MSc Advanced Clinical Practice (Mental Health) (Level 7)
Program Overview
The MSc Advanced Clinical Practice (Mental Health) is a multi-professional program designed to develop advanced clinical skills and knowledge in mental healthcare for experienced professionals. It comprises structured modules covering clinical, leadership, education, and research aspects. The program emphasizes workplace application through practice-based learning and aims to prepare graduates for advanced practice roles in mental health settings.
Program Outline
Degree Overview:
The MSc Advanced Clinical Practice (Mental Health) is a multi-professional program designed for experienced qualified registered nurses, allied health professionals, and pharmacists who work with people with mental health issues across the lifespan. The program aims to develop advanced clinical practice skills and knowledge in mental health care. Students can exit with 120 credits to gain the PgDip Advanced Clinical Practice (Mental Health), but most are expected to progress to complete the full MSc. The program is accredited by Health Education England’s Centre for Advancing Practice.
Outline:
The program is structured around a set series of modules that build in a specific order to form the final award. The modules cover the four pillars of advanced clinical practice: Clinical, Leadership/Management, Education, and Research. The full MSc comprises six 20-credit modules plus either the Non Medical Prescribing module (40 credits) or the alternative of a Core 20-credit module and a 20-credit Option module.
Module Order:
WHM_7_061 Physical Health Needs in Mental Health Care
ACP_7_010 Advanced Clinical Assessment Skills
Non Medical Prescribing [40 credits] OR WBL_7-001 Enhancing Practice through Work Based Learning
and undertaking an Option module amounting to 20 credits at Level 7
ACP_7_019 Clinical Reasoning and Advanced Assessment Skills for Mental Health Practice
Teaching:
- Teaching Methods: The program utilizes a combination of classroom contact hours, blended learning activities, and practice-based learning.
- Faculty: The course director is Wendy York.
- Unique Approaches: The program emphasizes the application of knowledge and skills within the workplace through practice-based learning. Students are required to dedicate a minimum of 3 hours per week to protected learning time, working in a "supernumerary capacity" to focus on their clinical/professional development.
Careers:
The program aims to prepare students for advanced clinical practice roles in mental health care. Graduates have typically gained substantive posts as Advanced Practitioners, with some becoming Leads for Advanced Practice, Consultant Practitioners, and Partners in General Practice.
Other:
- Accreditation: The program is accredited by Health Education England’s Centre for Advancing Practice.
- Practice-Based Learning: Students are required to have access to appropriate clinical support and supervision for the development of knowledge and skills to an advanced level. They must also have employer support for their participation in the program, including protected learning time and a designated "Practice Facilitator" to supervise their clinical development.
- Selection Process: The selection process includes an online application form, an interview, and a review of references, a Practice Facilitators nomination and acceptance form, a Clinical Practice Learning Environment profile, and a 1,000-word referenced essay.
- Recognition of Prior Learning: The program considers recognition of prior learning on an individual basis.
