PMADDMHE - MSc Addiction and Mental Health
Course Specification
Validation status | Validated | |||||||||||
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Highest award | Master of Science | Level | Masters | |||||||||
Possible interim awards | Postgraduate Diploma, Postgraduate Certificate | |||||||||||
Total credits for course | 180 | |||||||||||
Awarding institution | London Metropolitan University | |||||||||||
Teaching institutions | London Metropolitan University, Aventis Graduate School Pte Ltd | |||||||||||
School | School of Social Sciences and Professions | |||||||||||
Subject Area | Psychology | |||||||||||
Attendance options |
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Course leader |
About the course and its strategy towards teaching and learning and towards blended learning/e-learning
The course is designed to provide advanced training in Addiction and Mental Health and to provide an opportunity to acquire a critical understanding of the theoretical and empirical underpinnings of research in this area. This course will appeal to social science, psychology graduates and those working in areas allied to medicine wishing to develop the skills and support career progression. This course would provide high quality education and research training aimed clearly at the needs of the wider society and the career aspirations of a large percentage of graduate students.
The teaching and learning approach is explicitly geared towards enhancing students’ employability skills. A focus on experiential learning and reflective practices, including clinical based teaching methods, have been incorporated into the curriculum. Further, diversified assessment methods including training in positive psychology and motivational interviewing will support developing student skills.
Scheduled teaching consists of lectures, workshops (including those in the dedicated computer laboratories) and seminars (which may take place in small study rooms). The scheduled teaching programme for full time students consists of the equivalent of two full days across the week during the autumn and spring semesters. In addition to formal teaching time, students are expected to devote considerable time outside of this to independent study (under appropriate supervision). This focus on independent (but supported) learning is particularly evident within the dissertation module.
Course aims
This course will critically examine the theoretical and clinical explanations of Addiction and Mental Health from a biological, behavioural, social and cognitive perspective. Using formal classification systems, it will provide a multidisciplinary approach to understanding psychopathology. Various theoretical frameworks in both the understanding and management of psychological difficulties will be explored across the lifespan. This will also include contemporary areas such as resilience, positive psychology, mindfulness and resilience, which have become increasingly popular in healthcare. In line with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) and National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines, the core modules aim to provide an opportunity to critically examine local and national policies and service planning for access and treatment of mental health; understanding relevant social, biological, cultural and economic contexts and reflect on the advantages of a multidisciplinary service to meet the range of needs across the lifespan. Teaching and learning practices have been aligned with CQC and NICE recommendations in order to ensure the quality standards and relevant benchmarking tools. Those attending the MSc Addiction and Mental Health will develop a critical understanding of knowledge, clinical skills, reflective practice, analytical techniques and problem-solving skills. It also develops competencies in conducting research and analysis in relation to psychology of mental health including an understanding of child and adult safeguarding along with pertinent ethical issues which may arise in clinical practice.
The course aims to provide students with up-to-date and advanced training in Addiction and Mental Health and to develop a broader understanding of recent developments in mental health. Furthermore, the course aims to provide opportunities for students to develop competence in conducting research and scholarly analysis focused on Addiction and Mental Health across the lifespan
1. To encourage students to explore ways in which knowledge can contribute to the policy development in this discipline.
2. To encourage depth and systematic critical understanding appropriate to needs of those experiencing mental health via a bio-psychosocial and cultural perspective.
To make a contribution to national mental health training needs to all those who have a role to play in supporting those with mental health across health, social care, education and youth justice etc. Thus, enhancing the capabilities and competencies of mental health practitioners, supporting career change and/or progression.
Course learning outcomes
On successful completion of this course students will be able to:
1. Apply appropriate methods and techniques to their own research or advanced scholarship in the field of Addiction and Mental Health
2. Apply knowledge with originality, based on a practical understanding of how established techniques of research and enquiry are used to create and interpret knowledge in Addiction and Mental Health
3. Critically evaluate current research, evidence and scholarship in the field of Addiction and Mental Health
4. Evaluate methodologies and develop critiques of them and, where appropriate, to propose new hypotheses
5. Deal with complex issues both systematically and creatively, make sound judgements in the absence of complete data, and communicate their conclusions clearly to specialist and non-specialist audiences
6. Exercise self-direction and originality in tackling and solving problems, and act autonomously in planning and implementing tasks at a professional or equivalent level
7. Advance their knowledge and understanding, and to develop new skills to a high level
8. Exercise initiative and personal responsibility, including decision-making in complex and unpredictable situations
9. Learn independently for the purposes of continuing professional development.
Course learning outcomes / Module cross reference
Please consult Course Handbook for further information
Principle QAA benchmark statements
Teaching and learning practices have been aligned with QAA recommendations in order to ensure the quality standards and relevant benchmarking tools. Those attending the MSc Addiction and Mental Health will develop a critical understanding of knowledge, clinical skills, reflective practice, analytical techniques and problem-solving skills.
