The MSc (End-of-Life Healthcare Ethics) is available as a part-time programme and runs over two calendar years (24 months) from the date of first registration for the programme.

(a) Candidates for the MSc (End-of-Life Healthcare Ethics) must satisfy the following:

• Normally hold an Honours primary degree (minimum of a Second Class Honours Grade I):
  • in a relevant subject (e.g. nursing, medicine, pharmacy, clinical therapies, philosophy, law, theology, social sciences)

  OR

• in any discipline and either possess a postgraduate qualification in a relevant field or show evidence of at least two years' work experience in a relevant field.
  
  
• Applicants with a Second Class Honours Grade 2 will also be considered on a case by case basis.

(b) Applicants will be judged on academic credentials, previous experience and their personal statement.

Note: In exceptional circumstances, applicants without a primary degree may be recommended for entry to the programme after a review of their individual qualifications and experience by the course committee. These applicants may be required to attend an interview and their admission will be subject to the approval of the College of Medicine and Health Executive Committee.

For the MSc (End-of-Life Healthcare Ethics), students complete modules to the value of 90 credits in total comprising 45 credits in Part 1 and 45 credits in Part 2.

Part 1 (year one) of the programme consists of theory modules to the value of 45 credits:

MH6017 End-of-Life Decision-making and the Role of Legal Rights (10 credits)
MH6099 Introduction to End-of-Life Decision-making (5 credits)
MH6102 The Ethics of Cure and Care (10 credits)
MH6112 Ethical Controversies in End-of-Life Care (10 credits)
PH6045 The Philosophy of Death and Dying (10 credits)

Module Semester Information may be found here. Module Descriptions may be found here.
Part 2 (year two) of the programme consists of theory modules to the value of 45 credits:

MH6101 Ethical Governance (5 credits)
MH6113 Dissertation in End-of-Life Healthcare Ethics (30 credits)
MH6114 Philosophical and Empirical Research Methodologies (10 credits)

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 2018/2019 Book and for each module in the Book of Modules 2018/2019.

Exit award: Postgraduate Certificate in End-of-Life Healthcare Ethics (NFQ Level 9, Minor Award)
Students who pass taught modules to the value of 30 credits from any combination of the 10 credit modules offered in Part 1 may opt to exit the programme and be conferred with a Postgraduate Certificate in End-of-Life Healthcare Ethics.

A student who wishes to continue progression for the degree of Master must complete the programme within 5 academic years from the date of successful completion of the Postgraduate Certificate Examinations, subject to the programme being available.

Exit award: Postgraduate Diploma in End-of-Life Healthcare Ethics (NFQ Level 9, Major Award)
Students who pass taught modules to the value of 60 credits from any combination of the 5 and 10 credit modules offered in Part 1 and Part 2 may opt to exit the programme and be conferred with a Postgraduate Diploma in End-of-Life Healthcare Ethics.

A student who subsequently wishes to continue progression for the degree of Master must complete the programme within 5 academic years from the date of successful completion of the Postgraduate Diploma Examinations, subject to the programme being available.

Programme Learning Outcomes for MSc in End-of-Life Heathcare Ethics (NFQ Level 9, Major Award)
On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to:

• Apply comprehensive and well-assimilated knowledge and critical skills to ethically challenging situations that arise in relation to death and dying;
• Synthesise issues for the development of intervention/service responses appropriate to the needs of individuals, families and practitioners in end-of-life care;
• Act as innovators, leaders and facilitators in healthcare ethics and contribute to practice development and best practice;
• Engage in original philosophical and/or empirical research in healthcare ethics and develop individual research strategies;
• Engage in reasonable and informed debate in relation to controversial issues arising in end-of-life care;
• Critically evaluate the dominant traditional and current ethical approaches to end-of-life decision-making;
• Apply greater insights into the ethical, professional, legal and philosophical underpinnings of end-of-life decision-making in Ireland;
• Demonstrate an understanding of the social, cultural, religious and political contexts within which ethical decision-making takes place;
• Explain key principles, guidelines and decision-making frameworks applicable to ethical structures in clinical practice and health research.

Programme Learning Outcomes for Postgraduate Diploma in End-of-Life Heathcare Ethics (NFQ Level 9, Major Award)
On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to:

• Critically evaluate the dominant traditional and current ethical approaches to end-of-life decision-making;
• Demonstrate an understanding of the social, cultural, religious and political contexts within which ethical decision-making takes place;
• Apply comprehensive and well-assimilated knowledge and critical skills to ethically challenging situations that arise in relation to death and dying;
• Explain key principles, guidelines and decision-making frameworks applicable to ethical structures in clinical practice and health research;
• Critically discuss key ethical, professional, legal and philosophical issues as they arise in position papers and selected case studies in end-of-life care;
• Apply greater insights into the ethical, professional, legal and philosophical underpinnings of end-of-life decision-making in Ireland;
• Act as innovators, leaders and facilitators in healthcare ethics and contribute to practice development and best practice.

Programme Learning Outcomes for Postgraduate Certificate in End-of-Life Heathcare Ethics (NFQ Level 9, Minor Award)
On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to:

• Critically discuss key ethical, professional, legal and philosophical issues as they arise in position papers and selected case studies in end-of-life care;
• Apply greater insights into the ethical, professional and legal underpinnings of end-of-life decision-making in Ireland;
• Critically evaluate the dominant traditional and current ethical approaches to end-of-life decision-making and their relationship to social, cultural and religious context.