The MSc (Older Person Rehabilitation) is available on a full-time or part-time basis. The full-time programme runs over one calendar year (12 months) from the date of first registration for the programme. The part-time programme runs over two academic years (20 months) from the date of first registration for the programme. The programme includes a period of clinical placement.

• An Honours Primary Degree in a relevant health care discipline* or an equivalent qualification and professional experience to be approved by the Programme Team.
• Ideally candidates should have practical experience in their area of qualifications of at least one year post-registration;
• In some exceptional circumstances candidates, by virtue of their training and experience may, at the discretion of the Programme Team, be deemed suitable for entry to the programme. Such candidates may be requested to undergo an interview.

* A relevant health care discipline includes but is not limited to medicine, nursing, pharmacy, occupational therapy, speech and hearing science, audiology, physiotherapy, psychology, and social studies.

Garda Vetting
Students, or applicants in receipt of an offer, on this programme will be subject to Garda Vetting as relevant. Students will be prohibited from engaging in a relevant work placement unless the vetting process has been cleared. Click here to view UCC's Student Garda Vetting Policy.

Exemptions at the Point of Entry to the MSc Programme
Following successful completion of the examinations for the Postgraduate Certificate in Older Person Rehabilitation, and subject to approval of the Programme Team, a student may opt to transfer to the MSc (Older Person Rehabilitation), with exemptions granted for modules already taken.
A student previously graduated with the Postgraduate Certificate in Older Person Rehabilitation/Postgraduate Diploma in Older Person Rehabilitation (exit award from the MSc) may register for the MSc in Older Person Rehabilitation within five years of completion, subject to approval of the Programme Team, with exemptions granted for modules taken within the previous five years.

Recognition of Prior Learning
In accordance with UCC's policy on Recognition of Prior Learning, a student who has successfully completed modules for Continuous Professional Development within the MSc in Older Person Rehabilitation programme, and/or has completed relevant university postgraduate modules in a cognate area at similar NFQ level (subject to approval of the Programme Team), and who meets the entry requirements for the MSc in Older Person Rehabilitation, can apply via PAC for entry to the MSc in Older Person Rehabilitation with exemptions granted for modules taken within the previous five years.

Full-time
The full-time MSc (Older Person Rehabilitation) runs over one calendar year (12 months) from the date of first registration for the programme. Students take taught modules to the value of 60 credits incorporating approximately 300 hours of structured contact time provided face-to-face, via webinars or online (3-8 in-class days per month during term). Most classes are held in two-day blocks (weekdays). Students also undertake a research dissertation (30 credits) which is submitted at the end of the calendar year.

Taught modules

Students take core modules to the value of 25 credits as follows:
CG6009 Principles in Older Person Rehabilitation (10 credits)
CG6010 Clinical Practicum in Older Person Rehabilitation (5 credits)
and either
EH6038 Applied Research for Gerontology and Rehabilitation (10 credits)
or
MH6014 Advanced Research Methods for Healthcare Professionals (10 credits)

Students take elective* modules to the value of 35 credits from the following:
CG6002 Stroke Rehabilitation (10 credits)
CG6005 Amputee and Prosthetic Rehabilitation (5 credits)
CG6006 Falls, Mobility and Movement Disorders (10 credits)
CG6007 Independent Study (5 credits)**
CG6011 In-depth Independent Study (15 credits)**
CG6012 Neuromuscular Disorders (10 credits)
CG6015 Understanding Cognitive Disorders and Dementia (10 credits)
CG6016 Advanced Issues in Dementia Care (10 credits)

*Alternatively students may take up to a maximum of 15 credits, relevant to the rehabilitation of older people (unidisciplinary or interdisciplinary), from designated courses in UCC, subject to timetabling restraints, in lieu of 15 credits above.

** Students can take CG6007 or CG6011 but not both.

Research

CG6008 Dissertation in Older Person Rehabilitation (30 credits)

Part-time
The part-time MSc (Older Person Rehabilitation) runs over two academic years (20 months) from the date of first registration for the programme. Students take taught modules to the value of 60 credits over two years incorporating approximately 300 hours of structured contact time provided face-to-face, via webinars or online (3-7 contact days per semester). Most classes are held in two-day blocks (weekdays). A maximum of 40 taught credits can be taken in a single year. Students also undertake a research dissertation (30 credits) which is submitted in the early Summer of Year 2.

