Study information

Programme Specification for the 2023/4 academic year

GradCert Psychological Therapies Practice (Mental Health and Wellbeing in Specialist Adult Mental Health)

1. Programme Details

Programme nameGradCert Psychological Therapies Practice (Mental Health and Wellbeing in Specialist Adult Mental Health) Programme codeLCT1PSYPSY02
Study mode(s)Part Time
 Academic year2023/4
Campus(es)Streatham (Exeter)
 NQF Level of the Final Award6 (Honours)

2. Description of the Programme

Are you interested in a career as a Mental Health and Wellbeing Practitioner in adult mental health community care? Would you like to work alongside adult mental health multi-disciplinary team members to co-ordinate patient care, and support collaborative decision-making about their care and treatment? Would you like to develop your clinical competency in evidenced-based, low intensity, CBT-aligned psychological interventions that address problems often experienced by people with severe mental health problems? If the answer is ‘yes’ then this may be the training programme for you. This programme will provide you with an outstanding opportunity to develop the competencies and knowledge associated with practice as a Mental Health and Wellbeing Practitioner. A strong emphasis throughout the programme is placed upon your personal and professional development. Advantages of the programme are that:

  • You will study within a vibrant, stimulating and internationally-recognised research environment, where members of your teaching team have first-hand experience within the clinical setting.
  • Your learning experience will be enriched by nationally-recognised, innovative, clinical teaching approaches.

3. Educational Aims of the Programme

The aims of the Graduate Cert Psychological Therapies Practice (Mental Health and Wellbeing Practice in Specialist Adult Mental Health) are to:

  • Provide you with a thorough grounding in the curriculum and competencies required to work in the Mental Health and Wellbeing Practitioner role within an adult mental health community setting.
  • Develop your knowledge and skills in working alongside multi-disciplinary team members to co-ordinate patient care, and support collaborative decision-making about care and treatment.
  • Develop your understanding and clinical competency in evidence-based low intensity psychological interventions, aligned to cognitive-behavioural principles and enable you to adapt your practice to work effectively with adult patients with diverse needs.
  • Provide you with the foundations to establish a commitment to continuing professional development and becoming an evidence-based practitioner.
  • Provide you with a high quality and stimulating learning experience in a supportive environment that is enriched by an internationally-recognised research environment, nationally-recognised innovative clinical teaching approaches and current clinical practice.

4. Programme Structure

5. Programme Modules

The following tables describe the programme and constituent modules. Constituent modules may be updated, deleted or replaced as a consequence of the annual programme review of this programme.

The following tables describe the programme and constituent modules. Constituent modules may be updated, deleted or replaced as a consequence of the annual review of this programme. Details of the modules currently offered may be obtained from the College website:  

http://lifesciences.exeter.ac.uk/students/ 

Stage 1

Stage 1: 60 credits of compulsory modules

Compulsory Modules

CodeModule Credits Non-condonable?
PYC3031 Engagement and assessment with people with severe mental health problems 20Yes
PYC3032 Care Planning in Partnership 20Yes
PYC3033 Low Intensity Psychological Interventions for Severe Mental Health Problems 20Yes

6. Programme Outcomes Linked to Teaching, Learning and Assessment Methods

Intended Learning Outcomes
A: Specialised Subject Skills and Knowledge

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)
On successfully completing this programme you will be able to:		Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) will be...
...accommodated and facilitated by the following learning and teaching activities (in/out of class):...and evidenced by the following assessment methods:

1. Outline the knowledge and skills required to effectively engage and form collaborative alliances with people with severe mental health problems, their carers and families.
2. Demonstrate skills in care planning and mobilising resources in collaboration with service users, their carers and families.
3. Describe and demonstrate skills in the low intensity psychological interventions as applied to people with severe mental health problems.
4. Apply skills of scientific writing with a particular focus upon enhancing clinical practice associated with the clinical applications of psychology, through a range of methods, at a level appropriate to a GradCert.

Knowledge and detailed informationare developed through lectures, tutorials, seminars,  ‘flipped classroom’ pedagogy and supported by directed research of texts. Independent but highly directed and prescribed study and practice also forms a major part of our teaching and learning methods.

Clinical competency is developed through clinical skills modelling, case studies, role play, service-based supervision and self-practice/self-reflection, supported by directed research of texts and journals.

Independent study and practice also form a major part of our teaching and learning methods. 

The ILOs are assessed by the following individual methods or a combination of these.

ILOs 1-4: competency assessments, reflective commentaries, portfolio of collaborative care plans, case reports, case presentation, and practice-based outcomes portfolio.

