Psychiatric Practice/Mental Health Practice (MSc, PgDip, PgCert) MSc

About the course

Why choose this course?

• Focus on Psychiatric and mental health clinical interventions  
• Practical emphasis
• Lectures and clinics led by experts
• Regular small group seminars and tutorials
• Choice of modules
• Personal tutor support
• Additional attendance at short courses and conferences offered by Department.
• Excellent networking and peer support  
• Consistently positive student feedback

Course Content 

Clinical lectures focus on the principles of Psychiatric and Mental Health Practice. The programme has an emphasis on the following key areas:

• Diagnostic theory and classification
• Psychopharmacology and medication compliance
• Neurological and cognitive examination
• Human growth and development
• Organic psychiatry
• Neuroscience and genetics 
• Epidemiology
• Overview of different models of Mental Health / Psychiatric intervention 
• Behavioral techniques
• Psycho education and self help
• Risk and use of evidence based on clinical research
• Multidisciplinary co-ordination
• Specialist health and social care reforms
• Transcultural psychiatry / Cultural Competence
• Interventions for vulnerable client groups

Examples of clinical skills included during the programme are:

• Consultation skills: history taking / conducting a good psychiatric history
• Recognition & diagnosis of mental health disorders
• Bio-psychosocial assessment
• Neurological and cognitive examination
• Clinical case management

Study Routes

• Part Time / Full Time
• Duration of the Part Time programme is up to a maximum of 5 years.

Summary

Credit value (UK/ECTS equivalent): MSc UK 180/ECTS 90.          

PG Diploma UK 120/ECTS 60

PG Cert UK 60/ECTS 30

Awarding Institution: University of Hertfordshire

Offered by: School of Life Sciences: Postgraduate Medicine

Programme Duration: Up to 5 years maximum for PT students

Intake: October 20 places. February 20 places

Fees:  Link with fees page

Contact: Jackie Knight   -  01707 285268

j.2.knight@herts.ac.uk

Why choose this course?

The MSc in Psychiatric Practice is a taught, masters programme for clinicians, wishing to develop or extend practical skills, knowledge and experience in psychiatry and mental health practice.

It has an emphasis on developing practical competencies; good diagnostic skills, appropriate and timely management long term psychiatric disorders and common mental health problems to reflect current trends in psychiatry.

This programme is supplemented by lectures, seminars, workshops, clinical skills demonstrations, clinical placements and conference presentations by academic staff and invited expert clinicians.

Study routes

• Part Time, 5 Years

Locations

• University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield

Careers

This programme offers excellent opportunities for continuing professional development for practicing health, social and primary care professionals. It is an MSc programme, but UK clinicians can choose to study specific modules relevant to their professional practice or select from short courses.

International students should note that completion of one Msc in Mental Health Practice does not lead to registration to practice in the UK or endorse clinicians to consider themselves a specialist in Mental Health in the UK. This programme may be sufficient for practioners to work as a specialist Mental Health practitioner in their country of origin, local requirements should be checked prior to commencing the programme. 

Teaching methods

You will experience a wide variety of teaching methods throughout the programme including: interactive and ‘key-note’ lectures, seminars and workshops incorporating for example case studies, role play, scenario based learning and discussion groups covering a wide variety of topics. Individual and group based tutorials. Skills based demonstrations / workshops and the use of technologies for example video, podcasts, and other e-packages designed to enhance learning and teaching. These resources are supported by a well stocked learning resource centre and via a virtual learning environment called StudyNet which enables you to access learning resources on line 24 hours and day, 7 days a week.  The course is intense and will require students to be "self directed" learners.

Work Placement

Full Time, overseas students do not require GMC registration as this programme does not require direct patient contact and management. Please click here to read the GMC's section New Registration Framework.

Professional Accreditations

The programme prepares specialist trainees for Membership of the Royal College of Psychiatrists (MRC Psych).

Structure

Year 1

Core Modules

Optional

• Approaches and Organisation of Specialist Mental Health Services

  This module is designed to provide opportunity to develop skills and competence when working with a diverse specialist target population within psychiatric and mental health practice. Students will develop critical analytical skills necessary in evaluating their clinical decision-making within a range of specialist care services and be encouraged to utilise a critical approach in negotiation, communication and management of care.

• Contemporary Mental Health Interventions

  This module is designed to provide critical overview of evidence-based contemporary mental health interventions including self-help orientated approaches applicable to support the recovery of mental health service users. Opportunities to practice mental health interventions and work towards a safe and competent delivery will be firstly provided through practice simulations. Students will develop critical analytical skills necessary in working therapeutically with people experiencing mental health problems.

• Developing Skills and Competence in Psychiatric professional practice

  This module is designed to provide opportunity to develop skills and competence when working with a diverse target population within psychiatric and mental health practice. Students will develop critical analytical skills necessary in evaluating their clinical decision-making and encouraged to utilise a critical approach in negotiation, communication and management of care.

• Evidence Based Practice - Distance Learning

  Students will construct a research question and search strategy, conduct systematic searches of on-line databases, internet and other sources of information; appraise the evidence base of health and social care practice and interventions through the use of a range of tools; apply and critically explore, through discussion and debate, the contextual factors which influence application of evidence to practice.

