2012/2013

Postgraduate Diploma in Older Person Rehabilitation

NFQ Level 9, Major Award

The Postgraduate Diploma in 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 (18 months) from the date of first registration for the programme.

Entry Requirements
Candidates must have the following:

• A Primary Degree or an equivalent qualification and profesional experience in a relevant health care discipline to be approved by the College of Medicine and Health
• Ideally candidates should have practical experience in their area of qualifications of at least one year post-registration.
• Active registration or eligibility for registration with the appropriate professional healthcare registration body in Ireland.
• Evidence of proficiency in the English Language. Students whose primary language is not English must have a minimum of IELTS 6.5 with no individual section less than 5.5.
• Applicants who do not meet the normal academic or experience requirements may also be considered following a review of their individual qualifications and experience by the course committee. Admission of such applicants will be subject to the approval of the College of Medicine and Health Executive Committee.
• Selection will be based on academic achievement and relevant work experience. Some applicants who do not fulfil the usual entry requirements may be invited to interview to satisfy the selection committee of their suitability for the programme.
• Acceptance of a candidate into the programme is subject to Garda/Police Clearance.
  
  Exemptions at the Point of Entry to the Postgraduate Diploma Programme
  In accordance with UCC’s Policy for Recognition of Prior Learning, students who have completed relevant university postgraduate modules in a cognate area at similar NFQ level may apply for exemptions for modules taken within the last five years. A student who has successfully completed the Postgraduate Certificate in Older Person Rehabilitation examination will be eligible for exemptions for the modules already taken, if completed within the last five years.

Programme Requirements

Full-time
The full-time Postgraduate Diploma in 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 (approximately 4 days per month during term). Most classes are held in one or two weekday blocks, including some weekend days.

Students take core modules to the value of 25 credits as follows:

CG6002 Stroke Rehabilitation (10 credits)
CG6009 Principles in Older Person Rehabilitation (10 credits)
CG6010 Clinical Practicum in Older Person Rehabilitation (5 credits)

Students take elective* modules to the value of 35 credits from the following. Students are encouraged to discuss their choices with the programme coordinator. Note: not all modules may be offered every year:

CG6003 Cognition, Communication, Capacity and Rehabilitation (10 credits)
CG6005 Amputee and Prosthetic Rehabilitation (5 credits)
CG6006 Falls, Mobility and Movement Disorders (10 credits)
CG6007 Independent Study (5 credits)
EH6038 Applied Research for Gerontology and Rehabilitation (10 credits) 
NU6115 Decision-making in Contemporary Rehabilitation Practice Using Validated Ethical Frameworks (10 credits)

Module descriptions are contained in the Book of Modules 2012/2013.

*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. Physiotherapy students may choose to take 15 credits from prescribed courses in UL or RCSI (list of external modules approved by the College of Medicine and Health available from the Centre for Gerontology and Rehabilitation). The module(s) are 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.

Part-time
The part-time Postgraduate Diploma in Older Person Rehabilitation runs over two academic years (18 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 (approximately 2 days per month during term). Most classes are held in one or two weekday blocks, including some weekend days.

Students take core modules to the value of 25 credits as follows in Year 1:

CG6002 Stroke Rehabilitation (10 credits)
CG6009 Principles in Older Person Rehabilitation (10 credits)
CG6010 Clinical Practicum in Older Person Rehabilitation (5 credits)

Students take elective* modules to the value of 35 credits from the following over two years (maximum 15 credits to be taken in year 1). Students are encouraged to discuss their choices with the programme coordinator. Note: not all modules may be offered every year:

CG6003 Cognition, Communication, Capacity and Rehabilitation (10 credits)
CG6005 Amputee and Prosthetic Rehabilitation (5 credits)
CG6006 Falls, Mobility and Movement Disorders (10 credits)
CG6007 Independent Study (5 credits)
EH6038 Applied Research for Gerontology and Rehabilitation (10 credits)
NU6115 Decision-making in Contemporary Rehabilitation Practice Using Validated Ethical Frameworks (10 credits)

Module descriptions are contained in the Book of Modules 2012/2013.

*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. Physiotherapy students may choose to take 15 credits from prescribed courses in UL or RCSI (list of external modules approved by the College of Medicine and Health is available from the Centre for Gerontology and Rehabilitation). The module(s) are 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.

Examinations
Full details and regulations governing Examinations for each programme will be contained in the Marks and Standards 2013 Book and for each module in the Book of Modules 2012/2013.

Exit award: Postgraduate Certificate (NFQ Level 9, Minor Award)
Upon satisfactory completion of 30 credits in Older Person Rehabilitation, to include module CG6009, students 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 Postgraduate Diploma level must do so within 5 years of successful completion of the Certificate Examination.

Progression to MSc
Following successful completion of the examinations for the Postgraduate Diploma in Older Person Rehabilitation, a student may opt not to be conferred and instead may transfer to the MSc in Older Person Rehabilitation. Alternatively, a student previously conferred with the Postgraduate Diploma in Older Person Rehabilitation within three years of completion, may apply for registration in the MSc in Older Person Rehabilitation, with exemptions granted for modules already taken.
Note: 

1. Module EH6038 (Applied Research) needs to be completed, if not already taken as part of the Postgraduate Diploma, prior to submission of the research thesis.
2. A student who does not hold an Honours Primary Degree must obtain an Honours standard in the examinations for the Postgraduate Diploma in order to be eligible to apply/ transfer to the MSc programme.

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.