Course Overview

Watch video about this programme here.

The Disciplines of Children’s Studies (College of Arts, Social Sciences and Celtic Studies) and Paediatrics (College of Medicine, Nursing and Midwifery and Health Sciences) have come together to develop a new postgraduate degree in Adolescent Health. This programme, the first programme of its kind in Europe, provides students with interdisciplinary training in adolescent health grounded in a public health approach. Our programme is specifically aimed at educators, social care workers, youth workers, coaches and health professionals who are passionate about improving the health and well-being of adolescents. Our students will enjoy the flexibility of a Blended Learning approach, which combines online courses with monthly on-campus workshops that are held the first Saturday of each month. The programme can also be completed on either a full-time (one year) or part-time (two year) basis, allowing students to complete the programme around their personal schedules. Through our rigorous curriculum, our students learn how to define the health and developmental needs of adolescents, design strategies to address those needs, and evaluate the effectiveness of adolescent health policies and programmes. When students leave this programme, they are equipped with the requisite knowledge and skills to make a difference and create change locally, nationally, and globally.

Objectives of the programme
To explore the unique challenges and opportunities that are faced by adolescents, as they go through a period of transition from childhood to adulthood. The programme aims to provide professionals working alongside adolescents with relevant knowledge and skills unique to adolescents, to enhance their working relationships, and allow for a deeper understanding of the needs of this age group.

Frequently Asked Questions

Download FAQ's here.

Applications and Selections

Applications are made online via the University of Galway Postgraduate Applications System

Who Teaches this Course

  • Dr Julie Spray
researcher
Dr. Michal Molcho
B.A., M.A., Ph.D.
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researcher
Dr Rosemary Geoghegan
BCh, BAO, DCh, HDip, MB, MICGP
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researcher
Dr. Edina Moylett
MB,BCH,BAO,LRCPI,LRCSI,DCH,MRCPI,
SENIOR LECTURER
Dept. of Paediatrics
Room 220
Clinical Science Institute
NUI Galway
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Requirements and Assessment

  • Official qualifications and exam results (transcripts) to date: required for all non-University of Galway applicants and for University of Galway graduates who did not receive their undergraduate degrees from University of Galway. Applicants who have still to graduate must upload final transcripts on receipt. 
  • English language competency: if necessary, evidence of English language competency.
  • Personal statement: all applicants must enclose a typed personal statement of approximately 600 words explaining why you wish to undertake the programme(s) of your choice, outlining how it fits into your career objectives, unless indicated otherwise in the table below. 
  • Passport or Birth certificate—a copy of your passport or birth certificate must also be submitted.
  • Two references.

The course is assessed by a range of continuous assessments, including essays, portfolios, reflection assignments and group assignments.

Key Facts

Entry Requirements

Applications to the MSc in Adolescent Health will be evaluated by the programme board which will review a range of criteria, including the applicant’s academic record, relevant professional experience, and overall motivation and suitability for the programme. Successful candidates will have a strong undergraduate record with a minimum of a 2.2 in Level 8 in the social sciences, health sciences, medicine, or a cognate discipline. Applicants with a Level 7 with extensive experience working with adolescents will also be considered on a case-by-case basis. Applicants are also required to submit a Personal Statement that highlights their commitment to the field of adolescent health. Applicants are required to submit two letters of recommendation. Applicants should also include a resumé.

International applicants are required to have an equivalent degree and results from their undergraduate university. Applicants from countries where English is not the official language must submit scores from the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). A minimum score of a 6.5 is required on the IELTS.

Additional Requirements

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

Duration

1 year, full-time; 2 years, part-time

Next start date

September 2024

A Level Grades ()

Average intake

25

QQI/FET FETAC Entry Routes

Closing Date

Please view the offer rounds website.

NFQ level

Mode of study

ECTS weighting

Full-time- 90 ECTS; Part-time- 30 ECTS Year 1 + 60 ECTS Year 2

Award

CAO

Course code

MSC-AH

Course Outline

Modules

Students will be required to complete ten core modules during the programme, including:

  • Foundations of Public Health in the Context of Adolescence;
  • Adolescent Health and Development;
  • Research Methods;
  • Determinants of Adolescent Health;
  • Chronic Health Conditions in Adolescence;
  • Designing, Implementing, and Evaluating Adolescent Health Programmes;
  • Communication for Adolescent Health;
  • Quality Improvement;
  • Leadership Development; and,
  • An Integrative Learning Experience tailored to their personal interests and career goals.

Through this programme students will learn to define the health and development needs of adolescents, design strategies to address those needs, and evaluate the effectiveness of adolescent health policies and programmes. 

 

Why Choose This Course?

Career Opportunities

Why choose this programme?

