MA in Social, Personal and Health Education (SPHE)

The Masters in SPHE offers participants a unique opportunity to finely tune their facilitation and personal skills through practical experience, group process and advanced personal development.  The aim of the programme is to build on the learning of the Higher Diploma in SPHE and further enhance knowledge, skills, attitudes and competencies resulting in effective facilitation of SPHE in the school setting, with groups, individuals and key populations.

The Masters in SPHE also aims to develop academic capabilities underpinned by relevant academic theory and to enable participants to make an original and significant contribution at the forefront of the field of study of SPHE, and thus to advance SPHE as an academic discipline. 

The programme is jointly run by the Department of Health, Sport and Exercise Science and the Department of Adult and Continuing Education in partnership with the HSE.

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of the Masters  in SPHE participants will be able to:

§  Develop, plan and facilitate SPHE in a variety of settings;

§  Exhibit a thorough grounding in the principles and concepts of health promotion;

§  Develop and plan a programme of participative workshops;

§  Apply the principles of SPHE in their social, personal and professional lives;

§  Evaluate their process and performance and those of others;

§  Understand introjection, projection and retroflection;

§  Formulate new understandings of the principles of health promotion and health education;

§  Identify, describe and critique theories from health, education, life-span psychology and research relevant to SPHE;

§  Demonstrate further planning and facilitation skills;

§  Scrutinise and reflect on social norms and group processes;

§  Research and write a Masters dissertation;

§  Make an original contribution to knowledge in the field.

How is this Programme Structured?

For the award of Masters in SPHE you need to accumulate 90 credits.

*WIT reserves the right to make changes affecting this course without prior notice

The Masters in SPHE runs over three semesters and two academic years.  The delivery of the course reflects the flexibility required for adult learners and all modules are delivered one evening per week from 7.00-10.00pm and one residential weekend.  Participants must attend at leave 80% of the course hours in order to pass the course. This programme may be delivered in a modular form and for further information contact the course leaders.

Programme Delivery

The course is delivered through a blend of experiential learning and traditional teaching methods.              A maximum of 16 particpants will be accepted onto this course. 

Entry Requirements

Applicants must hold a level 8 qualification or its equivalent and have completed the Higher Diploma in SPHE, or the existing extramural certificate in SPHE or an equivalent programme deemed to be a suitable alternative which incorporates a high level of experiential learning and self development.  Equivalent programmes being considered will require written confirmation of qualification and portfolio presentation including applicants relevant experience and learning.

All participants on the MA in SPHE must demonstrate that they have a level of maturity and life experience adequate to cope with the modalities of the programme. The programme board will require an interview with applicants to ascertain this.

All eligible applicants will be called for an interview before an offer of a place will be made. 

Career Opportunities

For all people whose core work involves communication with others; this course is an invaluable asset to the following;

Cost    €6,000

Closing date for Receipt of Applications    Friday, 6^th May 2011

How To Apply   Please go to www.pac.ie

Application Queries contact;

Postgraduate Administrator,

School of Education and Professional Development,

Waterford Institute of Technology,

College St. Campus,

Waterford . 

Tel:  +353 (0)51 302225

 Course Leaders

MA in SPHE flyer
(PDF, 759KB)