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 PG Dip in Substance Use and Substance Use Disorders will build upon the knowledge gained in the PG Cert programme and will enable the candidates to enhance critical thinking skills, utilise methods of reflective analysis, and consider individual, multi-disciplinary and interdisciplinary team working within the sector. They will also be given a reflective period in which to analyse their learning from each of the teaching sessions and think about how the information may be best disseminated to colleagues in their respective teams. This reciprocal knowledge flow will be facilitated via an online discussion forum whereby participants will be afforded the opportunity to apply the information from teaching sessions to their work cases after sharing information with work-based colleagues.

The programme of study will develop practitioner confidence and skills in the complex areas of substance use and substance use disorders. 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). Alternatively, students can complete six modules (three from the PG Certificate in SUDs and a further three credits from the PG Dip programme) and thereby obtain the PG Diploma in Substance Use and Substance Use Disorders.

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 modular Master's degree whereby students can complete the PG Cert in Substance Use and Substance Use Disorders and subsequently have the option to enrol on the PG Dip and subsequently to enrol on a Masters by thesis module.

The PG Diploma in Substance Use and Substance Use Disorders is awarded to students who successfully complete six 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
Substance Use Disorders: Working with Specific Groups (20 credits)
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)
Interventions in Substance Use: Skills in Practice (20 credits)
Assessment and Risk Assessment in Substance Use (Alcohol, Opioid Use and Poly Drug Use Contexts) (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.

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 above but who are holders of an equivalent approved professional qualification or work experience 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 Diploma 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.

2 years (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 Dept. of Health has highlighted that health, social care workers and social workers demonstrate their competence covered in the curricula of the PG Dip in Substance Use programme.