The MSc in Evidence Based Therapy Practice may be taken full-time over 12 months or part-time over 24 months from the date of first registration for the programme.

The MSc is offered to Occupational Therapists, Physiotherapists and Speech and Language Therapists. Candidates must have:

1. A primary degree professional qualification in Occupational Therapy, Speech and Language Therapy or Physiotherapy, or
2. The equivalent professional qualification* with two years practice experience.

*Occupational Therapists: Applicants must have a professional qualification from a school approved by the World Federation of Occupational Therapy (WFOT).
*Physiotherapists: Applicants must have the necessary qualification to be eligible to be a member of the Irish Society of Chartered Physiotherapists.
*Speech and Language Therapists: Applicants must have the necessary professional qualification to be eligible to be a member of the Irish Association of Speech and Language Therapist (IASLT).

Other applicants with a healthcare professional qualification on an active register with their professional body may be accepted at the discretion of the Head of the programme.

All candidates will be interviewed.

Students Transferring from MSc (Advanced Healthcare Practice) to MSc (Evidence Based Therapy Practice)
Students transferring from MSc (Advanced Healthcare Practice) to the MSc (Evidence Based Therapy Practice) may apply for exemptions from modules previously attended and passed in the MSc (Advanced Healthcare Practice). All such students should contact the Head of the programme in the first instance.

Students take modules to the value of 90 credits. In Part 1 students take a minimum of two core modules to the value of 30 credits and elective modules to the value of 30 credits. Normally students would take CT6001 (Implementing Evidence in Healthcare Practice) plus one other core module but this can be negotiated with the Head of the Programme in some circumstances. Core and elective modules will be run as prescribed by the School (and may be dependent on availability of lecturers and sufficient student registrations). Students make their selections in consultation with the Head of Programme. In Part 2 students complete a research dissertation to the value of 30 credits which must be specific to the student's area of practice. All students will be allocated a superviser.

Students take 90 credits as follows:

Part 1
Core Modules
Students take a minimum of 30 credits from the following:
CT6000 Research Methodology (15 credits)
CT6001 Implementing Evidence in Healthcare Practice (15 credits)
CT6005 Thinking, Reasoning and Reflecting on Practice (15 credits) (formerly CT5004)
CT6006 Educating for Professional Practice (15 credits) (formerly CT5006)

Elective Modules
*Students normally take 30 credits from the following:
CT6002 Interprofessional Education in Healthcare Settings (15 credits)
CT6003 Therapeutic Relationships for Professional Practice (15 credits)
CT6004 Independent Study (15 credits) (formerly CT5002)
CT6007 Advanced Assessment of Spinal Dysfunction in Physiotherapy (15 credits) (formerly CT5005)
CT6008 Dysphagia, Eating, Drinking and Swallowing (15 credits)
CT6009 Advanced Management of Spinal Dysfunction in Physiotherapy (15 credits) (formerly CT5007)
OT6011 Occupational Science (15 credits) (formerly OT5010)
SL6012 Current Issues in Language Impairment (15 credits) (formerly SL5000)
SL6013 The Lexicon and Language Acquisition (15 credits)
SL6014 Instrumental Measures of Speech Production and Language Processing (15 credits)
SL6015 Bilingual Language Development and Disorders (15 credits)

*Note: One other elective 15 credit module, agreed with the Head of Programme, may be substituted in lieu of one of the elective modules. This may be unidisciplinary or interdisciplinary and may be taken from another UCC Department or another University. This 15 credit module must be equivalent in level and credit rating. Students pay the other University directly and obtain a transcript of their academic study marks from that University. This transcript will be included in the student's overall profile. It is the student's responsibility to apply for credit to be awarded for such an elective module.

Part 2
CT6016 Research Dissertation Clinical Therapies (30 credits) (formerly CT5001)

Examinations
Full details and regulations governing Examinations for each programme will be contained in the Marks and Standards 2020/2021 Book and for each module in the Book of Modules, 2020/2021.

Postgraduate Certificate in Evidence Based Therapy Practice (NFQ Level 9, Minor Award)
Upon successful completion of two modules to the value of 30 credits (15 credits must be a core module) students may opt to exit the programme and may be conferred with a Postgraduate Certificate in Evidence Based Therapy Practice.

Postgraduate Diploma in Evidence Based Therapy Practice (NFQ Level 9, Major Award)
Upon successful completion of four modules to the value of 60 credits (30 credits from the core modules) students may opt to exit the programme and may be conferred with a Postgraduate Diploma in Evidence Based Therapy Practice. Note: one of the 15 credit option modules in the chosen discipline may be taken from another UCC Department or another University.

Individual Modules
As part of UCC's commitment to Continuing Professional Development (CPD), therapists from the three stated professions may take a one-off module and be provided with a relevant transcript of marks.

Programme Learning Outcomes for MSc (Evidence Based Therapy Practice) (Level 9, Major Award)
On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to:

• Discuss and debate contemporary areas of healthcare practice at an advanced level;
• Reflect critically on practice decisions and identify areas for change;
• Facilitate evidence based practice and research within own area of practice;
• Analyse the literature and apply it to practice in the substantive area of the thesis (or practice) topic;
• Apply research methodology by conducting a specified programme of research under appropriate supervision;
• Demonstrate an understanding of the process of translating healthcare research into practice.