The MA in Health and Society is a full-time programme running for 12 months or part-time over 24 months from the date of first registration for the programme.

Applicants should hold a 2.1 degree (or equivalent) in either the disciplines of Philosophy, Public Health, Sociology, Social Science, Geography, Government, Politics, Law, Medicine, Nursing and other health professional programmes. Candidates who hold a 2.2 level may also be considered, based on the information provided in a supplementary statement and/or interview acceptable to the Department selection committee.

Students take 90 credits as follows:

Core modules (30 credits)
EH6025 Principles and Practice of Public Health (10 Credits)
PH6047 Philosophy and Health (10 credits)
SS6019 Critical Social Science Perspectives on Public Health (10 Credits)

Students select one of the following research modules:
EH6040 Dissertation in Public Health and Epidemiology (30 credits)
PH6050 Dissertation in Philosophy and Health (30 credits)

Elective Modules
Students select 30 credits from the following postgraduate and undergraduate modules (max. 10 credits for undergraduate modules are allowed):

Postgraduate Modules
AP6129 Health Psychology (5 credits)
EH6026 Applied Research for Public Health (10 credits)
LW6002 Medical Law (5 credits)
PH6048 The Philosophy of Death and Dying (10 credits)

Undergraduate Modules
Student may select a maximum of 10 credits from the following undergraduate modules
EH4005 Health Services (5 credits)
PH2002 Reasoning and Argument (5 credits)
PH2019 Philosophy of Science (5 credits)
PH2028 Applied Ethics (5 credits)
SC2027 Sociology of Health, Illness and the Body (5 credits)
SC3023 Sociology of Health and Illness : New Directions and Current Debates (5 credits)

Postgraduate Certificate in Health and Society (NFQ Level 9, Minor Award)
Students who pass taught modules to the value of at least 30 credits (but less than 60 credits) may exit the programme and be conferred with a Postgraduate Certificate in Health and Society.

Postgraduate Diploma in Health and Society (NFQ Level 9, Major Award)
Students who pass taught modules to the value of 60 credits may exit the programme and be conferred with a Postgraduate Diploma in Health and Society.

Module Semester Information may be found here. Module descriptions may be found here.

Examinations
Full details and regulations governing Examinations for each programme will be contained in the Marks and Standards 2016 Book and for each module in the Book of Modules 2015/2016.

Programme Learning Outcomes for MA in Health and Society (NFQ Level 9, Major Award)
On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to:

• Identify major sociological and philosophical theories and paradigms and define key concepts and ideas in the field of health and illness;
• Identify and discuss philosophical and psychological factors which contribute to health and well-being;
• Describe and critically evaluate the major determinants of the health of population, including biological, behavioural, social, economic, political and environmental factors;
• Demonstrate ability to design and conduct original research at the interface of health and society;
• Demonstrate critical awareness of the nature and limitations of the scientific method;
• Critically examine public health (including health services) particularly in respect of health equity, access to health care and Public Health Ethics;
• Demonstrate the following cognitive competencies: Knowledge; Comprehension; Application; Analysis; Synthesis; Evaluation;
• Apply the concepts of logical validity and soundness.

Programme Learning Outcomes for Postgraduate Diploma in Health and Society (NFQ Level 9, Major Award)
On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to,

• Demonstrate some familiarity with major sociological and philosophical theories and paradigms and define key concepts and ideas in the field of health and illness;
• Recognize the major determinants of the health of population, including biological, behavioural, social, economic, political and environmental factors;
• Interact and communicate with other students in an inter-disciplinary setting;
• Write short critical essays to a professional standard;
• Demonstrate critical awareness of the nature and limitations of the scientific method;
• Critically examine public health (including health services) particularly in respect of health equity, access to health care and Public Health Ethics.

Programme Learning Outcomes for Postgraduate Certificate Health and Society (NFQ Level 9, Minor Award)
On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to:

• Identify major sociological and philosophical theories and paradigms and define key concepts and ideas in the field of health and illness;
• Identify and discuss philosophical and psychological factors which contribute to health and well-being;
• Describe and critically evaluate the major determinants of the health of population, including biological, behavioural, social, economic, political and environmental factors;
• Demonstrate critical awareness of the nature and limitations of the scientific method;
• Critically examine public health (including health services) particularly in respect of health equity, access to health care and Public Health Ethics;
• Demonstrate the following cognitive competencies: Knowledge; Comprehension; Application; Analysis; Synthesis; Evaluation;
• Apply the concepts of logical validity and soundness.