http://www.qaa.ac.uk/assuring-standards-and-quality/the-quality-code/subject-benchmark-statements
Level 7 awards and relevant guidance:
http://www.qaa.ac.uk/en/Publications/Documents/Masters-Degree-Characteristics-2010.pdf
Assessment strategy
The course is assessed through a variety of tasks that allow for the demonstration of academic learning through mechanisms that support employability skills. Thus, students are assessed through essay, case studies (including reflective, consultancy and individual), oral presentation, critical and systematic reviews, qualitative and quantitative research reports.
Organised work experience, work based learning, sandwich year or year abroad
N/A (this course does not have work based learning).
Course specific regulations
Standard Academic Regulations apply
Modules required for interim awards
PG Certificate Addiction and Mental Health
• PY7022, PY7023 and any one 20 credit module, excluding the dissertation - PY7PA6.
PG Diploma in Addiction and Mental Health
• All taught modules to the value of 120 credits, excluding the dissertation - PY7PA6.
Arrangements for promoting reflective learning and personal development
Students will receive information during the appropriate lectures regarding how the knowledge and competencies from the course can be applied to a wide range of settings. The modules contain exercises which assist with personal development (such as workshops and discussions related to the application of ethics to practice settings). Many of the modules allow students to produce a reflective account outlining the individual’s experiences and learning in relation to course material.
Formative feedback is provided in relation to both examinations and coursework which focuses on assisting students to improve their personal and academic skills.
Career, employability and opportunities for continuing professional development
Successful completion of this course offers improved career opportunities in mental health services, social services, academia, health, mental health services in general. The programme is also excellent preparation for further research or study, e.g. clinical psychology. Guest speakers from industry and voluntary agencies make available opportunities for increasing student employability.
Career opportunities
Completing this master’s degree will help you identify and pursue a career that’s important to you.
Our programme of studies will strengthen pathways toward a career as an addictions practitioner or a career in research studying addictive behaviours. Many of our graduates have found that their studies help them enter a range of careers, including clinical psychology, social work and para-medical disciplines.
Alternatively, you may already work in addiction services and therefore this course aims to strengthen your career progression.
Entry requirements
You will be required to have:
- a minimum of a lower second-class (2.2) honours degree in social sciences, health, education or human sciences.
Graduates from other disciplines who have extensive relevant work experience will be considered on an individual basis.
Official use and codes
Approved to run from | 2019/20 | Specification version | 1 | Specification status | Validated |
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Original validation date | 19 May 2019 | Last validation date | 19 May 2019 | ||
Sources of funding | |||||
JACS codes | |||||
Route code | ADDMHE |
Stage 1 Level 07 September start Offered
Code | Module title | Info | Type | Credits | Location | Period | Day | Time |
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PY7010 | Law, Policy and Ethics | Core | 20 | |||||
PY7022 | Addiction Psychology | Core | 20 | NORTH | AUT | THU | PM | |
PY7023 | Neuroscience of Addiction and Pharmacotherapy | Core | 20 | NORTH | SPR | THU | AM | |
PY7163 | Research Design and Analysis for Psychology | Core | 20 | NORTH | SPR | THU | PM | |
PY7191 | Psychopathology | Core | 20 | NORTH | AUT | WED | AM | |
PY7194 | Treatment Interventions | Core | 20 | NORTH | SPR | WED | PM | |
PY7PA6 | Research Project | Core | 60 | NORTH | AUT+SPR | WED | PM |
Stage 1 Level 07 January start Not currently offered
Code | Module title | Info | Type | Credits | Location | Period | Day | Time |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
PY7010 | Law, Policy and Ethics | Core | 20 | |||||
PY7022 | Addiction Psychology | Core | 20 | |||||
PY7023 | Neuroscience of Addiction and Pharmacotherapy | Core | 20 | |||||
PY7163 | Research Design and Analysis for Psychology | Core | 20 | |||||
PY7191 | Psychopathology | Core | 20 | |||||
PY7194 | Treatment Interventions | Core | 20 | |||||
PY7PA6 | Research Project | Core | 60 |