M.Sc. (CPN) - under the auspices of the Faculty of Health Sciences (cpn)

B

L.N. 161 of 2015

EDUCATION ACT

(CAP. 327)

Bye-Laws of 2015 in terms of the

General Regulations for University Postgraduate Awards, 2008 for the

Degree of International Master of Science in Community Psychiatric Nursing –

M.Sc. (CPN) - under the auspices of the Faculty of Health Sciences

IN EXERCISE of the powers conferred upon him by articles 74 (5) and 75 (6) of the

Education Act (Cap. 327), the Chancellor of the University of Malta has promulgated

the following bye-laws made by the Board of the Faculty of Health Sciences in virtue

of the powers conferred upon it by article 81 (1) (c) of the said Act and which have

been approved by the Senate of the University of Malta as required by section 81 (2)

of the said Act

Citation and Interpretation

(1) These bye-laws may be cited as the Bye-Laws of 2015 in terms of

the General Regulations for University Postgraduate Awards, 2008 for the degree of

International Master of Science in Community Psychiatric Nursing – M.Sc. (CPN) –

under the auspices of the Faculty of Health Sciences.

(2)

In these bye-laws, unless the context otherwise requires –

“the Board” means the Board of the Faculty of Health Sciences;

“the Board of Studies” means the Board of Studies appointed by Senate after

consultation with the Partner University;

“the Course” means the programme of study leading to the degree of

International Master of Science in Community Psychiatric Nursing – M.Sc. (CPN);

“the Degree” means the degree of Master of Science in Community Psychiatric

Nursing – M.Sc. (CPN);

“the Partner University ” means the University of Southern Indiana, U.S.A.;

“the Postgraduate Diploma” means the Postgraduate Diploma in Community

Psychiatric Nursing – P.G.Dip. (CPN);

“the Principal Regulations” means the General Regulations for University

Postgraduate Awards, 2008;

“the Senate” means the Senate of the University of Malta; and

“the University” means the University of Malta.

B

(3) This Degree is an International Master’s degree of the University and

this shall be taken to mean that the Course is taught at the University in collaboration

with the Partner University within the framework of a double degree programme.

(The Degree shall only be awarded if both universities declare the student to be

eligible for its award).

Applicability

These bye-laws shall be applicable for courses commencing in

September 2015 or later.

Requirements for Admission

(1)

The Course shall be open to applicants in possession of either

(i) a first cycle degree in psychiatric or mental health nursing obtained with

at least Second Class Honours, or an equivalent classification; or

(ii) a first cycle degree in nursing obtained with at least Second Class Honours,

or an equivalent classification, and a minimum of two years’ practical experience in

psychiatric or mental health nursing environments deemed relevant by the Board of

Studies; or

(iii) a postgraduate award in psychiatric or mental health nursing obtained

following a first cycle award.

(2) Senate, on the advice of the Board, may limit the number of

applicants to be admitted to the Course. When the number is so limited and the

number of eligible applicants exceeds the number of places available, applicants shall

be selected after an interview, according to the following criteria, agreed to by both

Partner Universities

(i) degree type and classification - 40%;

(ii) experience in the area - 20%;

(iii) letter of motivation - 30%; and

(iv) references - 10%.

(3) The interviewing board shall be appointed by the Board and shall

be composed of at least three members.

(4) The interviewing board may make use of electronic means of

communication in order to carry out interviews with applicants.

Course Duration

The Course shall extend over a period of three semesters of full-time

study.

B

Programme of Study

(1) The programme of study shall comprise study-units to which a total

of 90 ECTS credits are assigned, of which 60 ECTS credits are assigned to taught and

clinical study-units and 30 ECTS credits to the dissertation study-unit.

(2) Students who obtain the 60 ECTS credits assigned to taught study-

units with an average mark of at least 50% and do not proceed with the Course, or

having proceeded do not successfully complete the Course, shall be eligible for the

award of the Postgraduate Diploma.

(3) The programme of study shall be published after approval by Senate,

normally not less than eight months prior to the commencement of the Course.

Assessment and Progress

(1) The assessment of each taught study-unit shall be completed by the

end of the semester in which the teaching of the study-unit is held.

(2) Students who in any academic year fail in the assessment of not

more than two taught study-units shall be given the opportunity to re-sit the failed

assessments at the next scheduled examination session (May or September).

(3) Students who fail in more than the number of study-units permitted

under paragraph (2) of this bye-law, or students who after re-assessment fail to obtain

credit for any taught study-unit, shall be deemed to have failed the Course.

(4) Students must pass both theoretical and supervised clinical work

assessments in the study-units which contain these elements.

(5) Students who fail to obtain a pass grade in the supervised clinical

components shall not have the right to a supplementary assessment and shall be

required to re-do this component during an additional year of studies. Such an

additional year shall not be counted for the purpose of the Course duration.

Dissertation

(1) Students shall be required to submit an individual dissertation of

approximately 20,000 words, in accordance with the guidelines issued by the Board

of Studies.

(2) Work on the dissertation shall be undertaken during the third

semester of the Course. Each student shall be assigned a supervisor who shall provide

guidance and advice on a regular basis during the period of study.

B

(3) The title of the dissertation and a detailed research proposal shall

be approved by the Board of Studies not later than one month before the start of the

second semester.

(1)

Students shall be required to have regular contact with their

supervisor.

(2) Supervisors shall submit to the Board of Studies progress reports

for each student under their supervision. Such reports may include a recommendation

to either (a) extend the period of study in order to enable the student to complete the

dissertation; or (b) terminate studies prematurely if the supervisor deems this to be

proper in the circumstances, provided that

(i) the extension of the study period referred to in (a) shall be in accordance

with the provisions of Principal Regulations; and

(ii) the Board of Studies may not terminate studies prematurely according to

(b) until it has first given the student a chance to be heard.

(1) Each dissertation shall be examined by a Board of Examiners

composed of at least three examiners representing both partner universities.

(2) Students may be required to take a viva voce examination to

defend their dissertation and this may also be conducted using electronic means of

communication if so approved by the Board of Studies.

(3) Students whose dissertation is found unsatisfactory may either fail

or may be required by the Board of Examiners to rewrite the document in whole or in

part, and to re-submit it for examination. Students may re-submit the dissertation not

later than six months from notification of the decision of the Board of Examiners.

Classification of the Awards

The Final Weighted Average Mark for the purpose of the classification of

the Postgraduate Diploma and the Degree shall be based on the results obtained in all

the components of the programme of study, all credits being weighted equally.

Testimonial of the Award

The testimonial given by the University shall include a statement to

indicate that the Partner University has separately awarded a degree for successful

completion of the same Course.

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