the assessment. The strategies from which students are expected to develop the knowledge, understanding and skills appropriate to the course are:

- listening and note taking in lectures
- private study, initially guided by recommended reading
- preparation and presentation of assignments using a range of media
- participation in seminars
- design, execution and analysis of a range of methods of enquiry
- exploration, acquisition and analysis of data
- observation and monitoring of professional practice
- taking responsibility for gaining appropriate advice and guidance from relevant sources
- managing their learning both as individuals and team members articulating the relevance of their learning for their own personal and career development

Career prospects

Those students who have completed the course have gone on to have successful careers in a number of areas. For example numerous students have gone on to work for local health authorities and charities as behaviour specialists in both Northern Irland and the Republic of Ireland. Numerous students have gone on to work privately by providinh hoe- and school-based behavioural interventions for families. A number of students who completed their placement year with the New England Center for Children (NECC) in Boston went on to work for NECC in London and Abu Dhabi.

How to apply: https://www.ulster.ac.uk/apply/how-to-apply#pg

Why Choose Ulster University ?

1. Over 92% of our graduates are in work or further study six months after graduation.
2. We are a top UK university for providing courses with a period of work placement.
3. Our teaching and the learning experience we deliver are rated at the highest level by the Quality Assurance Agency.
4. We recruit international students from more than 100 different countries.
5. More than 4,000 students from over 50 countries have successfully completed eLearning courses at Ulster University.

Flexible payment

To help spread the cost of your studies, tuition fees can be paid back in monthly instalments while you learn. If you study for a one-year, full-time master’s, you can pay your fees up-front, in one lump sum, or in either five* or ten* equal monthly payments. If you study for a master’s on a part-time basis (e.g. over three years), you can pay each year’s fees up-front or in five or ten equal monthly payments each year. This flexibility allows you to spread the payment of your fees over each academic year. Find out more by visiting https://www.ulster.ac.uk/apply/fees-and-finance/postgraduate

Scholarships

A comprehensive range of financial scholarships, awards and prizes are available to undergraduate, postgraduate and research students. Scholarships recognise the many ways in which our students are outstanding in their subject. Individuals may be able to apply directly or may automatically be nominated for awards. Visit the website: https://www.ulster.ac.uk/apply/fees-and-finance/scholarships

English Language Tuition

CELT offers courses and consultations in English language and study skills to Ulster University students of all subjects, levels and nationalities. Students and researchers for whom English is an additional language can access free CELT support throughout the academic year: https://www.ulster.ac.uk/international/english-language-support

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Reasons to study Nursing at DMU:

- Benefit from flexible study alongside your work commitments
- Receive continuous support throughout the duration of the course
- Study modules that are tailored to your specific career interests
- Enhance your specialist knowledge and explore topics of current interest in the field including research philosophy and methods, theoretical perspectives on practice, clinical governance and patient safety and communication in intercultural contexts
- Our experienced practitioner-and research-based academic staff are involved in leading healthcare projects worldwide, ensuring your learning is at the cutting-edge of developments in the sector
- Inter-professional education means you benefit from learning alongside specialist doctorate and professorial staff and students from around the world - share experiences and learn from colleagues across a diverse range of interests and develop your transferable skills

Core Modules Are:

- The Essence of Nursing (15 credits) – This module discovers the essential elements of nursing care that are crucial in reducing lengths of stay, adverse events, and litigation leading to nurses having a measurable and significant impact not just on safety, quality, and economic outcomes but also on patient satisfaction and engagement

- Nursing Leadership: Exploring your potential (15 credits) - This module explores the theory and practice of effective leadership and management as it applies to leading in diverse contexts in contemporary healthcare

- Research Designs for Nursing (30 credits) – This module develops a thorough grounding in both the philosophical and methodological processes of research in preparation for the dissertation module

- Dissertation (60 credits) - This module allows students to undertake small-scale research projects and to develop recommendations for improving future nursing practice

OPTIONAL MODULES INCLUDE (60 CREDITS TO BE TAKEN):

- Developing Nursing Skills in Clinical Assessment (30 credits) – This focus of this module is aimed at nurses who wish to enhance their clinical consultation and examination skills. It aims to develop and raise students’ knowledge on history taking, theoretical knowledge regarding clinical examination of four major body systems and how to formulate a differential diagnoses

