Master of Philosophy in Intellectual Disability

Purpose

• To provide qualifiers with the necessary knowledge, specific skills and applied competence such that they will meet the requirements for subspecialisation in intellectual disability psychiatry/mental health with the College of Medicine of South Africa. This includes a minimum period of supervised experiential learning and success in a College of Medicine examination for the Certificate in Intellectual Disability Psychiatry and Mental Health. Further to provide qualifiers with the necessary foundation to conduct and present an independent research project.
• To provide South Africa with sufficient numbers of well-trained, competent intellectual disability mental health sub-specialists to serve the community and to contribute to scholarly activity in the field.

Rationale

This qualification provides advanced training in the theory and practice of intellectual disability.

Entry Requirements

To be eligible for consideration, the candidate must (a) have an approved Degree in medicine and registration with the Health Professions Council of South Africa as a medical practitioner; or (b) have obtained an approved Master's Degree in Clinical Psychology; or (c) have an approved professional health Degree qualification with prerequisite qualification with prerequisite experience that is recognised by the Senate as being equivalent to the above, including occupational therapy, physiotherapy, speech language therapy, nursing or clinical social work, and (d) be registered with the Health Professions Council of South Africa or the equivalent professional body.

This qualification comprises two focus areas namely

• Master of Philosophy (MPhil) Intellectual Disability Part 1(PRY7023W), Level 9, 90 Credits.
• MPhil Intellectual Disability Part 2(PRY7024W), Level 9, 90 Credits.

1. Ability to continue life-long learning.
2. Ability to reflect and to be patient centred.
3. Ability to apply specific knowledge of psychiatry and mental health, health and other issues in intellectual disability, neuro-behaviour and integrated neuroscience. Work effectively within a multidisciplinary team.
4. Evaluate and manage patients with intellectual disability and their families.
5. Promote health and quality of life of persons with intellectual disability.
6. Maintain up to date, quality practice by implementing research findings and conduct own research Work effectively with others in the multi-disciplinary team.
7. Disseminate knowledge and skills to patients, the community, fellow health workers, and future generations of health professionals.
8. Manage him/herself and his/her practice (in public or private sector) effectively with visionary leadership.
9. Understand and apply science and other related fields underpinning intellectual disability and management thereof.
10. Work alongside the other related disciplines (e.g. other mental health disciplines, neurology, genetics) to advance understanding of intellectual disability.
11. Awareness of cultural and other contextual aspects of health and illness in intellectual disability. Promote health and prevent illness through primary, secondary and tertiary prevention. Be able to address ethical dilemmas.
12. On-going assessment of performance through regular supervision, case presentation and discussion. Formal feedback is given every six months.
13. At the end of the programme candidates will have been assessed formally by means of in-course assessments.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome

• Demonstrate required knowledge and clinical skills in intellectual disability.
• Demonstrate required knowledge and clinical skills in intellectual disability and produce dissertation.

Integrated Assessment

15% a three-hour written Part 1 examination 30% an oral examination 5% the presentation and examination of a dissertation 50% Part-time candidates will undergo the same in-course assessment and examination procedures but will be allowed an extra (third) year to complete coursework and dissertation requirements.