Master’s Programme in Health Sciences – Interdisciplinary Specialisation in Mental Health and Addiction, part-time Programme description

The programme was established under the Act relating to Universities and University Colleges and the Regulations relating to Studies and Examinations at OsloMet – Oslo Metropolitan University.

Candidates who pass the programme will be awarded the degree Master of Health Sciences (Norwegian: Master i helsevitenskap) in accordance with Section 3 of the Regulations concerning Requirements for the Master's Degrees. A specialisation in one of the following 15 specialisations forms part of the master’s degree programme:

Specialisations for applicants with backgrounds in health or social care:

• Health Sciences
• Empowerment and Health Promotion
• Mental Health Care and Addiction
• Rehabilitation and Habilitation

Specialisations for applicants who are authorised health personnel in the specified professional fields:

• Nutrition for Health Personnel
• Occupational Therapy
• Physiotherapy for Children and Adolescents
• Physiotherapy for the Older Adult
• Physiotherapy for Musculoskeletal Health
• Psychomotor Physiotherapy
• Advanced Nursing Practice
• Public Health Nursing
• Cancer Nursing
• Nursing – Clinical Research and Professional Development

Specialisations for applicants from the professional field of nutrition:

• Public Health Nutrition

The specialisation will also be stated on the diploma alongside the name of the degree: Master of Health Sciences.

The master’s degree programme has a scope of 120 ECTS credits. Some of the specialisations are taken full-time over two years, while others are taken part-time over three or four years.

The programme comprises compulsory common courses, compulsory specialisation courses and elective courses, in addition to the master’s thesis. A more detailed overview of the programme’s structure for each specialisation is given under the section Content and structure.

According to the UN Agenda 2030, a prerequisite for achieving sustainable development is that everyone is able to live healthy lives. The Master’s Degree Programme in Health Sciences is primarily aimed at the UN Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3, Good Health and Well-being, while SDGs 4, 5 and 10 on ensuring inclusive and equitable quality education and promoting lifelong learning opportunities for all, and achieving gender equality and reducing inequality, are also relevant. The 17 SDGs must be seen as a whole, however, where each goal is seen in conjunction with the others. The purpose of the programme is therefore to educate candidates who are qualified to help to ensure good health and promote quality of life for everyone, regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, education, sexuality and functional ability, while also attempting to address considerations relating to sustainability, including life-long learning.

The students taking the programme can choose a specialisation in health promotion, illness prevention, treatment, palliative care and (re)habilitation work. The programme teaches the students to handle professional problems at the individual, group and system level in close cooperation with other professions, patients, users, next of kin and other services. The candidates should also be able to contribute to safe, effective, holistic and integrated services with good use of resources, and to innovation, improvement work and systematic user involvement.

Relevance to working life

Possible fields of work and careers after completing the programme include:

• research and development in the health sciences
• teaching, development and advisory functions in the guidance, administration and dissemination of knowledge in the health professions
• clinical work that is based on specialised expertise
• health and social care management positions

Relevance to further education

Students taking the Master's Degree Programme in Health Sciences who choose to write a master’s thesis worth 50 ECTS credits can apply for admission to the research programme for health sciences while taking the master’s programme. This is taken in parallel to and as an extension of the master’s programme. The research programme develops researcher expertise over and above that provided during the master’s programme and results in a research work that can later form part of a PhD-level work.

Candidates with a Master's Degree in Health Sciences are qualified to apply for admission to PhD programmes, including the PhD Programme in Health Sciences at OsloMet.

Specialisations

The Master's Degree Programme in Health Sciences has a number of specialisations that candidates can choose. Applicants must choose and apply directly for the specialisation they wish to take when applying for the master’s programme. The specialisations are subject to different admission requirements. However, the students will take a significant part of the programme together with students from the other specialisations, partly through compulsory common courses and partly through elective courses across the specialisations. More information about this is found in the section Content and structure.

MAPSYH: Mental Health and Addiction

The Specialisation in Mental Health and Addiction qualifies for preventive, treatment and rehabilitation within municipal health, social and welfare services, mental health care and interdisciplinary specialised drug treatment (TSB). The education is research-based, practice-based and experience-based, and meets society's demands for equal and knowledge-based services. It involves safeguarding human rights, participation, and development opportunities in society, and promoting good mental and physical health for people with mental health, drug and/or addiction problems. The first 60 credits meet the requirements of the regulations on national guidelines for tverrfaglig videreutdanning i psykisk helse-, rus- og avhengighetsarbeid (the Ministry of Education and Research, 2022). After completing the programme, the student can familiarize himself with research in the field and be able to make independent professional assessments and decisions in interaction with the person it mainly concerns, his family, network and others involved in health, social and welfare services. Practical training forms part of the specialisation.

For more information, see regulations on national guidelines for tverrfaglig videreutdanning i psykisk helse-, rus- og avhengighetsarbeid

The target group is students with a bachelor’s degree in health or social care who want to work on professional development and/or participate in research in their field, and potentially conduct clinical work in their chosen specialisation. The programme is a relevant additional education to a number of health and social care programmes.