• Evidence Based Practice - Classroom Based

  Students will construct a research question and search strategy, conduct systematic searches of on-line databases, internet and other sources of information; appraise the evidence base of health and social care practice and interventions through the use of a range of tools; apply and critically explore, through discussion and debate, the contextual factors which influence application of evidence to practice.

• Expert Witness

  This module will prepare students to become expert witnesses within their professional fields. The module provides opportunities to participate in related activities within a court setting and will be taught by appropriately qualified personnel from within the field of law. Students will be supported through their learning using experiential techniques within a court room setting

• Foundation Skills in Psychiatric Practice

  This module is designed to provide critical overview of evidence-based psychiatric diagnostic tools and treatment interventions including self-help orientated approaches applicable to support the psychiatric care of mental health service users. Students will develop critical analytical skills necessary in working within different therapeutic frameworks with people experiencing mental health problems.

• Health and Medical Education in the Workplace

  Students will develop their understanding of the nature and process of learning through examination of some of the major theories of learning and related concepts. They will draw upon this understanding to analyse experiences in a workplace context, examining the interrelationship between forms of learning and individual and contextual factors in a given setting. Key concepts and theories examined will include competence-based education and training, experiential learning, informal learning, action learning, cognitive apprenticeship, constructivism, situated learning. Students will develop their understanding of how learning may be supported through a variety of approaches and in a range of contexts. Supporting professional and work-related learning through approaches such as training, tutoring, coaching, mentoring and work shadowing will be examined, and appropriate methods for evaluating these approaches considered. Professional and work-related learning at different levels and in a range of contexts will be explored, including peer learning, workplace training, team leadership, performance management.

• History of Psychiatry

  The module investigates the history of psychiatry and examines significant issues around the development of the institutions, legal arrangements, management and treatment of mental disorders in the context of time. The role of doctors and other health and social care professionals will be critically reviewed examining different ways of working.

• Mental Health Law

  The module examines and develops understanding of relevant aspects of mental health law applicable to contemporary health care practice. The module enables participants to examine and critically evaluate the legal and ethical implications of important aspects of mental health law. Key areas for analysis include the definition of mental disorder, the law and ethics of compulsory detention and treatment without consent, the right to challenge detention under the Mental Health Act, the effect of human rights law in this area and proposals for reform.

• Principles of Psychopharmacology and Neurosciences

  This module is designed to provide critical overview of evidence-based principles of psychopharmacology and neurosciences. Students will develop critical analytical skills necessary in utilising a range of different treatment frameworks when working with people experiencing mental health and neurological dysfunction and critically evaluate the appropriateness within psychiatric care delivery.

• Recovery and Social Inclusion. Partnerships in Mental Health Care

  The module is to enhance health and social care professionals with the necessary skills, knowledge and development of appropriate attitudes for the delivery of modern mental health care. The vision of recovery will be the focus for forming partnerships to promote the fundamental right for service users to receive services in the least restrictive manner, conducive to their safety and the safety of carers and their families.

• Service Improvement Project

  This module is designed to build on learning opportunities through a service improvement initiative and promote a practice development in a chosen field. Students will be required to discuss the rationale for the choice of service improvement underpinned by available evidence-based literature, negotiate with managers on specific target outcomes that can be evaluated and contribute to service provision and include critical analysis for the implications of setting up a new initiative.

• The Mind and the Skin

  This module will consider the link between mental health and well being and skin disease. In this context it will evaluate a range of therapeutic approaches currently used to provide support for the mental well being of patients with skin diseases in a patient-centred holistic way. It will provide students with the opportunity to examine how interpersonal skills are used to promote therapeutic communication with individuals with skin disease. To achieve the intended learning outcomes, students will study: - The importance of assessing the psychological needs of individual patients - A range of therapeutic approaches to support the particular needs of this group of patients. - The impact of interpersonal skills and engagement on therapeutic interventions with patients with skin disease, identification of individual service user needs and the role of carers and multidisciplinary team working. - Students will be encouraged to reflect on their advanced communication skills and awareness of the care environment and its effects on the development of therapeutic patient relationships. - A clear understanding of when specialist referral is required.

• Work Based Learning in Health and Medical Practice

  The provision of healthcare in contemporary practice demands that health care professionals engage in continuing professional development and lifelong learning. These needs have been identified within the political agenda for health care, not only to meet professional body requirements but also to meet the agenda for continuous quality improvement within the NHS. This module will enable students to engage in continuing professional development thatis of particular interest to them. It will also facilitate an understanding of current best practice and strategies for continued enhancement of this aspect of practice within their organisation.

• Work Based Study:Professional Issues Related to Healthcare Practice

  Choosing an appropriate practice-relevant issue to study. Management of a report (time management). Structuring a report. Critical appraisal techniques. Skills required for the utilisation of relevant and current theories and frameworks. Skills to develop a comprehensive, coherent, analytical report.

Fees & funding

Discounts are available for International students if payment is made in full at registration

View detailed information about tuition fees

Other financial support

Find out more about other financial support available to UK and EU students

Living costs / accommodation

The University of Hertfordshire offers a great choice of student accommodation, on campus or nearby in the local area, to suit every student budget.

View detailed information about our accommodation

How to apply