Advanced Clinical Practice MSc

Program Overview

The MSc Advanced Clinical Practice program at DMU prepares healthcare professionals for leadership, education, and research roles in advanced clinical practice. It emphasizes critical thinking, research appraisal, and experiential learning, aligning with the four pillars of Advanced Practice. The program offers flexible part-time study options and culminates in a Service Improvement Project instead of a traditional dissertation.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

• This program focuses on developing practitioners' skills to critically appraise research, practice beyond the expert clinician role, and work within the multi-professional framework for Advanced Clinical Practice in England.
• Aims to prepare graduates for
• leadership and management
,
• education
, and
• research
in addition to clinical practice.
• Curriculum aligns with the four pillars of Advanced Practice: clinical practice, leadership and management, education, and research.
• Emphasizes the ability to
• critically think
and
• appraise research
.
• clinicians, academics, and local partners

Outline:

• Students need to complete
• 180 credits
over
• three to six years
.
• part-time only
• September
• Modules:
• Year One:
• MPHE 5801 – Advanced Consultation and physical examination skills:
Critical appraisal of consultation and physical examination principles. Assessed via assignments and OSCEs.
• MPHE 5804 – Diagnostic Reasoning for Advanced Clinical Practice: Focuses on problem-solving, identifying complex health needs, and applying specialist knowledge.
Assessed with a portfolio and case study.
• MPHE 5204 – Independent Study – Advanced Practice: Develops an area of professional practice through independent contracted learning.
• Year Two:
• SPEC 5610 – Research methods for health professionals:
Introduces research methodologies, building understanding for the service improvement plan and prescribing course.
• Prescribing: Students choose either the
• non-medical prescribing course (PRES5005 & PRES5006)
or the
• Practice certificate in independent prescribing (PHAR5557)
depending on their profession and legislative permissions.
• Year Three:
• MPHE 5806 – Service Improvement Project:
A 12,000-word project focusing on education and leadership aspects of advanced practice. Replaces a traditional dissertation.
• Exit options:
• Postgraduate Diploma in Advanced Clinical Practice: Completion of all modules except the dissertation.
• Postgraduate Certificate: Completion of a physical examination module and a research module.

Assessment:

• Assessment methods vary depending on the module and may include:
• Assignments
• OSCEs
• Portfolio
• Case studies
• Exams
• Final project
• Practice portfolio element

Teaching:

• Mix of lectures, tutorials, practical sessions, and self-directed learning.
• Students are responsible for developing their own learning plan and accessing support.
• experiential learning
• Faculty includes experienced Advanced Clinical Practitioners, senior medical clinicians, and research-active academics.
• Most modules have one full day of taught elements per week.
• One-day program induction event held in mid-September.

Careers:

• Completion of the program fulfills the academic requirements to practice as an Advanced Clinical Practitioner.
• Anticipates future NMC regulation and complies with UK standards.
• Graduates can pursue careers in various healthcare settings and assume leadership roles.
• Learning Zones provide spaces for individual and group study.