Applied Clinical Psychology MSc

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The growing prevalence of mental health disorders and the complexities of modern life have fueled the need for professionals trained in clinical ppsychology. The importance of culturally sensitive psychological care is increasingly recognised, and our master’s in psychology fosters competencies necessary for empathetic, inclusive, and effective care for diverse populations.

By studying our MSc clinical psychology you will explore the underlying causes of psychological disorders, the development of treatment plans, and the implementation of evidence-based therapies. The intellectual stimulation and personal growth that come with this master’s in clinical psychology will undoubtedly ignite your passion for mental health. By broadening your knowledge of clinical psychology, you will have the power to positively impact countless lives, making a significant difference in the world of mental health care.

Subject to validation

MSc Applied Clinical Psychology

Next intake: September 2024Key Facts

Commitment
Part-time
Exit Points
MSc
24 Months
Class Size
15 - 20
Application Deadline
30th August 2024
Course start date
2nd September 2024 (view full module dates)
Format
100% Online
Total Fees
TBA
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The importance of clinical psychology in today's society can mean the difference between a life well-lived and a life of challenges. Therefore, in order to really improve mental health standards in society we have developed a master's in clinical psychology aimed to engage and inspire healthcare professionals to help people overcome obstacles and reach their full potential.

Our students learn to uncover the processes of the mind through the study of clinically rich case scenarios discussed in an academic forum and led by an expert tutor. You too will come away with an enhanced understanding of people's behaviour, cognitive attitude and mental functioning in order to make positive, constructive, meaningful, and lasting changes in people's lives.

On successful completion of our applied clinical psychology MSc degree you will acquire a number of essential skills as our course aims to:

  • Equip the individual with a broad understanding of clinical psychology, skills in critical appraisal and application of knowledge for direct patient benefit/service development and future study.
  • Equip students with life-long learning and advanced problem-solving skills that they can apply to clinical practice in clinical psychology.
  • Enable graduates to demonstrate the ability to lead complex tasks and processes in the delivery and advancement of psychologically informed health care.
  • Enable graduates to confidently work in teams in multi-agency, multi-cultural and/or international contexts.
  • Enable graduates to critically evaluate the delivery of psychological care to patients/service users.
  • Equip students with a systematic understanding of evidence-based psychological interventions.
  • Enable graduates to use relevant understanding, methodologies and approaches to address complex issues of clinical care across the spectrum of healthcare specialties caring for patients with psychological needs.
  • Equip students with the ability to critically evaluate evidence and guidance for clinical psychology and implement best practice and innovation in complex patient scenarios.
  • Extend the scope of practice by exploring a professional subject area in more depth utilising knowledge gained in the previous modules.

Subject To Validation

This programme has not yet been validated by a University partner. We are accepting applications for this course on the basis that it will shortly be validated. Please note that all applications are subject to this validation being approved.


Subject to validation

Next intake: September 2024 Key Facts

Commitment
Part-time
Format
100% Online
Exit Points
MSc
24 Months
Duration
24 months
Class Size
15 - 20
Application Deadline
30th August 2024
Course start date
2nd September 2024 (view full module dates)
Total Fees
TBA

Why Study an Applied Clinical Psychology Master's with Learna

We have over 10 years’ experience delivering online courses, giving you access to flexible, affordable distance learning in partnership with world-leading educators.

knowledge

100% Flexible

Our courses are 100% online. No fixed study times mean you can log in and learn whenever and wherever.

Multidisciplinary - study in a group of doctors, nurses, pharmacists and other healthcare professionals.

Experts

Expert Led

All of our programmes are authored and developed by world leading experts in their field.

Our faculty are selected due to their subject expertise, experience and teaching abilities to ensure the highest standards of educational excellence.

confidence

Career Boosting

Get a University Validated postgraduate qualification in just 1 calendar year instead of 2 academic years.

40% of our alumni reported an increase in salary 2 years after studying with us.

Who is this course for?

Our applied clinical psychology master's is aimed at healthcare professionals who want to gain new knowledge and skills in the application of psychology within clinical settings. This course will give healthcare professionals a better understanding of how psychological knowledge, principles and methods can be applied within clinical practice through online psychology courses.

This master's in clinical psychology is also suited for psychology graduates wanting to undertake online psychology courses and distance learning master's. This may be of particular interest to aspiring Clinical Psychologists, including those who are seeking positions as Assistant Psychologists, Research Assistants and those who wish to undertake a relevant postgraduate course, prior to applying for a Professional Doctorate in Clinical Psychology.

