MSc in Advancing Healthcare Practice
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Taught Masters
- Code
- F52
- Level
- Postgraduate
- Made up of
- 180 credit points
Description
This Postgraduate Masters in Advancing Healthcare Practice is designed to equip healthcare practitioners with knowledge and skills, as well as the personal, professional and inter-professional insights and qualities you need to function as a successful change agent, skills analyst and researcher or practice innovator in the advancement of healthcare. Throughout your study you will explore course themes with regard to your own practice situation.
Planning your studies
All entrants to the MSc Advancing Healthcare Practice are expected to be registered healthcare professionals and to have:
- a first degree in a relevant subject
- a minimum of one year’s post-qualifying experience
- access to a practice environment that can be clinical or based in education, management or research.
If you do not hold a bachelors degree but have a track record of professional achievement (e.g. innovative practice, clinical leadership, research or publications), you may still be considered for non-standard entry. In this instance, you will be required to provide documentary evidence of professional achievements together with an exploratory assignment that will be reviewed by the Health and Social Care Programme Committee.
The MSc in Advancing Healthcare Practice comprises six compulsory courses, each requiring 200 hours of study and representing 20 points at postgraduate level, plus a 60-point dissertation. Each course leading up to the dissertation is studied over one semester, starting either in September or January. Study will need to begin with the gateway course, Change, policy and practice (K826). You will also be required to successfully complete Designing healthcare research (K824) prior to undertaking Conducting healthcare research (K825).
The dissertation project (either research- or practice innovation-based) is studied over 12 months. 600 hours of study are allocated to this component of the award, much of this associated with fieldwork completed in your chosen practice area.
To qualify for this award, all courses must be successfully completed within six years.
Career relevance and employability
The need for creative, innovative and entrepreneurial practitioners within health services has been recognised by health departments across the world and it is widely agreed that many roles are best supported by masters’ graduates with a qualification in advancing practice. Students taking this award therefore typically aspire to senior and influential roles, as consultants, practice development directors, practice change agents and healthcare designers. The award is well suited to those with a developing vision for the future of healthcare and wish to influence and lead others. The masters attunes with the Department of Health’s agenda on modernising healthcare professionals’ careers.
The programme is suitable for healthcare professionals from medical, nursing, midwifery, health visiting and allied health backgrounds.
For planning your next career steps, visit the OU Careers Advisory Service.
Courses
For this 180-point masters degree you require:
120 points from the following compulsory courses:
| Postgraduate compulsory courses | Points | Next start |
|---|---|---|
|
20 | |
|
20 | Sep 2010 |
|
20 | Feb 2011 |
|
20 | Sep 2010 |
|
20 | Sep 2010 FINAL |
|
20 | Feb 2011 FINAL |
And 60 points from the following optional courses:
| Postgraduate optional courses | Points | Next start |
|---|---|---|
|
60 | May 2010 FINAL |
|
60 | May 2010 |
Learning outcomes
The learning outcomes of this qualification are described in four areas:
- Knowledge and understanding
- Cognitive skills
- Practical and professional skills
- Key skills
Read more detailed information about the learning outcomes, and how they are acquired through teaching, learning and assessment methods.
Credit for previous study elsewhere
Up to 40 points of postgraduate level certificated study on subjects relevant to advancing healthcare may be accredited into this programme (although not against the dissertation component), where these have been achieved through a bona fide higher education institution and completed during the last four years. You can find out more on our Credit Transfer site.
There is no provision for the accreditation of prior experiential learning.
Credit transfer details for this qualification:
On completion
On successful completion of 180 points’ worth of required courses you will be awarded an MSc Advancing Healthcare Practice entitling you to use the letters MSc Adv HCP (Open) after your name. You will have the option of being presented at a degree ceremony.
Regulations
As a student of The Open University, you should be aware of the content of the Award Regulations and the Student Regulations.
Award Regulations
- Introduction to the Award Regulations
- General Award Regulations
- MSc in Advancing Healthcare Practice
- Schedule B to the Award Regulations
Student Regulations
The Student Regulations (including the Code of Practice for Student Assessment and the Code of Practice for Student Discipline) are available on our Policy Documents for Students website.
How to register
To register for this qualification, read the description and check you meet any specific requirements (for example, some of our qualifications, require you to be working in a particular environment, or be sponsored by your employer). Then select the course you wish to study first and ensure it is suitable for you before following the registration procedure for that course.
About this page
A postgraduate qualification in Health and Social Care.
Study explained
- Credit points
- - show how much study is required to complete a course or qualification. One credit point represents roughly 10 hours of study.
- Financial support
- - find out if you qualify for support with your fees with our eligibility checker.
- Study explained
- - all you need to know about studying with the OU.
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