Programme description for Mental health-, substance use- and addiction related work, Continuing education (2025–2026)

The candidate:

Knowledge

• has advanced knowledge of how mental health, substance use and addiction can be understood from different perspectives, including historical, biological, psychological, social, existential and cultural perspectives
• has extensive knowledge about human rights, relevant laws, political regulations, national professional guidelines, organization and development of services which set the conditions for mental health-, substance use- and addiction related work
• has extensive knowledge of user participation on individual-, service- and system level
• has advanced knowledge of theories of communication and interaction, which can be applied to initiate and enter into relationships which encourages helpful interaction with people with mental health-, substance use- and/or addiction problems, and their families and personal networks
• has advanced knowledge of knowledge-based methods and work methods on individual-, group- and societal level to encourage improvement, better everyday lives and social participation
• can use knowledge about mental health, substance use and addiction related work of new areas within the field of study

Skills

• will be able to analyze existing theories, methods and interpretations within mental health, substance use and addiction related work, and use this knowledge in the professional practice
• will be able, through dialogue and cooperation, to mobilize resources on the individual-, group- and societal level to encourage recovery processes, better everyday lives, social- and material living conditions, and social participation for the people concerned and their families and networks
• will be able to analyze and be critical of sources of information which are relevant to mental health-, substance use- and addiction related work, and use these sources to structure and formulate professional reasonings

General competence

• will be able, in a context-sensitive manner, to analyze, reflect and handle legal and ethical issues in the professional practice
• will be able to communicate professional issues, analysis and conclusions in mental health-, substance use- and addiction related work
• will be able to use knowledge and skills to contribute to advanced work tasks such as development of services, plan-work and systematical and quality-improving work processes.

The general requirement for admission is holding a bachelor’s degree or the equivalent level of education of minimum three years/180 credits.

Professional requirement is completed three-year bachelor’s degree education, which gives one of the following professional titles: social worker, childcare worker, nurse, physical therapist or occupational therapist. One year relevant work experience is also required.

Applicants with other college- or university education at minimum equivalent education level may, after special consideration, be admitted as students. One year relevant work experience is also required.

Admission takes place according to the regulations of admission to studies and courses at the University of Agder (https://lovdata.no/dokument/SF/forskrift/2021-11-24-

3370?q=Forskrift%20om%20opptak%20studier%20Agder).

Interdisciplinary continuing education in mental health-, substance use and addiction related work will qualify for preventive, treatment and rehabilitative work within municipal health-, social- and welfare services, mental health care and interdisciplinary specialized substance use treatment (ISS). The programme will provide knowledge, skills and general competence within the subject areas of mental health, and of substance use and addiction, both separately and together.

The education provides competence in communication and interaction with people with health-, substance use- and/or addiction problems. The candidates may also facilitate relationships which encourages help and support, as well as being an important contributor, coordinator and leader for collaborative and interdisciplinary services.

The study programme focuses on approaching individuals and their families and network, who understand the importance of their life situations, linguistic and cultural background, experiences and resources. The education provides competence in understanding how individual mental health-, substance use- and addiction-related problems enter into a societally context, and emphasizes increased quality of life and recovery by working on an individual-, group- and society level. After completing the education, the candidate will be able to contribute to the development of services, plan-work and improvement of the quality of the work processes. The candidate will be able to contribute to the development av sustainable services within mental health-, substance use- and addiction related work.

The education is based on research, practical studies and experience, and is going to meet society’s demands regarding equal and knowledge-based services. This implies that the candidate will be able to maintain human rights, prevent abuse of power, encourage participation and opportunities of development in society, and encourage good mental and physical health for people with mental health-, substance use- and/or addiction related problems.

The education provides competence in gathering results from research within the fields of study, and to take independent, professional evaluations and decisions in collaboration with the persons involved, their families and social circles and others involved in health-, social- and welfare services.

The education focuses on the following areas of competence:

• Perspectives of mental health, substance use and addiction
• Ethics, law and organization
• Communication, relations and interaction
• Work with mental health-, substance use – and addiction related problems
• Research, communication and professional development

The continuing education is based on national regulations for interdisciplinary continuing education in mental health-, substance use- and addiction related work (https://lovdata.no/dokument/SF/forskrift/2022-03-14-387)

Several pedagogical work methods will be used during the study programme:

Lectures:
Lectures are given by the regular teachers and by invited guest lecturers. Both experience-based and research-based imparting of knowledge are emphasized.

Seminars:

Seminars will be arranged in various courses in order to encourage and facilitate dialogue and exchange of experiences.

Group work:

Various forms of group work will be used during the study programme. In general, group work is used as an arena for the students to have interdisciplinary discussions to solve specific problems, and as an opportunity for developing skills and competence in interaction with fellow students. The groups facilitate time for reflection and individual feed-back.

Exercises:

The study programme requires specific skills in various areas (e.g. communication), and some of the courses prepare for supervised exercises/skill training.

Practical studies:

During the education there will be practical studies of minimum six weeks (180 hours) in total within mental health-, substance use – or addiction related work. Through practical studies the student will have relevant experience with practical and direct work with relevant target groups and issues related to mental health-, substance use- and addiction related work. Practical studies are organized and approved by the university, and 90 % certified attendance is required.

Supervision:

The students will be offered supervision related to the acquirement of specific skills.

Clinical supervision will focus on dilemmas and challenges in clinical practice situations, and will stimulate to professional and personal development of skills. Supervision is compulsory.

Academic supervision will be offered related to assignments and project work and will strengthen the students' competence for systematic development of knowledge and their ability to write scientific texts.

Self-studies:

Self-studies give the students the opportunity to work on their own according to the reading-list, with their own projects, by finding literature and by writing assignments throughout the study programme.

Throughout the study programme the student will receive various forms of assessment. The forms of assessment used are adapted to the courses' learning outcomes and work methods.

The study programme uses the assessment expressions passed/not passed, or a graded scale from A to F.

The faculty of Health- and sport sciences facilitates student exchange through established mobility programs, such as Erasmus + and Nordplus, in addition to bilateral agreements with universities in countries outside the EU.

Outgoing student exchange can take place in the fourth semester of the programme. Incoming student exchange can take place for students from study programmes with equivalent content and level of education. Please see the university's website on exchange opportunities for further information on which exchange opportunities are available for the students.

In some of the courses parts of the teaching can be held in English and parts of the curriculum will be in English.

The programme qualifies graduates for postitions in public, private and voluntary organisations which require competence in mental health-, substance use- and addiction related work.

The programme also qualifies for work on the individual-, group- and societal level. You will find professionals with continuing education in mental health-, substance use- and addiction related work by municipal services for mental health, municipal day care centres, housing guidance services, NAV, psychiatric departments, district psychiatric centres, substance use services and services for children and young people.

The continuing education can be incorporated as part of the master’s programme in psychosocial health at UiA.

The teaching will mainly be given at campus Grimstad, but some teaching will take place at campus Kristiansand.

Throughout the entire course of study, the program includes continuous assessment of suitability of the students. This assessment is part of a comprehensive evaluation of the student's professional and personal qualifications to function as healthcare personnel. It is important that you, as a student, are aware of this. You can find further information about suitability assessments here: https://www.uia.no/studier/for-studenter/administrer-dine-studier/skikkethetsvurdering.html

All students at UiA are required to have their own portable computer (laptop) for use in teaching and examinations, cf. Regulations on Studies and Examinations at the University of Agder § 12d.