Masters of Health Sciences (Clinical Education)
Postgraduate Diploma in Health Sciences (Clinical Education)
Postgraduate Certificate in Health Sciences (Clinical Education)

Although much of the teaching of health professionals takes place in clinical settings, few clinicians receive formal training in educational techniques or principles of adult learning. The Masters, Postgraduate Diploma and Postgraduate Certificate in Health Sciences (Clinical Education) are the first multi-professional clinical teaching courses in Ireland. They have been designed to equip health professionals with the knowledge and skills required for effective clinical teaching and to become successful clinical supervisors and motivators of student learning. They are suitable for those who may teach mostly in classroom settings as well as others who find themselves almost exclusively in clinical settings.

The courses are delivered mostly by distance learning, with some face to face workshops in Galway as follows:

• Masters: 10 days (2 consecutive weekdays in each of September, October, November, February and April).
• Postgraduate Diploma: 7 days (2 consecutive weekdays in September and 5 Saturdays between October and May).
• Postgraduate Certificate: 6 days (2 consecutive weekdays in September and 4   Saturdays between October and May).

Programme aims and objectives

All three courses:

1. Demonstrate an awareness of the key relevant theories of learning and how they relate to clinical teaching.
2. Construct learning events or courses based on an understanding of the principles of adult learning and course design.
3. Demonstrate proficiency in key teaching skills such as small, large group teaching, giving feedback, using questions appropriately and learner appraisal.
4. Implement and evaluate effective clinical teaching using appropriate theory-based techniques.
5. Demonstrate an understanding of the purposes and effects of assessment.

In addition, for the Postgraduate Diploma and Masters

6. Design and implement assessments of clinical competence and performance.
7. Demonstrate an understanding of individual and group supervision techniques.
8. Demonstrate an understanding of how to design and oversee effective continuing professional development.

In addition, for the Masters

9. Develop the teaching and educational planning skills needed by experienced clinical professionals who have significant educational responsibilities.
10. Demonstrate relevant knowledge to both manage and lead effective educational innovations within your profession.
11. Demonstrate the relevant knowledge and skills to plan and teach clinical and communication skills at an advanced level.
12. Develop the knowledge and skills required to practice evidence based education.
13. Develop and implement a sound educational research protocol.
14. Complete an educational research project and submit in the form of a research paper.  

MASTERS

Programme content

Modules  
Evidence Based Education  
Leadership and managment in healthcare education   
Educational Research Design  

Assessment
The taught modules are assessed by literature review, problem-based assignment and research methodology, respectively.

Students are also required to submit a 4,000 word clinical teaching research dissertation at the end of the academic year, in the form of a 4,000 word ready for publication research paper.
 

POSTGRADUATE DIPLOMA

Programme content

Modules 
Learning Theory in Clinical Settings  
Clinical Teaching Course Design & Evaluation
Clinical Teaching Methodologies*
Assessment of Clinical Teaching  
Assessing competence and performance  
Professional Development 
Reflective portfolio  

*Module 3 is also available as a 6-week stand alone option.

Assessment
Each module is assessed using problem based assignments, online e-tivities and peer observation.
 

POSTGRADUATE CERTIFICATE

Programme content

Modules
Learning Theory in Clinical Settings  
Clinical Teaching Course Design & Evaluation  
Clinical Teaching Methodologies*  
Assessment of Clinical Teaching

*Module 3 is also available as a 6-week stand alone option.

Assessment
Each module is assessed using problem based assignments, online e-tivities and peer observation.