MSc Leadership Development (Clinical Leadership / Leadership and Management)

Summary 2012/13

• You will become a leader able to improve the quality of care and capable of acting as an effective change agent within health and social care;
• Study a programme developed in collaboration with many external stakeholders who hold senior / executive positions within health and social care, many of whom remain committed to the programme;
• Choose from two pathways, each using different reflective methods to explore your unique leadership context.

This MSc in Leadership Development will create leaders able to improve quality of care and act as effective change agents. Throughout the programme reflection will be applied to determine the type of leader you are; the type of leader you aspire to be (and why); and the action that will be taken to further your leadership development. This will be supported by group work, debate, action learning sets and student-led seminars to create a learning community conducive to critical reflection.

2012 Entry Requirements

The normal minimum requirement is a lower second-class honours degree in a health or social care related subject. However you can access the programme without a degree through successfully completing a standalone masters module. The focus for the programme is to link theory to practice; you are expected to be working in an environment that allows you to meet the learning outcomes of the course. All applicants for the programme will be offered an academic interview prior to commencement of the programme.

Summary 2013/14

• You will become a leader able to improve the quality of care and capable of acting as an effective change agent within health and social care;
• Study a programme developed in collaboration with many external stakeholders who hold senior / executive positions within health and social care, many of whom remain committed to the programme;
• Choose from two pathways, each using different reflective methods to explore your unique leadership context.

This MSc in Leadership Development will create leaders able to improve quality of care and act as effective change agents. Throughout the programme reflection will be applied to determine the type of leader you are; the type of leader you aspire to be (and why); and the action that will be taken to further your leadership development. This will be supported by group work, debate, action learning sets and student-led seminars to create a learning community conducive to critical reflection.

2013 Entry Requirements

The normal minimum requirement is a lower second-class honours degree in a health or social care related subject. However you can access the programme without a degree through successfully completing a standalone masters module. The focus for the programme is to link theory to practice; you are expected to be working in an environment that allows you to meet the learning outcomes of the course. All applicants for the programme will be offered an academic interview prior to commencement of the programme.

Details

Who is this course for?

If you are working in a position of influence across the wider health and social care community (including the statutory and independent sector), this MSc in Leadership Development is for you.

The programme is targeted at healthcare professionals working in a clinical role e.g. allied health professionals, clinical scientists, nurses, doctors and those working in a non clinical role e.g. social workers, patient advocates, voluntary sector.

What will I gain from this programme?

The overall goal for this programme is to facilitate the development of principle-centred leaders. The specific aims are to:

• Develop leaders who are able to improve the quality of care, enhance and improve service delivery and lead people though change;
• Promote inter-professional learning, critical thinking, self awareness and leadership skills in decision making, within complex environments;
• Facilitate critical reflection on practice;
• Act as a change champion;
• Provide an evidence base for practice.

How we will support you

We will offer teaching and learning support throughout the programme. You will have access to individual tutorials, as well as online support and learning services. We have a wealth of experience supporting students and are proud of our equality and diversity portfolio.

There is a named Programme Leader who will support your progression and provide academic advice to assist your personal development plan. In addition each module leader will provide support regarding their module and there is a dedicated Pathway Administrator to assist any individual needs.

What will I study?

The programme will provide you with opportunities for in-depth self awareness, critical reflection on your own style of leadership and leadership skills and learning to be dynamic in decision-making. It will provide you with the knowledge and skills to effectively implement change and inform your practice with an evidence base. There will also be an opportunity to plan a research proposal and undertake a project utilising your leadership and change management skills in the final year of your study.

In addition you are able to access optional modules from the existing postgraduate portfolio from Faculty of Health and Social Care or from the MSc Management Development programme (Business School). There is a close working relationship with the Business School and the Centre for Local Policy Studies in the Faculty of Arts and Sciences, with the intention to maximise opportunities for accessing appropriate expertise across the University.

How will I study?

The programme will be delivered through lead lectures, workshops, seminars, Action Learning Sets, group work and critical debates to provide a framework to underpin the development of critical thinking and sharing in the learning process. The approach will be ‘flexible’ - blended learning where face-to-face sessions are the predominant delivery method supported by the University’s Virtual Learning Environment (VLE).

The attendance is daytime, approximately three hours per module, however some sessions will be online.

Who will be teaching me?

Edge Hill University enjoys an excellent reputation for teaching quality and members of the teaching team publish in international journals and present at national and international conferences.

The programme team comprises staff from the Faculty of Health and Social Care, the Evidence Based Practice Research Centre, Social Sciences, Business School and the Head of Staff Development. In addition guest speakers who are executive / senior professionals within health and social care will provide you with opportunities to learn from their experience.

How will I be assessed?

The assessment strategy will focus on the synthesis and critical application of theory to practice in relation to your leadership role. A variety of assessment strategies will be utilised to provide balance including essays, presentations, a leadership development plan, reflective diaries, seminars, online discussion and the undertaking of a project. You will be assessed both formatively to support your development and summatively to demonstrate achievement of learning outcomes.

What are my career prospects?

In an increasingly competitive health service, health and social care staff will need to continually seek opportunities to add to their portfolio of qualifications in order to advance their careers. This is especially true for allied health professionals, clinical scientists, nurses and social workers where a postgraduate qualification is increasingly deemed desirable and essential.

This MSc Leadership Development programme will equip you with key leadership and change management skills. It will provide a highly relevant qualification which demonstrates a commitment to continuous professional development for health and social care professionals and also gives you an advantage over your peers.

Related Programmes

MSc Management Development

A Great Study Environment

The Faculty of Health and Social Care is one of the main providers of education for health care professionals in Merseyside and the North West, with approximately 4,000 trained and educated at Edge Hill University every year.

