Loss & Bereavement - Clinical Practice
These programmes aim to equip clinical practitioners and managers to promote and provide a range of appropriate supports in their communities, workplaces and professional practices, with a focus on impacting health, social and community systems and ultimately, enhancing the quality of life.
| Award Name | Degree - Masters (Level 9 NFQ) |
|---|---|
| NFQ Classification | Major |
| Awarding Body | National University of Ireland |
| NFQ Level | Level 9 NFQ |
| Award Name | NFQ Classification | Awarding Body | NFQ Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Degree - Masters (Level 9 NFQ) | Major | National University of Ireland | Level 9 NFQ |
Duration
2 years part-time.
Year 1
Classes for Year 1 are held online on one Saturday, with a two-day block of lectures in the classroom the following week. The programme will run from 9.15am to 5:30pm, September to May.
Please note: These dates are approximate and are subject to change.
Entry Requirements
To apply for this programme you must hold current accreditation/membership through a national body overseeing counselling/psychotherapy/psychology or other relevant clinical practice, and a relevant Level 8 degree (or equivalent as demonstrated through Recognition of Prior Learning [RPL]). RPL involves demonstration of formal training in counselling/psychotherapy; significant professional experience, including client caseload, in loss/bereavement related work; clinical supervision and evidence of personal insight into loss and bereavement.
An academic transcript will be requested when a place is offered. An academic transcript lists your complete academic history – programmes attended, a breakdown of marks/grades achieved, the degree awarded, your overall grade and conferring date.
International degrees’ equivalency are to be verified Opens in new windowusing this service.
If you are a prospective students applying for the MSc Loss & Bereavement (Counselling) for whom English is not your native language you may need to arrange a test to confirm proficiency in English. More details are available here.
Please note: Ensure you are applying for the correct stream within the MSc Loss & Bereavement programmes. If you are uncertain, please read the MSc Loss & Bereavement brochure or contact Jennifer Leech, Education Administrator at the Irish Hospice Foundation.
Careers / Further progression
Participants on this programme come from a range of professions and sectors across Ireland and the UK.
We aim to work with you to develop a new and informed approach to how bereavement care is provided in the settings in which you work.
Further information
RCSI, in association with the Irish Hospice Foundation, runs two accredited Level 9 MSc programmes focusing on loss and bereavement: MSc in Loss & Bereavement and MSc in Loss & Bereavement (Clinical Practice).
Both programmes are rooted in contemporary scientific research and designed against a policy and professional regulation backdrop.
Applications for the MSc Loss & Bereavement (Clinical Practice) are invited from qualified, accredited psychotherapists and counsellors whose clinical work involves therapeutic support of bereaved people.
Module Format Induction day Classroom
M1: Loss, grief and bereavement models through the lifespan
Online
M1: Loss, grief and bereavement models through the lifespan
Classroom
M1: Loss, grief and bereavement models through the lifespan
Classroom
M2: Counselling in loss and bereavement
Online
M2: Counselling in loss and bereavement
Classroom
M2: Counselling in loss and bereavement
Classroom
M3(a): Applied bereavement practice (clinical practice group) Online
M3(b): Organisational staff support (general group)
Online
M3(a): Applied bereavement practice (clinical practice group) Classroom
M3(b): Organisational staff support (general group) Classroom
M1: Loss, grief and bereavement models through the lifespan / M2: Counselling in loss and bereavement Classroom
M5: Research appraisal Online
Integration day and RCSI Library Classroom
M3(a): Applied bereavement practice (clinical practice group) Classroom
M3(b): Organisational staff support (general group) Classroom
M6(a): Advanced counselling and practitioner self Online
M6(b): Range of loss and finite loss Online
M6(a): Advanced counselling and practitioner self (clinical practice group) Classroom
M6(b): Range of loss and finite loss (general group) Classroom
M5: Research and integration day Classroom
M4: Loss, death and bereavement in society Online
M4: Loss, death and bereavement in society Classroom
M4: Loss, death and bereavement in society
Classroom
M7: Policy and management in bereavement care Online
M7: Policy and management in bereavement care
Classroom
M7: Policy and management in bereavement care Classroom
M7: Policy and management in bereavement care Classroom
Integration day Classroom
Credits
Module Title Credits
1 Loss, grief and bereavement models through the lifespan 10
2 Counselling in loss and bereavement 10
3a Applied bereavement practice: preparing the self to work with loss 10
4 Loss, death and bereavement in society 10
5 Research appraisal 5
6a Advanced counselling and practitioner self
5
7 Policy and management in bereavement care 10
Year 2
In Year 2, you will complete a dissertation. Classes are held in two-day blocks once a month (Mondays and Tuesdays) and run from September to May.
Module Title Credits
8 Dissertation 30
Please contact Antoinette Stanbridge if you have specific queries about the course content.
Year 1
In Year 1, this programme will provide you with the skills and knowledge to:
Critically debate and contribute to theoretical understanding and knowledge about loss and grief across the life-cycle and grief support structures relating to health, community and work organisations and in the voluntary sector.
Develop and utilise advanced bereavement counselling skills as part of professional counselling practice.
Evaluate different contemporary perspectives on death, dying and loss in society – including social history, cultural issues, cause and circumstance of death, death education, loss through the life cycle, family bereavement, cultural issues, gender issues, research and ethical issues.
Critically appraise, apply and design bereavement research, audit and evaluation.
Critique, select and utilise advanced bereavement therapeutic skills as part of professional practice.
Develop and utilise advanced bereavement therapeutic skills as part of professional practice.
Analyse the organisation of bereavement support and formulate strategic and systematic developments in bereavement care in different settings.
Design models for self-care and staff support in environments where people are consistently working with, or meeting, death and bereavement.
Manage and evaluate changes in work practices relative to an area of bereavement care.
Reflect on personal development and growth through the educational experience.
Display an integrated value and evidence-based approach to the support of bereaved people.
Year 2
In Year 2, we aim to engender and demonstrate the following learning outcomes:
Design an evidence-driven, ethical action research/change management proposal with respect to an aspect of bereavement care.
Implement an action research/change project, analysing process and outcome changes in bereavement care.
Demonstrate project management skills.
Demonstrate presentation skills.
Act as a leader in developing bereavement care.