Admission takes place directly to the chosen specialisation. The requirement for admission to the Master’s Degree Programme in Health Sciences is a bachelor's degree or an equivalent degree within a specified field, with an average grade of at least C. However, an average grade of C does not guarantee admission. If the number of qualified applicants exceeds the number of places on the programme, the applicants will be ranked according to the applicable ranking rules.

Reference is made to the Regulations relating to Admission to Studies at OsloMet. The specialisations will only be run if a sufficient number of qualified candidates apply.

Admission requirements for the Specialisation in Mental Care and Addiction

A bachelor's degree or an equivalent degree which gives the occupational title of Social Worker, Social Educatorist, Child Wealfare Worker, Nurse, Physiotherapist or Occupational Therapist.

Applicants who accept an offer for a place on the programme must submit a transcript of police records.

Transfer Admission 2024

Candidates who have previously completed an Advanced Programme in Mental Health Care (60 ECTS credits) under the national curriculum of 2005, may apply for direct admission to the third year of the programme and specialisation Mental Health Care in the fall ogf 2024, thus following the previous study model at the specialization of the master's program. For more information see https://www.oslomet.no/studier/hv/innpassing-psykisk-helsearbeid

In addition, applicants for transfer admission must have a bachelor's degree or equivalent that gives the occupational title of Social Worker, Social Educatorist, Child Wealfare Worker, Nurse, Physiotherapist or Occupational Therapist.

Transfer Admission 2025

Candidates who have completed interdisciplinary an Interdisciplinary Advanced Programme in Mental Health and Addiction, 60 credits, according to the regulations on national guidelines for tverrfaglig videreutdanning i psykisk helse-, rus- og avhengighetsarbeid (the Ministry of Education and Research, 2022), can apply directly for admission to the second academic year (full-time) or third academic year (part-time).

In addition, applicants for transfer admission must have a bachelor's degree or equivalent that gives the occupational title of Social Worker, Social Educatorist, Child Wealfare Worker, Nurse, Physiotherapist or Occupational Therapist.

Learning outcomes at the programme level for the Master's Degree Programme in Health Sciences

The student’s overall learning outcomes for the Master’s Degree Programme in Health Sciences fully cover the description of master’s degree level (level 7) of the Norwegian Qualifications Framework.

A candidate who has completed his or her qualification should have the following learning outcomes defined in terms of knowledge, skills and general competence:

Knowledge

The candidate

• has advanced knowledge of health-related services and health-promoting work within their field of specialisation
• can analyse academic problems on the basis of the history, traditions, distinctive character and place in society of the health sciences
• has knowledge of different perceptions of body, health, illness, function and functional impairment
• has in-depth knowledge of the individual’s right to autonomy and user participation, and of important considerations in the development of equitable health services and health-promoting work
• has insight into the role of interprofessional cooperation in achieving results in health-related services and health-promoting work
• has insight into the UN Sustainable Development Goals, particularly Goal 3, Good Health and Well-being, and an understanding of the connection between health and sustainable development in society
• has thorough knowledge of the theory of science, research methods and ethics of particular relevance to health sciences and the area of specialisation

Skills

The candidate

• can understand, motivate and cooperate with individuals and next of kin undergoing health-related learning, coping and change processes
• can analyse existing theories, methods and interpretations in the field of health sciences and work independently on practical and theoretical problem-solving
• can adapt health services and health-promoting work to different groups in society
• can contribute to the expedient and correct use of technology to improve the quality of the health services
• can use knowledge of quality improvement and implementation to improve the services
• can analyse and deal critically with various sources of information and use them to structure and formulate scholarly arguments
• can use relevant methods for research and scholarly and/or professional development work in an independent manner
• can carry out an independent, limited research or development project within their specialisation under supervision and in accordance with applicable norms for research ethics

General competence

The candidate

• can analyse the relationship between the individual, service and societal levels when designing health-related services and in health-promoting work
• can contribute to innovation and quality improvement that builds on relevant knowledge of nursing gained from research and experience, and knowledge of users
• can work in interprofessional teams in order to more efficiently address complex health challenges
• has an international perspective in their field of specialisation
• can assess their own research design and research method based on a specific research question
• can disseminate relevant problems, analyses and research results to specialists and the general public in a way that meets research ethics requirements
• can contribute to new thinking and innovation processes in the health services and in health-promoting work

Specialisation in Mental Health and Addiction

The following additional learning outcomes apply to candidates taking the Specialisation in Mental Health and Addiction:

• has in-depth knowledge of communication, relationships, and interaction in prevention, treatment, rehabilitation, and habilitation in mental health and addiction
• has advanced competence in mental health in different societal groups, as well as in factors that promote inclusion and participation
• has advanced knowledge of the interaction between biological, psychological, social, and cultural factors with relevance to mental health and addiction
• can possess advanced skills that include ethical reflection, awareness of one's own preconceptions, as well as users' and relatives' competence

No formal requirements over and above the admission requirements.

