MSc in Older Person Rehabilitation

Our MSc in Older Person Rehabilitation programme is designed to provide students from a range of different professional backgrounds with interdisciplinary learning in the theory and practice of Older Person Rehabilitation. Our Centre for Gerontology and Rehabilitation at UCC is at the forefront of interdisciplinary teaching and learning in Gerontology, Rehabilitation and End of Life Care. The Centre is committed to developing flexible, practical and interdisciplinary programmes in this important field. Our credit-bearing CPD modules are available to all healthcare disciplines and can be studied in different streams.

This MSc programme is available as a full-time or part-time option and includes a period of clinical placement. The full-time programme runs over one calendar year (12 months) from the date of first registration and the part-time programme runs over two academic years (20 months). Please note that part-time study is not open to non-EU candidates.

Content Overview

• Full-time programme

Students take taught modules to the value of 60 credits incorporating approximately 300 hours of structured contact time via face-to-face, webinars or online options. Most classes are held in two-day blocks (weekdays). Students also undertake a research dissertation (30 credits) which is submitted at the end of the calendar year.

• Part-time programme

The part-time MSc (Older Person Rehabilitation) runs over two academic years (20 months) from the date of first registration for the programme. Students take taught modules to the value of 60 credits over two years incorporating approximately 300 hours of structured contact time including face-to-face, webinars or online options (3-7 contact days per semester). Most classes are held in two-day blocks (weekdays). A maximum of 40 taught credits can be taken in a single year. Students also undertake a research dissertation (30 credits) which is submitted in the early Summer of Year 2. Please note that part-time study is not open to non-EU candidates.

Core Modules

Students take core modules to the value of 25 credits as follows:

• CG6009 Principles in Older Person Rehabilitation (10 credits)
• CG6010 Clinical Practicum in Older Person Rehabilitation (5 credits)

And either

• EH6038 Applied Research for Gerontology and Rehabilitation (10 credits) Or
• MH6014 Advanced Research Methods for Healthcare Professionals (10 credits)

Elective Modules

Students take elective* modules to the value of 35 credits from the following (a maximum of 10 credits can be taken in Year 1):

• CG6002 Stroke Rehabilitation (10 credits)
• CG6005 Amputee and Prosthetic Rehabilitation (5 credits)
• CG6006 Falls, Mobility and Movement Disorders (10 credits)
• CG6007 Independent Study (5 credits)**
• CG6011 In-depth Independent Study (15 credits)**
• CG6012 Neuromuscular Discorder (10 credits)
• CG6015 Understanding Cognitive Disorders and Dementia (10 credits)
• CG6016 Advanced Issues in Dementia Care (10 credits)

* Alternatively students may take up to a maximum of 15 credits, relevant to the rehabilitation of older people (unidisciplinary or interdisciplinary) from designated courses in UCC, subject to timetabling restraints, in lieu of 15 credits above.

** Students can take either CG6007 or CG6011 but not both.

Research Module

• CG6008 Research Dissertation (30 credits)

Further details on the content and modules are available on the Postgraduate College Calendar (Older Person Rehab.)

Alternative pathways

It is possible to exit the Master's programme early and graduate with a Certificate or Diploma:

• Postgraduate Certificate in Older Person Rehabilitation

Upon satisfactory completion of 30 credits in Older Person Rehabilitation, to include module CG6009 (Principles in Older Person Rehabilitation), a student may opt to exit the programme and be conferred with a Postgraduate Certificate in Older Person Rehabilitation. A student who subsequently applies to continue to Masters level must do so within 5 years of successful completion of the Certificate Examination. Such an application is subject to the approval of the Programme Team, and if successful, exemptions will be granted for modules taken within the previous five years.

• Postgraduate Diploma in Older Person Rehabilitation

Upon satisfactory completion of 60 credits, to include modules CG6009 and CG6010, a student may opt not to proceed with/complete the dissertation module (CG6008) and may opt to exit the programme and be conferred with a Postgraduate Diploma in Older Person Rehabilitation. A student who subsequently applies to continue to Masters level must do so within 5 years of successful completion of the Postgraduate Diploma Examination. Such an application is subject to the approval of the Programme Team, and if successful, exemptions will be granted for modules taken within the previous five years.

• Exemptions at the Point of Entry to the MSc Programme

A student previously graduated with the Postgraduate Certificate in Older Person Rehabilitation/Postgraduate Diploma in Older Person Rehabilitation (exit award from the MSc) may register for the MSc in Older Person Rehabilitation within five years of completion, subject to the approval of the Programme Team, with exemptions granted for modules taken within the previous five years.

Connected Curriculum

Our learning approach reflects our commitment to the Connected Curriculum where we emphasise the connection between students, learning, research and leadership through our vision for a Connected University. Our staff will support you in making meaningful connections within and between topics such as medicine, healthcare, science, and management.

In today’s competitive workforce, higher professional qualifications are an essential part of continuous professional development and career advancement. The MSc is particularly suitable for those who want to assume a management and leadership position in the care of older people.

On completion of this course you will:

• Have gained the critical skills to evaluate rehabilitation models and settings, and the evidence base for current practices in older person rehabilitation.
• Gain knowledge of the theoretical and practical aspects of key topics required to practice in stroke rehabilitation.
• Gain the knowledge and skills required to design, undertake and evaluate quantitative and qualitative research in older person rehabilitation.
• Have the skills to act as a leader and innovator in older person rehabilitation.