Program Overview
By integrating core modules on research methodology, the self in mental health, and the creation of mental illness, the program equips students with analytical skills and knowledge of sociocultural factors influencing mental health. Graduates are well-prepared for careers in the field, advanced practice decision-making, and research-informed practice.
Program Outline
The program aims to create a dynamic and inclusive learning environment where students can collaborate on research projects that contribute to positive change in the mental health field. The program emphasizes a systemic approach, integrating learners from various sectors of practice and society to address the sociocultural aspects of mental health illness. It aims to facilitate a wide-ranging approach to change in mental health. The program offers high-quality teaching in a modern and developing faculty. The combination of core, optional, and research modules supports students in developing their thinking and knowledge of mental health through education and research. The program team possesses a depth and breadth of subject-specific academic knowledge to ensure students receive comprehensive support in their personal and professional development.
Outline:
The MA Mental Health program is a one-year, full-time program that begins in September. It consists of 180 credits, divided into core and optional modules.
Core Modules:
- Research Methodology, Methods, and Data Analysis (30 credits): This module develops research skills in health and social care practice, enabling students to systematically evaluate research outcomes from various sources. It provides a critical knowledge base of the philosophical foundations of health and social research, develops expertise in qualitative and quantitative data analysis, and enables students to conduct empirical and literature-based research.
- Dissertation (60 credits): This module allows students to explore an area of personal or professional interest related to their program of study in depth. It expands research skills and applies knowledge gained in earlier modules to a research project.
- The Self in Mental Health (20 credits): This module critically explores the concept of the self within a mental health context. It focuses on different aspects of the self, including the responsible self, the development of self, the potential self, and the reasoned self. Students explore the self as personality, a belief system, a relational dynamic, and a therapeutic model for personal and professional practice. It also emphasizes self-awareness, self-discovery, and the use of self in talking therapies, encompassing critical reflection, emotional intelligence, self-resilience, mindfulness, compassion-based approaches, advocacy, and a rights-based approach.
- The Creation of Mental Illness (30 credits): This module develops a critical understanding of the historical and socio-cultural framework and perceptions of mental health illness. It explores society's relationship with mental illness across time, the portrayal of mental illness through art, film, and media, and the philosophical development of psychiatry and mental illness.
Optional Modules:
- Ethical and Legal Issues Within Advanced Practice (10 credits): This module builds skills in advanced practice decision-making for registered professionals in relevant areas of practice. It raises awareness of ethical and legal responsibilities involved in advanced practice decision-making.
- Violence (10 credits): This module critically examines key issues related to violence and health from international, national, and local perspectives. It demonstrates the need for an interdisciplinary public health approach to address the causes of violence, build prevention and control strategies, and promote safety. It enables students to understand and develop strategies to control violence. It assesses different models of addiction, such as drug addiction, alcohol addiction, and gambling, as well as its associations and mediators/moderators.
- Addictions: Policy and Interventions (20 credits): This module enhances knowledge and understanding of addictions policy objectives, enabling students to critically assess the effectiveness of interventions. It identifies core addiction policies and strategies from a UK and international perspective, examines how personal and structural forces impact addiction, and evaluates policies and interventions designed to improve addiction outcomes.
- Collaborative and Professional Practice in Dementia Care (30 credits): This module develops understanding of dementia, encouraging creative thinking, identifying innovations in care delivery, and adapting and applying them to service planning and delivery within organizations.
- Safeguarding in Multi-professional Practice (30 credits): This module enhances the management and implementation of safeguarding policies within various care settings and client groups.
- Suicide Prevention in Adults: a Psychosocial Approach (20 credits): This module develops a critical understanding of psychosocial suicide prevention approaches. Students can critically appraise and reflect on the application of these approaches in practice. It covers the evidence base for psychosocial suicide prevention, legal, ethical, and professional aspects of psychosocial suicide prevention, the philosophy of risk management, understanding the influence of risk factors, risk formulation, safety planning, and effective person-centered care.
Assessment:
The program utilizes a variety of assessment methods to cater to the diverse content and learning preferences of students. Assessment tasks are designed to enhance learning and encourage robust feedback processes from peers and academics. There is a strong focus on methods related to reflexivity, policy, practice, and consideration of real-world mental health issues.
Teaching:
The MA Mental Health program emphasizes self-guided study. A 20-credit module may involve 30 hours of timetabled study over a 15-week period, supported by independent study focused on virtual learning resources and allocated tasks. Teaching methods include lectures, simulated learning, field trips, workshops, seminars, role play, scenario-based learning, and critical debate. LJMU's virtual learning environment enhances the learning experience, and the use of interactive online resources has received positive feedback from students. All course materials are available online via the virtual learning environment.
Careers:
LJMU has an excellent employability record, with 96% of postgraduates in work or further study six months after graduation (HESA 2018). The program's applied learning techniques and strong industry connections ensure students are well-prepared for the workplace and understand how to apply their knowledge in a real-world context. Postgraduate study can be used to advance careers, change direction, or enhance knowledge. The Masters route offers the added value of research, learning, and academic study, contributing to personal and professional development.
Other:
The program is not a pre-qualifying program for Nursing (Mental Health) and will not result in registration as a nurse. Students interested in becoming a registered nurse should consider the BSc (Hons) Nursing Mental Health undergraduate degree. Registered nurses who want to explore Mental Health in the context of their practice may be interested in the MA Nursing Mental Health postgraduate degree. The University operates a policy of consultation, advice, and support to all enrolled students affected by proposed changes to their course or module.
- Home fee: £8,100
- International fee: £16,100