- Integrated Care: The care and management of people with non-communicable diseases (30 credits) – The aim of the module is to provide the student with the opportunity to examine and critically analyse the appropriate principles, concepts, research and contemporary evidence related to the management of long-term conditions. Students will learn the variety of long term conditions patients may be affected by: the different approaches employed to support patients and their families; different therapeutic approaches, new medications and lifestyle modifications. They will also be able to demonstrate an ability to apply their knowledge to the effective management of long-term conditions in the context of global, national and local perspectives

- Advancing Health and Professional Practice through Independent Study (30 credits) – This module allows the student to explore and analyse an area of health and professional practice with the emphasis on enhancing service delivery

- Health Promotion and Public Health (30 credits) - This module reviews the development of health promotion/public health and considers underpinning concepts, principles and methodologies. It examines the policy context for health development, protection and promotion and introduces students to leading theoretical frameworks and models for guiding and analysing intervention. Topical case studies are used as a vehicle for the exploration of important themes and debates in the new public health discourse

Teaching and assessment

Our teaching approach is ideally designed for studying at home and in the workplace. Study materials are available online in the DMU virtual learning environment. We suggest you will need to spend about 10-15 hours per week week studying the course material and undertaking assessment.

There is some attendance required at the university for UK-based students:

- An induction day, as you start the course, to introduce you to the programme team, the study facilities available to you, the course requirements and patterns of study.Two study days per year, where you will have small group tutorials about the assignments, do some further study in groups, and maybe sit a study day assessment, depending on the module

If you choose the independent prescribing option in the diploma stage this is taught partly by face-to-face teaching at DMU over 11 study days and two assessment days.

Assessments include written reports, clinical interventions, CPD cycles, presentation of patient cases and care plans. If students study the Independent Prescribing module, assessments also include OSCEs, oral examination and a reflective journal.

Assessment

This is a modular course and each module is individually assessed. A variety of assessment strategies are used including essays, reports, assessed seminars and a research dissertation.

There is the expectation that you will take responsibility for your learning and will seek support from the academic team as necessary. The philosophy of the course reflects the belief that you will manage your own learning independently with support from the course tutors.

It is also possible to exit with a post graduate certificate or diploma.

You can get more information from the DMU website (PG Courses: http://www.dmu.ac.uk/study/postgraduate-study/postgraduate-study.aspx)

Academic expertise

Staff are also involved in carrying out research of national and international significance. You are also fortunate to benefit from the expertise of staff from the healthcare sectors who contribute to teaching

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This MSc in Professional Clinical Practice has been designed to enable graduate nurses and health and social care practitioners to choose an academic pathway suited to their individual employability and practice. The programme is an ideal foundation for potential practice development roles, academic teaching, management, leadership, a career in research of further study at PhD level. With only two core elements, which prepare you for and immerse you in research, there is extensive scope to devise a programme tailored to your individual needs and other commitments.

What will I study?

The programme consists of 100 credits of core modules and 80 credits of option modules. The core modules introduce you to the research process and allow you to develop a research proposal and complete a dissertation.

The flexible nature of the programme allows you to choose from a variety of potential subject areas for your option modules. For example, you will have the opportunity to explore themes such as leadership, mental health, clinical supervision, public health, health promotion or learning disabilities.

How will I study?

This MSc is delivered through lectures, workshops, seminars, group work and critical debates. The aim is to provide a framework to underpin the development of critical thinking and sharing in the learning process. The approach varies between modules and will often incorporate blended learning, where face-to-face sessions are supported by the University’s Virtual Learning Environment (VLE).

How will I be assessed?

Assessment methods vary according to the demands of the module but can be through assignments, Objective Structured Clinical Examinations, portfolios, seminar presentations and work-based learning projects. All of your assessed work can be focused on your own specific areas of interest.

Who will be teaching me?

Edge Hill University enjoys an excellent reputation for teaching quality. The teaching team comprises staff from the Faculty of Health and Social Care and the Evidence Based Practice Research Centre. You will be taught by experts in professional clinical practice who publish in international journals and present at national and international conferences.

What are my career prospects?

