Substance Use & Substance Use Disorders

Overview
This multi-disciplinary programme is designed to enable substance use professionals, mental health workers, social workers, nurses and workers from allied health and social care sectors to gain an understanding of substance use disorders, including definitions, UK and international contexts and the application of theory in practice.

The overarching aims of the PG Cert, PG Dip and Masters in Substance Use and Substance Use Disorders is to enable professionals from a range of sectors working in substance use, mental health and related fields to build on their existing knowledge and skills and to use them effectively within their current work environment. It also aims to develop the participants’ understanding of the range of theories informing substance use, and to assist workers to translate these theories into effective practice.

The programme will have a pragmatic focus and this will enable practitioners to learn about a range of multi-disciplinary assessment tools, methods of interventions and the necessary skills to work with substance use across a range of settings. Substance use problems permeate work with a range of service user groups, from the more obvious groups, i.e. working with substance use and mental health, to working with children and families, learning disability offenders and older people.

You can study flexibly by working around your professional duties. These programmes have been accredited by the Northern Ireland Professional in Practice Education and Training Partnership.

Candidates will be afforded the opportunity to take each of the three modules of the programme of study as a stand-alone module (20 credits) or collectively to obtain the PG Cert in Substance Use and Substance Use Disorders (SUDs).
These will include:
Substance Use and Substance Use Disorders: Prevalence, Legislation and Theoretical Concepts
Substance Use Disorders and Co-Morbid Mental Health Disorders
Substance Use and Substance Use Disorders: International Contexts.

Please note that this course is not eligible for a Student route visa.

Closing date for applications: Wednesday 31 July 2024 at 4pm. Late applications may be considered.

Course Structure
The MSc in Substance Use and Substance Use Disorders is a module Masters programme whereby students can complete the PG Cert in Substance Use and Substance Use Disorders and then have the option to enrol on the PG Dip and subsequently to enrol on a Masters by thesis module.

The Pg Cert in Substance Use and Substance Use Disorders is awarded to students who successfully complete three 20 credit taught modules.

The information below is intended as an example only, featuring module details for the current year of study (2023/24). Modules are reviewed on an annual basis and may be subject to future changes – revised details will be published through Programme Specifications ahead of each academic year.

Year 1
Core Modules
International Contexts : Substance Use and Substance Use Disorders (20 credits)
Substance Use Disorders: Prevalence, Legislation and Theoretical Concepts (20 credits)
Substance Use Disorders and Co-Morbid Mental Health Disorders (20 credits)

Graduate
Normally a 2.2 Honours degree or above or equivalent qualification acceptable to the University in a relevant subject. Equivalent qualifications include the Pre-2007 Post-Qualifying Award in Social Work.

Social workers seeking entry to the programme must:

a) Be registered with the Northern Ireland Social Care Council (NISCC);

b) Hold an Honours Degree in Social Work (2.2 or equivalent), Diploma in Social Work, CSS, CQSW or predecessor equivalent. Social Workers trained outside of NISCC jurisdiction must produce a letter of comparability with these awards or a letter of verification issued by NISCC;

c) Have completed the Assessed Year in Practice or have at least one year post- qualifying experience if graduated prior to the AYE implementation.

All non-social workers seeking entry to the programme must have two years’ experience of working with clients who have experienced substance use or mental health issues.

Applicants who do not satisfy the degree qualification as specified above must demonstrate their ability to study at postgraduate level by producing a reflective assignment on their practice in this area (2,000 words). These candidates will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Application deadline: Wednesday 31 July 2024 at 4pm

Late applications may be considered.

Applicants are advised to apply as early as possible. In the event that any programme receives a high number of applications, the University reserves the right to close the application portal prior to the deadline stated on course finder. Notifications to this effect will appear on the Direct Application Portal against the programme application page.

Assessment

Assessments associated with this course are outlined below:

Assessment methods include written assignments case study material based on candidates' practice.

A variety of assessment methods for the Certificate will be used including written assignments, a reflective analysis on how the student applies relevant theory to their practice in two different cases and an assignment critically reflecting on how the student has enhanced the practice of colleagues drawing on the knowledge in this module.

1 year (Part Time).

Entry Year: 2024/25

Career Prospects
Continuing professional registration in all areas of health and social care is predicated on continuing professional development. The Department of Health has highlighted that health, social care workers and social workers demonstrate their competence covered in the curricula of the Social Work postgraduate programmes.