The £14 million purpose-built accommodation at the Ormskirk Campus houses some of the best facilities in the country. Our learning resources are second to none, with leading edge clinical skills facilities including ward simulations with industry standard equipment.

The Faculty has been commended by the QAA for the quality of teaching and learning, student progression and learning resources.

Learning resources include over 23,000 books, journals and electronic resources, with access also available to facilities at several NHS study centres. The Faculty of Health and Social Care building includes ten teaching rooms, an 860-seat lecture theatre, social learning spaces and four rooms recreating hospital environments for practicing clinical skills.

How do I apply?

Apply directly to Edge Hill University. Download the Health Professional Development pathway application form and notes for guidance (pdf).

Fees and Finance

Tuition fees for this programme are £560 per 20 credit module and £900 for the 60 credit dissertation for academic year 2012/13.

Edge Hill graduates joining an eligible postgraduate programme at the University in academic year 2012/13 could benefit from a 20% reduction in tuition fees. If you're a UK or EU student and will be paying the fees yourself, you might be eligible to receive this discount. See www.edgehill.ac.uk/reducedfees for more information.

Not got the entry requirements?

If you do not have an honours degree you must demonstrate the following knowledge and skills at a level equivalent to that of degree study prior to commencing the programme:

• Comprehensive knowledge of the discipline and an in-depth awareness of current issues relating to either a health or social care setting;
• Critical analysis skills and an ability to evaluate evidence drawn from the area of work or previous academic study;
• Ability to learn in a flexible manner, utilising autonomy and self direction.

Please contact the programme leader to discuss your options.

Awards

• Postgraduate Certificate Leadership Development (Clinical Leadership)
• Postgraduate Certificate Leadership Development (Leadership & Management)
• Postgraduate Diploma Leadership Development (Clinical Leadership)
• Postgraduate Diploma Leadership Development (Leadership & Management)
• MSc Leadership Development (Clinical Leadership)
• MSc Leadership Development (Leadership & Management)

Still want more?

If you have any questions you would like to ask the programme leader about this course, please contact:

• Charlotte Moen, Faculty of Health and Social Care, Edge Hill University, St Helens Road, Ormskirk, Lancashire, L39 4QP
• Tel: 01695 657028
• Email: moenc@edgehill.ac.uk

Modules

The programme comprises four core / compulsory 20 credit modules, two optional 20 credit modules and a 60 credit Advanced Practice Project that combine to produce a well-rounded qualification in leadership with the option to add management or clinical modules.

In meeting differing needs of potential multidisciplinary participants, the module content has been enriched through sharing several modules with other programmes. In addition there is an option to study management modules provided by the Business School.

We envisage that the diverse range of experience and expertise amongst participants will lead to a highly stimulating learning environment with the potential for a broad level of critical appraisal and debate.

Core and Compulsory Modules

HEA4037 Leadership Self Awareness and Self Empowerment (20 credits). This module provides a critical and evaluative perspective on self-awareness and self-management in order to empower you to develop leadership skills. It will facilitate critical reflection using a number of reflective lenses. These lenses will include personal reflection, peer review and self-awareness tools. In addition, action learning sets will provide a vehicle for reflective support and challenge, to help you reach deeper levels of self reflection. The module will utilise several self awareness tools, namely emotional intelligence (EI), psychometric testing, attitude to change, communication and the Seven Habits of Highly Effective People.

HEA9083 Leadership in Health and Social Care (20 credits – Core to Clinical Leadership pathway). Leadership remains a priority across health and social care and there is a need for strong, locally-driven clinical leadership to enable the delivering of change. This module prepares you to examine the multi-factorial influences that impact on leadership. You will analyse the underpinning theoretical modeling frameworks within an organisational context and critically appraise how the qualities of a leader drive forward change in the dynamic health and social care environment.

BUS4018 Managerial Decision-Making (20 credits – Core to Leadership and Management pathway). This module compares rational models of managerial decision-making to what actually occurs in practice in modern organisations. The module considers the economic, social, cultural, political and psychological context within which managerial decision-making takes place. In the module a strong emphasis is placed on your own decision-making and you will be encouraged to critically examine the way you make managerial decisions.

HEA 4045 Research: Development of a Research Proposal (20 credits). This module is delivered primarily through the Virtual Learning Environment with several classroom sessions. It will introduce you to the research process including philosophical debates surrounding both quantitative and qualitative traditions and a range of research methodologies. You will develop a proposal that will demonstrate your ability to plan a small-scale project in your chosen discipline as well as showing your awareness of the theoretical and practical implications of undertaking such a study. The blended approach that you will experience during this module is designed to encourage group online interaction as well as independent learning.

HEA4038 Leading People through Change (20 credits). This module provides a critical and evaluative perspective on change theories, styles and tools in order to implement change in the context of health and social care. It will facilitate the further enhancement of skills in the transfer of theoretical perspectives to practice and allow you to critically reflect and learn from your actions and the actions of others. Integral to this module is the development of a strategy to enhance your change management skills.

HEA4002 Advanced Practice Project (60 credits). This module is designed to enable you to consolidate and enhance the skills and knowledge gained during previous modules. More specifically this module will enable you to synthesise learning as you apply your advanced leadership and change management knowledge to identify, plan, implement, evaluate and disseminate the findings of a small-scale project that will potentially promote service / treatment / practice development within your area of practice.

Optional modules

You will also study an optional 40 credits from the existing postgraduate portfolio from Faculty of Health and Social Care or from the MSc Management Development programme. These modules provide a different dimension and are tailored to both your individual needs and professional practice