To qualify as a Clinical Psychologist within the UK, you need to be registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) with an accredited Doctorate in Clinical Psychology. Further information about careers in Clinical Psychology are available via the British Psychological Society (BPS) website.

How Will I Learn?

You will be supported throughout your studies by a committed team of internationally recognised educational experts.

Our courses are conducted through our interactive online learning platform, log in daily whenever and wherever you want. No fixed timetable empowers you to study when it suits you

These usually occur within groups of 10-20 students, allowing you to clearly communicate with both your tutor and fellow students.

Curriculum

The Applied Clinical Psychology MSc is a two year course, consisting of eight modules (180 credits) with the first 120 credits deriving from 6, 6 week 20 credit modules taken in the first year. The second year of the applied clinical psychology master's course starts with an initial 10 week online module that will develop skills in critical appraisal and knowledge of research methodologies. Students then complete the professional project module, which consists of a 1,500 word proposal and 10,500 word professional project (dissertation).

Year 1

Module Aims
This module aims to provide students with an understanding of the context, definitions and models underpinning the profession of clinical psychology. The module will enable students to understand training routes to enter the profession and range of roles and clinical settings that clinical psychologists work within. The module also aims to introduce distinctive features, key concepts and debates that have shaped the development of clinical psychology.

Module Content

  • Definitions, history, scientist-practitioner model
  • Training routes, roles and clinical settings
  • Supervision, reflective practice and self-care
  • Models of mental health
  • Trauma & attachment
  • Cultural and social perspectives, equality, diversity and inclusion

Learning Outcomes

  1. Demonstrate a critical knowledge and understanding of the foundations of clinical psychology.
  2. Critically evaluate current research and advanced scholarship in clinical psychology.
  3. Undertake critical thinking/reflection to provide judgement and suitable courses of action related to clinical psychology.
  4. Critical evaluation of the literature and successful decision awareness in clinical psychology to formulate appropriate solutions for the student’s practice; evidence-based decision making.
  5. Reflect on learning from prior experience, challenge preconceptions, remove subject and function boundaries in order to holistically integrate new knowledge to complex or novel situations.

Module Aims
To develop students’ understanding of clinical skills and their relevance and use in clinical psychology.

Module Content

  • Engagement & motivation, goal setting
  • Interviewing skills
  • Clinical assessment
  • Formulation
  • Risk assessment and management
  • Treatment selection, planning and evaluation

Learning Outcomes

  1. Critically evaluate a variety of clinical skills and examine their application, use and relevance within clinical psychology.
  2. Critically appraise the delivery of psychological care in varying clinical settings/conditions.
  3. Apply a range of strategies to harness core clinical skills and client safety within clinical psychology.
  4. Demonstrate a systematic knowledge of the unique complexities of core clinical skills in psychology.
  5. Reflect on learning from prior experience, challenge preconceptions, remove subject and function boundaries in order to holistically integrate new knowledge to complex or novel situations.

Module Aims

  • To enable students to understand the application of a range of psychological therapies used in clinical practice.
  • To develop an understanding of how core psychological knowledge and skills can enable practitioners to select, and, if necessary to adapt and combine therapeutic approaches.

Module Content

  • Cognitive and Behavioural Psychotherapies
  • Dynamic and Relational therapies
  • Systemic & Family Therapies
  • 3rd wave and specialised therapies
  • What works for whom, and why
  • Formulation and treatment planning using different models

Learning Outcomes

  1. Demonstrate critical appraisal and formulation skills that will enable students to develop treatment plans by selecting, adapting or integrating therapeutic approaches to meet the needs of individual clients.
  2. Develop a critical understanding and implement processes of quality improvement and transferability of best practice within therapeutic approaches.
  3. Critically discriminate in the selection and use of evidence and techniques to address complex problems involving therapeutic approaches.
  4. Apply a combination of professional knowledge with therapeutic skills to improve psychological needs delivery in complex situations.
  5. Exercise initiative, personal responsibility and ethical decision-making in complex and unpredictable situations.

Module Aims

  • This module aims to familiarise students with the clinical psychology of common mental health difficulties including anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress.
  • To introduce students to the psychology of common life experiences and psychological factors that can underlie or contribute to a range of mental health difficulties across the lifespan.

