M.Sc. Community Health

Course Description

The aim of this course is to enable students from across a broad spectrum of professional backgrounds to gain a grounded understanding of the core principles of public health and their application to the practice of community healthcare, and to increase graduates’ employability in community health practice. The course is suitable for people who are currently either working in, or intend to work in community health and who are seeking an enhanced qualification for their career advancement.

On successful completion of this course students should be able to:

• Critically interpret the core principles of public health and their application to community healthcare
• Critically interpret and evaluate evidence on community healthcare promotion and prevention and the management of chronic disease in the community
• Use vital statistics and other key data sources to exemplify the health status, social conditions and health risk factors evident in individuals/communities with particular attention given to health promotion, prevention and management of chronic disease in the community
• Gain a critical understanding of risk management, risk assessment and risk assessment tools in client/ patient management in community healthcare.
• Identify social and behavioural factors affecting individual/families/community susceptibility to adverse health hazards
• Critically utilise evidence based knowledge of client/ patient assessment and consultation to achieve a holistic approach to client/patient care management.

Course Content

Postgraduate Certificate in Community Health

• NU7101 Determinants of Health (10 ECTS)
• NU7103 Principles and Practice of Community Health (10 ECTS)

plus one of the following three (subject to sufficient student numbers)

• NU7412 Deconstructing Mental Health and Distress (10 ECTS)
• NU7201 Child Health Provision in the Community (10 ECTS)
• *NU7416 Clinical Practicum in Community Health (10 ECTS)

*The Clinical Practicum in Community Health is available as an elective module only to nurses and midwives registered on a division of the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland register.

Postgraduate Diploma in Community Health

• NU7101 Determinants of Health (10 ECTS)
• NU7103 Principles and Practice of Community Health (10 ECTS)
• NU7104 Epidemiology and Healthcare Statistics (10 ECTS)
• NU7013 Theory and Practice of Enquiry Methods in Health Care (10 ECTS)
• NU7102 Health Promotion and Management of Chronic Disease (10 ECTS)

plus one of the following three (subject to sufficient student numbers)

• NU7412 Deconstructing Mental Health and Distress (10 ECTS)
• NU7201 Child Health Provision in the Community (10 ECTS)
• *NU7416 Clinical Practicum in Community Health (10 ECTS)

*The Clinical Practicum in Community Health is available as an elective module only to nurses and midwives registered on a division of the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland register.

Masters in Community Health

Year One

• NU7101 Determinants of Health (10 ECTS)
• NU7103 Principles and Practice of Community Health (10 ECTS)
• NU7104 Epidemiology and Healthcare Statistics (10 ECTS)
• NU7013 Theory and Practice of Enquiry Methods in Health Care (10 ECTS)
• NU7102 Health Promotion and Management of Chronic Disease (10 ECTS)

plus one of the following three (subject to sufficient student numbers)

• NU7412 Deconstructing Mental Health and Distress (10 ECTS)
• NU7201 Child Health Provision in the Community (10 ECTS)
• *NU7416 Clinical Practicum in Community Health (10 ECTS)

*The Clinical Practicum in Community Health is available as an elective module only to nurses and midwives registered on a division of the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland register.

Year Two

NU8007 Dissertation (30 ECTS)

Structure and delivery

The course takes place over two years on a part-time basis or one year on a full-time basis.

A blended learning approach is utilised in the delivery of theoretical content which includes lectures, group discussions and self-directed learning. The assessment process is a combination of written and practical assignments. This course includes clinical and practice based learning and assessment and students may be required to attend additional sessions at associated service provider sites as well as at the student’s practice base during year one of the course. There is some web-based learning involved.

Year One – all students

Commences with a full week in September and thereafter one day per week for the remainder of the academic year.

Year Two – second year part-time Masters students

Students attend workshops throughout the academic year and produce a dissertation under supervision.

Full-time Masters students

Commences with a full week in September and thereafter normally two days per week for the remainder of the academic year.

A blended learning approach is utilised in the delivery of theoretical content which includes lectures, group discussions and self-directed learning. The assessment process is a combination of written and practical assignments. This course includes clinical and practice based learning and assessment and students may be required to attend additional sessions at associated service provider sites as well as at the student’s practice base during year one of the course. There is some web-based learning involved

Students attend workshops throughout the academic year and produce a dissertation under supervision.