Course overview
This is a distance-based course offered part time.
The MSc Musculoskeletal Paediatric Health degree is designed to develop your knowledge and skills in the safe and competent care of children of all ages. Our part-time, distance-based course blends live online classes with ready to use resources through our virtual learning environment. In addition, you will have the opportunity to observe in the AECC University College clinical services at our Bournemouth campus. The course covers topics in paediatric musculoskeletal practice with specific units on paediatric development, paediatric musculoskeletal examination, paediatric musculoskeletal interventions, and paediatric musculoskeletal management. You will address issues such as risk factors and public health, including breastfeeding, supine sleep in infancy, physical activity in children and conditions affecting the musculoskeletal health of children from birth. The paediatric specific topics are completed by other optional units such as professional development, evidence-based practice, and leadership and inter-professional collaboration. In the dissertation unit you will conduct a study relevant to musculoskeletal paediatric health.
Your learning will happen through a mix of live and recorded lectures, access to online reading materials, and access to the literature through our learning services. You will also engage with the contents taught through guided activities with your peers and staff. Clinical paediatric experience is recommended to fully engage with the course. For students with limited access to a suitable clinical environment to support their studies, or for student who wants to add to their clinical experience, we are able to offer a limited number of opportunities to observe and work alongside our clinical educators within the AECC University College clinical services. Assessments are tailor made to each unit and may include a variety of methods such as critical reviews, reflective accounts, portfolios and in the last year a research dissertation.
Key Information
- Course title:
- MSc Musculoskeletal Paediatric Health
- Qualification:
- MSc
- Duration:
- 2 years (September Start)
- Study mode:
- Part-time Online, Distance Learning
- Typical offer:
- 2:1 or equivalent in relevant healthcare profession
Course leader
Dr Michelle Holmes
PhD, MRes, BSc (Hons), Lecturer in Research Methods
Dr. Michelle Holmes is a Senior Lecturer in Research Methods at AECC University College and Professional Development Framework Lead.
Course details
Course Location
Blended delivery model with distance learning delivered through synchronous and asynchronous methods with additional resources available on VLE (Virtual Learning Environment).
Why Study with AECC ?
AECC University College has been the primary provider of postgraduate musculoskeletal paediatric courses in Europe for over 15 years. The postgraduate courses within the AECC School of Chiropractic are developed to be aligned with professional practice, and adopt an approach of integrated learning, teaching, and assessment that is not only developing independent learning, but encouraging students to integrate theory and practice. The approach to learning and teaching within the course emphasizes: the diversity of leaners, autonomy of learning, life-long learning, and a dynamic learning experience.
Structure of Study with Key Unit Highlights
The course will also be designed in a format that allows students to register for individual units (marketed as short courses at the postgraduate level). By providing students an opportunity to undertake individual units, they may then be encouraged to enroll for other units as short courses, or enroll to an award bearing qualification.
There are two units each term, each unit requiring 6 weeks of classes before you can begin the next unit. Alongside the unit you will be working on the assessment. In the first year you will complete 4 units, with the same number of units needed to complete the second year including a Dissertation. We also offer the opportunity to complete the units at your own pace.
You do not need to come to AECC for any assessment as the whole course is completed remotely.
DOWNLOAD COURSE SPECIFICATION HERE
Unit breakdown
(Optional Unit)
PGT7015 Professional development
This unit aims to support you to identify your own learning needs and support development of knowledge, skills, and expertise within a specialised field or area of practice. You will explore professional development in practice, including professional identity, communication, and decision-making, and critically reflect on these areas in relation to your development and role as a practitioner. You will demonstrate an understanding of reflective practice and develop personal responsibility in evaluating and improving professional practice.
Want to study this as a single unit?
Application deadline: 27.10.23
Starting: Late October
(Core Unit)
PGT7013 Evidence based practice
This unit aims to allow you to provide a basis to understand the concepts and principles of evidence-based practice and have a critical awareness of the problems of their application in professional practice, to ensure your professional practice is underpinned by evidence, including robust research findings, patients’ views, and your own clinical expertise; and to develop the ability to identify clinical questions relevant to your practice, review and critique evidence in the area, and evaluate any change to enhance your professional practice.
Want to study this as a single unit?
Application deadline: 15.09.2023
Starting: Late September
(Core Unit)
MPH7001 Paediatric development
This unit will allow you to advance your knowledge, attitudes and skills in paediatric development. This unit provides you with the cognitive knowledge supporting the clinical sciences relating to paediatric musculoskeletal care.
The unit provides you with the opportunity to apply, synthesize and evaluate how the cognitive knowledge base in paediatric development transfers directly into patient care. The aim is to further advance your proficiency at evaluating a range of typical and atypical developmental patterns throughout the paediatric spectrum from birth to young adulthood.
Want to study this as a single unit?
