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Courses

Postgraduate Programme Specification

MSc Substance Use and Substance Use Disorders

Academic Year 2022/23

A programme specification is required for any programme on which a student may be registered. All programmes of the University are subject to the University's Quality Assurance processes. All degrees are awarded by Queen's University Belfast.

Programme Title MSc Substance Use and Substance Use Disorders Final Award
(exit route if applicable for Postgraduate Taught Programmes)
Master of Science
Programme Code SWK-MSC-SU UCAS Code HECoS Code 100993 - Cognitive psychology - 100

ATAS Clearance Required

No

Health Check Required

No

Portfolio Required

--

Interview Required

--

Mode of Study Part Time
Type of Programme Postgraduate Length of Programme Part Time - 3 Academic Years
Total Credits for Programme 180
Exit Awards available No

Institute Information

Teaching Institution

Queen's University Belfast

School/Department

Social Sciences, Education and Social Work

Quality Code
https://www.qaa.ac.uk/quality-code

Higher Education Credit Framework for England
https://www.qaa.ac.uk/quality-code/higher-education-credit-framework-for-england

Level 7

Subject Benchmark Statements
https://www.qaa.ac.uk/quality-code/subject-benchmark-statements

The Frameworks for Higher Education Qualifications of UK Degree-Awarding Bodies
https://www.qaa.ac.uk/docs/qaa/quality-code/qualifications-frameworks.pdf

Counselling and psychotherapy (2013)

Accreditations (PSRB)

Northern Ireland Social Care Council

Date of most recent Accreditation Visit 31-03-20

Regulation Information

Does the Programme have any approved exemptions from the University General Regulations
(Please see General Regulations)

Exemption from Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) regulations (5.4) to allow credit to be awarded to students that exceeds one third. Exemption from RPL regulation 4.4 to allow credit to be granted for modules which have already contributed towards an award.

Programme Specific Regulations

None

Students with protected characteristics

None

Are students subject to Fitness to Practise Regulations

(Please see General Regulations)

No

Educational Aims Of Programme

The central aim of this programme is to provide a Master’s Degree level qualifications in Substance Use and Substance Use Disorders with a facilitating framework for the continuing professional development professionals from a range of disciplines including social work, nursing, psychology and allied health and social care professions.
To promote the improvement of standards of service and care received by the consumers of personal, social, and health services.
To advance academic knowledge, through the fostering of staff development, professional competence and academic achievement.
In addition, the programme will provide students with an opportunity to gain a postgraduate degree, and to achieve professional awards in social work (specific award, specialist award and/or strategy and leadership award). The programme will also include opportunities to achieve professional qualifications for Nursing candidates subject to accreditation by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC).

Learning Outcomes

Learning Outcomes: Cognitive Skills

On the completion of this course successful students will be able to:

Develop a more in depth range of knowledge and skills associated with high levels of competence in working with substance use and substance use disorders,

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Teaching and learning methods to achieve Cognitive Skills are commensurate with adult learning theory and entail formal lecturing, student led learning, seminars and workshops.

Methods of Assessment

Submission of 12,000-word dissertation

Further develop critically reflective appraisal skills and have achieved commensurate levels of professional responsibility and accountability.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Teaching and learning methods to achieve Cognitive Skills are commensurate with adult learning theory and entail formal lecturing, student led learning, seminars and workshops.

Methods of Assessment

Submission of written project protocol (incorporating search strategy) of up to 2,000 words.
Oral presentation of project protocol in class.
Submission of 12,000-word dissertation

Develop high levels of reflective analysis and critical thinking skills in relation to specific areas of substance use practice.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Teaching and learning methods to achieve Cognitive Skills are commensurate with adult learning theory and entail formal lecturing, student led learning, seminars and workshops

Methods of Assessment

Submission of written project protocol (incorporating search strategy) of up to 2,000 words.
Oral presentation of project protocol in class.
Submission of 12,000-word dissertation

Learning Outcomes: Transferable Skills

On the completion of this course successful students will be able to:

Use transferable skills achieved via the programme, including written and verbal communication skills, problem solving, teamwork, use of online tools, critical thinking, personal reflection, researching and appraising literature, writing at Masters level, debating and listening, and enhancing professional confidence and competence.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Teaching and learning methods to achieve Transferable Skills are commensurate with adult learning theory and entail formal lecturing, student led learning, online interaction, seminars and workshops.

Methods of Assessment

Submission of written project protocol (incorporating search strategy) of up to 2,000 words.
Oral presentation of project protocol in class.
Submission of 12,000-word dissertation

Learning Outcomes: Knowledge & Understanding

On the completion of this course successful students will be able to:

Demonstrate a systematic understanding of their own practice in substance use and a deeper critical awareness of current individual and structural issues and challenges in the sector particularly for service users. An enhanced understanding of professional ethics and ethical dilemmas and a sound knowledge of principles of diversity, equality and social justice in the area of substance use.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Teaching and learning methods to achieve knowledge and understanding requirements are commensurate with adult learning theory and entail formal lecturing, student led learning, online learning, tutorials, seminars and workshops.

