Interdisciplinary Advanced Programme in Mental Health and Addiction - Full Time Programme description

For your information:The name of the program is Advanced Programme in Mental Health Care up to and including the class of 2022.

Mental Health Care is a multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary advanced programme. As a field of work, mental health care is intended to serve patients / users, relatives, the local community and society. The programme’s focus is to promote mental health as well as, prevent mental illness and alleviate suffering in individuals, families, and groups. The programme shall enable the student to understand and contribute to changing conditions that underlie mental illness, including stigma processes and social exclusion.

The programme sees the human being as relationally dependent, and the relationship as a basis for working with care, improvement, recovery and relief of suffering. The student will learn to create arenas together with the patient / user where they can collaborate to alleviate mental illness, improve their ability to live and increase their life development. Emphasis is placed on developing relationship and care competence where attitudes and actions are based on user participation, experience-based knowledge, and research-based knowledge. Based on a holistic view of man, the study will provide knowledge about man's biological, mental, social, cultural, and existential dimensions related to mental health, ill health and mental illness.

Understanding and knowledge that the human being encounters challenges throughout his or her life that can hinder or promote health and life development are central to the programme. Human individuality and inviolability are the starting point for all relief work, and this is reflected in the study's emphasis on concepts such as relationship, trust, care, and respect. The concepts have both a knowledge and an attitude side and the student is expected to integrate knowledge and attitudes with research on mental health care. The program strives for a common academic and scientific understanding framework to provide opportunities for interdisciplinary and interdisciplinary collaboration.

The aim is to provide professionals with an opportunity to integrate professional and personal experiences from both academic degrees and fit them into a theoretical and practical framework of understanding. The programme therefore combines a high theoretical level with a practice-based approach wherein critical and ethical thinking are central.

Further studies and working life

The programme qualifies students for a range of positions within mental health care in various sectors of society. The advanced programme corresponds to the two year of the Master’s Degree Programme in Health Sciences with specialisation in Mental Health Care at OsloMet and can be recognised as part of this master's programme.

Facts about the study

The Advanced Programme in Mental Health Care is based on the national curriculum for further education in mental health care and the pertaining national curriculum regulations https://www.regjeringen.no/globalassets/upload/kilde/kd/pla/2006/0002/ddd/pdfv/269395-rammeplan_for_psykisk_helsearbeid_05.pdf, adopted by the Ministry of Education and Research on 1 December 2005.

The programme is offered as a full-time programme over one year and a part-time programme over two years. The study programme has a total scope of 60 credits (ECTS).

The programme is aimed at health care and social workers who wish to specialise in the field of mental health care.

Admission to the programme is in accordance with the Regulations relating to Admission to Studies at OsloMet - Oslo Metropolitan University and the national curriculum for further education in mental health care, adopted by the Ministry of Education and Research on 1 December 2005.

The academic basis for admission is:

• A three-year bachelor's degree in health and social care subjects, or other relevant higher education at the same level or equivalent prior learning and work experience
• A minimum two years' relevant work experience following the completion of the education. By relevant work experience is meant direct patient/user-related work.

Additional points

Additional points are awarded for relevant education over and above the minimum admission requirement. By relevant education is meant all higher education.

Additional points are awarded for relevant work experience over and above the minimum admission requirement. By relevant work experience is meant direct patient/user-related work.

Transcript of police records Applicants who are admitted to the programme must submit a transcript of police records, cf. the Regulations for admission to higher education, Chapter 6.

Upon completion of the Advanced Programme in Mental Health Care, the candidate is expected to have acquired the following overall learning outcomes defined in terms of knowledge, skills and competence:

Knowledge

The candidate has

• in-depth knowledge of perspectives, concepts and theories relating to descriptions and understandings of mental health, mental disorders and mental health care
• advanced knowledge of the human being's mental health and mental disorder and about mental health care in the context of history, culture and society
• in-depth knowledge of theories of science and research methodologies in the fields of mental health, mental disorders and mental health care.
• in-depth knowledge of how the organisation of mental health care might promote and/or inhibit mental health and mental disorders.

Skills

The candidate is capable of

• analysing and thinking critically with regards to theories, methods and interpretations relating to mental health, mental disorders and mental health care
• analysing and applying theoretical knowledge about the concepts relationships and caregiving in the field of mental health care
• acknowledging his/her own and other people's knowledge and proficiency in binding cooperation with others

Competence

The candidate is capable of

• analysing and reflecting on ethical issues relating to the discipline, profession and research
• initiating and partaking in discussions about health and socio-political issues, analysis and conclusions in the field of mental health care
• planning, implementing and evaluating measures for individuals, families, network groups and society that promote knowledge and development in relation to mental health

The programme is offered as a full-time programme over one year and a part-time programme over two years. The advanced programme is part of the Master's degree, and courses, themes and lectures will therefore be coordinated. All courses are compulsory.

