Musculoskeletal (MSK) Practice (MSc) draft draft

Program Overview

The Musculoskeletal (MSK) Practice MSc program equips healthcare professionals with advanced knowledge and skills in MSK assessment and management. It emphasizes evidence-based practice, critical thinking, and clinical reasoning. Students develop expertise in education, leadership, and research, preparing them for advanced practice roles in MSK healthcare settings. The program includes mentored clinical practice, providing hands-on experience in outpatient clinics or advanced practice environments.

Program Outline

Musculoskeletal (MSK) Practice (MSc)

Degree Overview:

This MSc program aims to equip healthcare professionals with advanced knowledge and skills in Musculoskeletal (MSK) practice. It focuses on translating evidence into practice, improving critical thinking, and enhancing clinical reasoning skills. Students will learn to adapt to different environments and cater to diverse populations. Students will develop expertise in education, leadership, and research, applying these skills in clinical and organizational contexts. They will have the opportunity to complete mentored clinical practice to solidify their theoretical knowledge within an outpatient clinic or advanced practice environment, expanding their skills across various healthcare settings.

Outline:

The program consists of six 20-credit modules and a 60-credit dissertation. All modules are assessed through written assignments, practical examinations, presentations, and viva voce examinations. A maximum of four modules can be taken as Continuing Professional Development (CPD) for students not seeking the full MSc award. Alternatively, students can pursue the Postgraduate Certificate Musculoskeletal Practice (First Contact Practice).

Modules:

• Advancing skills in MSK Practice: Develop advanced clinical reasoning skills for assessing and managing complex, undifferentiated MSK conditions.
• The Spine (Cervical and Thoracic) and Upper Limb: Develop advanced assessment and management skills through a problem-based learning approach.
• The Spine (Lumbar and Pelvis) and Lower Limb: Develop advanced assessment and management skills through a problem-based learning approach.
• Mentored clinical practice: Undertake 150 hours of mentored clinical practice with at least 75 hours of face-to-face interaction with patients and mentors.
This module develops practical, analytical, and reflective skills, along with exploring the role of a mentor and educator.
• Leadership in healthcare: This module examines various leadership approaches within healthcare environments and equips students with effective leadership traits and attributes.
• Biomechanical techniques in human health and performance: Focus on the expert application of biomechanical techniques, including force plates, EMG, and motion capture.
Analyze and interpret data to integrate expertise into rehabilitation plans, including biofeedback, exercise, and orthotic prescription.
• Population Health and Physical Activity: Address physical activity, population health, and the social, psychological, environmental, cultural, and economic determinants of health and health inequalities.
• Research Methods and quality improvement: Develop a Master's level understanding of research formulation and analysis.
Learn expert skills in literature searching, critical evaluation of qualitative and quantitative research, and identifying gaps in existing evidence.
• Research Project: Conduct an original research project, a quality improvement project, or a systematic review in your chosen area of MSK practice.

Assessment:

Assessment methods include written assignments, practical examinations, presentations, and viva voce examinations.

Teaching:

The program boasts a dynamic and experienced teaching team with diverse expertise in research and applied fields like medicine, physiotherapy, and sports rehabilitation. They are dedicated to enhancing the student experience. In addition to the clinical and non-clinical expertise within the School of Health Sciences, academics have established networks and collaborations with external experts and guest speakers who contribute to specialized sessions. The program enables students to develop practical skills and become competent in various techniques relevant to their chosen career field. The School of Health Sciences offers a strong and vibrant teaching and research environment backed by a £16.5m investment in infrastructure and related sporting and clinical facilities. These include a new building with comprehensive laboratories, dedicated clinical teaching areas, and an on-site physiotherapy and sports rehabilitation clinic (PSRC). Students also have access to bio-science and nutrition labs depending on their research project.

Careers:

This program equips graduates with the knowledge, skills, and attributes to work in or progress to advanced practice roles within a specialist MSK environment. Graduates will develop expertise within their chosen field while gaining knowledge and understanding of leadership, education, and research. They can pursue diverse careers in MSK practice, including primary care, NHS, private organizations, advanced clinical and rehabilitation roles, healthcare management, health promotion, research, or education settings.

Other:

The program offers a non-accredited pathway for students who meet the entry requirements but may not be HCPC registered or currently working as a healthcare professional in the UK. Students must be qualified physiotherapy practitioners registered with the Health and Care Professions Council to be eligible for MACP membership.

UK/EU Tuition Fees: £9,500 International Tuition Fees: £17,000 The tuition fee for each individual 20 credit CPD unit is £1,056. For 2024-25 only, the fee is £845 (20% discount). The tuition fee for each individual 20 credit CPD unit is £1,889. For 2024-25 only, the fee is £1,511 (20% discount).