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MSc Clinical Health Psychology

Academic Year 2021/22

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 and Enhancement processes as set out in the DASA Policies and Procedures Manual.

Programme Title

MSc Clinical Health Psychology

Final Award
(exit route if applicable for Postgraduate Taught Programmes)

Master of Science

Programme Code

PSY-MSC-CH

UCAS Code

HECoS Code

100985

ATAS Clearance Required

No

Health Check Required

No

Portfolio Required

Interview Required

Mode of Study

Part Time or Full Time

Type of Programme

Postgraduate

Length of Programme

Part Time - 2 Academic Year(s)
Full Time - 1 Academic Year(s)

Total Credits for Programme

180

Exit Awards available

INSTITUTE INFORMATION

Teaching Institution

Queen's University Belfast

School/Department

Psychology

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

Psychology (2019)

Accreditations (PSRB)

REGULATION INFORMATION

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

Programme Specific Regulations

A Postgraduate Certificate will be awarded (as an exit award) to any student who passes at least 60 and up to 120 CATS of the taught modules. If a student passes at least 40 CATS in the research methods modules on this programme, they will be awarded a PGCert in Research Methods in Psychology. If a student passes at least 40 CATS in the clinical health psychology content modules on this programme, they will be awarded a PGCert in Clinical Health Psychology. If a student passes at least 40 CATS in the research methods modules and at least 40 CATS in the clinical health psychology content modules on this programme, they will be able to choose the nomenclature of their PGCert.

Students who have not successfully completed modules to the value of 90 credits by June will be required to suspend work on the dissertation. The dissertation may be resumed in a subsequent academic year following confirmation that modules to the value of 90 credits have been successfully completed.

Students must have successfully completed the taught elements of the programme before submission of the Dissertation is possible. Students may only be permitted one resit attempt at the Dissertation module.

Students with protected characteristics

Are students subject to Fitness to Practise Regulations

(Please see General Regulations)

No

EDUCATIONAL AIMS OF PROGRAMME

To provide graduate students with an opportunity for advanced study in specialist topics in the field of clinical health psychology.

To prepare graduate students for more advanced research in clinical health psychology, professional training in psychology or other discipline-related professional training.

To develop critical awareness of issues in the scientific and applied areas of clinical health psychology and the methodological skills to critically examine and interrogate the discipline.

To develop the academic, intellectual and personal potential of students using well-managed systems of learning and pastoral support.

To develop key skills that will facilitate future academic study, professional training and the individual’s employability more generally.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

Learning Outcomes: Cognitive Skills

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

Contrast different levels of explanation in health psychology, examine their implications and recognise their limitations.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Developed particularly through class discussion and exercises, project work and workshops.

Methods of Assessment

Essays, case studies, literature reviews, dissertation.

Critically analyse research studies, commenting on theory, methods and conclusions.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Developed particularly through class discussion and exercises, project work and workshops.

Methods of Assessment

Essays, case studies, literature reviews, dissertation.

Reflect on how theory and research can inform interventions and practice.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Developed particularly through class discussion and exercises, project work and workshops.

Methods of Assessment

Essays, case studies, literature reviews, dissertation.

Formulate a research question, choose an appropriate research design, plan and conduct an independent piece of research.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Developed particularly through class discussion and exercises, project work and workshops.

Methods of Assessment

Essays, case studies, literature reviews, dissertation.

Deal with complexity and uncertainty in planning projects, interpreting data and making recommendations.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Developed particularly through class discussion and exercises, project work and workshops.

Methods of Assessment

Essays, case studies, literature reviews, dissertation.

Learning Outcomes: Knowledge & Understanding

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

Demonstrate a critical understanding of the practical considerations and limitations of health psychology practice

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Lectures, practical classes, workshops

Methods of Assessment

Coursework essays, dissertation

Demonstrate a critical understanding of the difficulties and restrictions when applying theoretical knowledge in the real life context

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Lectures, practical classes, workshops

Methods of Assessment

Coursework essays, dissertation

Demonstrate a critical understanding of the techniques used in the delivery of health psychology interventions

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Lectures, practical classes, workshops

Methods of Assessment

Coursework essays, dissertation

Demonstrate a critical understanding of psychological theories underpinning clinical health psychology interventions

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Lectures, practical classes, workshops

Methods of Assessment

Coursework essays, dissertation

Demonstrate a critical understanding of factors that influence the success of interventions

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Lectures, practical classes, workshops

Methods of Assessment

Coursework essays, dissertation

Demonstrate a critical understanding of key theories to explain variance in psychosocial outcomes in different cancer populations

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Lectures, practical classes, workshops

Methods of Assessment

Coursework essays, dissertation

Demonstrate a critical understanding of assessment methods to identify supportive care needs in patients with cancer and their close persons

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Lectures, practical classes, workshops

Methods of Assessment

Coursework essays, dissertation

Demonstrate a critical understanding of theoretically informed interventions to improve psychosocial outcomes in patients with cancer and their close persons

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Lectures, practical classes, workshops

Methods of Assessment

Coursework essays, dissertation

Demonstrate a critical understanding of different research methodologies used to answer research questions pertinent to clinical health psychology