Methods of Assessment

Submission of written project protocol (incorporating search strategy) of up to 2,000 words.
Oral presentation of project protocol in class.
Submission of 12,000-word dissertation

Use evaluation of own experience and the relevant literature base and to systematically develop and improve their specific learning and practice, including implementing effective literature appraisal tools and research methods in their chosen area of substance use.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Teaching and learning methods to achieve knowledge and understanding requirements are commensurate with adult learning theory and entail formal lecturing, student led learning, online learning, tutorials, seminars and workshops.

Methods of Assessment

Submission of written project protocol (incorporating search strategy) of up to 2,000 words.
Oral presentation of project protocol in class.

Take responsibility for continuing professional development making use of professional and managerial supervision, consultation and other professional support as appropriate to identify and address issues; develop, implement and evaluate plans; and continue to advance knowledge and understanding in order to improve practice.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Teaching and learning methods to achieve knowledge and understanding requirements are commensurate with adult learning theory and entail formal lecturing, student led learning, online learning, tutorials, seminars and workshops.

Methods of Assessment

Submission of written project protocol (incorporating search strategy) of up to 2,000 words.
Oral presentation of project protocol in class.
Submission of 12,000-word dissertation

Learning Outcomes: Subject Specific

On the completion of this course successful students will be able to:

Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of substance use, the typology of definitions and their relevance to current practice in a range of settings.

Indicate awareness and understanding of the range of legal and illegal substances used by services users. They will also comprehend the interaction between alcohol, prescribed medications and use of non-prescribed medication.

Communicate understanding of the legislative and policy context for work with substance use in Northern Ireland and the UK and express knowledge of a range of theories which will inform and illuminate their current practice.

Demonstrate knowledge of the complexity of the issues relevant to multi-disciplinary working within substance misuse service provision and indicate understanding of partnership working at inter disciplinary and multi-disciplinary levels.

Critically analyse the evidence to best support practice.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Subject-specific skills will be taught in class methods described above.

Methods of Assessment

Assessment methods include assignments, written reflective pieces, online assessments and written analysis of casework

Convey knowledge of a range of assessment models and methods of intervention to be applied in a number of relevant substance use work settings.
Critically appraise the evidence base relevant to assessment and intervention in the sector.
Articulate understanding of how to formulate and apply care plans and reviews in a practice context.
Indicate knowledge and understanding of working with groups and individuals.
Show awareness of service user experiences and integrate service user opinions within evaluations.
Convey understanding of partnership working at inter disciplinary and multi-disciplinary levels.
Convey own professional opinion via written analysis and verbal communication.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Subject-specific skills will be taught in class via methods described above.

Methods of Assessment

Video role plays to examine assessment and risk assessment skills in practice and reflective essays, casework assignments and a critical appraisal of research articles

Skills of devising a project using a specific approach to answer an agreed question.
Skills of searching, appraising, synthesising and presenting literature.
Skills of collecting and analysing data.
Oral and written presentation skills.
Skills of writing a thesis to the required academic standard.
Skills of disseminating findings within a public arena

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Subject-specific skills will be taught in class using above methods.

Methods of Assessment

Submission of written project protocol (incorporating search strategy) of up to 2,000 words.
Oral presentation of project protocol in class.
Submission of 12,000-word dissertation

Module Information

Stages and Modules

Module Title Module Code Level/ stage Credits

Availability

Duration Pre-requisite

Assessment

S1 S2 Core Option Coursework % Practical % Examination %
Interventions in Substance Use: Skills in Practice SWK7014 7 20 -- YES 12 weeks N YES -- 100% 0% 0%
Substance Use Disorders: Working with Specific Groups SWK7015 7 20 -- YES 12 weeks N YES -- 100% 0% 0%
Assessment and Risk Assessment in Substance Use (Alcohol, Opioid Use and Poly Drug Use Contexts) SWK7013 7 20 -- YES 12 weeks N YES -- 100% 0% 0%
International Contexts : Substance Use and Substance Use Disorders SWK7012 7 20 YES -- 12 weeks N YES -- 100% 0% 0%
Substance Use Disorders: Prevalence, Legislation and Theoretical Concepts SWK7010 7 20 YES -- 12 weeks N YES -- 100% 0% 0%
Substance Use Disorders and Co-Morbid Mental Health Disorders SWK7011 7 20 YES -- 12 weeks N YES -- 100% 0% 0%
Specialist Practice Dissertation SWK7001 7 60 YES YES 36 weeks N YES -- 100% 0% 0%

Notes

No notes found.