On successful completion of the programme you will become proficient, creative and innovative in analysing and evaluating perspectives in health and social care practice.

You will have the knowledge and expertise to function at an advanced level within the contemporary political, social and economic environment, able to develop strategies for quality enhancement in both role and service development.

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Visit our website for more information on fees, scholarships, postgraduate loans and other funding options to study Autism and Related Conditions at Swansea University - 'Welsh University of the Year 2017' (Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2017).

Autism is a spectrum of lifelong neurodevelopmental conditions that presents various challenges for those people living with Autism and the services in place to provide care, education, training and support. There is an emphasis on the need to increase general awareness and specialist training for all professionals involved in the delivery of autism related services. However, it has been recognised that Autism and its related conditions are prevalent globally, and this programme explores the international context to highlight best practice initiatives.

The Master's in Autism and Related Conditions, which is also available at Postgraduate Diploma and Postgraduate Certificate level as well as on a part time basis, is a unique training and development programme leading to a postgraduate qualification for those professionals who are seeking to advance and specialise their knowledge and practice in Autism.

Key Features of the Autism and Related Conditions Programme

In response to the Autism Act (2009), the UK government produced statutory guidance for health, social care and educational organisations, which highlighted the strategic need for staff training at all levels, service planning and the creation of local leadership. Part of this guidance places an emphasis on the need to increase general awareness and specialist training for all professionals involved in the delivery of autism related services.

Key features of the Autism and Related Conditions programme include:

- Innovative and integrated curriculum that reflects the various aspects in the provision of autism services (i.e. clinical, social care and specialist education).

- Flexibility for you to gain specialist knowledge in your respective professions

- People living with Autism are involved in the delivery of the programme

- Teaching is supported by online learning and support

- Strong links with various third sector organisations

- Research informed teaching

- Multiprofessional teaching team with vast experience and expertise in Autism and related conditions

- Choice between a research project or a work based portfolio for the MSc dissertation

- Available as either a full time or part time study

The Autism and Related Conditions programme is modular and structured in three levels, each building on the next. You can elect to take either the full Master's programme or the Postgraduate Certificate or Diploma, depending on need and circumstances. The programme is designed to allow you to complete either as full time or part time study. For part-time students, each of the three components are scheduled to take a year each to complete.

Who should take this course?

Any health care professionals (medical, nursing and allied health), educators (primary, secondary, FE and HE), social care professionals and psychologists who wish to develop their understanding, skills and leadership in Autism.

Attendance Pattern

Students are required to attend the University for 1 week (5 consecutive days) for each module in Part One (Taught Element). Attendance during Part Two (Dissertation or Portfolio) is negotiated with the supervisor, with a minimum of 4 supervisory meetings. You are also encourage to attend the Postgraduate Taught Induction Event during the induction week and any programme associated seminars.

Modules

Modules on the Autism and Related Conditions may include:

Diagnosis and Assessment of Autism and Related Conditions

Living with Autism and Related Conditions

Critical Appraisal and Evaluation

Data Analysis for Health and Medical Sciences

Management of Autism and Related Conditions

Foundations of Behaviour

Childhood and Adult Services for Autism and Related Conditions

Rights and Responsibilities for Autism and Related Conditions

Additionally, you will be able to choose to complete a research based dissertation or a work based reflective portfolio.‌

Meet our Alumni

Elizabeth Clatworthy was the first person to graduate from the MSc in Autism and Related Conditions course in 2014. She had both a personal and professional reason to be the first person to gain a Master’s degree in a new course that specialises in the study of autism, as she fosters an eight year old boy who has the condition. Elizabeth said: ‘However a five year old boy came to me to be fostered, which resulted in him being placed with me full time. He was non-verbal and had behavioural issues, but now he talks, has learned to manage his own behaviour and now I feel that there is no limit to what he can achieve. This experience led me to apply for my Master’s degree and I have found that my learning has helped me understand more about my foster child, and equally my foster child has helped me gain greater insight into my studies.”

Rhys Jenkins, now aged 24, was diagnosed with Autism when he was 16 years old. He had successfully completed a Law Degree at Cardiff University prior to coming to Swansea University to complete the MSc in Autism and Related Conditions course.

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