Older Person Rehabilitation

Course Outline
The MSc in Older Person Rehabilitation programme is designed to provide students from a range of different professional backgrounds with interdisciplinary learning in the theory and practice of Older Person Rehabilitation. Our Centre for Gerontology and Rehabilitation at UCC is at the forefront of interdisciplinary teaching and learning in Gerontology, Rehabilitation and End of Life Care. The Centre is committed to developing flexible, practical and interdisciplinary programmes in this important field. Our credit-bearing CPD modules are available to all healthcare disciplines and can be studied in different streams.

This Older Person Rehabilitation MSc programme is available as a full-time or part-time option and includes a period of clinical placement. The full-time programme runs over one calendar year (12 months) from the date of first registration and the part-time programme runs over two academic years (20 months).

Content Overview
Full-time programme
Students take taught modules to the value of 60 credits incorporating approximately 300 hours of structured contact time via face-to-face, webinars or online options. Most classes are held in two-day blocks (weekdays). Students also undertake a research dissertation (30 credits) which is submitted at the end of the calendar year.

Part-time programme
The part-time MSc (Older Person Rehabilitation) runs over two academic years (20 months) from the date of first registration for the programme. Students take taught modules to the value of 60 credits over two years incorporating approximately 300 hours of structured contact time including face-to-face, webinars or online options (3-7 contact days per semester). Most classes are held in two-day blocks (weekdays). A maximum of 40 taught credits can be taken in a single year. Students also undertake a research dissertation (30 credits) which is submitted in the early Summer of Year 2.

Please note that part-time study is not open to non-EU candidates.

Why Choose This Course
Established in 2011, the Older Person Rehabilitation postgraduate programme is a unique course that will allow you to develop your skills as a leader in gerontology and rehabilitation. Our flexible approach allows students to choose from a range of modules to build a course tailored to their requirements. This student-centred focus promotes flexible timetabling and blended learning to minimise travel time. All the lecturers are experienced clinicians from a range of disciplines who promote interdisciplinary learning and practice.

Connected Curriculum
Our learning approach reflects our commitment to the Connected Curriculum where we emphasise the connection between students, learning, research and leadership through our vision for a Connected University. Our staff will support you in making meaningful connections within and between topics such as medicine, healthcare, science, and management.

Available Scholarships
At UCC we support our student community by offering scholarships and prizes to prospective and current students. Please see the Scholarships & Prizes page for more information.

Students take core modules to the value of 25 credits as follows:

CG6009 Principles in Older Person Rehabilitation (10 credits)
CG6010 Clinical Practicum in Older Person Rehabilitation (5 credits)
And either

EH6038 Applied Research for Gerontology and Rehabilitation (10 credits) Or
MH6014 Advanced Research Methods for Healthcare Professionals (10 credits)

Elective Modules
Students take elective* modules to the value of 35 credits from the following (a maximum of 10 credits can be taken in Year 1):

CG6002 Stroke Rehabilitation (10 credits)
CG6005 Amputee and Prosthetic Rehabilitation (5 credits)
CG6006 Falls, Mobility and Movement Disorders (10 credits)
CG6007 Independent Study (5 credits)**
CG6011 In-depth Independent Study (15 credits)**
CG6012 Neuromuscular Discorder (10 credits)
CG6015 Understanding Cognitive Disorders and Dementia (10 credits)
CG6016 Advanced Issues in Dementia Care (10 credits)
* Alternatively students may take up to a maximum of 15 credits, relevant to the rehabilitation of older people (unidisciplinary or interdisciplinary) from designated courses in UCC, subject to timetabling restraints, in lieu of 15 credits above.

** Students can take either CG6007 or CG6011 but not both.

Research Module

CG6008 Research Dissertation (30 credits)
Further details on the content and modules are available on the Postgraduate College Calendar (Older Person Rehab.)

Alternative pathways
It is possible to exit the Master's programme early and graduate with a Certificate or Diploma:

Postgraduate Certificate in Older Person Rehabilitation
Upon satisfactory completion of 30 credits in Older Person Rehabilitation, to include module CG6009 (Principles in Older Person Rehabilitation), a student may opt to exit the programme and be conferred with a Postgraduate Certificate in Older Person Rehabilitation. A student who subsequently applies to continue to Masters level must do so within 5 years of successful completion of the Certificate Examination. Such an application is subject to the approval of the Programme Team, and if successful, exemptions will be granted for modules taken within the previous five years.