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Lectures, practical classes, workshops

Methods of Assessment

Coursework essays, dissertation

Demonstrate a critical understanding of the key processes involved when conducting systematic reviews

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Lectures, practical classes, workshops

Methods of Assessment

Coursework essays, dissertation

Demonstrate a critical understanding of the psychosocial challenges of living with a chronic physical condition

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Lectures, practical classes, workshops

Methods of Assessment

Coursework essays, dissertation

Demonstrate a critical understanding of behaviour change techniques

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Lectures, practical classes, workshops

Methods of Assessment

Coursework essays, dissertation

Demonstrate a critical understanding of behavioural and psychological risk factors for physical illness

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Lectures, practical classes, workshops

Methods of Assessment

Coursework essays, dissertation

Demonstrate a critical understanding of the challenges of designing and implementing a successful behaviour change intervention

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Lectures, practical classes, workshops

Methods of Assessment

Coursework essays, dissertation

Demonstrate a critical understanding of research design and data collection and analysis

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Lectures, practical classes, workshops

Methods of Assessment

Coursework essays, dissertation

Learning Outcomes: Subject Specific

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

Integrate evidence from multiple perspectives and relate to relevant issues

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Lectures, practical classes, workshops

Methods of Assessment

Coursework essays, dissertation

Design, perform, analyse, interpret and communicate the results from empirical studies, using a variety of methods

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Lectures, practical classes, workshops

Methods of Assessment

Coursework essays, dissertation

Critically analyse the psychometric properties of patient-reported outcome measures

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Lectures, practical classes, workshops

Methods of Assessment

Coursework essays, dissertation

Complete a successful ethics application

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Lectures, practical classes, workshops

Methods of Assessment

Coursework essays, dissertation

Employ evidence based reasoning to critically evaluate different methodologies and approaches used in psychology

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Lectures, practical classes, workshops

Methods of Assessment

Coursework essays, dissertation

Learning Outcomes: Transferable Skills

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

Communicate effectively using written, oral and visual forms of presentation

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Lectures, practical classes, workshops

Methods of Assessment

Coursework essays, presentations, dissertation

Collect, retrieve, understand, interpret and use data and evidence effectively

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Lectures, practical classes, workshops

Methods of Assessment

Coursework essays, presentations, dissertation

Demonstrate effective group work skills and the ability to effectively plan and organise their personal work, learning and projects

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Lectures, practical classes, workshops

Methods of Assessment

Coursework essays, presentations, dissertation

Demonstrate sensitivity to diversity, contextual and interpersonal factors

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Lectures, practical classes, workshops

Methods of Assessment

Coursework essays, presentations, dissertation

Reason scientifically and use critical judgements and evaluations in the evaluation of evidence and data

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Lectures, practical classes, workshops

Methods of Assessment

Coursework essays, presentations, dissertation

Use independent judgement and self-direction and the exercise of initiative and personal responsibility in the pursuit of learning and continued professional/academic development

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Lectures, practical classes, workshops

Methods of Assessment

Coursework essays, presentations, dissertation

MODULE INFORMATION

Programme Requirements

Module Title

Module Code

Level/ stage

Credits

Availability

Duration

Pre-requisite

 

Assessment

 

 

 

 

S1

S2

 

 

Core

Option

Coursework %

Practical %

Examination %

Principles of Qualitative Research Methods and Data Analysis 1

PSY7063

7

10

YES

6 weeks

N

YES

100%

0%

0%

Principles of Qualitative Research Methods and Data Analysis 2

PSY7064

7

10

YES

6 weeks

N

YES

100%

0%

0%

Quantitative Data Analysis 1

PSY7065

7

10

YES

6 weeks

N

YES

100%

0%

0%

Quantitative Data Analysis 2

PSY7066

7

10

YES

6 weeks

N

YES

100%

0%

0%

Research Skills

PSY7031

7

10

YES

6 weeks

N

YES

100%

0%

0%

Health Behaviour Change

PSY7100

7

20

YES

12 weeks

N

YES

100%

0%

0%

Psycho-oncology: Living with and beyond a cancer diagnosis

PSY7101

7

20

YES

12 weeks

N

YES

70%

30%

0%

Psychological Adjustment In Chronic Physical Conditions

PSY7102

7

10

YES

6 weeks

N

YES

100%

0%

0%

Arts In Health

PSY7103

7

10

YES

6 weeks

N

YES

100%

0%

0%

Research Design and Essential Methods in Clinical Health Psychology

PSY7104

7

10

YES

6 weeks

N

YES

90%

10%

0%

Clinical Health Psychology Dissertation

PSY7106

7

60

YES

24 weeks

N

YES

100%

0%

0%

Introduction to Therapeutic Skills

PSY7109

7

10

YES

6 weeks

N

YES

0%

100%

0%

Mastering Your Leadership

PSY7110

7

10

YES

6 weeks

N

YES

75%

25%

0%

Notes

Students must take two of the four 10 credit options in Semester 2. Students must take at least one of PSY7064 or PSY7066. Students have the option to take either PSY7109 or PSY7110, or neither, but not both.