MSc Maternal and Women’s Reproductive Health

Applicants require:

• A first degree (minimum 2:1 or equivalent), or a portfolio of evidence demonstrating personal and professional development equivalent to degree level.
• Evidence of recent study or writing at an appropriate level.
• Relevant workplace experience of at least one year.
• IELTS level 7 in all areas for students whose first language is not English.

Applicants will be required to attend an interview or alternatively be available for a telephone interview.

https://www1.chester.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/postgraduate-finance/current-postgraduate-fees

The MSc in Maternal and Women’s Reproductive Health is designed to meet the professional and educational development needs of a range of health professionals who work in both clinical and leadership fields within women’s health, maternity and reproductive health services.

This innovative and dynamic programme will prepare you to develop the qualities necessary to be effective in today’s world within your individual profession. You will develop the skills that will enable you to progress your career within women’s-health-related organisations, as well as midwifery and reproductive health.

 This Masters programme will comprise three exit awards as follows:

• Postgraduate Certificate in Maternal and Women’s Reproductive Health
• Postgraduate Diploma in Maternal and Women’s Reproductive Health
• MSc in Maternal and Women’s Reproductive Health

These three clear exit points will enable participants to gain awards and leave or defer their studies. It is envisaged that the majority of students will gain the MSc in Maternal and Women’s Reproductive Health. However, in line with current best practice, it is recognised that with the increasing mobility in the working population studies may be disrupted or delayed by work relocations.

The taught component for the MSc requires seven modules at Level 7 to be completed. Three of these modules are compulsory with the remaining four optional. The option modules will be chosen from a wide choice of modules, which is reflective of the range of professional specialism’s that continue to be developed in the workplace related to maternal and women’s health arenas.

All modules, including a brief description, are listed below:

Contemporary Leadership and Governance Strategy in Maternal and Women’s Health Care – 20 credits (Core)

This dynamic module will form a platform on which all other modules will be built. It will enable students to critically appraise and apply contemporary theories of health care leadership and governance to their own place of working. Learning will include a thorough exploration of the key governance processes and practices to be found in their own practice setting. This will enable students to critically analyse the intricate processes that are undertaken by health organisations and governing bodies in relation to service development and provision including the third sector and social enterprises. Critical appraisal of performance, overview and scrutiny will form a key component of this module, including a critical evaluation of the role of the Commissioning Board, Care Quality Commission and Monitor. On completion of this module students will be prepared for and inspired to lead in their own specialist health field. Furthermore students will be ready to embark on further study from the choice of modules available.  

Promoting and Sustaining the Parameters of Normal Childbirth – 20 credits (Option)

This module is aimed at Midwives who wish to enhance and develop their skills and practice in promoting, sustaining and facilitating normal birth. It aims to enable midwives to critically analyse and evaluate current evidence, practice and skills including the use of complementary therapies, water birth, home birth, hypno-birthing and alternative positions for birth. This module will build on knowledge acquired in Contemporary Leadership and Governance Strategy in Maternal and Women’s Health Care. It will do this by facilitating development in leadership skills in fostering a positive culture to develop vision and innovation strategies for promoting normality in the birthing environment.

Women’s Health and the Global Agenda – 20 credits (Option)

This module is designed to develop student’s knowledge and understanding of key global women’s and maternal health issues. In today’s increasingly global village and multicultural society it is imperative that professionals working within women’s and maternal health have a sound understanding of social, economic and cultural influences upon women’s and maternal health. Students will have the opportunity to explore and discuss issues such as Female Genital Mutilation, HIV and AIDS, sexual and reproductive health, maternal morbidity and mortality, the Millennium Development Goals and the rights and status of women. The role of the World Health Organisation in determining health priorities, implementing health strategies and monitoring and evaluating policies will be explored. The role of other international and national humanitarian organisations in promoting and delivering women’s and maternal health priorities will also be examined. This will enable students to develop an informed overview of key global women’s and maternal health issues.

