Master's Programme in Health Science

Study programme code MASTHELSE

ECTS credits 120

Admission requirements Requirements for admission include possession of a Bachelor´s Degree (180 credits) or equivalent in nursing, occupational therapy, physiotherapy, authorised social education, radiography or equivalent. Applicants with other education at college or university level may upon special consideration be accepted as students. The programme offers two different concentrations; a professional concentration in clinical nursing and an interdisciplinary concentration in ageing and health. Admission is given according to the University of Agder´s regulations for admission to master programmes and continuing education (http://www.lovdata.no/cgi-wift/ldles?doc=/sf/sf sf-20051214-1750.html) with supplementary rules for admission to the Master´s Programme in Health Sciences.

General description and profile of the programme The master´s programme in health sciences is founded on a holistic view on health, based on professional tradition from the humanities, social sciences, and medicine fields. The interdisciplinarity of health sciences as well as its ethical and scientific foundation create the background for specialized studies within two applied concentrations which are important to society. The master´s programme in health sciences constitutes part of the rise in competence within the health and social care fields both nationally and locally. It is meant to increase theoretical and research based knowledge in professional health care and create a foundation for research and teaching within the professional health care field. The students are given qualifications in critical analysis, reflection, and a research-based approach to health care practice. The master´s thesis is a central part of the programme and is made up by an independent, individual scientific piece of work within the chosen concentration. The programme consists of several courses and contains a common compulsory part as well as a professional concentration which may entail choices. The compulsory part is meant to give an insight into both qualitative and quantitative research tradition and methods, with special relevance to improvement work related to research, development, and quality within the health care field. The different parts are tied together in a final master´s thesis. 1. Common compulsory part. This part contains the following courses: - ME-414 Philosophy of science, research methodologies, and the human dimension, 10 ECTS credits (first semester). - HEL400 Basic health care science, 10 ECTS credits (first semester). - ME-415 Research methods, design, and analysis, 10 ECTS credits (second semester). - ME-506 Research practice and ethics, 10 ECTS credits (third semester). Compulsory but with greater emphasis on individual work and supervision as preparation for working with the master´s thesis. - ME-507 Master´s thesis in health sciences, 40 ECTS credits (third and fourth semester). The theme for the thesis is optional but it must be within the concentration. 2. A) Concentration Clinical nursing science*: - HEL401 Clinical nursing science. Basic thinking, 10 ECTS credits (first semester). - HEL402 Central topics in clinical nursing science, 10 ECTS credits (second semester). - Optional course, 10 ECTS credits (second semester). - HEL500 Palliative care, 10 ECTS credits (third semester). B) Concentration Aging and health*: - HEL403 General gerontology, 10 ECTS credits (first semester). - HEL404 Aging in society, 10 ECTS credits (second semester). - Optional course, 10 ECTS credits (second semester). - HEL501 Assessment, treatment, and care of people with dementia, 10 ECTS credits (third semester). In the second semester students may choose from the following interdisciplinary courses* in the concentration part: 1. HEL405 Complete nursing care to the elderly, 10 ECTS credits. 2. HEL406 Health care in a changing society, 10 ECTS credits. 3. HEL407 Substance abuse and addiction, 10 ECTS credits. 4. HEL408 Migration and health, 10 ECTS credits. Similar courses at the same level may be approved upon individual application and evaluation. * With reservations as to whether both concentrations/all optional courses will be offered every academic year.

Specific arrangements for recognition of prior learning (formal, non-formal and informal) Arrangements for the recognition of prior learning are described in the information on the institution under "General arrangements for the recognition of prior learning (formal, informal and non-formal)".

Examination regulations and grading For a description of the examination regulations, see the Examination Regulations of the University of Agder.

For information about the Norwegian grading system, see ECTS credits and grades. Specific information on grading for each course is found in the individual course descriptions.

Graduation requirements The Examination Regulations of the University of Agder regulate the graduation requirements for each programme of study.

