MSc ADVANCED PRACTICE - DISTANCE LEARNING

Credits 20 Term Start 1 or 3 Duration 12 weeks

The aim of this module is to support you in developing a critical understanding of efficient and effective leadership and self-management. You will be empowered to lead innovative change and organisational development through the fostering of a shared sense of ownership and responsibility for the success of the organisation and the development of quality services.

Credits 40 Term Start 2 Duration 24 weeks

The aim of this module is for students to undertake a structured literature review relating to a practice-based area for improvement encountered by the learner in their healthcare practice. Learners will critically appraise and evaluate the evidence-base to achieve in-depth knowledge and understanding about the area for improvement and critically examine potential options to address the area for improvement, with a view to identifying and justifying a recommendation for a service improvement project.

Credits 20 Term Start 1 or 3 Duration 12 weeks

This module will introduce the concepts and skills of evidence-based practice. In doing so, it will explore and critically analyse core theories, policies and models that support and underpin evidence-based practice. You will be facilitated to turn clinical and leadership queries into advanced practice focused questions, from which you can search the evidence. You will be supported to identify effective strategies for identifying and communicating the need for change associated with national and international quality standards and findings from research. You will also be introduced to a range of quantitative and qualitative research data collection and data analysis methods. These can be used to measure the impact of change in terms of quality improvement and transformation at the point of care within your area and scope of advanced practice.

Credits 20 Term Start 2 Duration 12 weeks

This module aims to develop the knowledge, understanding and skills to work with people living with dementia across a wide range of community and inpatient settings, advancing clinical and leadership practice in dementia, person-centred care and care interactions.

Credits 20 Term Start 3 Duration 12 weeks

This module aims to inform the management of complex clinical conditions using scientific and contemporary clinical knowledge to underpin action, reflection and evaluation. You will learn how to practice safely and effectively, incorporating a systems approach to clinical examination and building your knowledge and understanding of the principles of assessment, diagnosis and appropriate planning of care.

Credits 20 Term Start 1 Duration 12 weeks

This module aims to advance evidence-based practice in diabetes care for any healthcare professional working with people who have type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Diabetes Mellitus is a complex long-term condition with significant implications for morbidity and mortality, which can be reduced with good prevention and management strategies including pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions. Learners will enhance their understanding of practice across the lifespan, in order to improve healthcare systems and provide high quality care for individuals living with type 1 or type 2 diabetes.

Credits 20 Term Start 2 Duration 12 weeks

The overall aim of this module is to provide you with knowledge and principles to facilitate teaching, learning and assessment in practice-based settings, enabling you to work effectively with learners who will become the workforce of the future and ultimately will improve services. This module is relevant to all healthcare professionals who supervise/mentor students and colleagues.

Credits 20 Term Start 3 Duration 12 weeks

This module aims to increase knowledge, understanding and skills related to the conduct and governance of research in clinical practice settings, with the purpose of supporting and empowering non-medical healthcare professionals who are, or would like to be, involved in clinical research. It is not a research methods module, the focus is on research facilitation and implementation. 

Credits 20 Term Start 2 Duration 12 weeks

Developed to enhance the experiences of patients and their families during palliative and end of life care, this module aims to facilitate exploration of this important and sometimes challenging area of clinical practice in a supportive environment that facilitates self-awareness and enhances knowledge and skills in end-of-life care. 

Credits 20 Term Start 2 Duration 12 weeks

Communication and collaboration between professionals and services is key to the successful management of long-term conditions.  In this module, you will look at the challenges and complexities of living with a long-term condition and the evidence-based strategies and interventions used to support individuals to self-manage their illness in the context of contemporary healthcare practice. 

Credits 20 Term Start 1 Duration 12 weeks

This module aims to increase the knowledge, skills and awareness of non-mental health professionals to develop a compassionate and competent approach to the management of growing levels of mental ill-health across the lifespan. The module is appropriate for non-mental health professionals working in diverse roles and settings and with service users or patients of all ages.  

Credits 20 Term Start 2 Duration 12 weeks

Pathophysiology examines the mechanisms that cause functional change in body systems.  Comparing nature-nurture perspectives on the health/illness continuum, this module aims to facilitate your development as a practitioner who can use their advanced physiological and clinical knowledge to critically analyse “holistic” care; explore the boundaries of current thinking and hypothesise future advances in healthcare.

Credits 20 Term Start 2 Duration 12 weeks

This module focuses on the appraisal of the political, social, technical, economic, organisational and professional environment of healthcare policy, exploring ways in which practitioners can utilise their expert power and negotiation skills to influence a culture of creativity and innovation for advancing practice.

Credits 20 Term Start 1 or 3 Duration 12 weeks

This module will provide you with the means to develop a professional recognition portfolio to demonstrate your advanced-level skills, knowledge and behaviours through a series of reflections, self-assessment exercises and engagement with research. 

Credits 40 Term Start 1 or 3 Duration 12 weeks

This module provides the opportunity for practitioners to complete a substantial project and to evaluate its impact or likely impact on care provision and patient experience, while developing creativity in problem-solving and strategies for transformation, leading change and motivating others.

Credits 20 Term Start 3 Duration 12 weeks

This module will develop your skills and knowledge to work with older people across a wide range of community and inpatient settings. The focus is on improving knowledge about, and advancing practice in, working with older people from biological, psychological and social perspectives.

Credits 40 Term Start 2 Duration 24 weeks

Designed for practitioners working in a specialist stoma care role, who wish to develop their expertise and expand their understanding of patients and self in order to question, appraise and advance their level of practice. Bespoke online learning resources use perspectives of patients and clinical experts, research, guidelines and varied learning activities to develop critical thinking and decision-making and consider professional development.   

NOTE: This module is a restricted module, meaning it has additional entry requirements - please check the module information online for more details.

The full-time MSc in Advanced Professional Practice (Distance) is a one year programme.  It comprises a combination of core and optional modules. Core modules (totalling 80 credits) are compulsory, while optional modules (totalling 100 credits) are selected by you to develop your personal professional interests and to meet the organisational requirements of your professional role.   

The core modules are as follows: Managing Yourself and Leading Others; Literature Review Project; Using Evidence to Lead and Advance Practice.   

As a distance learning programme, all learning takes place online using Blackboard, our virtual learning environment. Learning will take the form of synchronous (live) sessions along with asynchronous activities, including pre-recorded lectures, multimedia resources, and case studies that can be accessed in your own time.  This approach allows you flexibility in your studies. 

You will experience a range of assessment methods throughout the course, which have been carefully considered to demonstrate learning across all the pillars and principles of advanced practice.  

Formative and summative assessment strategies across the programme include written assignments, unseen examinations, case studies, and portfolio.