Policy and Contraception and Sexual Health (CASH) Innovation in Practice – 20 credits (Option)

This module is aimed at professionals who already work with Contraception and Sexual Health Services (CASH) or other professionals who are involved in the delivery or management of sexual health programmes or initiatives. With the move to Integrated CASH services this area of health service delivery is undergoing a period of change requiring health professionals to be innovative and creative in the design and delivery of services and resources. Professionals need to be able to move services forward to meet the demands of the population and implement and evaluate programme and service delivery. Students studying this module will have the opportunity to utilise their knowledge and skills to design/or evaluate an initiative in their area of work. Additionally students will reflect upon, critically analyse and evaluate the needs of specific target groups and vulnerable groups in regard to sexual health promotion and programme delivery.   

Critical Care in the Maternity Index – 20 credits (Option)

The focus of this module is to provide practitioners within the maternity setting with skills and evidence based knowledge to competently assess, plan, implement and evaluate safe effective care. National and regional drivers and the political context will be critically examined to explore the relevant contemporary issues in maternal critical care. Participants will have the opportunity to consolidate their learning by using an advanced birthing simulator. The skills simulation encompasses the use of a maternity manikin who is a full-term pregnant female, with a fetal and newborn model. This enables the students to participate in care of the critically ill woman, utilising communication, decision making and interprofessional team working skills. This safe learning environment will encourage application of theory and practice, to develop a safe, accountable, reflexive practitioner. This module will promote effective practice based skills and the development of critical thinking skills required to provide current evidence based approaches to care of the critically ill woman.

Examination and Assessment of the Newborn – 20 Credits (Option)

This module has been developed to meet the needs of rapidly changing maternity and neonatal services. The implementation of early postnatal discharge of mothers and babies from hospital to home and the national drive to increase home birth has placed additional demand on community postnatal services. This has been further compounded by the national reduction of junior doctors’ working hours to meet the recommendations set out in the European Working Time Directive. This has placed additional challenges on maternity services in ensuring neonates receive timely and robust newborn assessment and screening for abnormality

Managing Obesity during the Childbirth Continuum – 20 credits (Option)

This module is unique in that it is the only one of its kind currently being offered at Master’s level for midwives.  It is a bespoke module, which has been specially developed to cover the spectrum of care for women with BMIs over 30 throughout the childbirth continuum.  It is innovative and original in that it is intended to provide midwifery practitioners with singular knowledge on the pathophysiology of obesity, and its aetiology and epidemiology within a global, national and economic context.  Its aim is to provide practitioners with expert knowledge to enable them to critically apply management strategies in the field of maternity care for this client group.  It will guide practitioners in developing sophisticated communication pathways by studying the psychology of obesity, and in helping to demonstrate a critical understanding and knowledge of the dietary factors and weight management strategies available for this client group

Independent Study – 20 credits (Option)

This dynamic module provides an opportunity for students to be self-directed in their learning. The module will enable students to critically analyse a specific self identified topic relevant to their own specialised area of practice. Students will systematically review a wide variety of literature which they will utilise to critically review innovation and creativity related to their chosen topic. Students will critically evaluate the chosen topic and contextualise the application of theory to practice identifying strategies for future developments in practice.

Teaching and Assessing – 20 credits (Option)

The overall aims of this module are to enable students to develop a critical understanding of the mentorship role and provide practitioners with the in-depth knowledge and skills needed to promote student learning within the contexts of professional and inter-professional education. This module will prepare students to become effective mentors and assessors in their own place of work.

Research Methods – 20 credits (Core)

This module will enable students to critically evaluate the role of research in health care with a particular focus on maternal and women’s health. Central to student learning will be a critical analysis of the main themes and methodologies used in health care research. All aspects of the research process, including research design, data collection, data analysis and the presentation of research findings will be critically appraised. This will enable students to apply theory and methodology to research practice in health.

Dissertation – 20 credits (Core)

This module builds on knowledge and expertise gained on the completion of six modules at master’s level. The module is dynamic, innovative and prepares and enables students to successfully complete their own research project. Student learning includes systematic investigation, development of skills and expert knowledge of all key stages of the research process. Due consideration will be given to the process of critically selecting viable research topics. In particular students are encouraged to choose an area of innovation and enterprising development in practice or practice change for their chosen research topic.