Application deadline: 27.10.23
Starting: Late October
(Core Unit)
MPH7002 Paediatric musculoskeletal examination and diagnosis
This unit will allow you to advance your knowledge, skills and attitudes required to examine and diagnose paediatric patients. When examining and diagnosing paediatric patients, you need to be able to integrate relevant patient data through appropriate history taking, physical examination, investigations, and psychosocial factors during a patient encounter.
The aim of this unit is to further advance your proficiency at examining and diagnosing paediatric patients presenting with musculoskeletal complaints over the paediatric spectrum from birth to young adulthood.
Want to study this as a single unit?
Application deadline: 23.02.24
Starting: Late February
(Core Unit)
MPH7003 Paediatric musculoskeletal interventions
This unit will allow you to advance your knowledge, skills and attitudes required to evaluate and deliver interventions in paediatric patients with musculoskeletal complaints within your scope of practice.
The aim is to allow you to gain knowledge and understanding of commonly used therapies that might also sit outside of your scope of practice alongside public health and health promotion interventions in the paediatric musculoskeletal field. The aim is to further advance your proficiency and safety at providing evidence-based care of patients presenting with musculoskeletal complaints over the paediatric spectrum from birth to young adulthood.
Want to study this as a single unit?
Application deadline: 15.09.2023
Starting: Late September
(Core Unit)
MPH7004 Paediatric musculoskeletal management
This work-based learning unit will allow you to advance your knowledge, skills and attitudes required to manage paediatric patients. When managing patients, several factors will influence your clinical encounters and plans of care: child and family centred concepts, legal and ethical principles, as well as your professional values and behaviours.
The aim is to further advance your proficiency at managing paediatric patients presenting with musculoskeletal complaints over the paediatric spectrum from birth to young adulthood.
Want to study this as a single unit?
Application deadline: 12.01.24
Starting: January 2024
PGT7011 Research methods
The unit aims to allow you to explore the philosophical underpinnings of research approaches and methodologies; to develop a critical understanding of qualitative, quantitative, and mixed-methods research designs; to explore and apply analysis of empirical research data; to develop appropriate original research questions and to systematically plan a research investigation; and to enhance your understanding of the ethical considerations of clinical research and how to apply these in the context of study design and implementation.
Want to study this as a single unit?
Application deadline: 12.01.24
Starting: January 2024
PGT7012 Dissertation
The unit aims to allow you to develop your ability to critically evaluate current knowledge in a topic area; to identify and select problems relevant and appropriate to research inquiry, by conducting and completing an original and ethically-sound research investigation; to create knowledge to inform professional practice; and to report and disseminate findings in a manner that is professionally relevant and that contributes to professional development in a topic area.
Entry Requirements
This course is aimed at registered practitioners who wish to develop their knowledge and skills further regarding musculoskeletal paediatric health. Applicants will be required to have a recognised degree or professional qualification in a relevant healthcare subject and a minimum of two years relevant post-registration clinical experience. Examples of relevant professions include: chiropractic, physiotherapy, osteopathy, midwifery, occupational therapy, nursing or medicine.
Students must be registered with their respective professional regulatory body, e.g. Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC), General Medicine Council (GMC), Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC), General Chiropractic Council (GCC), or equivalent outside of the UK and have practice insurance. The minimum entry requirement is a 2:2 degree in an appropriate subject area.
Overseas applicants will require IELTS with an overall score of 7.0 with no less than 6.0 in each component or equivalent.
Applicants with prior experience will be able to make use of the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) process to gain recognition of their credits. This would allow for completion of credits in a staged process by acknowledging previously completed units. Units being considered for RPL will be reviewed to ensure they meet the learning needs of the course and specific unit. The learning would generally be expected to be completed within 5 years, to ensure the content is still relevant, however this may be extended on review if the content was deemed appropriate and contemporary.
For general questions on MSc Musculoskeletal Paediatric Health entry requirements or to register your interest in the course please use the contact form at the bottom of this page.
How do I apply?
Applications for MSc Musculoskeletal Paediatric Health are now open, please follow the link below to our online application system.
Study a Single Unit
Studying individual units of this course is a great way to avoid the commitment of a full postgraduate certificate, or to dip your toes in the water before deciding if you want to take on the whole course. It is also a great way to add to your continuing professional development (CPD) requirements, as you can choose units that are relevant to your specific needs.
Apply to study an individual unit of this course
Applications close mid-September 2023
Course Fees
This course is offered via distance learning
Fees for all students are charged on a per-unit basis at £830 per 20 credit unit.
Please note that these fees are for the 2023-24 academic year only and may be subject to increase in subsequent years of study. Any increase will be in line with our Tuition Fees Policy but will not be more than 5%.
Should you have any questions on course fees please see our Fees and Payment Information page or contact our admissions team on the form below.
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