The work and teaching methods shall facilitate the integration of knowledge, skills and competence in order to help achieve the greatest possible transfer value to professional practice. Emphasis is therefore placed on using a variety of work methods and alternating between theoretical studies and practical training.

Teaching activities should stimulate active learning and engagement. A good learning outcome is dependent on the students' own effort, cooperation with fellow students and individual work.

Different types of digital technology are used in the programme to stimulate student-active learning and collaboration. Digital learning resources in the form of film clips, podcasts, academic texts, articles and interactive assignments are used in the programme.

The students will receive follow-up throughout the programme in the form of supervision and feedback. In some cases the students will assess each other's work and provide feedback. Such feedback may be provided in writing, orally or as a combination of both.

More detailed descriptions of the most common work and teaching methods used in the programme are provided below.

Lectures

Lectures are mainly used to introduce new material and to provide an overview. The students are invited to engage in dialogue and discussion. Lectures are often used together with other teaching methods. Most lectures are held in Norwegian, but might also take place in English.

Study groups

The students work with assignments while supervised by the lecturer. Academic discussions and assignments are carried out and solved in cooperation with other students. Group work is intended to support the learning of subject matter and at the same time provide training in cooperation, interaction and communication skills.

Seminars

The seminars will focus on student-active work methods. During the seminars, students will work on various topics and on developing their own relational competence and their competence to provide care. The seminars are intended to give the students an opportunity to practise presenting topics, develop critical thinking and provide constructive feedback. In some seminars, students will practise their relational skills through e.g. roleplay and exercises.

Supervision

The students will attend supervision groups. Sessions will focus on sharing and reflecting on their experience from practical training. The students will work on integrating theoretical knowledge and practical experience. The students will work on integrating theoretical knowledge and relating it to the practice of mental health care.

Self-study

Not all topics are covered by organised teaching activities. Students are expected to acquire this knowledge through self-study. Students come to this programme with different preconditions for learning, and self-study enables them to prioritise topics and areas they want to focus more on. Self-study also helps to encourage independent activity and reflection.

Clinical training is part of the course VPSYPRA11/VPSYDPRA11 Development and Practice of Interpersonal Competence and constitutes 20 credits. Two different forms of clinical training are part of the course (both forms of clinical training include compulsory groups and seminars with a supervisor from the university):

• The project-oriented training lasts approx. three weeks and will be supervised by a supervisor from the university.

The theme of project-oriented practice is the organisation of mental health services in an improvement perspective. The students work on the topic by carrying out a project where they gather knowledge and experience from a professional in a relevant field of practice.

• The clinical training takes place over eight weeks of 30 hours, 240 hours in total, and the student will be supervised by a clinical training supervisor and a supervisor from the university

The student will develop concrete learning outcomes in collaboration with the clinical training supervisor. The student’s learning objectives must be approved by the supervisor. The student shall be given a minimum of one hour’s supervision from the clinical training supervisor per week.

The clinical training supervisor is responsible for guiding the student during the clinical training. The clinical training supervisor must have an advanced education within the field. The supervisor from the university is responsible for guiding the student during the project-oriented training and period of clinical training.

The clinical training will normally be carried out in places affiliated with OsloMet – Oslo Metropolitan University through cooperation agreements. The student may apply to complete the clinical training elsewhere. If the application is granted, the students is responsible for covering any expenses relating to this. The clinical training cannot be completed in the students' own workplace, i.e. the student's own unit, ward or similar.

The course VPSYPRA11/VPSYDPRA11 concludes with a written assignment where theoretical knowledge is applied to challenges relating to the clinical training or other phenomena relating to the field of mental health care.

Compulsory attendance at the clinical training.

The attendance at the supervised professional training is compulsory.

• The student must attend at least 90 % of the scheduled time
• The student will be allowed to make up for absence of between 10 and 20 per cent by agreement with the clinical training supervisor and the supervisor from the university
• If a student's absence exceeds 20%, he/she will fail the clinical training*
• The attendance requirement cannot be deviated from due to illness or for other reasons

*If illness prevents the student from attending the clinical training so that their absence exceeds the permitted amount, the student is required to present a valid medical certificate for all days of absence in excess of 10% of the scheduled time in order for the absence to be deemed valid. The student's attempt at taking the clinical training will then not count.

If the student terminates the period of clinical training without a valid reason, for instance by leaving the programme, the course will be registered as failed and the student will have used one attempt. Students who fail the clinical training twice will normally have to leave the programme.

