St Mary's University Twickenham, London

MSc Psychology of Mental Health

Why study Psychology of Mental Health?

Psychology of Mental Health aims to provide you with a chance to acquire an extensive knowledge base to progress into mental health-related careers. The degree will educate you about the specialised aspects of caring for people with mental illness

During the programme you will have the opportunity to complete a work placement in an applied setting, providing you with valuable skills and experience that will aid your career development.

You will gain advanced qualitative and quantitative research skills and be expected to critically analyse existing research as you work towards your own original research project. This knowledge and understanding of academia will underpin the applied focus of the degree, to which the real-world implications of the research are considered.

The Master's degree is designed for people who are confident using research methods in academic settings, typically from having studied Psychology or a related discipline at the undergraduate level. However, if you lack this experience there is a distance learning online “bridging module” available which will help prepare you for the advanced research methods and independent project modules. If you would like further information on this route into the programme please email the programme director.

The PGCert programme is an alternative qualification available to students who are interested in this field and may want to consider a career in mental health, but who don’t want to commit to a full-time course, or who don’t have a strong background in research methods. This would give you the experience of studying this fascinating area at the postgraduate level and would provide a good route into further study in counselling and other related fields.

Modules

• Research Methods
• Independent Project
• Foundations of Mental Health
• Psychological Interventions in Mental Health
• The Lived Experience of Mental Health
• Counselling Skills in Psychological Practice
• Personal and Professional Development (Industry Placement)

In addition to being of interest to those wishing to pursue a career in Clinical Psychology, the degree could provide suitable training for anyone wishing to study for a PhD.

The programme could also aid those interested in progressing to careers in health-related professions such as psychotherapy, social work, mental health nursing, and occupational therapy as practitioners, researchers or managers.