Interdisciplinary Advanced Programme in Mental Health and Addiction - Part 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. The purpose of Mental Health Care is to benefit patients/users, next of kin, the local community and society as a whole. The programme's main focus is to promote mental health and alleviate mental suffering. The programme will point out and attempt to change the mechanisms that cause mental health problems in individuals, families and society. The programme will also point out and attempt to change processes of stigmatisation and social exclusion of individuals and groups.

The programme takes the view that human beings are relationally dependent and sees relationships as very important in relation to care and the alleviation of suffering. The alleviation of suffering is at the core of all caregiving, and in the interaction between the caregiver and the patient/user, both are involved in creating a space wherein the alleviation of suffering can take place. Emphasis is placed on developing expertise in relationships and care, where attitudes and actions are founded on research-based knowledge, experience-based knowledge, user knowledge and user participation. Based on a holistic approach, the programme aims to provide knowledge about the individual's biological, psychological, social and spiritual dimensions as they relate to mental health and mental disorders.

Knowledge and understanding of the human being who, in different phases of life and in different contexts, encounters challenges that can both arrest and promote health and self-expression are central to the programme. The basis and point of departure for all assistance is the belief in human beings' unique individuality and integrity, and this is reflected in the programme's focus on knowledge and skill relating to the terms relationships and caregiving. A common understanding of the field creates a possibility for interdisciplinary cooperation based on an understanding of the human being which values interpersonal relationships, care and respect for the value of human integrity.

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 first year of the Master¿s programme in Mental Health Care at HiOA 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).

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.

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.

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 academic 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, the lecturer 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.

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.

Approval The required coursework is assessed as approved/not approved. The students have two attempts at the 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.

AssessmentThe 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 examsResit 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 gradesGrades 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 supervisorAn 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.