MSc Loss & Bereavement
This programme aims to impact on health, social and community systems and ultimately to enhance quality of life.
Since 2004 RCSI has supported bereavement education programmes convened at the Irish Hospice Foundation.
During 2016/17 we revised the MSc Bereavement Studies and now open applications for two MSc variants the MSc Loss & Bereavement and the MSc Loss & Bereavement (Counselling) with accreditation pending. These are a level 9 bereavement studies programmes.
This programme is rooted in contemporary scientific research about loss and bereavement as well as being designed against a policy and professional regulation backdrop. There is an increasing impetus in Irish policy on developing competence in loss/ bereavement and discussions about dying; these programmes address some of the associated educational needs.
The programme attracts participants from health, education, private and community sectors and aims to promote competence, understanding and application of research findings to bereavement care in Ireland and to develop expert educators.
Applications are invited from representatives of a wide range of professional disciplines whose work or volunteering roles involve the provision or organisation of bereavement support care in community, health or other areas.
Aims and objectives
This programme aims to promote critical inquiry into the place of loss, death and bereavement in Irish society and in health and social care systems. Through this process we aim to equip practitioners and managers to promote and provide a range of appropriate supports in their communities, work places and professional practices.
Learning outcomes
Critically debate and contribute to theoretical understanding and knowledge about loss and grief across the lifecycle and grief support structures relating to health, community and work organisations and in the voluntary sector.
Evaluate different contemporary perspectives on death, dying and loss in society including social history, cultural issues, cause and circumstance of death in contemporary Ireland, death education, loss through the life cycle, family bereavement, cultural issues, gender issues, research and ethical issues.
Critically appraise, apply and design bereavement research, audit and evaluation.
Critique, select and utilise support and counselling skills in the context of loss and bereavement.
Analyse the organisation of bereavement support and formulate strategic and systematic developments in bereavement care in different settings.
Develop and utilise advanced bereavement counselling skills as part of professional counselling practice.
Design models for self-care and staff support in environments where people are consistently working with or meeting dying, death and bereavement.
Manage and evaluate changes in work practices relative to an area of bereavement care.
Reflect on personal development and personal growth through the educational experience.
Display an integrated value-based and evidence-based approach to the support of bereaved people.
Comment
Accreditation
The course is convened by the Irish Hospice Foundation and the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland. Accreditation is pending through the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland and the National University of Ireland.
Location
All classes, tutorials and seminars will be held at the training rooms of the Irish Hospice Foundation, 4th Floor, Morrison Chambers, 32 Nassau Street, Dublin 2.
The Irish Hospice Foundation also houses the Thérèse Brady library, a specialist Library for a niche collection of bereavement books, journals and resources.