Course description
The MSc in Mindfulness-Based Approaches (MBAs) is designed to provide students with a strong experiential and theoretical knowledge-base in MBAs as a basis for professional practice, teaching and research in this area.
Content and Structure
The curriculum is designed to extend your current personal experience of the practice of mindfulness, knowledge of the growing field of MBAs, and skills and understanding in teaching these.
The taught component of the course comprises the four modules below. Modules 1, 2 and 3 must be taken sequentially. Module 4 can be taken alongside any of the other modules. The dissertation can be written alongside the taught modules or subsequent to them.
1. Mindfulness-Based Approaches: Foundation Module
Foundation in mindfulness-based approaches integrates personal experience of mindfulness practice with a development of understanding of the rationale MBAs.
2. Mindfulness-Based Approaches: Teaching 1
Teaching 1 develops core skills and understanding in the delivery of MBAs.
3. Mindfulness-Based Approaches: Teaching 2
Teaching 2 involves further development of skills and deepening of understanding in delivering MBAs.
4. Mindfulness-Based Approaches: Research and Evidence Base
Research and evaluation of mindfulness-based approaches includes basic research methodology, the considerations required for eliciting information on MBAs and knowledge of the body of research on mindfulness-based approaches.
5. Mindfulness-Based Approaches: Dissertation
Dissertation is a research thesis of up to 20,000 words worth 60 credits, presenting an individual research project conducted on a topic relevant to mindfulness-based approaches. Students work independently on this project with the support of a supervisor.
Teaching, Learning and Assessment
The core of the teaching is delivered in the interactive, participatory, collaborative style used when teaching mindfulness-based approaches in other contexts. This will be supported by some didactic presentations followed by group discussion and individual tutorials/supervision. The programme requires a strong personal commitment from participants to engage in a daily and ongoing personal mindfulness practice and in depth reflections on the experience of this.
Assessment methods include essays, oral presentations, assessments of teaching skills and the research thesis.
Careers
This course could enable you to develop your career in a number of ways. Students may opt to go on to further postgraduate study leading to a PhD. For qualified health, social care or education professionals, the course offers an exciting opportunity for continuing professional development.