Taught modules

Students take core modules to the value of 25 credits as follows:
CG6009 Principles in Older Person Rehabilitation (10 credits)
CG6010 Clinical Practicum in Older Person Rehabilitation (5 credits)
and either
EH6038 Applied Research for Gerontology and Rehabilitation (10 credits)
or
MH6014 Advanced Research Methods for Healthcare Professionals (10 credits)

Students take elective* modules to the value of 35 credits over years 1 and 2 (maximum 40 total taught credits per year) from the following:
CG6002 Stroke Rehabilitation (10 credits)
CG6005 Amputee and Prosthetic Rehabilitation (5 credits)
CG6006 Falls, Mobility and Movement Disorders (10 credits)
CG6007 Independent Study (5 credits)**
CG6011 In-depth Independent Study (15 credits)**
CG6012 Neuromuscular Disorders (10 credits)
CG6015 Understanding Cognitive Disorders and Dementia (10 credits)
CG6016 Advanced Issues in Dementia Care (10 credits)

*Alternatively students may take up to a maximum of 15 credits, relevant to the rehabilitation of older people (unidisciplinary or interdisciplinary), from designated courses in UCC, subject to timetabling restraints, in lieu of 15 credits above.

** Students can take CG6007 or CG6011 but not both.

Research

CG6008 Dissertation in Older Person Rehabilitation (30 credits, year 2)

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.

Exit award: Postgraduate Diploma in Older Person Rehabilitation (NFQ Level 9, Major Award)
Upon satisfactory completion of 60 credits, to include modules CG6009 and CG6010, a student may opt not to proceed with / complete the dissertation module (CG6008), and may opt to exit the programme and be conferred with a Postgraduate Diploma in Older Person Rehabilitation. A student who subsequently applies to continue to Masters level must do so within 5 years of successful completion of the Postgraduate Diploma Examination. Such an application is subject to approval of the Programme Team, and if successful, exemptions will be granted for modules taken within the previous five years.

Exit award: Postgraduate Certificate in Older Person Rehabilitation (NFQ Level 9, Minor Award)
Upon satisfactory completion of 30 credits in Older Person Rehabilitation, to include module CG6009, a student may opt to exit the programme and be conferred with a Postgraduate Certificate in Older Person Rehabilitation. A student who subsequently applies to continue to Masters level must do so within 5 years of successful completion of the Certificate Examination. Such an application is subject to approval of the Programme Team, and if successful, exemptions will be granted for modules taken within the previous five years.

Programme Learning Outcomes for MSc in Older Person Rehabilitation (NFQ Level 9, Major Award)
On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to:

• Evaluate models and settings of rehabilitation within healthcare systems;
• Critically appraise the available literature on the rehabilitation of older people;
• Incorporate evidence based practice into their everyday work;
• Plan, execute and disseminate research in the rehabilitation of older people;
• Critically discuss the processes involved in choosing appropriate rehabilitation goals and in determining successful outcome;
• Reflect on the role of members of the multidisciplinary rehabilitation team, focussing on the commonalities and the unique discipline perspectives of each member.

Programme Learning Outcomes for Postgraduate Diploma in Older Person Rehabilitation (NFQ Level 9, Major Award)
On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to:

• Collaborate within interdisciplinary teams in the rehabilitation of older people;
• Evaluate models and settings of rehabilitation within healthcare systems;
• Incorporate evidence based practice into their everyday work;
• Reflect on a practical aspect of the rehabilitation of an older person;
• Discuss an area of specialised stroke rehabilitation in an older person.

Programme Learning Outcomes for Postgraduate Certificate in Older Person Rehabilitation (NFQ Level 9, Minor Award)
On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to:

• Collaborate within interdisciplinary teams in the rehabilitation of older people;
• Describe models and settings of rehabilitation within healthcare systems;
• Discuss multidisciplinary team working in older person rehabilitation;
• Describe an area of specialised rehabilitation in an older person;
• Participate in class discussions on rehabilitation of an older person.