MSc Psychiatric Pharmacy Practice

A Diploma in Psychiatric Pharmacy is essential, with a research methods module a desirable option.

Duration of programme: Approximately 1 year part-time

Start date: April

Fees:
UK/EU students: Please contact the School.
International students: N/A

Application & contact:
Apply for this course online 

Penny Delaney
Programmes administrator
Tel: 0121 204 3928
email: p.j.delaney@aston.ac.uk

This one year research MSc in Psychiatric Pharmacy Practice is offered to graduands of the Diploma in Psychiatric Pharmacy programme.

It is a single 60 credit module which enables them to convert their Diploma (120 credits) to an MSc.(180 credits).

It aims to engage students in supervised but independently executed practice research. Students will be encouraged to integrate and apply the skills acquired during the Certificate and Diploma programmes to investigate in depth an area of clinical psychiatric pharmacy practice of specific interest to them.

The module will equip students with the necessary critical, analytical and evaluation skills necessary to understand the research process thoroughly including ethical and risk assessment issues. It provides experience of practice research and project management together with preparation for submission for publication.

Assessment is in three parts

A research proposal: The student is required to submit a research proposal of approximately 2,000 words. This will be assessed for appropriateness of content; proposed research question and design of the study together with ethical issues; professional conduct and implications of the results. 

The project: This should demonstrate a detailed theoretical understanding and a critical appraisal of the relevant research literature It should include an appropriate research question or hypothesis, plus suitable experimental design, execution, data handling, data analyses and interpretation in a systematic and accurate manner. The project should usually be between 10,000 and 15,000 words in length.  Included in that word limit are an abstract (maximum 300 words) and an executive summary (maximum 1500 words). Independence of thought and action within the research process and effectiveness of time keeping will all be assessed.

An oral assessment (Viva voce)

Personal development

Students will develop the ability to collaborate across disciplinary boundaries in the field of psychiatric practice research.
They will:

• Learn to communicate effectively to academics as well as students
• Learn good writing skills and the ability to complete an ethics proposal for submission to an ethics committee
• Develop the ability to study independently and employ good time management

Teaching Staff

Academic support and supervision will be provided by Celia Feetam, the current programme leader for the psychiatric pharmacy programmes.

Professional accreditation

The programme is supported and accredited by the College of Mental Health Pharmacy (CMHP).

Students will be normally employed by the NHS and will be on a career path of a specialist mental health pharmacist within an organisation specialising in the treatment of people with mental illness.