  • You will receive interdisciplinary training in adolescent health grounded in a public health approach.
  • You will enjoy the flexibility of a blended learning approach, which combines asynchronous activities, live class sessions via zoom, and a series of on-campus workshops held the first Saturday of each month throughout the academic year.
  • You can choose to complete the programme either on a full-time (one year) or part-time (two year) basis, allowing you to complete the programme around your personal schedule.
  • You will learn to define the health and developmental needs of adolescents, design strategies to address those needs, and evaluate the effectiveness of adolescent health policies and programmes.
  • You will complete an Integrative Learning Experience (ILE), such as a community-led project, narrative review, or independent research leading to a thesis. Your ILE final project will be on a topic of your choosing and tailored to your personal interests and professional goals.
  • When you leave this programme, you will have the necessary knowledge and skills to work with and on behalf of adolescents, and to promote and improve the health of adolescents locally, nationally, and globally 

Employment and career opportunities

The MSc in Adolescent Health arms students with the foundational knowledge and practical skills needed to make a difference on the health and well-being of adolescents in their community and around the globe. Our students learn about the physical, cognitive, social, and emotional needs of adolescents and further their understanding of the challenges and opportunities faced by this age group. Through our rigorous curriculum, students develop their critical thinking, analytic, communication, leadership, decision-making, and key public health skills. Graduates are prepared to work in a vast array of organisations both nationally and internationally including health care, consulting firms, departments of health and education, hospitals, not-for-profit organisations, schools, universities, and many, many more.

Who’s Suited to This Course

Learning Outcomes

When you complete this programme, you’ll be able to:

  • Appraise the developmental changes that occur during adolescence
  • Identify the emotional and physical needs of adolescents and apply them to practice
  • Demonstrate an understanding of common physical and mental health illnesses/conditions in adolescents- aetiology, their management, and their impact on daily living
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the appropriate strategies required to optimize effective communication with adolescents
  • Demonstrate an appreciation of the complexity of the needs, challenges and abilities of adolescents

Transferable Skills Employers Value

By the end of this course, students are expected to aqcuire the following skills:

  • Planning and conducting adolescent-based research
  • Effectively communicating with adolescents, applying evidence-based communication frameworks
  • Outlining and ability to critically evaluate the professional role and responsibilities associated with the provision of services to adolescents

Work Placement

Study Abroad

Related Student Organisations

Course Fees

Fees: EU

€7,890 p.a. full-time; €3,855 p.a part-time (including levy) 2024/25

Fees: Tuition

€7,750 p.a. full-time; €3,750 p.a. part-time 2024/25

Fees: Student levy

€140 p.a. full-time; €105 p.a. part-time 2024/25

Fees: Non EU

€19,000 p.a. (€19,140 including levy) 2024/25


Student levy €140—payable by all students and is not covered by SUSI.  Further detail here.

Find out More

Professor Michal Molcho
Discipline of Children’s Studies
School of Education
E: Michal.Molcho@universityofgalway.ie


What Our Students Say

Sarah

Sarah O’Loughlin |   Paediatric Specialist Registrar

As a paediatric doctor with an interest in adolescent health, this course was an excellent fit for me. The blended learning approach made it possible for me to undertake this masters on a part-time basis while working full-time. The course delivers up-to-date insights into the physical & mental health needs of adolescents. The course is truly multidisciplinary, with lecturers from sociological, medical and educational backgrounds. I found the lecturers and guest speakers to be very approachable, and dedicated to helping students meet their individual career goals. I enjoyed the interactive nature of the lectures & workshops, and found the assessments to be relevant and beneficial to my learning. The modules have opened my mind to different perspectives on adolescence, using medical, holistic and public health approaches. This masters has equipped me with the knowledge and skills I need to communicate with and advocate for my adolescent patients. It has also allowed me to make important connections within the world of adolescent health, both in Ireland and abroad. I would highly recommend this course to anyone who is interested in improving the health and well-being of adolescents.
Alana

Alana Bligh |   Former MSc Adolescent Health Student

I would highly recommend the MSc Adolescent Health to anyone who is passionate about working with or on behalf of Adolescents. The course modules are all extremely unique and engaging. I would describe the course content as ‘with the times.’ The creators of this course are forward thinkers who are aiding in filling the gap in Adolescent care education. Unique to this course is that you have daily lectures with the course coordinator who is always open to feedback on how she can make your learning easier or improve aspects of the course. Both Dr Molcho and Dr Sullivan are always seeking the students’ opinions and views on what they would deem helpful and making the adjustments immediately. They are encouraging motivation in all aspects of the delivery of the course. We have weekly guest lecturers from leading professionals in the field of Adolescent health in both Ireland and America. This allows us to make connections within the field before we have even graduated. All lectures are truly engaging and interactive. As well as the master’s degree we also qualify with extensive certified HSE quality improvement training and certified motivational interview training.

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