Advanced Practice

MSc, Postgraduate Diploma, Postgraduate Certificate

The MSc Advanced Practice programme aims to:

Course MSc, Postgraduate Diploma, Postgraduate Certificate
Length 6 Years Maximum Part-time
Start dates September 2012
February 2013
  • Facilitate the development of a range of multi-professional Advanced Practitioners, who will be fit for practice, fit for purpose and fit for award
  • Offer a dynamic and quality postgraduate educational experience relevant to Advanced Practitioners
  • Facilitate postgraduates to utilise higher level critical, analytical and reflective skills within academic and practice environments
  • Enable students to be cognisant of the holistic nature of advanced practice and to gain comprehensive higher-level knowledge, expertise and the individual qualities necessary to work as autonomous, competent practitioners within unpredictable professional environments
  • Enable postgraduates to innovate and apply contributions to the evidence base of practice and communicate conclusions clearly
  • Continue to develop the students' skills in collaborative practice and the partnership delivery of care, and to consider the impact of their professional role within the organisation and wider context
  • Develop originality and sound judgement in leadership and facilitation skills, which will enable postgraduates to implement best practice in service delivery
  • Fulfil the dynamic nature of health care, and enable practitioners to influence the strategic planning and delivery of government agendas

 

Why study this course?

This course is suitable for health and social care professionals who would like to develop higher levels of professional knowledge and expertise in their sphere of practice.

Features

The course aims to prepare practitioners to be able to exercise higher levels of judgement and problem solving in relation to Advanced Practice. The different pathways facilitate learning in the practitioner's chosen field.

This programme is delivered at the Riverside Campus in Chester.

Next: Modules

Programme Structure

This programme is part-time, leading to a Master of Science (MSc) degree in Advanced Practice. The Strategic Health Authority has led the strategic planning of Advanced Practice programmes throughout the Merseyside and Cheshire zone and has identified the need to develop a tripartite collaborative approach which is multi-professional.

The programme is offered on a modular basis and is designed to meet the criteria set by professional organisations and the Quality Assurance Agency subject benchmarks. The programme is equally divided between theoretical study and practice.

The programme contains six taught modules (20 credits per module). Students may exit with a Postgraduate Certificate following completion of three modules, a Postgraduate Diploma following the completion of 120 credits within the chosen pathway, with an option to achieve a further 60 credits through a Dissertation module to complete the Masters degree.

Modules are designed and delivered in accordance with Framework for Higher Education Qualifications, using their stated credit level descriptors as a reference point.

All students will complete the following core modules:

  • Inter-professional Practice (20 credits)
  • Research (20 credits).

Students will also undertake the relevant advanced components to complete their chosen pathway to complete the programme.

60 credits at Master level will achieve a Postgraduate Certificate.

120 credits at Master level will achieve a Postgraduate Diploma (with a named pathway).

Completion of the 60 credit Dissertation module, plus the above will achieve a Masters of Science award in Advanced Practice.

Next: Assessment

Within the programme there are a range of assessment strategies that reflect the individual module content. For example, in Clinical Examination Skills, the student has to undertake an Objective Structured Clinical Examination.

Similarly, in Contemporary Issues in Acute Health Care, the student has to critically analyse the impact of a key government document that has affected their workplace.

The focus is on recognising that the students will be expected to lead change in the workplace, therefore the assessments are aimed at facilitating this process.

Next: Careers

It is envisaged that students who successfully complete the programme will become leaders and innovators in their chosen pathway.

Next: Entry requirements

The admission criteria for student entry to the MSc Advanced Practice programme will normally be:

  • Registration on the appropriate part of a professional register for their chosen pathway
  • A minimum of 2 years'* post registration experience
  • Successful completion of a degree in nursing or a health-related field, or equivalent
  • Support from the employer

*Candidates who do not possess the full two years of experience in the specialist area may exceptionally be admitted to the programme using the following criteria, both of which must be met:

  • Support from sponsoring organisation/employer
  • Evidence of practice in a closely related area of specialism
Beginning: Overview

Who to contact

  • For admission enquiries

    Health and Social Care Admissions
    T:
    01244 511000 - Please ask for Health & Social Care Admissions
    F:
    01244 511302
    hscadmissions@chester.ac.uk

  • For enquiries about course content

    Glenda Hardy , Programme Leader
    T:
    01270 612533
    g.hardy@chester.ac.uk

  • Faculty of Health and Social Care, General Enquiries
    T:
    01244 511000
    F:
    01244 511270
    enquiries@chester.ac.uk