A student who has completed this course should have the following learning outcomes defined in terms of knowledge, skills and general competence:

Knowledge

On successful completion of the course the student:

• knows the relevance of a selection of mathematical models to real-world phenomena
• has a thorough understanding of how mathematical modelling and scientific computing are utilized in various industrialized settings
• has a repertoire of methods to solve and/or analyze ordinary and partial differential equations (ODEs and PDEs)
• knows how to analyze the dynamics of an ODE system

Skills

On successful completion of this course the student:

• is able to derive mathematical models from facts and first principles for a selection of dynamical systems
• can apply mathematical modelling techniques on scenarios relevant to industry
• can implement mathematical models within the context of applied computer and information technology
• is able to analyse ODE systems and use bifurcation theory to elucidate the qualitative behavior of the systems
• can solve and/or analyse selected PDE models
• is able to implement and use a selection of numerical methods for solving ODEs and PDEs

General competence

On successful completion of this course the student:

• is aware of the usefulness and limitations of mathematical modelling as well as of pitfalls frequently encountered in modelling and simulation
• is able to discuss properties of a system using the equations of the mathematical model
• can explain and use numerical methods and interpret results of numerical simulations

The course is organized as a series of lectures and seminars where the subject material is presented and discussed. Between these sessions the students should work with problem solving, implementation of numerical methods and model simulations. The last part of the semester, students will work with a compulsory individual project supervised by the course lecturer. The project will involve studies and analyses of a mathematical model and a rather extensive implementation of the numerical solution of the model and result in a report.

None.

A compulsory project will be assessed along with an oral exam:

A part of this exam will consist in a brief presentation of the candidate's project. The project (report of 3000-5000 words and presentation) will count 50% of the final grade, while the remaining 50% will be based on the oral examination.

The oral exam cannot be appealed.

Both exams must be passed in order to pass the course.

Different forms of assessment are used on the programme that are adapted to the learning outcomes of the various courses. The forms of assessment used are intended to support learning and document the students’ level of competence in relation to the expected learning outcomes. The forms of assessment and criteria are described in each course description. All examinations taken and the title of the master’s thesis will be stated on the diploma. In general, the following forms of assessment are used in the programme:

Supervised individual examination

Taken at the university’s examination premises over a set number of hours.

Home examination

Taken over a set period of time at the end of the course, normally with a set question/assignment text unless otherwise stated in the course description.

Project examination

Taken over the whole or large parts of the course, normally with a topic decided by the students themselves unless otherwise stated in the course description.

Oral examination

Can take place individually or in groups. It can either be an independent form of assessment or used to adjust the grade awarded for another examination.

Practical examination

The assessment of specific practical skills either at the university or in the field of practice.

Assessment of practical training

Supervised practical training, assessed in accordance with the Regulations relating to Studies and Examinations at OsloMet – Oslo Metropolitan University Chapter 8.

The assessment of examinations and practical training is carried out in accordance with the applicable rules set out in the Act relating to Universities and University Colleges, the Regulations relating to Studies and Examinations at OsloMet and the Guidelines for Appointment and Use of examiners at OsloMet.

Examinations

All courses conclude with an examination. The assessment is based on the learning outcomes for the course, and the degree to which the student has achieved the stipulated learning outcomes is assessed. In theoretical courses, the grades used are pass/fail or letter grades from A to F, with A being the highest grade and E the poorest pass grade. The grade F means that the student has failed the examination. The grades pass/fail are used for the assessment of practical training.

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

For examinations where a percentage of the examination papers are selected for assessment by an external examiner, the external examiner's assessment should benefit all the students. In such cases, one external and one internal Examiner will first grade the selected papers. The internal examiner then continues grading the remaining papers together with another internal examiner. The assessments from the first part are summarised to serve as guidelines for the assessments carried out by the two internal examiners.

The grade awarded for a written examination can be appealed, cf. Section 5-3 of the Act relating to Universities and University Colleges and the Regulations relating to Studies and Examinations at OsloMet. It is not possible to appeal the grades awarded for oral and practical examinations. In connection with group examinations, 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.

External programme supervisor

An external programme supervisor scheme is in place for the programme as required by the Guidelines for Appointment and Use of Examiners at OsloMet. The external supervisor will write an annual report on their work that will be included in the faculty’s area of the university’s quality assurance system.

Suitability assessment

The suitability assessment is a continuous overall assessment that takes place throughout the study programme. A student must be suitable for professional practice in order to receive diploma/certificate for the study programme.

If it appears that a student may pose a potential danger to the lives, physical and mental health, rights or safety of patients, clients and users during practical training or in future professional practice, it should be asked whether the student is suitable for the profession. University staff, personnel in practical training establishment, as well as students can submit a notification of doubt. The students concerned should be informed as soon as possible if such a notification of doubt has been sent. They should receive guidance and advice on how they can improve or be advised to withdraw from the programme.

https://student.oslomet.no/en/suitability-assessment

Suitability assessment is used in specialisation in Public Health Nursing, specialisation in Cancer Nursing and in Interdisciplinary Specialisation in Mental Health and Addiction.

Programme description considered by the Academic Affairs Committee at the Faculty of Health Sciences on 12 February 2020 and finally approved by the Vice Dean 13 March 2025.

Adopted by the University Board 9 september 2020

Faculty of Health Sciences

The programme description applies to students starting the programme in 2022