Learning outcomes After having completed the programme, students will have achieved knowledge, skills and attitudes in health sciences as an interdisciplinary phenomenon and will be able to: give a critical evaluation on health care phenomena in the community in general, and be able to evaluate and improve factors that are important to the quality of the health - and social services independently initiate and carry out development - and quality projects in health care participate in research work independently apply research results in health care practice stimulate interdisciplinary and inter-sectoral cooperation within the health - and social services participate in overall and cooperative health care initiatives in the community focus on the field practice area and the research field in a constructive development of a relation oriented field practice evaluate, apply and develop special knowledge within the chosen health sciences concentration area

Teaching methods Learning vision The programme is based on a learning vision that emphasizes learning as a joint venture; as a kind of social practice. Learning presupposes individual work but learning also takes place in cooperation with others in a learning community where both fellow students, teachers, and others may participate. The act of learning is also understood constructively, meaning that the person who is learning must construct his or her own knowledge through his or her own activity. The idea is that the students learn the most when they engage in binding agreements with fellow students, teachers and other resource people, and when the learning is coordinated so that the subjects they are working on are thematized and concentrated in time and space. Students will then be working with the same problems and challenges. They will have to do something with the subject matter they are working on but often they will be given group assignments where every group member has to concentrate especially on one aspect of the matter at hand. The constructive requirement means that the learner constructs his or her own understanding of the subject matter, presents this publicly in some form and then gets feedback on the draft quickly so that he or she can proceed with constructing his or her insight into the matter. In the learning community, response, formative evaluation and supervision must be central activities which push the learning process forward. Work forms The study programme therefore encourages various forms of instruction and work methods and a close follow-up of the individual student. Different kinds of feedback will be given during the studies, including discussions and several minor examinations together with written assignments. Different kinds of student activating work methods are used including different kinds of group work, seminars, reflection - and tutorial groups. Lectures are also given. In their work with the Master´s thesis the students will participate in tutorial groups. In these groups the focus will be on the progression of the thesis, among other things through writing workshops and presentations of the problem statement with response from fellow students and teachers. The students will also gain experience in writing texts in different genres (professional articles, essays, and popular science articles). The distinctive character of the health care studies The introduction of health - and social care studies into universities and university colleges has been characterized by a growing theoretization and academization. This means that subjects which earlier have been based mainly on knowledge tradition have now been included into an academic tradition. The professional studies programmes qualify the students for a specific field of work and practice. The professional practice is characterized by complex problems which are not described in a cultivated form as principles and theories but presuppose the integration of professional theory, ethics and scientific theory related to concrete work fields and situations. A clinically oriented master´s programme, however, requires work and learning forms that make it possible to study and carry out research in practice. Professional practice is characterized by experience based knowledge and research has shown that among other things this is connected to specific action, specific situations, examples, and narratives. The work forms in the programme are therefore based on both a theoretical account of the problems in the field as well as reflections on the students´ own experiences from practice. In lectures and different groups, methods which are central in clinical health care will be problematized, reflected on, and to a certain degree practiced.

Assessment methods Several assessment methods will be used in order to ensure a connection between the various learning outcomes in the courses, and to ensure the totality and quality of the education. Theoretical courses will be assessed by written examinations. The objective is to assess the acquisition of basic professional knowledge. The work on the concentration topics will be evaluated both through portfolio assessment and written exams. The students will carry out both individual and group assignments which will be compiled in a personal portfolio and assessed. This kind of assessment allows individual initiative and effort to a greater degree, which is an important aspect of the study programme. The Master´s thesis will be assessed by an internal and external examiner. The thesis will be discussed with the candidate in an oral final examination (lasting about one hour). The Master´s thesis will be graded and the grade may be adjusted after the oral examination.

Student exchange All of the studies at the University of Agder have been ECTS accredited. This means that the possibilities for exchange at the University are good and there is an objective to increase the mobility among students, teachers, and researchers also in relation to the Master´s programme in health care sciences. Agreements on exchange and cooperation are being established continually. The Faculty of Health and Sport prepares for student exchange through established mobility programmes like Erasmus, Leonardo da Vinci and Norplus but also through bilateral agreements that UiA has with universities in countries outside the EU for instance in Africa, Asia, and the U.S.

Requirements for continuing in the study programme At least 30 ECTS credits from the first year of study must be passed before the student may have supervision on the Master´s Thesis. Please see progression requirements in the course descriptions.

Occupational profiles of graduates and access to further studies The master programme will qualify for health care work at community, regional and national levels, within the public sector (municipality and health trusts) and in private and voluntary organizations: Positions within preventative, health promoting, and curative work in different parts of health - and social services that demand high professional competence in health care Positions within the health - and social services that require independent skills related to research and professional development work, and also leader positions. Research and teaching positions at universities and university colleges. The programme will qualify for admission to PhD-programmes.

Qualification awarded The study programme leads to the title Master of Health Sciences with one of the following concentrations: Clinical nursing science Aging and health

Other information Place of instruction will alternate between Arendal and Kristiansand. The faculty makes reservations as to whether both concentrations will be offered every academic year. Nor will all four optional courses in the second semester will be offered every academic year.