MSc Advanced Healthcare Practice and Research

Course Overview

**Note: This Programme has been discontinued and will not be available for the academic year 2025-2026.**

The overall aim of the MSc Advanced Healthcare Practice and Research is two-pronged:

1. The first aim is to develop participants’ capacity to take a leadership role in relation to teaching healthcare students. The programme will empower participants to become competent and self-directed clinical educators. Many healthcare professionals report feeling under-trained to take on the responsibilities of the clinical educator role. Lack of knowledge, skills and confidence in teaching and assessing students particularly weak and challenging students are commonly cited concerns. This MSc will provide opportunities for participants to advance their skills in teaching, assessment and research in the clinical context. Participants will become skilled role models in the implementation of high quality educational environments to enhance practice for educators, students and clients.
2. The second aim of this MSc is to advance participants’ capacity in relation to research in their chosen clinical field of specialism. There is an increased emphasis on evidence-based practice within healthcare professions. The aims of this MSc are also to develop learners with the knowledge, skills, and attitudes to use and contribute to evidence-based practice and to enable them to take a leadership role in designing and implementing research to support best practice.

On completion of the MSc participants will be able to:

• Critically appraise, design and implement evidence based clinical teaching approaches and methods
• Critically appraise assessment methodology and its impact on the learner and the learning environment
• Design, implement and reflect on procedures which enhance the quality of student placements
• Critically appraise, design and manage a piece of semi-independent research

NOTE: information on the University of Galway Taught Masters Scholarship Scheme is online here.

Applicants must hold a degree in a professional healthcare course (minimum Second Class Honours degree required). Applicants must be able to register with their appropriate professional or regulatory body.

On completion of this MSc, you will be well positioned to pursue senior, specialist and managerial posts within the HSE and voluntary agencies. You may also choose to pursue opportunities in academic teaching. The interdisciplinary learning environment will equip you with new and innovative ways of working in our challenging healthcare system.