Postgraduate Diploma in Older Person Rehabilitation
Upon satisfactory completion of 60 credits, to include modules CG6009 and CG6010, a student may opt not to proceed with/complete the dissertation module (CG6008) and may opt to exit the programme and be conferred with a Postgraduate Diploma in Older Person Rehabilitation. A student who subsequently applies to continue to Masters level must do so within 5 years of successful completion of the Postgraduate Diploma Examination. Such an application is subject to the approval of the Programme Team, and if successful, exemptions will be granted for modules taken within the previous five years.

Exemptions at the Point of Entry to the MSc Programme
A student previously graduated with the Postgraduate Certificate in Older Person Rehabilitation/Postgraduate Diploma in Older Person Rehabilitation (exit award from the MSc) may register for the MSc in Older Person Rehabilitation within five years of completion, subject to the approval of the Programme Team, with exemptions granted for modules taken within the previous five years.

Modules

Further details on the modules listed above can be found in our book of modules. Any modules listed above are indicative of the current set of modules for this course but are subject to change from year to year.

Requirements
Candidates must have the following:

An honours primary degree (NFQ Level 8) in a relevant health care discipline*or an equivalent qualification and professional experience to be approved by the Programme Team.
Ideally, candidates should have practical experience in their area of qualifications of at least one year post-registration;
In some exceptional circumstances, candidates, by virtue of their training and experience may, at the discretion of the Programme Team, be deemed suitable for entry to the programme under Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL). Such candidates may be requested to undergo an interview.

* A relevant health care discipline includes but is not limited to medicine, nursing, pharmacy, occupational therapy, speech and hearing science, audiology, physiotherapy, psychology, and social studies.

Garda Vetting
Students or applicants in receipt of an offer, on this programme will be subject to Garda Vetting. Students will be prohibited from engaging in a relevant work placement unless the vetting process has been cleared.

English Language Requirements
Applicants that are non-native speakers of the English language must meet the university approved English language requirements.

For applicants with qualifications completed outside of Ireland:
Applicants must meet the required entry academic grade, equivalent to Irish requirements.

International/non-EU applicants
For full details of the non-EU application procedure please visit our how to apply pages for international students. In UCC, we use the term programme and course interchangeably to describe what a person has registered to study in UCC and its constituent colleges, schools, and departments.

For more information please contact the International Office.

How Do I Apply
1. Choose Course
Firstly choose your course. Applicants can apply for up to two courses under one application. Details of taught courses are available on our online prospectus.

2. Apply Online
Once you have chosen your course you can apply online at the online application portal. Applicants will need to apply before the course closing date. There is a non-refundable €50 application fee for all courses apart from the Education - Professional Master of Education - (Secondary School/Post-Primary Teacher Training) which has a €100 application fee.

Applicants for the Postgraduate Diploma in Public Health Nursing must apply on the PAC website when the programme opens for applications.

3. Gather Supporting Documents
Scanned copies of the following documents will need to be uploaded to the online application portal in support of your application. Applicants may need to produce the original documents if you are accepted onto a course and register at UCC.

Original qualification documents listed on your application including transcripts of results from institutions other than UCC
Any supplementary items requested for your course.
Please log into the online application portal for more details.

4. Application processing timeline
Our online application portal opens for applications for most courses in early November of each year. Check specific course details.

5. Rounds
For courses that are in the rounds system (Irish and EU applicants), please check the rounds closing dates online.

Questions on how to apply?
Please use our web enquiry form to contact us.

Additional Requirements for all applicants
Please note you will be required to provide additional information as part of the online application process for this programme. We strongly encourage you to complete this section with all relevant work experiences along with your current occupation as this information will support your application.

Additional information required includes the following:

Please enter details of professional or voluntary positions held.
In addition to your previously declared qualifications, please outline any additional academic courses, self-learning and professional training relevant to this programme.
Please describe your motivation and readiness for this programme.
Please describe your portfolio of work or achievements. Enter N/A if this is not applicable to you.

The closing date for non-EU applications is 15 June

1 year full-time, 2 years part-time.

Additional Teaching Mode Information
The part-time option will be taught during weekday working hours over 20 months.

Skills and Careers Information
In today's competitive workforce higher professional qualifications are an essential part of continuous professional development and career advancement. This programme is particularly suitable for those who want to assume a management and leadership position in the care of older people.

On completion of this course you will:

-Have gained the critical skills to evaluate rehabilitation models and settings, and the evidence base for current practices in older person rehabilitation.
-Gain knowledge of the theoretical and practical aspects of key topics required to practice in stroke rehabilitation.
-Gain the knowledge and skills required to design, undertake and evaluate quantitative and qualitative research in older person rehabilitation.
-Have the skills to act as a leader and innovator in older person rehabilitation.