Programme description for Milieu therapy, continuing education (2023–2024)

The candidate:

Knowledge:

• has advanced knowledge about empathy-oriented milieu therapy, systematic milieu therapy, as well as milieu therapy based on cognitive behavioral theory
• will be able to apply knowledge of milieu therapy for new issues based on the interventions, as well as the framework for planning, mapping, evaluation and alterations
• has extensive knowledge about the interventions’ research-related and scientific basis
• will be able to analyze and consider milieu therapy based on different professional traditions
• has knowledge of organizational conditions of importance for milieu therapy

Skills:

• can analyze a practical starting point and use the basis of knowledge of various models of interventions to structure alterations and achievement processes based on professional reasoning
• can use the interventions’ theoretical and methodological fundament for practice-related problem solving
• can use work methods in milieu therapy which communicate acknowledgement, and which creates health beneficial relationships and achievement
• can plan a selection of goals, mapping and evaluation in systematic milieu therapy
• can use basic techniques which are applied within the fields of cognitive behavioral theory and motivating interviews
• can identify and plan organizational changes of importance for milieu therapy

General competence

• can analyze ethical issues in milieu therapy which occur in the contribution to quality of life, processes of change and achievement with awareness of one’s own attitudes and values
• can communicate the content of a milieu therapy process with the distinctive character found in empathy-oriented milieu therapy, systematic milieu therapy, as well as milieu therapy based on cognitive behavioral theory
• can supervise others in milieu therapy
• can contribute with innovation using knowledge and skills from various professional traditions within milieu therapy
• can apply various milieu therapy interventions in new ways directed at different groups, in different contexts to solve complex issues in practice.

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

Professional basis is holding a bachelor's degree or the equivalent in child welfare education, ergonomics, physiotherapy, social work, pre-school teacher, elementary school teacher, special needs education, nursing or social education.

Applicants with other college or university education at an equivalent level may upon special consideration be accepted as students.

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).

Milieu therapy have a multi scientific and interdisciplinary fundament. The goal is to encourage quality of life for people with various and complex disabilities. The premise is human autonomy, and the sense of achievement and quality of life are some of the central values.

The continuing education is based on knowledge-based practical studies and the students must acquire advanced knowledge of various approaches in milieu therapy. Systematic milieu therapy emphasizes systematic work of change with specific goals and research-inspired elements in the process. Empathy-oriented milieu therapy gather different approaches, where it is central to build relationships and understand the individual’s experiences, thoughts and feelings. Cognitive behavioral theory and milieu therapy are essentially based on the motivation which the user of services actually has, and the work of change require active and constructive participation. The courses in the continuing education cover a range of milieu therapy interventions, techniques, forms of interaction and processes of change. These are not in opposition to each other, but will take their place given the specific issue in question. The students will qualify for critical analysis and professional and ethical reflection regarding services and work methods in the field, in connection to health- and socio-political regulations, experiences from the users of the services and professionals, recent research and the relationships between these factors.

Several educational methods are used in the study:

Lectures

Lectures are held by employees and invited guest lecturers. Both knowledge and research-based knowledge dissemination are emphasized.

Seminars

Seminars are arranged in various courses to facilitate dialogue and exchange of experiences.

Participation in the seminars is mandatory.

Group work

The programme facilitates various forms of group work. In general, group work is used to strengthen the student's access to interdisciplinary discussions on specific issues, and the possibility of developing skills and competence in interaction with others. The groups enables time for reflection and personal feedback.

Exercises and skills training

The programme requires that theory and practical studies are integrated and that specific skills are developed in different areas, e.g. skills for communication and for building relationships. Therefore, in some courses exercises / skills training under supervision are facilitated. Simulation, skills training in laboratory and other special purpose rooms, and other practice-like learning forms can also be included in some courses.

Supervision

The students are offered supervision related to training of skills.

Self-studies

Self-study gives the students the opportunity to work independently with the curriculum, their own projects, literature search and thesis writing in course of the programme.

The language of teaching is mainly Norwegian.

Various forms of assessment are used to ensure that the students are tested appropriately when it comes to the different courses’ learning outcomes.

Work requirements

In several of the courses, the students will be given assignments which have to be approved in order to take the exam. This kind of formative assessment should give the students an understanding of where they are in the learning process and what they must know for the exam.

Written school examination

This form of examination will test what the students have acquired of knowledge and skills which are immediately available for them without the use of aids.

Oral examination

This form of examination will show the students' oral ability to express themselves and communicate academic content or draw spontaneous conclusions.

Individual essay

This form of examination shows the students’ ability to evaluate and link academic material in an independent way.

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

The programme qualifies graduates for postitions in public, private and voluntary organisations which require competence in milieu therapy.

The programme also qualifies for work on the individual-, group- and societal level. Continuing education in milieu therapy will be useful in municipal services for mental health, municipal day care centres, housing guidance services, NAV, second line service of mental health care, district psychiatric centres, substance use services and services for children and young people.

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

The teaching will mainly take place at campus Grimstad.

The continuing education has admission of students every two years, and runs parallel with the teaching in the specialization in milieu therapy in the master's programme Psychosocial health.

It is a requirement that all students at UiA have their own portable computer (`laptop¿) for use in teaching and examinations, see Examination Regulations, University of Agder, §12d

FOR COURSE DESCRIPTIONS - please see the specialization in milieu therapy in the study plan for the master's programme in psychosocial health.