Module Content

  • Anxiety – panic and phobias
  • Anxiety – social and health anxiety, OCD
  • Depression (unipolar)
  • PTSD (type 1)
  • Adversity, attachment, adjustment, and grief
  • Self-esteem, perfectionism, self-criticism, shame and compassion

Learning Outcomes

  1. Critically appraise psychological perspectives and treatment approaches for common mental health difficulties.
  2. Develop a systematic knowledge and understanding of the psychology of common mental health difficulties.
  3. Merge theoretical facts, ideas and critically evaluate psychological literature in support of understanding the psychology of common mental health difficulties.
  4. Apply a combination of professional knowledge with practical skills to improve psychological needs delivery in complex situations.
  5. Critical evaluation of the literature and successful decision awareness involving common mental health difficulties to formulate appropriate solutions for the student’s practice; evidence-based decision making.

Module Aims

  • To familiarise students with the clinical psychology of severe and complex mental health difficulties.
  • To enable students to understand a range of psychological perspectives that may assist clinicians in intervening to help people with severe and complex mental health difficulties across the lifespan.

Module Content

  • Psychosis and At Risk Mental States
  • Bipolar/extreme mood states
  • Personality disorders
  • Complex trauma & dissociation
  • Transdiagnostic perspectives
  • Working with severe conditions within complex systems

Learning Outcomes

  1. Analyse, synthesise and assess the implications of psychological perspectives on severe and complex mental health difficulties for clinicians and service providers.
  2. Demonstrate a critical awareness of current issues involving severe and complex mental health difficulties informed by research and novel practice in the field.
  3. Merge theoretical facts, ideas and critically evaluate psychological literature in support of understanding severe and complex mental health difficulties.
  4. Apply a range of strategies to help people with severe and complex mental health difficulties and ensure client safety across the lifespan.
  5. Reflect on learning from prior experience, challenge preconceptions, remove subject and function boundaries in order to holistically integrate new knowledge to complex or novel situations.

Module Aims
To explore the application of clinical psychology across a range of specialist settings and clinical presentations.

Module Content

  • Clinical health psychology
  • Forensic clinical psychology
  • Addictions and Eating Disorders
  • Learning disabilities, autism & neurodiversity
  • TBI and neuropsychological rehabilitation
  • Dementia

Learning Outcomes

  1. Critically apply clinical psychology knowledge and skills to a range of clinical presentations.
  2. Critical knowledge and understanding of the application of clinical psychology across a range of specialist settings.
  3. Demonstrate originality, insight and critical/reflective practice to solve problems improve delivery in varying specialist settings.
  4. Undertake critical thinking/reflection to provide judgement and suitable courses of action related to specialist applications.
  5. Exercise of initiative, personal responsibility and ethical decision-making in complex and unpredictable situations.

Year 2

Aims of the module:
Research Methodologies and Critical Appraisal

  • To help students recognise, understand, interpret and apply methods used in healthcare research and critically appraise the various methodologies specific to research in the subject area.

Professional Project

  • To develop students’ ability to critically appraise specific areas of clinical, research and/or organisational practice and develop skills in independent research, study and writing for publication.

Research Methodologies and Critical Appraisal

  • Terminology used in epidemiology and research studies such as prevalence, incidence, sensitivity, specificity, false positive and false negatives.
  • Interpreting graphical representation of epidemiological and statistical data such as Kaplan-Meier curves, forest plots and meta-analyses.
  • Calculations used in the assessment of research data such as relative risk, absolute risk and number needed to treat. Statistical tests and their applications including t-tests, ANOVA and chi-square.
  • Qualitative research methods.
  • Fundamentals of evidence-based practice and its application into the clinical setting.
  • Principles of health economics, audit and quality improvement/assurance systems.
  • Establishing patient registers and the value of disease-specific registers.
  • Research into educational principles for both healthcare practitioner and patient.

Professional Project
This module will depend on the creation of a piece of work based upon a specific clinically related project relevant to the student’s practice. This project may comprise:

  • Literature review and appraisal of the evidence.
  • Audit of practice including organisational or clinical.
  • Review and implementation of evidence-based practice.
  • Qualitative or quantitative research (formal research involving human subjects is not anticipated).
  • Case(s)-based and quality of service review with critical appraisal.
  • Case report, review of literature and organisational assessment.

Learning outcomes:

  • Select and apply different methodological perspectives and tools to answer research questions in the field.
  • Critically analyse and interpret relevant research in the subject area.
  • Design and undertake a research/development project.
  • Critically evaluate practice and suggest improvements or change.
  • Incorporate knowledge of the research process in developing services appropriately.

Assessment Methods

The Applied Clinical Psychology MSc course places assessments at the heart of the learning process through the employment of clinical scenarios to enhance problem-solving, critical analysis and evidence-based care. Since the scenarios act as a focus for learning and assessment, the two are intrinsically linked.

