Master’s Programme in Health Sciences – Interdisciplinary Specialisation in Mental Health and Addiction, full 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 2-6 of the Regulations concerning the Act relating to Universities and University Colleges. A specialisation in one of the following specialisations forms part of the master’s degree programme:

Specialisations for applicants with backgrounds in health or social care:

• 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
• Public Health Nursing

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 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, 2025). 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

https://lovdata.no/dokument/SF/forskrift/2025-07-04-1457

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

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, 2022/2025), 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

The master’s programme is designed to be comprehensive, and the academic content and educational tools are interlinked, showing a clear context between learning outcome descriptions, learning activities and forms of assessment.

The Master’s Degree Programme in Health Sciences has three or four compulsory common courses, depending on the chosen specialisation. In addition to these, there are at least two compulsory specialisation courses for each specific specialisation, and a master’s thesis worth either 30 or 50 ECTS credits, depending on the specialisation. The students can also choose one or more elective courses depending on their chosen specialisation.This does not apply to the two specialisations cancer nursing, public health nursing and mental health addiction as they only have compulsory courses in their programme structures.

The courses in the programme description build to some extent on each other to ensure progress, with increasing requirements for knowledge and understanding within each specialisation. The courses are mainly taken over the course of the semester, with start-up at the start of the semester and examinations towards the end. The exceptions are certain compulsory specialisation courses that include external supervised practical training.

The academic year is 40 weeks long, and the expected workload for a full-time student is 40 hours per week. This includes scheduled activities, students’ own study activity and examinations. The course descriptions provide more details about learning outcomes, work methods, coursework requirements and examinations.

Study progress

The following progress requirements apply to the programme:

MAVIT4070/MAPSY4070 must be passed before the master's thesis can be started. All courses in the programme must be passed before the student can submit their master's thesis for assessment.

Some courses may have separate progress requirements; see the individual course descriptions.

See the course descriptions for MAPSY4200, MAPSY4300, MAPSY4400, MASPY4500 and MAPSYPRA20 for a more detailed description of the content of the specialisation courses.

The teaching and learning methods in the program may include lectures, seminars, written assignments with or without supervision, online learning and teaching activities, student collaboration/group work, and self-study. Some specialisations also include practical training. The specific learning methods applicable to your specialisation will be outlined in the respective course descriptions.

Some of the specialisations in the master’s programme have compulsory practical training in order for students to acquire skills needed in their professional practice. These specialisations are:

• Public Health Nursing
• Mental Health and Addiction
• Psychomotor Physiotherapy

The field of practice is an essential qualification arena for acquiring action competence in the specialisation. Through practical training, the students further develop their communication and interaction skills and develop an important basis for theoretical analysis and discussion.

Supervision and assessment

Practical training is supervised. 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.

Detailed information about practical training

For more detailed information about attendance requirements, scope, the practical training arena and other details related to practical training, see the course descriptions for the specific specialisation.

The increasing globalisation of the labour market makes international experience and knowledge of languages and cultures increasingly important. Internationalisation contributes to raising the quality of education and strengthens the academic community relating to the master’s programme, at the same time as it strengthens the students as global citizens.

The programme has a focus on multicultural and global problems. This approach contributes to an increased understanding and improves the students' ability to work in a professional capacity in a multicultural society. The students gain access to specialist terminology in English through the syllabus, which comprises both textbooks and international research literature.

The staff’s network, research collaboration and cooperation with colleagues in other countries contribute to internationalisation. The programme is represented in international networks.

OsloMet has exchange agreements with educational institutions in Europe and worldwide.

Courses adapted to incoming exchange students

The following courses have been adapted for incoming exchange students:

• MAFAR4100 Innovation within Healthcare, 10 ECTS credits
• MAVIT4700 Food, Health and Sustainability, 10 ECTS credits
• MAVIT5100 Health Communication, 10 ECTS credits
• MAPSY4400 Mental Health of Migrants and Minorities, 10 ECTS credits

You may also be offered to participate in shorter international activities, for example in the form of COIL (Collaborative Online International Learning) and BIP (Blended Intensive Programs).

Semesters adapted to outbound exchange students

Students who wish to take courses at an educational institution abroad as part of their master’s degree normally go on an exchange in the third og fourth semester. Students admitted to a specialisation that as a norm has a master’s thesis worth 50 ECTS credits can apply to instead write a master’s thesis worth 30 ECTS credits to realize this. The students are responsible for finding relevant courses at partner institutions and must apply to have them approved in advance. An international coordinator can provide guidance in relation to selecting a course.

Reference is otherwise made to the criteria that apply to student exchanges and the information about stays abroad.

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 twofirst year of the Master’s Degree Pprogramme in Mental Health Sciences with specialisation in Mental Health Care at OsloMetHiOA 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 bachelor's degree or an equivalent degree in health and social care and/or public health.
• A minimum one years' relevant work experience following the completion of the education. 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.