PgCert/ PgDip/ MSc Perinatal Mental Health
Overview
This course offers the opportunity to gain a recognised postgraduate award at Certificate, Diploma or Masters level, enhancing your employability prospects.
This course has been designed as a positive response to the national imperative for more education and training for healthcare professionals in perinatal mental health, and has been designed to equip healthcare professionals who may require knowledge at different levels and to meet different service needs. Modules offer an opportunity to explore different aspects of perinatal mental health and to increase your knowledge and skills in relation to complex and challenging issues within perinatal mental health.
In addition, this course is also offered to non-health and social care professionals who have experience of working in the mental health or woman’s health field or voluntary organisations, who want the opportunity to engage with the wider issues of perinatal mental health.
Reasons to study here
- Great teaching: Academic staff are health and social care professionals with a wealth of experience, and are committed to providing inspirational research-led teaching within a dynamic learning environment
- Professional links: Studying as a postgraduate student will increase networking opportunities intrinsic to career development and will enhance access to professionals in the field
- Industry relevant: Modules are supported by experts from across the NHS and social care organisations, and benefit from a strong service user perspective. The variety of modules ensures perinatal mental health is addressed from a range of perspectives
- Work and study balance: The course is offered on a part-time basis to maintain a balance between work and study, you can also choose whether to study at Certificate, Diploma or Masters level
Addressing sector needs
Whilst there is growing evidence that poor maternal mental health has an impact on the physical, social and cognitive development of children; poor assessment and detection, support and treatment of women, result in long term morbidity including low self-esteem and poor family relationships. More worryingly, suicide is documented as one of the leading causes of maternal deaths.
Whilst NHS England aims to reduce the incidence and impact of perinatal mental illness through early diagnosis and improved intervention and support, there is mounting concern regarding the patchy availability of perinatal services and the provision of education and training. This course has been developed to address these needs, by providing education and training for healthcare professionals in perinatal mental health.
You can apply for the PgCert, and then continue to the PgDip and MSc if you choose to. Alternatively,
Modules
Some compulsory skills sessions may take place in the evening.
Year 1 – 2 (PgCert)
- Principles of Perinatal Mental Health
- Screening, assessment and management of maternal mental health conditions
- Socio-cultural aspects of maternal mental health
Year 3 – 4 (PgDip)
- Innovation for excellence – leading service change
- Mother-infant attachment and family relationships
- Research in Health and Social Care
Year 5 (MSc)
- Dissertation
Entry requirements
Health and Social Care professionals
Applicants will be required to meet all the following criteria in accordance with LSBU Academic Regulations 2015/16 (LSBU 2015); which are the minimum qualifications normally required for entry to level 7. They are the following:
- Hold a recognised health-related professional qualification and current professional registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) as a registered nurse or midwife or registered with Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) as a social worker or relevant professional role
- Employed within a health or social care environment
- An Honours degree (2.1) in a relevant subject, with a minimum of one year post registration practice experience; or
- A Higher National Diploma in a relevant subject and a minimum of three years post registration experience in a relevant field, or
- A professional qualification recognised as equivalent to an Honours degree, or a postgraduate diploma, or appropriate equivalent skills and experience.
- English Language: Those whom English is not their first language must achieve a minimum score of 6.5 for the International English Language Test Score (IELTS)
Where applicants are admitted to study the standalone module or a specific pathway, the same qualification requirements will normally apply as for the award-bearing courses at that level.
Applicants may also apply to have prior learning recognised through AP(E)L or transfer credit if this meets or exceeds the entry criteria for level 7.
Non-Health and Social Care professionals
For applicants who are not registered with a professional body, the minimum qualifications normally required for entry to level 7 postgraduate courses are the following:
- Hold an honours degree (2:1) in healthcare or related subject; or
- A professional qualification recognised as equivalent to an Honours degree, or
- A postgraduate diploma, or appropriate equivalent skills and experience.
- Experience of working in the mental health or woman’s health field and currently engaged with health or social care environment (voluntary or paid).
- English Language: Those whom English is not their first language must achieve a minimum score of 6.5 for the International English Language Test Score (IELTS).