The first seven modules on the course have the same assessment format and for all modules, you will be assigned a dedicated expert tutor. Your tutor will then facilitate case discussions with the group, whilst monitoring, assessing and marking your work throughout. You will also participate in a combination of module activities that may be group and/or individual based, dependent on the module.

These innovative teaching methods enable you to envisage the translation of your studies into your every day work and practice.

For the final module of the course you will be required to produce a piece of work based upon a clinically-related project that is relevant to your practice. Once you have selected a specific project, you will submit a project summary/proposal of approximately 1,500 words. Following the approval of your proposal you will then complete a 10,500 word professional project.

To produce the professional project you will continue to study online. Much of the work is self-directed, however you will receive guidance from your tutor throughout the module.

Due to the online nature of the course, you will be expected to regularly login and participate in the course - ideally on a daily basis. Students are recommended to spend around two hours per day on their studies. Our dedicated Student Support Team are also available to help with any problems you may face. From navigating our online platform to advising you on deadlines, our team can assist with any questions or challenges you may have along the way.

Year 1

  • Every week students are presented with two/three clinical case-based scenarios that are reflective of every day clinical practice and research.
  • Your tutor will post a number of questions and prompts to aid students in a formal discussion of each case.
  • These discussions are facilitated throughout by your tutor and are then assessed at the end of every module.

For this assessment, students will work on a group assignment and/or an individual assignment.

  • Group assignments are designed to hone skills in the multidisciplinary, holistic approach to modern treatments and patient management by requiring group participation in a single piece of work.
  • Individual assignments are designed to hone skills in academic career progression through such tasks as reviewing papers, developing scientific posters or abstracts, peer-reviewing, social media activities, patient information leaflets and essays.

The reflective journal is used by students throughout each module to monitor personal progress. This is guided by weekly feedback from your tutor and is graded at the end of every module. The journal typically includes the following:

  • Initial expectations and reasons for taking the course.
  • Module and/or personal learning objectives.
  • Description of events, issues and learning points within current personal practice.
  • Change in every day practice due to knowledge gained on each module.
  • A description of what has been learned during the module.

Year 2

This module runs over an 8 week period and is designed to develop skills in critical appraisal and knowledge of research methodologies. The module consists of mandatory formative assessment activities to support your learning and development prior to the Professional Project module.

  • Students will create a dissertation, the theme of which has been developed in discussion with their tutor.
  • Supervision will normally involve direct online support involving planned progress, supporting research activity and reading student work.
  • Supervisors and students will agree on a communications plan, which may involve emails or online chats. Some students may employ the use of freely available chat or audio conferencing facilities for live discussion with supervisors.
  • Students will have access to online forums where they can develop their research capabilities together.
  • All communications with tutors will be logged on the Professional Project forum by the student, and consist of brief summaries of discussion.

Entry requirements

Since our courses are conducted entirely online, they are accessible to both UK and international registered healthcare professionals.

Applicants will typically hold a first degree or equivalent (including international qualifications) in a relevant professional healthcare field, such as a medical or nursing degree or in Psychology.

Registered healthcare professionals without these recognised qualifications will be considered on an individual basis and a wide range of prior experience may be taken into account. In some cases, applicants may be asked to submit a piece of work for assessment in order to confirm that they are able to work comfortably at postgraduate level, and demonstrate the requisite clinical and professional knowledge.

Documents Required

  • A copy of your updated CV including your address and date of birth.
  • A copy of your undergraduate degree certificate.
  • The name and email address of someone who is able to provide a reference, this can be a work colleague, employer or former tutor.
  • A detailed personal statement explaining why you would like to undertake the course.
  • A copy of your proof of English competency (see below).

English Language Requirements
Proficiency in the English language is also essential to completing our courses. If English is NOT your first language, we ask for proof of competency during the application process. We are able to accept an IELTS overall score of 6.5 (with a minimum of 6.0 for each band) or an equivalent qualification. Duolingo is also accepted, as long as your score is above 95 per component.*

If you do not meet these requirements, please don’t worry. You can contact our admissions team on admissions@diploma-msc.com for more information on the qualifications we accept.

*Please note that those who provide their proof of English proficiency through Duolingo will receive £50 off their final course payment. This discount is applied after payment of your deposit is received.

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We have over 10 years’ experience delivering online diploma courses, giving you access to flexible, affordable distance learning in partnership with world-leading educators.

Our courses are some of the most affordable of their kind, providing value for money without compromising on quality. We also don't apply an international surcharge. No fixed timetable means you can log in & learn on the go, at your convenience.

Being totally online means we can select the very best tutors and resource editors, no matter where they’re located.

Connect with multidisciplinary people around the world to expand your insights & broaden your career prospects.

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