Intended Learning Outcomes
B: Academic Discipline Core Skills and Knowledge

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)
On successfully completing this programme you will be able to:		Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) will be...
...accommodated and facilitated by the following learning and teaching activities (in/out of class):...and evidenced by the following assessment methods:

5. Demonstrate skills of scientific writing and presenting results.
6. Review and critically evaluate empirical evidence using a range of defined techniques.
7. Review and critically evaluate published work as well as your own work.
8. Explain the wider ethical issues relating to the subject and its application.

All ILOs are developed through lectures, tutorials, seminars, ‘flipped classroom’ pedagogy and supported by directed research of texts and.

Independent but highly directed and prescribed study and practice also forms a major part of our teaching and learning methods.

The ILOs are assessed by the following individual methods or a combination of these.

ILOs 5-8: reflective commentaries, portfolio of collaborative care plans, case reports, case presentation, and practice-based outcomes portfolio.

Intended Learning Outcomes
C: Personal/Transferable/Employment Skills and Knowledge

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)
On successfully completing this programme you will be able to:		Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) will be...
...accommodated and facilitated by the following learning and teaching activities (in/out of class):...and evidenced by the following assessment methods:

9. Think critically, creatively and independently.
10. Identify and solve complex problems demonstrating confidence and flexibility.
11. Use electronic information retrieval and management tools proficiently and access information from a variety of sources.
12. Interact effectively within a group.
13. Work effectively on your own and as part of a team.
14. Manage your own learning (autonomy, time management, self-teaching, self-reflection, seeking and using feedback, personal responsibility, self-criticism).
15. Use supervision and personal reflection as a means to improve your personal effectiveness as demonstrated in the reflective commentary.

All ILOs are developed through lectures, tutorials, seminars, ‘flipped classroom’ pedagogy and supported by directed research of texts and.

Independent but highly directed and prescribed study and practice also forms a major part of our teaching and learning methods.

The ILOs are assessed by the following individual methods or a combination of these.

ILOs 9-15: reflective commentaries, portfolio of collaborative care plans, case reports, case presentation, and practice-based outcomes portfolio.

7. Programme Regulations

Classification

Full details of assessment regulations for all taught programmes can be found in the TQA Manual, specifically in the Credit and Qualifications Framework, and the Assessment, Progression and Awarding: Taught Programmes Handbook. Additional information, including Generic Marking Criteria, can be found in the Learning and Teaching Support Handbook.

8. College Support for Students and Students' Learning

WithinPsychology there is a well-equipped suite of PCs dedicated for postgraduate use, with further support provided by a dedicated IT and statistics helpdesk.

A range of services is available to support your study both from within Psychology. These include:

  • Team development programme.
  • Personal and professional development planning.
  • Student handbooks and programme guides.
  • Range of specialist advisors, including for: women students, non-school leavers, and overseas students.
  • Computing and Statistics Help Desk.
  • Virtual Resource Room and other web-based learning materials.
  • Clinically focused seminars, the ‘Think Tank’, provided by the Mood Disorders Centre.

9. University Support for Students and Students' Learning

Please refer to the University Academic Policy and Standards guidelines regarding support for students and students' learning.

10. Admissions Criteria

Undergraduate applicants must satisfy the Undergraduate Admissions Policy of the University of Exeter.

Postgraduate applicants must satisfy the Postgraduate Admissions Policy of the University of Exeter.

Specific requirements required to enrol on this programme are available at the respective Undergraduate or Postgraduate Study Site webpages.

11. Regulation of Assessment and Academic Standards

Each academic programme in the University is subject to an agreed College assessment and marking strategy, underpinned by institution-wide assessment procedures.

The security of assessment and academic standards is further supported through the appointment of External Examiners for each programme. External Examiners have access to draft papers, course work and examination scripts. They are required to attend the Board of Examiners and to provide an annual report. Annual External Examiner reports are monitored at both College and University level. Their responsibilities are described in the University's code of practice. See the University's TQA Manual for details.

(Quality Review Framework.

14. Awarding Institution

University of Exeter

15. Lead College / Teaching Institution

Faculty of Health and Life Sciences

16. Partner College / Institution

Partner College(s)

Not applicable to this programme

Partner Institution

Not applicable to this programme.

17. Programme Accredited / Validated by

0

18. Final Award

GradCert Psychological Therapies Practice (Mental Health and Wellbeing in Specialist Adult Mental Health)

19. UCAS Code

Not applicable to this programme.

20. NQF Level of Final Award

6 (Honours)

21. Credit

CATS credits

60

 ECTS credits

30

22. QAA Subject Benchmarking Group

23. Dates

Origin Date

23/11/2021

 Date of last revision

25/03/2022