Assessment of the professional training

During the clinical training, students will be given a midway assessment and a final assessment where the student's performance is assessed in relation to the learning outcomes for the clinical training course VPSYPRA11/VPSYDPRA11.

Clinical training is assessed as pass/fail by the clinical training supervisor and the supervisor at the university. Pursuant to the Act relating to Universities and University Colleges, the university is responsible for the final assessment of the student.

Reference is also made to the Regulations relating to Studies and Examinations at OsloMet - Oslo Metropolitan University Chapter 8. Supervised clinical training. Number of attempts.

OsloMet - Oslo Metropolitan University has a considerable number of agreements on teacher and student exchanges with educational institutions in and outside Europe. The programme is represented in international networks. In some courses, the students will attend lectures given by foreign guest speakers.

Internationalisation takes place both through activities on campus in Norway and through periods of study at institutions abroad. Students can apply to take the clinical training abroad. It is preferable that students do this at institutions that OsloMet - Oslo Metropolitan University cooperates with.

The programme's focus on multicultural and global challenges is a contribution to internationalisation. Literature in the English language and international research is part of the programme's syllabus.

Required coursework is all types of work and tests that are conditions for being permitted to take the exam. Coursework requirements in this programme are written assignments, oral presentations, compulsory attendance, supervision etc. Required coursework is carried out individually or in groups.

Coursework requirements are set in order to promote the student's progress and development, and to ensure his/her participation where needed in order to acquire the intended learning outcomes. Coursework requirements are intended to contribute to in-depth knowledge and integration of the various knowledge areas and help the students to reflect on their own relational skills. Coursework requirements are also meant to encourage students to seek out and acquire new knowledge. 

Compulsory attendance

Attendance is compulsory, unless the student can acquire the same knowledge and skills through self-study. This means that it is compulsory to attend at least 80% of the seminars, study groups and  supervision groups. For attendance during the clinical training, please refer to the chapter on clinical training.

If a student exceeds the maximum limit for absence, study group supervisor and person respnsible for the course will consider whether it is possible to compensate for absence by meeting alternative requirements, for instance individual oral or written assignments. If it is not possible to compensate for absence, the student loses the right to take the exam and must re-take the course the following year. Whether or not it is possible to compensate for absence depends on the extent of the student's absence and which activities he/she has missed. It is the responsibility of the student to keep track of his/her own attendance. 

Approval of written coursework requriments

The required coursework is assessed as approved/not approved. The students have two attempts at the written coursework requirements, with the option of applying to the person responsible for the course for a third attempt. Required coursework that is not approved must be improved and approved before the student can take the exam. Required coursework that is not approved might cause the student to fall behind in the programme.

The rules concerning cheating in the Act relating to Universities and University Colleges, the Regulations relating to Studies and Examinations at OsloMet - Oslo Metropolitan University, and the Guidelines for handling Cheating/Attempts at Cheating at OsloMet - Oslo Metropolitan University also apply to coursework requirements.

The assessments are carried out in accordance with the Act relating to Universities and University Colleges, the Regulations relating to Studies and Examinations, and the Guidelines for Appointment and Use of Examiners at the University. For assessment during the clinical training, please refer to the chapter on clinical training.

Assessment

The grading system in use is pass/fail or a grade scale with letter grades from A to F, where A is the highest grade, E is the poorest pass grade and F is a fail. In connection with group exams, all students in the group are awarded the same grade. 

Resit and rescheduled exams Resit and rescheduled exams are carried out in the same manner as the ordinary exam unless otherwise specified in the course description. In special cases, resit and rescheduled exams in courses with group exams may be held as individual exams.

Appeals against grades

Grades awarded for written exams can be appealed. It is not possible to appeal the grades awarded for oral and practical exams. In connection with a group exam, the result of an appeal will only have consequences for the candidate(s) who submitted the appeal. The other students will keep their original grade.

The title of the in-depth paper will be included in the transcript of the grades.

External programme supervisor

An external programme supervisor scheme exists for the programme. Over a two-year period, the external programme supervisor will carry out the following supervision of the programme:

• evaluate exam assignments and assessment criteria for grading in each selected course
• assess the connections between the programme description's learning outcome descriptions, teaching arrangements and types of assessment
• give the academic environment feedback and advice that can be used in the ongoing work on quality of education

The external supervisor will write an annual report on their work that will be included in the department's part of the university's quality assurance system.

Programme description approved by the Academic Affairs Committee at the Faculty of Health Sciences: 31 May 2017

Last amended by the Vice-Dean on 26 November 2020

The Faculty of Health Sciences