Programme is made: To initiate and lead practice developments in your area. To demonstrate clinically effective practice through critical engagement. To demonstrate advanced research skills, which enable you to appraise research design and effective practice, and develop the requisite research knowledge and skills to implement best practice. To engage in effective intra and inter professional working with healthcare colleagues. To advance practice in your profession and designated area through effective leadership and innovation. To demonstrate a critical engagement with decision-making frameworks and processes in health and social care contexts. For those continuing to complete the MSc. component it is expected that you will be able to plan, undertake and disseminate an original piece of healthcare practice research upon completion.

Direct entry to the programme will be considered for candidates who hold a Primary Degree (NFQ Level 8), with a minimum of Second-Class Honours, Grade Two (H2.2), in a relevant discipline. Where a prospective student has not attained the required academic level prior to their application, and in keeping with University policy on equality of access and opportunity, additional opportunities for entry to the programme, will be available. These are offered through Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL). Candidates will normally be expected to be working in the area of practice which they hope to study over the course of the programme. The programme will incorporate a separate external practice placement International candidates are expected to have educational qualifications of a standard equivalent to those outlined above. In addition, where such candidates are non-native speakers of the English language, they must satisfy the university of their competency in the English language to the minimum DCU entry requirements.