Abertay University Masters Degrees in Nursing & Health

The MSc Mental Health Nursing has been designed specifically for motivated and ambitious registered mental health nurses.

Why choose this course?

-Specific focus on mental health nursing.
-Taught by a team of subject experts.
-The opportunity to study through blended learning with option module choices relevant to your field of interest.
-Exploration of contemporary recovery focused and critical perspectives in mental health nursing.
-Provides enhanced expertise and knowledge necessary to lead and facilitate change in mental health care delivery.
-Opportunity to undertake a clinically relevant research project.

Continuous Professional Development

This course has been designed specifically for ambitious registered graduate mental health nurses or those with significant relevant experience. The programme aims to further develop your ability to work in and lead services at a time of rapid change; and respond to developments in practice, changes in the philosophy of mental health nursing and the emergence of new ideas and research.

What you study

This modular programme is made up of both core and option modules.

The three core modules are:
-Research Methods for Social Sciences
-Recovery and Self-Management
-Dissertation

In addition to the core modules students choose four of the following option modules:
-Crisis Intervention and Resolution
-Motivational interviewing in healthcare settings
-Mental Health in Older Adults
-Leadership for health and social care professionals
-Work Based Review

How you learn and how you are assessed

The programme is delivered using a blended learning approach with sessional university based study days on modules which have a skills based component. Online learning activities will include; discussion groups, online lectures and tutorials using podcasts and chat facilities, learning activities and guided reading. Online learning will be facilitated and supported by the module leader.

Assessment is via coursework, essay, reflective study, portfolio and online discussion participation.

The course modules details provided above are subject to change, and are the latest example of the curriculum available on this course of study.

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The development of integrated health and social care services requires practitioners with interdisciplinary knowledge and skills. This is a new programme designed for those working in a variety of professional backgrounds in the field. Underpinned by a commitment to recovery and evidence-driven approaches, it aims to help you shape your career and contribute to the future of mental health care.

Why choose this programme?

-Taught by subject experts whose teaching is underpinned by research.
-Join a community of active researchers and scholars.
-Option modules are available:tailor your studies to your area of interest. Opportunity to undertake a supervised research project on a topic of your choice.
-Career opportunities: Masters graduates are employed in a range of positions in the practice setting as well as in education, research, management and leadership roles. Opportunities are available in a range of settings across the NHS, private and voluntary sectors.
-Flexibility: effective provision of online and distance learning maximises programme flexibility and promotes learning across disciplines.

Your career

The knowledge and skills you will gain are likely to be valuable in a variety of positions in health and social care settings. You will develop important transferable skills including problem-solving, time management, the ability to deal with complex situations and competence in the production of written reports derived from evidence.

You will be trained in research methods - an advantage for those wishing to enrol on Doctorate degrees. We anticipate that graduates from the programme will explore career opportunities in practice, education or research.

"This programme offers a real opportunity to set yourself apart from the rest by developing specialist, high-level skills and knowledge in mental health care. You can truly help to make a difference."
Kathryn Thompson - Peer Recovery Worker, NHS Tayside

What you study

You have the opportunity for interdisciplinary learning as modules are shared with a partner programme - MSc Mental Health Nursing.

Modules include:
-Recovery and Self-Management
-Leadership
-Motivational Interviewing
-Older Adults
-Crisis Intervention
-Research Methods
-Research Project

The programme includes three exit points; these are:
-End of Year 1: Postgraduate Certificate in Mental Health (PGCert)
-End of Year 2: Postgraduate Diploma in Mental Health (PGDip)
-End of Year 3: Masters in Mental Health (MSc)

Industry Experience

Abertay has strong links with a range of mental health service providers at both local and national level. Members of the teaching team have excellent practice links, with some currently working directly with service users. The programme benefits from input from experts by experience and colleagues from a variety of service providers, including front line staff, managers, policy makers and leaders.

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Applications to this course must be received by the 31st March. Any applications received after that date will be placed on hold and will be considered if places become available. Late applicants will also be offered the opportunity to have their application considered for September 2018 entry.

Counselling is an activity and profession that provides emotional support for people experiencing problems in their lives. Studying counselling at a post-graduate level involves developing theoretical understandings, practical skills and a high level of personal awareness and resilience.

The first year of this programme begins with an introduction to counselling and practical training in the application of helping interventions, so from the outset you are engaged in skills learning. This foundation year provides counselling skills, and the experience needed to undertake a practice placement.

The subsequent two years involve a combination of teaching in theory, research, practice and professional issues, and self-development, all of which are directly linked to practice placement.

This part-time programme requires one day per week attendance.

This programme includes three exit points, these are
-End of first year: Postgraduate Certificate in Counselling Skills
-End of second year: Postgraduate Diploma in Counselling Studies
-End of third year: Masters (MSc) in Counselling

Why choose this course?

This is currently the only UK programme that provides comprehensive training in the Pluralistic framework for counselling and psychotherapy integration. A key benefit of this approach is that you will train in a wide range of theories and interventions, and learn how best to adapt your counselling approach to the needs of your clients.

Abertay University has a long tradition of providing training in counselling and counselling skills. Our counselling teaching staff are respected within the profession as leaders in their field, and in coming here you will join a vibrant community of practitioners of past and current students.

We have a strong research orientation, and the Tayside counselling research centre is based on campus. There are opportunities for you to be involved in projects that are influencing and developing the role and effectiveness of counselling interventions in modern society.

As a postgraduate student you are part of our Graduate School, a dedicated facility specially designed to promote integration and inculcation of interdisciplinary working in our next generation of researchers.

What you study

The course offers a comprehensive selection of topics on talking therapies, interventions and professional practice.

The core areas include:
-The pluralistic approach to counselling and psychotherapy
-A range of theoretical approaches to counselling, such as Person Centred and Experiential, Psychodynamic, Transactional Analysis, Existential, and Cognitive Behavioural Therapies
-Practice skills in working with clients, and professional skills for working in counselling contexts
-Personal development and self-awareness
-Evidence-based practice and research methods
-Ethical and professional issues in counselling

These core areas are covered in increasing depth over the three years of the programme. In addition you will have the opportunity to take part in workshops to introduce and develop your understanding of mental health issues, such as depression and anxiety, addictions, and eating disorders, along with specific approaches such as solution-focussed therapies, and mindfulness.

In combination with the one day a week attendance on campus, in year 2 and 3 you will take a placement as a counsellor as an essential part of your professional training.

Assessment is through a range of methods including case-studies, theory essays, literature reviews, practice observations, and reflective accounts, along with reports from supervisors and practice placement.

Assessment tasks are integrated in to the course and spread through the three years.

Formative assessment is ongoing and the programme team provide feedback on practice skills and activities in class.

Further info

By providing both foundational and professional training in a single programme Abertay are giving you the opportunity to undergo a three year part-time degree as a direct entry in to a counselling career.

Our graduates have moved on to work within the field of counselling, psychotherapy, social care, research and education. Some graduates choose to enter private practice, while others remain in the voluntary sector. In addition it is possible to go on to train in counselling supervision.

An MSc in Counselling also provides transferable skills, and can considerably enhance career prospects for people working in health, education, the church, criminal justice, human resource management, and the voluntary sector.

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