Our Master's degree in Chronic Disease Management is designed to develop your skills and the expertise needed to promote and support behaviour change.
Why study Chronic Disease Management?
Chronic disease in our society is on the increase, and although there is strong evidence that lifestyle adjustment can prevent and manage chronic disease, many face complex and challenging barriers to achieving lifestyle behaviour change. Innovative methods and highly trained individuals are needed to successfully tackle the problem from all sides.
There's a need in a range of health settings - including clinical, healthcare, social care and public health departments - for highly skilled, autonomous and analytical employees that specialise in the prevention, assessment and management of chronic diseases. Such employers report that it is currently challenging to find candidates with the experience and skillset needed. This degree will produce highly skilled graduates to address this gap.
This skill-enriching Master’s programme provides you with the opportunity to enhance skills, knowledge and understanding of facilitating, managing and supporting behaviour change at individual, group and population levels. The degree also aims to expand your research expertise.
Chronic Disease Management MSc is ideal if you're looking to progress your current career and provides the vital skills and experience necessary to embark on a career working to tackle chronic disease.
Why St Mary's?
An integrated work placement forms part of this degree, allowing you to bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and hands-on experience. You may be able to undertake this component in your current place of work. Working within health settings will provide you with an insight into the demands of helping people to make lifestyle improvements and demonstrate transferable project management and public health skills.
The programme is underpinned by a detailed understanding of theoretical and practical approaches to behaviour change. You will gain an enhanced understanding of lifestyle management and the complex issues faced by those with chronic disease, including nutrition and physical activity to manage and prevent chronic illness.
The University has fantastic links with local health, educational, social care and charity organisations through the Centre for Workplace Learning and the University’s own Health and Wellbeing Service.
The structure of the degree is suitable for those completing the course alongside existing work commitments and also those wishing to focus solely on their studies.
Teaching methods
Teaching is delivered one day per week, plus two intensive week-long blocks. Additional tutorials and discussion groups also form a part of the course.
An additional 15 day commitment is required for completion of the work placement. A number of different work formats are available for the work placement and if you work in a relevant area you may be able to complete this in your current workplace.
Assessment methods
Assessment is by online discussion, essays, case studies, reflective accounts, presentations, practical assessment, literature reviews, an evaluative report and a research dissertation.
Support is provided for assignments and the additional needs of those returning to study after a considerable break will be identified.
Key facts
- The programme team utilise links with local health, educational, social care and charity organisations
- Work experience and demonstrable skill acquisition from the integral work placement enhances career opportunities
- Unique contemporary curriculum focusing on overcoming complex barriers to behaviour change for health improvements