Nursing Education

Course Overview
The Master of Health Sciences (Nursing Education) [formerly Nursing/Midwifery Education (Masters)] aims to provide students with the necessary knowledge and skills to become effective teachers/facilitators of student/client learning in both higher education and clinical settings. Theoretical and philosophical underpinnings of nursing practice; research methodology; practice development and conduct of research form the framework for reflection on practice and exploration of aspects of practice. Specialist modules address teaching methods, facilitating learning, assessment strategies and curriculum development.

The programme is part-time over two years and is delivered in a blended learning format. Blended learning is an innovative teaching strategy which involves a combination of face-to-face and on-line learning. This means that learning/teaching is delivered on-line through Blackboard, an interactive learning system which connects directly to the University from your home computer. Face-to-face learning/teaching takes the form of two or three workshops (depending on the module) each semester. Students will therefore attend for two or three days a semester, plus and Orientation Day prior to the commencement of the first year.

Course Outline
- Theoretical and philosophical underpinnings of nursing practice; research methodology and evidence based practice; practice development and conduct of research form the framework for reflection on practice and exploration of aspects of practice.

- Specialist modules address teaching methods, facilitating learning, assessment strategies and curriculum development.

- 100 hours of teaching practice is completed over the two years and is an integral part of the programme.

Year 1 (40 Credits)
Optional RPL020: Recognised Prior Learning - 20 Credits - Semester 1
Required NU6507: Leadership, Quality Improvement and Governance - 10 Credits - Semester 1
Required NU625: Teaching Effectively - 10 Credits - Semester 1
Optional RPL010: Recognised Prior Learning - 10 Credits - Semester 1
Required NU644: Student-centred Teaching & Learning: Active Engagement Strategies - 10 Credits - Semester 2
Required NU332: Teaching Assessment I - 0 Credits - Semester 1
Required NU502: Advanced Research Methods - 10 Credits - Semester 2

Year 2 (50 Credits)
Required NU643: Teaching e-Portfolio - 10 Credits - Semester 3
Required NU6515: Research Dissertation - 30 Credits - Semester 3
Required NU597: Designing for Learning - 10 Credits - Semester 3
Optional RPL010: Recognised Prior Learning - 10 Credits - Semester 3
Optional RPL020: Recognised Prior Learning - 20 Credits - Semester 3
Optional RPL030: Recognised Prior Learning - 30 Credits - Semester 3
Required NU543: Teaching Assessment II - 0 Credits - Semester 3
Required NU544: Teaching Assessment III - 0 Credits - Semester 4

All applicants must meet the following entry requirements:
1. Have an honours bachelor’s degree at NFQ Level 8 in Nursing or a comparable qualification. Applicants who do not hold an honours degree or Higher Diploma (Level 8) must demonstrate that they have successfully completed (in the previous two years) a module at Level 9. Please consult the professional credit awards at Level 9 at: www.universityofgalway.ie/pca/pca.html;

2. Be a registered nurse on the General, Mental Health, or Learning Disability Nurse divisions of the active register maintained by the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland; or hold a professional nursing qualification deemed to be equivalent by University of Galway;

3. Have practised as a nurse for three years post-registration (exclusive of post-registration/educational programmes);

4. Have negotiated a Teaching placement in a third-level School/Department of Nursing Education or Centre for Nursing and Midwifery Education establishment which will provide the opportunity to meet the teaching practice requirements of this programme.

How to apply
We encourage all applicants to apply as early as possible.

Review/Closing Dates (for Taught Programmes)
For most programmes, University of Galway does not set specific closing dates for receipt of applications. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis and course quotas will be reviewed continuously throughout the application cycle with the exception of applications for some programmes which are reviewed after the specified closing date. Candidates who do not have their final degree marks available may be made a conditional (provisional) offer.

Online Application
Applications to most postgraduate programmes at University of Galway are made online via www.universityofgalway.ie/apply (see "Application Weblink").

2 years, part-time.

Next start date: September 2024.

Closing Date: 31st May 2024.

Career Opportunities
Graduates of this programme of study have found employment in various health service settings, third-level institutions of education, Centres for Nursing and Midwifery Education, Nursing Midwifery Practice Development Units and the private sector.